Ryne was trying to imagine what Mitron felt, but as someone who lived for just a fraction of his life, it was hard to comprehend.
The girl did not know whether the ascian was free or just severed from Eden's controls, but his avatar was much clearer and more stable than the one she saw before. Mitron tried to walk. This flood of light burned him even more than it did Ryne. He seemed lost and powerless, having nothing but his resolve left.
"I'm sorry…" - Ryne said as she felt the light's power breaking all possible bounds, bringing Eden brink.
"You'll say that when this world is no more…Or you won't." - Mitron responded coldly and gazed at their common adversary. Emet gave him a look of utter disgust and disappointment.
"How pathetic…Spending a century within that creature must have tampered with your mind much more than I could ever predict." - He said with arrogance and mockery.
"You could have freed me! You could have given me what I deserved after all my sacrifices, and instead, you left me to burn away! Whatever I do, I won't serve you or Zodiark ever again." - Mitron said with rage.
"So, the desire to restore our world was not instilled too well…You are a defective specimen." Emet continued, waiting for the light to finally take its due. "When I first listened to your story, I harbored no resentment toward you or your anger. I understood every second of it…But sometimes, actions are necessary. You had to stay imprisoned for our cause."
"And what have you done now, then?"
"You think I liberated you? No, not in the slightest. I dragged your essence from the shell to the core, so your dark aura will no longer hold this light at bay. Simple enough, is it not?" - Emet smiled with some regret. "The moment when I discarded you entirely was when you aligned yourself with mortals. You chose to sacrifice all your efforts and the memories we blessed you with in favor of being a mild inconvenience before Amaurot's salvation. You do not deserve to be called an ascian."
"How unfortunate that your memory work did not end up as planned…It made me care about one woman, above your crusades that gave me nothing! Mortal or not, sundered or not, I cherished our shared moments as they were. Maybe that's what the "real" Artemis would have chosen too?" - Mitron said angrily. Ryne heard this name for the first time. The girl was confused but quickly made sense of it. Hades was the actual name of Emet-Selch; perhaps the situation is similar with other ascians.
"Alas, there is little point in arguing… I'll make sure to prevent such patterns in behavior from the next Mitron." - Emet shrugged.
Ryne and Artemis could barely control the light around them. Any invocation of darkness the oracle could think of got immediately consumed by the surrounding force. No, no, no…
"We need an invocation, something powerful!" - Ryne said, trying to avoid descending into pure panic. Mitron's face of anger and resentment shifted. It would seem like he had an idea.
"The core…I can feel it once again." - The ascian raised his hand and closed his eyes. Apparently, Emet miscalculated, and in separating Mitron from one aspect of this beast, he gave him access to another. Ryne had to trust him in his doings. The light became weaker once again, soon to be replaced with shadow.
"What are you planning now?" - Emet seemed intrigued and sensing a new threat.
"To be a mild inconvenience once more! "- Mitron shouted and unleashed a surge of darkness, momentarily obliterating the light.
The space around them began to gain form once again, Ryne felt it as her feet no longer burned, and the scent of old and withered sand was released around them. Even Emet-Selch seemed to be surprised, he maintained his aura and remained on guard, but this wasn't a part of his expectations.
They found themselves in a place similar to empty and yet drastically different from everything Ryne witnessed. The ground beneath was pure white and grey, just as empty and lifeless as the lands consumed by flood. There were occasional hills and small mountains, but they were not enough to make the place look like anything but a wasteland. But the main difference was the sky…Or rather its absence. It was a boundless void with rare stars decorating the ocean. Not a single cloud, no sun or moon…
Well, there was a moon; they were standing right atop it. Ryne realized this after noticing a big world in the distance, a sphere adrift in the sea. Was this how their home looked from above? Was it their home at all? Ryne noticed that the planet was full of oceans and water, with several landmasses. There was no sign of the flood, just a world full of blooming life, something the First lost generations ago. Mitron stood beside her and smiled.
"Yes, exactly how it should be!" - The ascian exclaimed, glancing at the world beneath them.
"What is this place? A moon?" - Ryne was eager to understand what was happening around her.
"The Source's moon, yes…A prison for the most powerful dark invocation." - He looked behind him, and Ryne followed.
A crater emerged before them with a creature of untold power towering over it. Ryne was in pure awe, looking at its majestic look, which would still horrify anyone. A beast with horns and a demonic face, the one whose body was made out of darkness, floating above the moon on ebon wings.
