Nothing could accurately express the whirlwind of emotions G'raha felt as he witnessed the moon and realized that he had crossed the rift. After a century of the vigil, he was finally able to make another leap, this time to end their sorrowful tale once and for all. He witnessed the crater that pulsed with pure darkness, a pit without any shield or cover, ripe for the taking.
He did not hesitate; the powers of the light were limited and had to be put to good use, for Ryne, for Edwin, for everyone he could yet save. When the Exarch flew to the expanse, he felt relief that he believed lost generations ago, believed it to be something that he would have to give up on. There was a dark presence beside him that attempted to stop the Exarch, but Eden's strength was unchallengeable; nothing could stand in his way.
He wondered if it was wrong that he enjoyed the moment he pierced the elder primal's heart, becoming a beacon of light amidst an abyss. His strength was so great that a pillar of light formed from Eden's concealed power, burning any remnant of Zodiark that still remained after his initial strike. G'raha felt thousands of souls crying out in shock before silencing their chorus. Yet the Exarch could not let go of how swift and painless it felt. This being was the ascian god, unmistakably so, but he was wounded and sundered, immobile, as if in a state of deep slumber. Was this the moment this was all for? One fatal wound on a broken being?
G'raha was not able to breathe in relief until a surge of energy that still remained under his control pushed the lone man out of the crater. When G'raha felt the earth beneath his feet, even if it was a moon's harsh surface, he felt at peace. He was alive and unscathed, still walking and breathing despite the toil this leap took. A sea of stars rose above him, majestic in its beauty, and the world covered in azure seas appeared in the distance. His long-forgotten home, the one that was consumed by chaos and despair last he saw it, but now the crisis has been averted once and for all.
It took a century for him and generations for others, but it has been done, and the war was won. G'raha's tears fell off his face on the moon's surface, marking his return. A smile of pure ecstatic joy emerged on his face, for this was a moment he wished could last forever. As he looked at the dark sea, G'raha could only pray that Ryne, Beq, and others could see his success or at least feel it.
But whatever his feelings were, G'raha had to focus on the present. He was not alone. There were two men in his way, watching Zodiark's destruction from the beginning. One of them was a white-haired elezen with blue armor and a spear in his hand. And the other was hauntingly familiar to G'raha. He was the one who made his voice heard.
"YOU IMBECILE!" - Emet-Selch shouted in a tone so loud that G'raha had to question himself whether it was a familiar voice. The ascian was furious, but at this point, the Exarch could not afford to care about it. His pain was his triumph, mankind's triumph.
"Greetings, Hades." - G'raha looked up with a smile. "I didn't expect to see you so soon; the stars truly aligned on this one."
"You know each other, too?" - The elezen was trying to piece what happened around him together.
"Do you know what you have just done?!" - Emet shouted with uncontrollable fury, barely keeping himself from lashing out at G'raha and slaying him where he stood.
"I believe I do. I have destroyed the shadow that rested over this world for thousands of years, so there may never be another calamity. You have brought enough pain and suffering to mankind, but this long game is over now!" - He spoke up with pride. "Now that you saw it with your own eyes, I can only suggest you admit defeat and leave." - He said, and the elezen shook his head.
"We are not done here yet. Stopped right after catching him in a lie; he has yet to pay for his murder." - The lancer prepared to continue this fight. G'raha and he surrounded the panicking ascian, who was still unable to let go of his shock. Emet breathed heavily before imploding with dark energy and transforming into his empowered state. He created a barrier around himself but did not resolve to fight.
"You are a fool! A broken, degenerate fool!" - Emet shouted with disdain and fury. "Do you think you have achieved anything here? Know this, then…Zodiark was the only shield this world had from the final days! The very same ones that you saw in Amaurot that I so painstakingly recreated. Every image, every death, and every nightmare will now come unto your people and more! This will be the price you will pay for your 'victory'". - Hades took a deep breath, looking at G'raha, who got cautious. The Exarch could not believe what he heard. He thought that the laws of reality had been rewritten permanently by Zodiark, and nothing would bring the calamity ascians endured back. "As I said, you will see this world burn…And this will be no one's fault but yours!" - Emet said spitefully before turning to Estinien.
