The journey would not take as long as Ryne expected or perhaps hoped for.
From Crystarium, the group set out towards the desert of Ahm Areng, following the call Ryne heard. Soon they would cross the flood enter the empty. The transition felt so unnatural…The natural sun rose above the vale, and only seconds ago, they were flying over settlements and towns of Twine and Mord Souq, only to find themselves in a place void of any life seconds later. Ryne could remember her friends looking around this barren wasteland.
"Holy…" - Lue-Reeq uttered as he gazed around him. "I never even hoped to travel beyond the flood, but this looks…I don't even know." - He couldn't put his feelings into words; Giott seemed to feel the same thing.
"Exactly as I thought it would look and still…It just ain't right."
Ryne understood their senses and shared many of them. Seeing the empty invoked a feeling of void and drought in one's soul. This was very different from the fear or disgust many have felt when seeing a lightwarden; perhaps it had a lot to do with the lack of aether in this place. How many cities and civilizations must have perished beneath this veil? Ryne could barely imagine. Even legends of those places have faded into obscurity with time.
"Are we on the right track?" - Cerigg, who piloted the machine, asked.
"I think so; the call is getting clearer." - Ryne responded. The bounty hunter nodded and continued to watch their path. "I don't like this place, not one bit."
"I'd take a nice look at someone who would." - Reeq intercepted. "Guess I might get the chance soon with that "Emet" person…" - He sighed and leaned back in his seat. "Oh, well, might as well enjoy the breeze while I'm at it!"
Ryne felt the whispers and sounds in her head. They became so loud that she could barely focus on the world around her. They dissipated, then slowly built up only to be broken down, going from whispers to downright screams. They got closer. She fought to have dealt with her fears, but there was still a lingering terror. The girl wasn't afraid to die, not after what she's been through, but there was something about the coming moment that she dreaded. Was it a fear of not being strong enough to save their world? Or was it…
"How are you feeling?" - Granson looked at Ryne and asked with concern, helping her stay in reality with all the calls in her mind. The oracle was appreciative of it.
"Alright, just…Getting ready." - It was hard to describe precisely, but Granson understood.
"Don't you worry, these bastards won't even lay a finger on us." - The warrior smiled, causing Ryne to feel a little more confident.
"Wasn't planning to let them." - The girl nodded and went silent again. She was about to think about their next steps, but eventually, Cerigg has noticed something.
"By the tower…" - He gasped, causing others to pay attention. "I think that's our target."
As the machine slowed down, they finally witnessed it before their eyes. Ryne gazed at a gigantic sin eater, superior to any she had seen before. A creature was inanimate and buried deep within the land, as it was in her dream. A basin surrounded the creation with several roaming sin-eaters within.
"That's the first sin-eater? I should've raised my expectations." - Giott said with awe and a clear desire to get it done.
"Cerigg, stop before the basin." - Granson said. "If we go any further, the beasts will notice."
"You don't have to say twice. Suicide wasn't in my schedule." - Cerigg pushed the brakes with their machine, eventually stopping. They were right. Going ahead would be dangerous.
"Eh…I don't want to be the first to step on that." - Reeq said, looking at the crystallized light beneath them.
"Oh, shut up!" - Giott jumped over him from the nearby sear and quickly landed on the ground. "Hah, doesn't feel different from the sand. Come on!"
"Ok, but if we all turn into sin-eaters minutes later, I was the voice of reason." - Reeq jumped out, followed by others. The adventurers now stood on the edge of this basin with their amulets on. Hopefully, these will prevent Emet-Selch from detecting them, but knowing that he was somewhere in there was not a soothing thought.
"So…What's our next step?" - Cerigg wondered, looking at Ryne.
"We will need to get inside. Hydaelyn said that I will be able to take control from there." - Ryne said; Cerigg still remained unsure.
"And then?" - He inquired.
"We'll see…I will have a lot of power at my disposal by then." - Ryne responded.
"Controlling sin-eaters instead of killing them, I like that! The conquering of…" - Reeq stuttered in his musings. - "You know, we should give that thing a name."
"Have you lost your mind or just drank a little too much? It happens when you're not accustomed." - Giott responded.
"No, seriously, we'll have to tell our children about that thing one day. "The first sin-eater" doesn't roll off the tongue…."