"Zodiark…" - Ryne whispered his name as she realized who stood before her. As an ascian, Artemis remembered the elder primal of darkness and could unleash this memory into Eden. Zodiark remained static and motionless despite all the strength resting within him.
"Now that is an exceptional sight…" - Emet uttered, looking at Mitron and Ryne. There was some anger in his eyes, which quickly switched to admiration. "To use our lord and savior, who delivered us from the final days against me…Yes, your arrogance knows little bounds." - Emet raised his hand and began draining darkness from Zodiark. "You are limited by your memories, and our god's duty is that of silent protection and maintaining balance, not ravage and destruction. Still…His power can be borrowed."
Hades transformed his darkness into destructive energy, and two sigils emerged to the sides of Ryne and Mitron, both colored in light blue with a purple triangle in the center.
"Let's start with something simple." - Emet said calmly before snapping his fingers.
"To the side!" - Mitron shouted; Ryne quickly reacted. The ascian rushed to the edge of one of the sigils while still avoiding standing directly in front of them. Ryne was just in time to prevent the blast of dark magic merged with fire which scorched the land beneath them. After seeing his methods fail, Emet-Selch approached closer.
"I suppose I underestimated you with strikes as blunt as this one. Perhaps a challenge is in order? Or maybe, if the stars align…You might actually realize that tampering with the opposing elements when either spells doom for you is a questionable idea at best?"
"Prove it, then." - Mitron said in a mocking tone.
"I know we needed darkness, but isn't it too much…?" - Ryne hinted to Mitron that his plan might have been overkill, but the ascian remained firm.
"No, it is exactly what we need. After all, that arrogant freak is not the only one who can drain upon darkness." - After this, Mitron drained power from Zodiark, unleashing an even stronger storm on Emet-Selch. It consisted of three green sigils surrounding the ascian, firing simultaneously, and their destructive energy pierced the ascian. For a moment, Hades was forced to his knees.
Ryne was relieved to see that Mitron could still utilize much of his former power, but with each second, she felt the light dissipating completely, granting more power to the ascians. The resulting flood might not be as destructive as the light would have been, but considering Eden's positioning, at least the city of Crystarium would be doomed.
"I will give it to you…You can bite back." - Emet-Selch quickly stood. "If you need Zodiark's aid to rival my power, I will not stand in your way. Let us see what you are truly capable of."
Emet-Selch absorbed the darkness around him and claimed his unleashed form. The same one Ryne saw before in Amaurot or Empty, this terrifying creature with nothing left of a man. Mitron did not seem worried at all.
"How I've waited for this moment…" - Mitron smiled with a maniacal undertone, causing Ryne to doubt whether she should trust him again. He looked at the girl as he drained the darkness. "Can you maintain the light's presence?"
"For a while…" - Ryne said, quickly finding a connection to the core. It felt as if she became the only remaining light source here, even if this was clearly wrong. She would be able to hold for some time, but she felt the darkness raging around Eden's shell, desperately battling to break free. "If I feel we're on edge, I'll change the invocation." - Ryne stated; ascian nodded.
"Then stand aside and witness." - Mitron responded proudly. "I won't take that long."
After those words and the darkness Mitron absorbed, he unleashed his proper form.
A novel being stood tall before Ryne as she looked at him with awe. The ascian robes were gone, and his body became larger. Before her stood a tall man with pale green coloring on both his skin and armor, if there was any distinction. The armor was light and covered most of his body, reminding Ryne of the one archers would wear. His face lost most of its human features in a process similar to hades. There was a static mouth and only one large eye, beaming with light. Behind his back, he carried a mighty bow. Artemis looked at Ryne once again before turning back to Emet. It was clear what he was trying to do. Ryne only had to keep up with her light.
"It almost feels real. Were I in a better mood, I could've even congratulated you." - Emet scoffed and prepared for battle.
"Let's see how real it is, then!" - Mitron exclaimed and launched a number of his arrows in Hades's direction. The ascian blocked most of them with a shield, but the first arrow managed to break through and pierce the conspirator's skin. He did not show any signs of pain but was eager to deal with Mitron quickly.
"Not even barely impressive." - Hades said, creating an array of aethereal mirrors behind Artemis. All of them would strike simultaneously and be powered up with darkness. For now, both ascians would receive as much additional power as possible, pushing through their own limits.
Artemis was ready for this. The bowman took his weapon and launched it at the mirror beside him, causing an explosive shockwave to follow. It would damage the nearby installations, too, revealing a safe spot for him to stand in.