"And for you…Yes, I killed them. I killed them all in a battle between light and darkness in an attempt to rejoin the world, is that what you wanted to hear?! I killed them all, including your closest friends, and I would do so again for our purpose, the one this murderer has demolished!" - He shouted before disappearing into a dark portal, not leaving any trace. G'raha was shocked; his feeling of triumph had perished in an instant, replaced by cautiousness. He would not believe Emet-Selch outright; anyone could descend into ravings after seeing the work of their life annihilated; there were still many questions unanswered.
The Exarch took a deep breath before looking at the lancer before him. He tried to remain peaceful without letting his guard down.
"I assume you are not another ascian…" - G'raha said.
"I've been about to ask you the same thing. Jumping out of nowhere and sowing chaos is something they've excelled at." - The elezen replied, still unwilling to put his lance aside.
"I assure you, I am not your enemy." - G'raha stated with as much confidence as he could muster. "My story is a long and complicated one, but I promise to share it if you let me."
"Start by introducing yourself."
"G'raha Tia. I am known as the Crystal Exarch in the world I came from, here… I Don't believe I am yet. Perhaps you've heard of the crystal tower's keeper?"
"Not that I recall." - He finally stood tall and placed the weapon behind his back. "I am Estinien Wyrmblood, currently working for the Ilsabard contingent."
"Wait…The Estinien Wyrmblood?" - G'raha did not expect the sudden surge of excitement to emerge, but he almost felt ashamed to not have realized this before. This was the legendary Ishgardian Hero he read so much about, fighting against Dravanians and later garleans, a man of unbreakable will and resolve. The Exarch did not even notice his ears rising up, and a curious spark emerged in his eyes. "To think that I will ever see the living legend himself…"
"You just emerged out of another dimension, destroyed Zodiark himself, and calling me a living legend?" - Estinien was perplexed. "Who are you, really? You say you've come from another world, but how are we supposed to know if…" - A glint of realization emerged in his eyes. "You know Solus if you came from the same world…You know Alphinaud and Edwin?"
"I do…" - G'raha sighed with pain; the memories of this loss were far from pleasant. "I was there when it happened when he killed them." - The Exarch spoke, seeing the genuine shock in the dragoon's eyes. He was clearly eager to hear an explanation. "It is a long story indeed. If you lead me to your allies, I will keep no secrets."
Estinien had no qualms with it and was ready to show him the way. Desperately trying not to think about Emet's words, the Exarch was prepared to see his home once more.
…
Despite Estinien trying to make sense of what occurred, he would always realize that many details remain beyond his grasp, and the mysterious stranger's presence made it all the more complicated. This G'raha was knowledgeable and brave, as well as shared history with both Emet-Selch and the scions. At least, there was not nearly the same malicious aura about this man as there was with Emet. G'raha was more than willing to talk with sincerity and explain as much as he could.
In return, Estinien promised to guide him to their camp. The tower has been surprisingly empty with the Alliance forces retreating, but the lands around it have been consumed by chaos. Tempered were running around, eager to consume everyone and everything that stood in their way. This was a genuine surprise for G'raha, who was shocked and even horrified to see such destruction wrought upon Garlemald. There was already more compassion in him than whatever Emet showed.
Speaking of Estinien's own realization, he made peace with their deaths; at least the dragoon tried to convince himself of this. He knew that they were gone a while ago, never being the one to plague his mind with hopeful fairytales. He wasn't shocked, just furious. Furious at the realization that he fought side by side with Alphinaud's murderer without knowing the truth. That he believed, even for a short moment, that Solus was not a liar.
He tried not to think of this and focus on the present; the dragoon was eager to know more about G'raha. It was not hard at all to spark a lengthy talk with him, and Estinien listened to each world.