"How about Eden?" - Ryne said, thinking of one of the words that stood out from the fae language. This sin-eater was a weapon that would either eradicate this world or save it once and for all. If they succeed, this will be a most fitting name…And they must succeed. In fighting to reach this sin-eater, they fought to breathe life into their own world.
"Eden…Yes, I like the sound of that!" - Reeq approved.
"If you're done with the posturing, can we actually focus on our task?" - Cerigg said.
"We'll have to get closer…Quietly, so they don't notice us." - Granson said. "From there, we'll need to get inside, which might prove a little challenging…" - Ryne didn't think about it yet, but if there is a core, perhaps there would be a way to reach it.
"Proceeding with care and avoiding the beasts? Sounds…Doable." - Cerigg said, adventurers, looked at Ryne, expecting her final call. The girl looked at them and nodded.
"We should go before we get noticed." - She responded. They were as ready as they'll ever be.
The team descended into the basin gradually, trying to keep both Eden and the path ahead of them in sight. Giott was right; ignoring the origin of this place, the empty was no different from any desert. The adventurers decided not to talk too much as they descended. Who knows how good of a hearing sin-eaters here might have.
Speaking of which…As they trod carefully, hiding behind any rocks in their way, the number of sin-eaters ahead increased. The beasts would ravage this land, trying to find any light source. Sometimes they would even attack each other with animalistic brutality.
"So that's where they went…" - Cerigg whispered. "I wonder why?"
"The ascian wanted to power it up apparently." - Granson said. "And not successfully."
Occasionally the sin-eaters rose above the ground, circling around the vale. These were moments where Ryne prayed to Hydaelyn that they would not notice. It was going well so far, the monsters would rise and descend, but none of them ever left the basin or Eden. They must have heard the call. Emet lured them here to use as fuel. Even after pain and transformation, these people could not be spared the fate of being pawns in the ascian hands.
When they reached the inner basin, Ryne realized that her hopeful feeling was premature. The party heard something land to the right of them. Adventurers turned around and looked at the sin-eater. This creature was still vaguely resembling a human but a rather deformed one. Its skin was pale, and the beast was thin; there was almost nothing remaining of the face save for the one dark eyesocket. The creature gazed at adventurers. They would have attacked and killed it, but the sound would undoubtedly attract even more.
"Damn it…" - Giott said, desperately holding back her desire to simply attack. "Should we kill it or…"
Lue-Reeq seemed to have an idea. He reached for the arcane trap inside his pocket.
"What are you doing?" - Giott asked.
"Trying to deal with this thing before we have a bunch of them on our tails!" - He took out the arcane trap. Shortly before the monster got its chance to roar and summon allies, Reeq was swift to reach it and spring the arcane trap. The magical shield covered the eater, immediately switching its focus.
"Fire!" - Reeq said in a loud whisper that Cerigg could hear. The two archers began to shoot their arrows, each into the weakest spot of this monster, be it the neck or the eye. The beast fell and dissipated before it could even let out a sound.
Reeq sighed with relief and looked at his friends.
"That was something." - He whispered and looked at Cerigg with approval.
"Well played, Reeq, well played." - Granson smiled while still keeping his serious tone. They all knew that encountering this sin-eater would be the most minor of their problems.
Ryne looked at the others; everyone was ready to carry on. She could only hope that such incidents won't repeat. They wouldn't get so lucky next time. As they continued their path, Ryne looked at Eden, slowly getting closer. She saw it in her dreams before, but it paled compared to its grandiose nature incarnate. And that even considering that the majority of the monster was buried under the flood. How powerful would it be when it finally rises?
They were fortunate to avoid Emet-Selch for now, but he was likely inside, trying to reawaken Eden. If they alert themselves to his presence, Ryne was unsure how they could deal with him. Perhaps the light in here would weaken his darkness and allow them a few seconds to escape and reach the core, but this was a very hopeful way to think.
"Wait." - Granson, who led the party, decided to halt. He would immediately go to the nearest cover and hide. Others followed. There was one sin-eater in the basin ahead, but Granson seemed worried.
"What's the matter?" - Cerigg seemed perplexed.
"Ryne, look." - Granson pointed to this monster. Soon it ascended back into the sky, but there was someone else there. "Is that him? Is that Emet-Selch?" - It was the first time Ryne heard Granson's voice wavering. Soon the girl realized why.