"Seems like your tricks are all too simple; isn't that too weak for an unsundered? "- Mitron taunted him before another pink sigil emerged behind his back and immediately unleashed the blast of burning darkness. Mitron jumped to the side and maintained his balance. Ryne could see that he was pained.
"Yes, continue your baseless prattle. It will make you an easier target." - Emet Selch said before continuing his attacks. This time, he used Zodiark's power to create a supporting creature for him, a rattling snake that charged at Artemis. Mitron barely had time to deflect its attacks, using one of his fallen arrows in place of a blade, eventually piercing the beast's skin and causing it o disappear.
Next, he turned back to Hades and infused his arrows with the magic of another element, this time water. After Artemis shot a few arrows simultaneously, they were followed by a cold and destructive flood that pushed Emet-Selch back. He quickly countered by repelling the aura with his darkness into Mitron.
"I see being a watcher of aquatic life actually taught you something…Artemis would be very impressed." - The sorcerer said.
"I AM Artemis! "- The archer shouted and fired once again. Their battle was getting unhinged, bringing even more darkness which Ryne couldn't handle…She knew she would have to switch the invocation back to light in a few moments, whatever the ramifications of such a decision.
Emet was still the strongest of the two. He quickly deflected most of Artemis's arrows, and the few that managed to strike had barely any effect. However, the archer's agility and resolve made it hard for Hades to hit him.
"I was foolishly hoping that you'd understand; none of us ascians are oblivious to sacrifice." - Hades created an aethereal cage around Mitron, trying to chain him before execution. "Had you cooperated, this shard would have been gone and your soul restored in another vessel. Perhaps I would have still been inclined to allow you to work with Loghrif as partners." - He unleashed one dark strike after another, weakening his former comrade despite his shouts. "To be an ascian, one must be ready to abandon temporary pleasures to fight for a common cause. You simply gave in to the desires of the mortals."
"And somehow… I've never felt more alive!" - Mitron shouted before unleashing remnants of his dark power and breaking his cage. After this, Artemis fired an arrow with its combined elements of water and darkness, creating a flood to take over Emet-Selch.
This was the point when Ryne broke. The thoughts rushed into her head for another invocation to come incarnate. Soon Zodiark dissipated and was followed by the moon around them.
"No…No!" - Artemis screamed as he lost his newfound powers. Ryne was sorry, but this was the only way. Any second could bring Eden to collapse and result in a flood of darkness.
They found themselves on the mountain again, but Vauthry was nowhere to be seen this time. The sheer infusion of light this place brought forth was enough. Both ascians must have faltered in their powers, destroying their empowered forms. As Ryne still clutched to the invisible core in hopes of controlling Eden, she witnessed the two ascians back in their mortal form standing in the arena.
Mitron was hit the most. His darkness was much weaker than Emet's. The ascian stood up despite the sudden pain and attempted to launch a dark arrow at Hades, but the latter blocked it, countering with a twice as powerful spell, bringing Mitron to his knees.
"Never felt more alive, you say?" - Emet summoned arrows that wounded Artemis, stripping him of more powers. Ryne wanted to help, but she could not abandon the core even for a second.
"You cannot break me…I fight for Gaia, I…" - Mitron spoke in a resilient whisper, standing up again. It did not take long before Emet pushed him back.
"All those mortals around us feel "alive" as well, and what of it?" - Hades retorted. "They feel "alive" waging wars, murdering each other in cold blood for reasons as petty as revenge or lust for power. Each nation and tribe believe themselves superior to others while refusing to notice the same flaws they share. They do not know history. The legends of old heroes and saviors elude them. They follow the same path of feeble and pathetic existence, yet were you to ask, many would claim they feel "alive." They do not know the meaning of the word. They are ignorant of what they forsake. You know and still choose to forsake it. Just like Edwin, an utter disappointment."
Before Hades could continue, Artemis jumped up and attempted to strike the ascian down, but Emet was ready. He materialized claymore of darkness in his hands and immediately pierced Mitron's heart and essence. The archer let out a scream before it quickly became faint breathing. Ryne was horrified to see this; Emet's weapon must have had magical power. The girl noticed Mitron's body burning and dissipating before her eyes, and he was powerless to stop it.
"Rest in peace, Mitron…Memories of this incarnation will never be unveiled once again." - Emet said sorely. Shortly after the body was annihilated completely, Hades separated what little remained of Mitron's power from his mind and consciousness. Soon only the tiny sphere of darkness remained at the arena, a faint echo of the fallen ascian. It grew weaker before Ryne's eyes as she felt Artemis's presence no more. Emet was about to annihilate what remained quickly, but the echo dissipated before that.