"A time traveler?" - The dragoon could scarcely believe his ears when G'raha to,d of the place he came from. "Jumping through the time and twice through the rift without being an ascian…I wouldn't have believed this story a few months ago, but after everything that happened, it's hard to be surprised."
"I appreciate that my story seems intangible at first, but I will give a more thorough explanation once I can speak to many at a time." - G'raha reassured him.
"Fine, but do not try anything. We might be tired, but that does not mean that we stand up against another immortal fiend should they arise." - The dragoon spoke with a slight harshness, making their intentions clear. He was aware of what he risked by bringing the stranger to the camp, but he saw the worry in G'raha's eyes, a down-to-earth worry, and hopefulness that the ascians rarely showed.
"Don't let my staff or my…crystallized part make me look like a fiend, for I am not one." - G'raha looked around the broken ruins with pain and regret in his eyes. "I would appreciate it if you would tell me more. To see such catastrophic destruction…It brings more than a few bad memories of the last time I was here."
"You do not want me to recall entire history, do you?"
"No, I do not. Everything that happened since the Alliance and garlean Empire clashed in Ghimlyt would suffice."
"Fine." - Estinien sighed. There was still a considerable part of their path left. They might as well have something to talk about. "I infiltrated Garlemald to stop the production of a new weapon that Emperor Varis wished to bring to the front."
"Black rose, I believe?"
"Yes…" - Estinien nodded; G'raha knew much, suspiciously so. "I succeed along with some newfound allies, but we also witnessed the Emperor getting murdered by his own son, Zenos yae Galvus. We escaped Garlemald, but that was only the beginning of the troubles that followed."
"Is Zenos responsible for this chaos?"
"Partially, though another man outdid him. Fandaniel, the sundered ascian. He defied his unsundered brethren and schemed while they were away."
"Emet-Selch and Elidibus."
"Aye. It began with him overseeing one of the Imperial Legions, unleashing their weapons upon us. It was a difficult battle, not without sacrifice, but we dealt with that threat. It was then that we learned of Garlemald lying in ruins, and the aether-absorbing towers appeared in different regions of the world."
"Like this one?"
"Somewhat, but smaller, this was the main one. It was orchestrated by Fandaniel, who wished to bring about the final days." - As Estinien spoke those words, he noticed G'raha's surprised look. "You know of them?"
"I know enough to know that this is what plunged the world into oblivion once. Why would anyone wish to repeat this nightmare?"
"Perhaps a last desperate act of rebellion on his side, who knows. The Alliance has gathered a force to invade Garlemald, the Ilsabard contingent. There we have met the Ist Legion, lead by none other than your reclusive friend."
"We are not friends." - G'raha said sharply.
"I know, but you share some history. Solus zos Galvus told us that the key to final days was Zodiark's destruction, something that Fandaniel attempted to do." - Estinien said and noticed G'raha's concerned gaze. "I do not believe him anymore, to be frank, not after he lied about killing Edwin and Alphinaud. Having a force assembled to protect Zodiark would have been of great convenience to him." - The dragoon shook his head. "If I ever get my hands on the bastard again…" - He noticed G'raha looking down to the snow. "You don't believe him, do you?"
"I don't know…I wish I had your resolve, but…We will know it soon."
"I am sure you wanted to destroy Zodiark for a noble cause if you speak the truth."
"My intentions hardly matter if…" - His voice broke. "No, let's not focus on that now. Is that your camp?"
G'raha pointed to a small settlement in front of them. This was the contingent's base, but there were tempered garlean that attacked it.
"Blasted thralls! We need to help them!" - Estinien exclaimed; G'raha needed no other warning. He took out his staff and charged into the heat o battle along with the dragoon.
Estinien took notice of Lucia leading the charge along with Magnai, Alberic, and a few other prominent warriors. His mentor was the first to notice the elezen.
"He has returned!"
"Finally!" - Lucia breathed with relief as she finished off one of the tempered.