A man stood among there, closely watching the nearby sin-eaters. He would use some of his spells on them, draining some of their life force. Ryne was shocked. This wasn't someone she had ever met before. She had to look at them and shake her head.
"These aren't his robes…" - Ryne said. "And Emet-Selch isn't able to use the power of light, how…" - Many thoughts ran through her mind. This man seemed like an ascian, a perfect match to what Thancred told her of their kind. But if this was not Emet-Selch…
"If that's true, that means…He isn't even alone anymore." - Reeq said with worry in his voice. This was not something they thought of. With all that Emet-Selch has posed for Ryne and this world, she almost forgot about the existence of other ascians. Perhaps she hoped that they were busy outside their shard, but…
The mysterious ascian turned around sharply. He gazed at their cover as if seeing something. Ryne and others clutched to the rock and hid behind, hoping that he would not notice. The white-robed man continued to peer at them for a few more moments, trying to see or sense something. Eventually, he turned his head away.
"That was close." - Giott was relieved. "Now…"
"Your disguise is rather flawed." - A voice both calm and terrifying in its sudden emergence rang behind adventurers. They looked around and entered the battle stance. The ascian emerged from the dark portal in front of them. "Greetings." - As he continued, Ryne felt unease. Not just because of the situation they found themselves in, but because of how familiar this voice sounded.
"So we're past hiding, eh? Then go to hell, you scumbag!" - Giott reacted instinctively and charged at the ascian. This was a mistake.
When the dwarf reached him, the ascian cast a darkness spell after only a few hits, which pushed her back. Giott hit the rock they hid behind before falling to the ground. Granson helped her get up while Reeq and Cerigg were ready to shoot at any moment. Ryne walked forward, trying to understand whether this could indeed be. This ascian was not like Emet. It seemed that despite his dark nature, he had some control over the power of light.
"Who are you? Are you with Emet-Selch?" - The girl asked, mastering her confidence.
"I am Elidibus, the emissary of the convocation of fourteen and the ascians." - He introduced himself in a monotonous voice. "I was not expecting to have such an encounter soon, but if that is our fate…" - It was clear to Ryne now. If you remove the unnatural monotone and calm from his voice, this would be a man she met only a few days ago.
"Wait, your voice…" - Ryne said. "Arctus?" - After these words, she could see Elidibus giving a faint smile.
"I see you are well with your memory." - He took off his mask and cape; the face before her was familiar. A young man with short show white hair and azure eyes, the one that helped her escape the crowd and saved her life.
"I've seen you before! You're that guard who helped Taynor and Ryne!" - Cerigg exclaimed, but Elidibus paid no attention but to Ryne.
"Why did you lie? Why did you even come there?" - Ryne said, getting slightly angry.
"My deceit was necessary to carry out my duty, all I have told you. Alas, my duty is more complicated than simply keeping the calm of the people." - Elidibus proceeded to tell. "Now, you may know the full extent."
"And why did you save me then? Was it in another of your games? Did you want to test me? I am tired of your ascian ploys!" - Ryne said furiously. She rarely allowed herself to become so angry, but the situation would leave no other choice.
"Indeed, I needed to test you. And this test has proved rather successful…" - Elidibus called to his dark power, ready to stun Ryne, but he was interrupted.
As the Emissary launched his attack at the girl, Granson jumped between them and blocked Elidibus's onslaught with his sword. The knight clenched his teeth, barely able to resist and feeling annihilating pain burning his skin. Ryne needed no other nudge. The girl rushed back to avoid wounds. An explosion of darkness followed, pushing Granson back as Elidibus still stood unscathed in front of him.
"An admirable yet futile attempt." - Elidibus said shortly before Reeq, Cerigg, and Giott joined the fight beside Granson. "I do not desire murder, but if you keep provoking me, you shall receive little mercy." - Emissary continued to speak calmly.
"You desire no murder, huh?" - Granson got up as Lue-Reeq helped him; he looked at Elidibus with primal anger. "From what I've heard of your kind, I know that you are the ones that started the flood. All of these people…All these kingdoms, warriors of darkness, even Milinda. All gone because of you!" - Ryne never saw him so furious, but standing in front of the one that has tormented their world for eternity would break even one as calm as Granson or Ryne.