The darkness flew in a swift stream, swirling around Ryne. The girl was puzzled at this turn of events, and in a few moments, the darkness had passed into Ryne's essence before disappearing outright. The oracle was slightly shaken, but she maintained her balance. There was an unusual feeling within her. Something has changed, even though she was able to realize what this was…
"Now, where were we?" - Hades looked at Ryne again. Before he acted, the setting around them began to shatter once again. After a powerful earthquake, Ryne fell to her knees, which destroyed the arena in front of her. What remained of Vauthry's palace was annihilated with a flood of light as the broken marble pieces of this place floated around, quickly extinguished by the turbulent element. The light has sprung so rapidly and uncontrollably, almost as if all limits were broken instantly. She and Emet stood amidst this chaos with the ascian proud of his work. "It seems Mitron maintained his function as the heart of this creature flawlessly…With his soul gone, there is no balance to be found here, but I am in the mood to hasten the process even more."
Hades launched a dark arrow at Ryne. The girl blocked his strike with the strongest aura of light she could create, all while grasping the core. Focus, focus, focus…Ryne was draining the energy frantically, light and a glimmer of darkness flashed before her eyes, but they could not be contained. She breathed heavily, unable to grasp the fraction of blissful air. Why would it not obey? She could not exert any more strength; this was her limit.
The onslaught continued with her arrow after arrow, spell after a spell being unleashed. There was no strength to maintain defense, making it a matter of time before it reached her. Ryne closed her eyes and tried to sense the core. Despite the lack of control, her senses became stronger. Ryne felt the quiet song of Eden become louder in her mind, so much echo and chaos…Until the connection became perfect.
A myriad of places flashed before her mind. The boundless plains of Lakeland, mountainous lands of Kholusia, the majestic ruins of Il Mheg…Why was she seeing this? Ryne realized that she could still escape this chaos. In all of this monstrous nightmare, the only element that remained stable was her synthesis with Eden's core. This core could break any moment, but she could still teleport away. And as a result, leave Eden to Emet-Selch. Perhaps there was hope that the light would extinguish the ascian within and waste enough of its power to prevent the flood…But this meant potentially sacrificing her world and allowing mere chance to decide their fate. To run was equivalent to a failure…
There was also another possibility before her. Ryne thought about it and tried to uncover whether she could feasibly do this. The darkness unleashed upon her brought cracks in the aura; split-seconds left. She finally discerned the reasons for her change of perception. The darkness no longer pushed her away. No more did it burn the light within her…Because some of it was within the girl already. Mitron's last deed was to lend the remnant of his soul to Ryne, bringing balance into her essence. He knew exactly what he was doing. And so did she.
The spells breached Ryne's aura with a dark arrow piercing her shoulder. Ryne did her best to stand and continue grasping the core. Now was the moment to stop resisting and accept her fate…To give in to Eden. Ryne looked at Emet one last time with a relieved smile. There was something he did not calculate. Moments later, the cracks appeared on Ryne's body, followed by a powerful wave that blinded the ascian for a moment and consumed the oracle.
Time to become one with the light.
Ryne opened her eyes once again. She was alone among the sea of pure light, a lonely soul drifting away, like her blissful dreams. Yet this time, it was real; she knew it. The girl had nobody anymore, only a soul going through a process of transformation, of ascendance. It felt like an eternity passing by, as if the time completely froze around her, flowing no more. Finally, a moment of respite…
Who was to say Ryne did not want it to become her last?
She was tired, drained by the tragedies of her life, especially the last few days. Seeing death after death, screams of horror and hatred, witnessing tears fall, both hers and her friends. Going against unimaginable odds to be pushed down and tortured at every step, believing that every second may become the last for the world you were born in. The world she grew to adore so much despite it being a harsh and unforgiving realm.
Ryne witnessed many flashes before her eyes. Most were fleeting memories of someone else, the places she never knew before. Yet somehow, they all seemed so familiar…She saw towers rising above the sea level, the grandiose, majestic city. Ryne saw dozens of people in grey robes, so many happy and pure voices surrounding her. She witnessed a research facility, the academy, where they worked on discovering new beings, creating species and life…Why did she know this? She was never there. Among the hall full of water and sea life beneath its surface, she noticed a couple walking around and looking at its wonders. Both wore red masks, similar to the ones ascians had. The man was talking, showing the woman this place. He told her much about his research and duty; she listened with great interest while still sharing much about her own role. These voices were faint and distant, but they were happy…Full of joy. Somehow, Ryne knew their names.