Estinien joined the fray, piercing one of the tempered in the chest and pushing the man to the ground. Before he could switch his attention to other attackers, G'raha unleashed a powerful spell of ice that slowed those garleans down. His next step was to summon aetheric blasts that killed each one almost immediately. Such power was to be expected from a man that killed Zodiark, but this came as a shock to others. Lucia did not express too many emotions; the woman simply looked around and made sure there were no enemies remaining.
"That seems to be the last of them. Return to your posts." - She gave a command to others before turning to Estinien. "I will admit, we were getting worried."
"What happened after I left?"
"It seems that the eikon Jullus mentioned sent a signal before its demise that commanded the tempered garleans to become much more rabid and uncontrollable than before. Jullus got Fordola here before returning to lord Quintus. I have sent a message to them about our further cooperation, but they have not responded. If it were my guess, they would not be too willing." - Lucia recounted before looking at Estinien with intrigue. "But what happened with you? Jullus said that the teleport led directly to the damn moon!"
"That it did." - Estinien turned around towards his new crystal companion; G'raha approached them and caught Lucia's attention. "Let's begin by saying that we have a newcomer from very far."
"And who might you be?" - Lucia questioned him.
"G'raha Tia." - He introduced himself.
"That name is hardly familiar. I am Lucia Junius, the commander of this operation. If Estinien brought you here, I assume he trusts you, but I assume…"
"Seven hells!" - A familiar and very shocked voice interrupted her. G'raha turned around and saw a white-haired garlean man emerging before them. Estinien couldn't notice the excitement that emerged in G'raha's eyes upon seeing the inventor.
"Cid!" - The stranger was about to drop his staff at the sight of him. "By the twelve, how long has it been!" - He rushed to the engineer's side, eager to shake his hand. Cid was understandably shocked, but this did not take away from the shared joy in his eyes.
"G'raha, damn it…You're all crystallized. What happened?" - Cid wondered. "I don't know how the hell did you manage to awaken, but I am glad to see you. So glad…" - Cid eagerly shook his hand, which G'raha gladly accepted.
"You know this man?" - Lucia asked.
"I do." - Cid answered. "We helped Edwin with the crystal tower when he explored it. That's where he fought Xande and that clone of Amon, Fandaniel…Whatever to call him now."
"Wait, Amon is Fandaniel?" - G'raha was surprised.
"In the flesh, although it came as a shock to us." - Cid explained.
"Then perhaps this might shed light on his motives…This would not be the first time he wished to end this world." - G'raha was thoughtful before turning to Cid. "It's a long story, but first, tell me of our friends. How are Biggs and Wedge? How's Nero?"
"Biggs and Wedge as eager and resourceful as ever." - Cid said before his face went slightly pale. "As for Nero…His memory is with us." - He gestured to the robot that rose beside him.
"I see…" - G'raha spoke in a pained voice. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be; Nero wouldn't want it. He was a damn good friend at times and a complete madman at others. He was both in the moment of his death, just how he wished it…" - Cid said, trying to hide the pain of loss.
"I appreciate that there is a lot to share…" - Lucia spoke. "But I believe all of us ought to hear of your nature and what happened on the moon."
"Of course, I am ready when you are."
"Cid, call Lyse and Maxima. They need to hear this as well."
"Right away."
The engineer left, and G'raha remained to wait. Soon, their friends were brought to the place, just as intrigued as Lucia.
"To hear that Estinien returned with a half-crystal stranger…This day is getting weirder by hours." - Lyse said.
"We are all here, then." - Lucia said and turned to Estinien. "First, tell us what happened on the moon."
"Solus and I have chased Zenos and Fandaniel, but they managed to break the last seal that shackled Zodiark. However, Fandaniel's plans did not go as planned. Zenos took control and chained all of us as he decided to take up the role of Zodiark's heart himself; we could not stop him. This was the moment when Fandaniel believed his scheme to have failed until…" - Estinien looked at G'raha. "He came out of nowhere, empowered by light. He destroyed Zodiark along with Zenos and the souls that rested inside him. Then…Solus was not happy. He was infuriated but did not attack; he simply left off after saying all of his "kind" words to us. Same for Fandaniel."