"Had the flood not been halted, there have been no murders, only thousands of rejoined souls, one step closer to a real, fulfilling life." - Elidibus replied with coldness in his voice, once again reminding Ryne and others what was at stake. For them, they were barely people; they were lesser creatures that had no right to exist. Emet-Selch was clear on that, just like Elidibus is now.
There was nothing to talk about. Granson proudly clashed with the ascian despite the horrific threat he posed to him. Cerigg and Reeq would shower Elidibus with arrows, which would only serve as a distraction, but this would be enough for Granson or Giott to strike.
"So your flood could be stopped? Seems like someone here is not as powerful as…" - Reeq began to talk but quickly had a dark arrow fly beside him, which he could barely dodge. This was enough of a lesson as the archer stopped speaking and continued the battle. Giott and Granson would tirelessly strike as Elidibus threw them back. They screamed and breathed heavily, all while Elidibus felt naught. They would not be able to defeat him, only distract him. Ryne still had her daggers. The only to wound him would be to avoid his gaze…
As Elidibus switched focus, Ryne quickly got around him and took her weapon out. One rush, one jump, and his vessel would be within the range of a strike. Ryne had to try…She ran towards him, ready to mercilessly pierce Elidibus with daggers of light.
But he was prepared.
…
For the first time since his Pyrrhic victory, Emet felt slightly relieved. To be at the heart of this creature, so close to bringing it back to life…
His entire existence had been planned thousands of years ahead, and while the ascian could improvise, he despised when his best-laid schemes fell apart. This shard proved to be one of the most resilient ones, but together with Elidibus, they have reached some success. He looked at its core on the pedestal, still pulsating with energy, a code they could not crack.
Unfortunately, the Emissary still couldn't take control of the core and make this creature rise again. It would seem darkness in him would not allow him to establish a connection, despite the soul that rested inside…Hades couldn't help but muse on the structure of this being. From such chaos and imperfection was born a curious symbiosis of light and darkness. Emet was impressed. Of course, it would require a lot of work to bring it to full strength. Elidibus was still examining the connection between this
beast and the regular sin-eaters to eventually merge them. And once that is done…
Elidibus told Emet about Ryne and her powers. Finally, fortune was on his side and the one that miraculously survived the fateful night, so they came up with a plan. Once Emet and Elidibus were sure that the sin-eater was secured, one would venture into Crystarium and take Ryne hostage. Unless she provided resistance, this would not be too hard; Hades wouldn't worry about that part of the plan while there were other inconveniences.
He told Elidibus of Mitron and his current status. Thankfully, the unsundered were in agreement. Elidibus did not show much consideration for Mitron's plight and dismissed him outright. "No sacrifice too great" were his words. Emet should've been pleased with such a turn of events, but for some reason…He was not. This caused him to wonder even more about why that was, but the answer was simple, and it was in his memory. Real Themis would not discard the life of his comrade…Of his family so quickly. He would sacrifice his own before letting anyone else perish. The same applied to Mitron. This insane tormented shade was nothing like the Artemis he once knew.
And this only strengthened Emet's belief in his alternative.
How ironic that after so many years of toiling for the purpose of this rejoining, the answer to the most crucial question was in the mind of a mortal. Many mortals, if G'raha's tale was to be believed. Emet might have asked him this question again now while there is time. But he knew G'raha was not ready…Perhaps Hades wasn't prepared as well. The ascian pretended that either response would be in his favor, but it was not the case. If he cannot rewrite history, only pain and suffering await…Pain and suffering of so many.
Emet's musings were interrupted by something unexpected. The ascian felt a disturbance behind him as if the source of darkness had been annihilated in an instant. There was only one source of darkness not imprisoned by the eater, G'raha's shackles.
"What in the…" - As Hades turned around, he saw the Exarch running for his life. His shackles were broken, and he rushed with the speed Emet had never seen from him before. And he was not running aimlessly either. He went for the core.
The ascian quickly realized what went on and launched two dark arrows to stop G'raha. Only one caught the target, causing the Exarch to breathe heavily. He was weakened and about to fall but, through sheer resolve, would not even slow down. Hades cast another spell, getting ready to teleport towards him, but it was too late. His hand touched the core.
A devastating wave of light followed.