Gaia and Artemis.
Were these the memories Mitron had? Were these the flashes he witnessed every time, his motivation to act and fight? This must have been a powerful reason…Even Ryne felt the temptation to annihilate worlds just to see these scenes in reality, to be there and live happily. But these were memories of another; she had her own.
Mad fools…The ones she traveled with, fought with, and may one day die with.
These were the words she said to her captor as she finally stood up to him. The moment when Ryne was courageous enough to fight for her own life and freedom, a battle she has continued ever since. Why did it have to be so hurtful? Why did they have to suffer so much? Why was this journey always the one of pain and sorrow? She hoped that this was temporary, that there would be an end to all of this followed by freedom…Amaurot became their end. No joy, no glory, no salvation, just prolongation of their suffering.
She could see a familiar silhouette emerge…Thancred. The man who took care of her stood before her, looking at the girl with a smile. Her soul also gained substance; soon, Ryne restored her previous appearance in this ephemeral dream. She walked towards Thancred, looking at his proud eyes. She wanted to hug him, but she knew this was just a memory. No point in dwelling on it except to prolong the pain.
Ryne looked away, back to the boundless light. She always knew Emet-Selch was wrong, but only now did she process the reasons for that. Looking at Thancred made her realize it.
The memories of being saved and brought to freedom…The moment of seeing the night's sky, traveling across Il Mheg, Edwin's support, the drinks she had with mercenaries shortly after escaping Amaurot, them volunteering to aid her in the empty…There was something in these moments that could not be described. The strongest of them was when Thancred finally accepted her for who she was rather than the echo of Minfilia. These moments made her forget all sorrows and trials, both passing and those ahead. During them, Ryne wasn't fearful or worried, nor hopeful and anticipating the future. She was just…Alive. Every second of those times made her happy to be there and share her happiness with others. To laugh and cry alike, forge bonds, confess, and share her closest embrace with her friends…She would never forget them. This was the true reward for their pain and sorrow, the joy gained along the way, the friends they made, the sweet taste of triumph…
She felt someone hugging her from behind, followed by his voice.
"I am proud of you, Ryne."
Yes, this was indeed the reason to live…Ryne dropped a few tears before closing her eyes once again. Whatever happens next, she was ready to take another step, to fight another fight, not thinking of the consequences, for the true joy came when she barely expected it.
But the way for it had to be paved.
Ryne saw the space of light once again. Emet-Selch stood at the center, defending himself from the ensuing chaos. He was far from his previous confident disposition; perhaps he realized what had occurred. Maybe he felt her presence. Ryne was there too, but not as mortal. She was one with Eden, balancing the light and darkness. The chaos soon subsided at her command, leaving Hades amidst static light.
"You want me to surrender…" - Ryne's whispers rang out across Eden. The ascian heard them.
"Unbelievable…" - He said with shock and anger, attempting to expunge the light around him with darkness, but it was not enough.
"You promise me a life free of sorrow, a new beginning where I will be able to forget all that happened. My years of imprisonment, days of grief, and moments of witnessing my closest friends perish…And I am aware that you are not a liar." She said calmly. Hades did not respond, continuing to unleash his darkness to no avail. The first sin eater has become something more than a simple creature or even an uncontrollable weapon of mass destruction. "But I will never accept your offer!"
After these words, the first wave of light was unleashed. Emet blocked it with a dark aura, but immediately there were cracks in his defense. Before he could attack again, the second explosion annihilated his aura and disarmed the ascian. The light was still prevailing; now, it was just under Ryne's control. The dark beings would not withstand it.
"Decided to show your voice, have you…." - Hades said with some worry. "No different from your associates, no reason nor logic…."
"Don't pretend to be reasonable, hypocrite!" - Ryne had newfound energy and righteous fury, brought by Mitron's soul and her unification with Eden. All of it was reflected in her strikes and powers; the creature became an extension of her will. "You say that we do not know how to live, that our existence is pointless…But it's not us who only follow one goal for generations. You work to restore your world because you believe you cannot find happiness here…There is no fulfillment in your life, only a dream which you can never truly achieve! All while you tear life away from thousands who have found their light, who were able to enjoy life as it is, not as it was in the distant past! Who are you to judge people for finding joy in places where you simply cannot?"
Ryne continued her onslaught, wave after wave. Hades grew tired; every wave was one more step to bringing him to heel.
"One can find joy easily when ignorant of what true glory is…."