"Hm…" - Lucia thought to herself. "There have been no signs of either of them showing up so far, but at least Zenos is off the table. Thought considering what Solus told us, destruction of Zodiark is not in any way beneficial…"
"He might have lied." - Estinien's said coldly and sighed. "He lied about something before, but now he admitted the truth." - The dragoon braced himself for a moment before speaking out. "It was he that killed them all. Edwin, Alphinaud, the scions…It was him."
"W…What?" - Lyse stuttered. "You don't mean to say…"
"It is true." - G'raha spoke up. "I have seen it with my own eyes."
"No, no…" - The woman panicked, unable to accept the truth before her, and even sympathetic gazes of kindness and shared pain from Lucia, Cid and Maxima would not ease that. "They can't be! They have gone through challenges, ended wars, and stood up against the ascians countless times; they would not fall! Not to him!" - Lyse clenched her fist and shouted. "And we aided that bloody monster! I knew something was wrong. I just…Damn him!" - The woman looked away, trying to hide her anger.
"Lyse…We only did what was sensible at the time, I know crimes Solus has done, but it was merely an alliance of convenience." - Cid reached out to comfort her, but she recoiled.
"That is more than enough. He killed…He killed them! Edwin, Alisaie, Alphinaud, Y'shtola, everyone! The people I spent many of my years with are all gone because of that monster! And all we do is help him out and then let him get away…" - Lyse's lips quivered. "This is wrong…This is all wrong!" - She shouted before rushing off, Maxima was about to get her, but Lucia gestured for him to stop.
"Give her time…We will all need it soon." - She spoke with quiet yet no less noticeable grief. She then turned to G'raha, expecting answers. The man began.
"I am from this world, but from another age, another branch of reality that has been averted." - G'raha tried to make it sound as clear as possible. "In it, the Empire deployed black rose, and the world ushered in the eight umbral calamity, which annihilated most civilizations. Those who survived, led by minds such as Cid Garlond and Nero Scaeva, came up with a theory that combined various phenomena found in the previous era that could allow a soul to travel through space and time."
"So…" - Cid was the one to speak. "You are saying that you are not our G'raha?"
"No, I am not." - He responded in an almost apologetic tone. "The one you know must still slumber within Crystal Tower, waiting for the day to be awakened. I assure you that our stories before becoming the tower's keeper are one and the same."
"To travel through space and time must require much time and effort put into it; I am not sure if it's entirely plausible." - Maxima said, garnering Cid's attention.
"I could see it being done, in theory. Omega had properties that allowed it to travel through the rift, not to mention Alexander's unique "capabilities" with the timeline." - His words made G'raha smile.
"Those were the exact technologies that the ironworks used for their invention. It would not be until generations past that their disciples would finish the job, however. They awakened me by accident, and eventually, I volunteered to become their martyr…I would be sent to the First, the shard that was rejoined in this calamity. My task was to enter the world and unsow the seeds of calamity from within with the aid of a certain hero you all know about." - Even talking about Edwin made G'raha smile; Estinien could see that he was fond of the Warrior of Light as much if not more as them. "I arrived a century before the time would come, and this gave me the time to prepare. Under my guidance was a city of Crystarium created with the purpose of giving hope to mankind. I was known as the Crystal Exarch, as I have made myself one with the tower to avoid aging and claim some of its powers."
"So that's where the crystal hand comes from." - Estinien noted.
"Indeed." - G'raha responded, noticing that Lucia wished to ask something.
"If it was your task to summon the Warrior of Light, does this mean you were the one to claim him and the scions and summon their souls to another world?"
"I was…I know that there is little honesty or choice in this act, especially with how it turned out." - G'raha said with regret. "But I had to try, for all of us. The scions were not a part of my plan initially but a result of a couple of failed attempts due to the imperfection of my technique. From there on, the fight against the light that corrupted the world began. One after another, the powerful wardens that maintained its presence were dispatched by the Warrior, bringing hope to its people…But alas, this couldn't have gone without certain complications." - G'raha spoke, noticing Estinien's suspicion.