"We do not need your glory; this world has proved it time and time again! I suffered, it's true. In Eulmore, in my travels and journey, I have suffered…When I saw my friends die, I suffered. But my life is more than suffering. I have found freedom, friends and family, learned what true joy means, and had to find my own meaning and happiness in life…But I did. Some helped me, some I helped, and every second of it was worth it! You think I will be bought by your promises, you think that people like us are unable to do what's right, even if it means sacrificing ourselves…" - Ryne created five spheres of light which were quick to explode and drain Hades of all his remaining powers.
"Damn…You!" - He tried to resist, but it was futile.
"I chose this life, and I will do so again! The one you despise so much, the one in which you see no worth…I see the true meaning. Every moment of sorrow I would go through again if it meant reliving the times of happiness! You will never understand it, not the joy of the moment. Your fanatical pursuit made you hollower than any sundered…Continue to toil and think that we are shallow, weak, and incapable of sacrifice. If such is your choice, if you will even be able to achieve happiness with all the suffering you wrought…I choose to live here and now. And I will not let you take this life from me or anyone else in this world!"
All defenses were prepared to be unleashed. Ryne looked at weakened Emet for the last time. In her saying, she realized that behind this power and might, behind his fanatical mask…There was a broken, pitiful man who long forgot what true joy is. He did not deserve her disdain, simply not worth it. Then the final wave of light covered Hades, ready to annihilate the ascian. In his pursuit, he met a catastrophic defeat. Ryne felt a dark portal opening shortly before his aether finally disappeared from this place.
…
G'raha's fighting has rarely been so exhausting. Elidibus has put them into a trap, and there was no escape other than refusing to fight at all. Every magical strike, every powerful spell utilized from the Crystal Tower was rendered meaningless and even damaging to them. The ascian would transfer this power to Eden, slowly adding light onto the creature, preparing it for the flood.
He fought back to back with adventurers, all of them did their best to make their strikes physical and not magical, but they were doomed to fail without arcane. We're they to stop fighting. Elidibus would likely go into Crystal Tower himself and attempt to seize its power, then it will all be over. G'raha wondered about their course of action; he did not have much time to think.
That was until a miracle happened.
"Look!" - Reeq shouted and pointed at Eden. The occurrence came as a surprise, even to Elidibus. The creature was fuming with light energy, creating an unbreakable aura before it.
"And here it comes, the final rest for this shard." - Elidibus said with relief, expecting this to signify his victory. But the creature remained stable…
"What the hell is going on?! Is it…" - Giott asked with fear in her voice, expecting the flood any moment. But G'raha sensed something different.
A beam of light emerged from Eden, charging directly at the plaza. The incoming shockwave pushed them aside; even the ascian trembled at it. Judging by his perplexed expression, this wasn't what he expected. And when the light dissipated, G'raha was tremendously shocked at what he saw.
"By Olvara's sweet cake…" - Reeq whispered as he stared at the avatar, dumbfounded.
"Get ready. This might be another one." - Granson held his claymore but inadvertently put it down when he saw her face.
A tall figure rose before them, about the size of Elidibus. A pale green skin and light armor covered her powerful essence, and a bow shined on her back. But even this was not her most defining feature. Her face bore a striking resemblance. Her long hair and blue eyes left little doubt.
"Ryne?" - Taynor asked. The avatar looked around as she got up, quickly taking notice of the adventurers and G'raha. After seeing all of them alive, she looked relieved and looked at Taynor with a smile. "You're… You've grown!" - He exclaimed awkwardly. After the expedition, seeing Ryne for the first time did not go how the boy expected. The woman looked at shocked Elidibus, who seemed to be forced into deep thought just by witnessing her.
"But that form…How did you…." - The Emissary said, seemingly recognizing her appearance, but his disposition quickly switched to his usual cold resolve. "I take I have put too much trust into Emet-Selch…Again. Alas, I do not leave my job unfinished."
He raised his sword and charged at Ryne, but the blade could not budge her aura as he got closer. The energy that fulfilled Ryne came directly from Eden, an almost inexhaustible supply of light. G'raha wondered about its meaning, why she left Eden, and how she gained such power? So many questions burned in his mind, but he trusted her to only leave that place if she was sure of it being safe.
"You share its power…How?!" - Elidibus said with shock, putting his blade away.
"Let's say I have come prepared." - Ryne spoke with an echoing voice and pointed her bow at the Emissary. "I have said much to Emet-Selch already, and I won't repeat myself. You are not welcome here!" - She exclaimed eagerly. "I don't want to fight, so leave in peace before you force me to." - She said, still trying to resolve the conflict, but all of them knew that this was impossible.
"I shall never abandon my mission." - Elidibus said with pride.
Ryne did not wait, after these words, she immediately released aethereal arrows of light into the Emissary, but he was prepared. He masterfully deflected each of them with his sword and shield, establishing another protective aura before himself. The ascian looked over his opponents, seemingly uncertain of his actions. G'raha felt his unbreakable resolve budging just a little more…
"Very well…" - Elidibus said calmly. "Perhaps a little more direct infusion would suffice!" - The ascian unleashed a powerful ray of light toward adventurers. G'raha established a defensive aura, but the spell rushed past it. The blast shot the gates of Crystal Tower, breaking them open. Lyna, who guarded the gates, barely had time to jump away before they collapsed.
Moments later, Elidibus stopped focusing on his adversaries and swiftly floated towards the entrance. G'raha knew what he was planning to do. He quickly cast another arcane spell at Elidibus, but the shield stood in their way. Soon the ascian disappeared inside.
"He will try to take over the tower after him!" - G'raha commanded. Ryne was the first one to react. She rushed to his side, and adventurers followed. They were astonished to see her in such a state, and they brimmed with questions.
"Damn, is it truly you?" - Granson could hardly believe his eyes.
"What happened? Are you okay?" - Taynor continued.
"It's a long story…" - Ryne began but soon cut herself off, looking at G'raha. The Exarch nodded.
"I am afraid I have too many questions…But we have an ascian to stop first." - All seemed to agree.
G'raha and the others have rushed into the tower, following Elidibus's trace. The Exarch tried his hardest not to overthink Ryne's transformation and what it could potentially mean; he must focus on their present threat…He had to believe Ryne on this one.
"Holy…This tower is magnificent!" - Reeq gasped as they ascended the crystal stairs at the upper levels of the place.
"Can't say it's anything special." - Giott said with a smirk.
"What is even…Whatever you dwarves have a weird taste."
"Be careful. We are closing in!" - Exarch said as they approached the plateau on the tower's higher levels, Sear of Sacrifice. Elidibus was there, trying to absorb arcane power from the structure. It was not each for him, the Emissary had never tampered with the Allagan wonder before, but even so, G'raha felt his empowerment.
Ryne stood upfront with adventurers by her sides. G'raha used his staff to re-establish his connection with the tower. He summoned the arcane magic, but he would not use it for destruction this time to not disturb the balance. It would surround the four adventurers, enhancing their strengths and skills while healing their wounds. They were ready for battle, as always.
"Give up, Emissary…It has been a long and tiring day, but we won't stop resisting whatever you do. This tower is not a weapon for you to use…It was built as a beacon of hope for mankind. The one that shall spark out an end to your horrific mission!" - G'raha raised his staff, but Elidibus did not care for his words. He turned around and looked at Ryne. He was looking as if he wanted to say something, but Giott took this as an opportunity to strike. She hit Elidibus's legs with her hammer, jumping as high as possible with her new powers.
"For Cerigg, you scumbag!" - She shouted as she commenced the hit
"Wait, too early!" - G'raha tried to warn her, but the dwarf would not listen. Eventually, she was pushed away by arcane, but she landed perfectly on her feet before her allies.
"You might still want to talk it out, but I'm not cutting him any slack after the crap he's done!"
Elidibus unleashed another arcane wave on them; it was blocked by Ryne's aura. The girl took out her bow and fired more arrows, infused with darkness. Elidibus did not expect her to use this element, and so they managed to wound the Emissary.
"Darkness? How can you grasp it?" - He seemed uncertain.
"Artemis left much for me, and I won't let it waste."
This answer seemed to indicate something for Elidibus, although G'raha hardly understood. Who was Artemis? There was no time to think about it as Elidibus charged at them, raising his blade only to meet Ryne's aura. The onslaught was powerful, and even she could not contain it easily. When G'raha noticed her failings, he was already casting another destructive spell. Still, the help came just in time.
Granson rushed towards Elidibus and courageously stood between the ascian and Ryne. The knight would strike the Emissary's hand while it was vulnerable. Elidibus recoiled, releasing Ryne and allowing adventurers to regroup.
"Thank you, this was close…" - Ryne smiled, looking at Granson. It clearly felt quite awkward for her to feel so grand compared to others.
Next, Elidibus summoned several spheres that emerged above them. In a few seconds, they would explode with waves of light. Reeq was the first to take his bow out. He looked at one of the spheres and shot it with an arrow. The explosion was much weaker than what could have been if it was fully charged. However, before he could strike other spheres, three more dark arrows set into the air and eliminated all remaining danger. The collapsing of opposing elements ensued that they consumed each other before any shockwave could form. Reeq looked at Ryne with pure excitement.
"Wow, wow, wow…Were you always so good with the bow, or is that a part of your superpowers?" - He was shocked by her talent.
"I share memories of the one who was a masterful marksman… You'll see." - She smiled before shooting at Elidibus again.
Her onslaught went on so quickly that parrying the magically-generated arrows became a challenge even for the ascian. G'raha wanted to help her in it. The Exarch looked at Taynor.
"Once more, shall we?" - He smiled, immediately prompting the boy to act.
Taynor created a flame spell to strike Elidibus, and G'raha immediately empowered it with the tower's magic. The resulting storm of destructive power emerged before Ryne and pushed Elidibus aside, continuing to weaken the ascian.
"I've come too close to give up!" - He shouted before annihilating the spell and arrows. Before the ascian could counter-attack, Ryne blocked his way, unleashing all defensive magic in her power.
The ascian knew that this was pointless and soon stopped his attacks. G'raha continued to pour damaging spells upon him before he could be sure that the enemy had fallen.
"Is he giving up?" - Taynor wondered.
"I wouldn't count on that…" - G'raha answered with suspicion.
Soon Elidibus raised his sword, calling to the Crystal Tower.
"You may stand in my way, unleash ever greater power, and usher in your momentary victory, but I shall forever oppose you with my all. No matter how long it takes, how much power it requires, our paradise will be restored!" - He drained the power from the tower before launching it through the open roof directly at Eden. However, the result was not what he expected.
The creature was filled with light, still without any signs of the coming explosion. Multiple miniature light rays would follow into the tower, with Ryne absorbing one after another. A powerful strike pierced Elidibus with flaming arcane energy and forced him to his knees. The ascian did not expect such immediate retaliation; he looked at Eden and Ryne with dreadful realization. As she approached, Elidibus could not believe what he was seeing.
"How can you use its power…Could you truly have merged with it?" - The Emissary asked. Ryne nodded.
"You have your own mission for which you will give everything; I have mine." - She replied firmly.
"But you're sundered! Just a child! You should not be…."
"Artemis was mortal, too, yet he was able to become Eden, I knew I could too, especially with his help." - G'raha caught the name once again, and now this name meant something. Was Artemis Mitron?
"It's not about capability." - Elidibus sighed. "Your kind does have the resolve… Shouldn't have the resolve."
"If you think so, have you truly ever known "our kind"?" - Ryne said with pity. "Give it up, and you will see that we are not what you think about us." - Ryne said with a shade of sympathy.
Could she genuinely have merged with Eden? Oh, Ryne… G'raha knew from her first appearance that something was different, but now it became clear. He had the misfortune of talking to Mitron and realizing that he is Eden's heart. Now Ryne voluntarily took his place to maintain the balance, G'raha presumed. He still needed time to process it, but now Elidibus's energy transferred to the sin-eater and became powerless from what he understood.
"Men, sin-eaters or gods…Whoever stands in my way is of no relevance." - The Emissary said as he stood up. Ryne gave G'raha a look suggesting a call for action. The Exarch realized what they needed. He called to the tower's magic as the ascian rose. "No one will halt our cause; I will no stand for it! Thousands of years have passed, and no loss can stop us; that much you shall see!"
Elidibus clashed with Ryne again, pushing the bow away from her hands and wounding her with his blade. The girl resisted for a while, just enough for G'raha to unleash a powerful beam of arcane magic from the tower into Eden. The following glowing signaled another surge of power for Ryne, three times as powerful as before.
"No…Not now!" - Elidibus attempted to stop her, but the aura had grown too powerful. Ryne looked at Elidibus, the pure light's power resting inside her.
"You left me no choice." - She said before unleashing this power.
Arcane was combined with Ryne's light, empowered by fire spells from Taynor, creating the most annihilating blast yet. Elidibus had no chance of withstanding it in his already weakened state. The loud scream from the Emissary was followed by his empowered body dissipating under the onslaught.
There was no more knight when it was over, only a weak and defeated ascian. He stood on his knees with his mask shattered in two halves and lying beside him. He raised his head and looked at G'raha and Ryne with eyes that still had shock and misunderstanding. G'raha stood tall along with his comrades, this was their city, their tower, and they would not give it away, not now, not ever.
Elidibus accepted his defeat in a few moments and disappeared inside a dark portal.