"The ones that have to do with Solus, I imagine."
"Yes. The ascian approached us and showed an interest. He helped scions and Edwin with knowledge, but his motives remained a mystery to us. I tried to learn as much as possible about him, but it was too late. It became clear that he wanted to see whether Edwin would be able to contain the light from the wardens he slew. When the last guardian fell, my plan was to take this light from the hero and destroy it in the far reaches of the sea of stars along with my essence."
"But surely that would mean your demise, once and for all." - Cid said.
"I was ready to pay that price."
"Oh, gods, Nero really has grown on you…"
"Before I could realize that plan, however, Emet-Selch backstabbed us. He took me hostage, in his headquarters, beckoning Edwin to come and be consumed by the light, a transformation that was sure to cause the calamity I sought to avert. He and the scions arrived to challenge him one last time…And you know what happened." - G'raha said with a quivering voice.
"How did they die?" - Estinien asked, masking his pain with aloofness.
"In battle, like true heroes. It was a nightmare clash, but none of them succumbed to fear. But Emet achieved his goal by releasing the light that rested inside of Edwin; we were on the brink of a calamity. It was then…" - G'raha choked up. "It was then when he asked me to do him a final favor…To teleport him away with the light, for him to die so that everyone else can live. I obliged…I killed him…"
"We all do what we must, no matter how dire the situation is. Were it not for your willingness, we would not have been standing here." - Lucia reassured him.
"Perhaps…It took many attempts, but I managed to break away from the ascian grasp of both Emet and Elidibus. They attempted to bring a calamity by other means, but with tremendous help from my allies on the First, we managed to defend Crystarium and create a stalemate between us and the ascians. Soon after, a plan to strike at the heart began to form, to strike down Zodiark."
"Emet and Elidibus…" - Estinien said. "So his white-robed friend was there, too."
"You know of him?"
"He fell into Fandaniel's trap, who twisted him and turned him into an obedient puppet. Emet-Selch had to slay him before my own eyes."
"By the gods…" - G'raha recoiled at the thought of such cruelty, although there was some relief in knowing that a powerful ascian was no more. "I didn't know of it at the time until the time has come. I managed to conduct another jump through the rift, and you know the rest. Zodiark is destroyed, and I am here."
"Now that's a tale…" - Maxima tried to wrap his head around it.
"Your story is one to remember, G'raha, but there is the matter of "Final Days."" - Lucia said grimly. Estinien noticed worry on G'raha's face. "There is a probable chance that the ascian lied to us, but if he did not…What do you know about it, G'raha?"
"I…It is hardly different from what Emet-Selch must have told you. A calamity of unknown origin, a sound that destroyed the fabric of reality. The skies went red, and the beasts began manifesting as the ancients' innermost fears. Emet has a painstaking recreation of them on the First."
"How exciting." - Cid said with sarcasm.
"Did the beasts simply appear out of nowhere?" - Estinien inquired.
"They were a result of the ancients' creation magics running out of control. They had an ability to manipulate aether, and this was the result. Perhaps an individual's power reflected the scale of the beasts they created."
"Well, we don't possess this ability; perhaps it won't affect us…" - Maxima said with a glimmer of hope, but Cid shook his head.
"I wouldn't count on miracles. We must be prepared for whatever comes next."
"Agreed." - Lucia nodded. "I will prepare a report on everything that happened here and on all we have learned. All Alliance leaders need to be informed of it immediately." - She said as Estinien noticed G'raha come up with an idea.
"I would gladly take the opportunity to speak to all of them in person. If anything is to come…I will take responsibility and aid the effort in any way I can."
"Good idea, considering you are a newcomer to this world who holds considerable power, anyone would appreciate your help."
"And one more thing…" - Estinien said. "Is there any way to stop it?"
"Zodiark was the only solution the ancients found. I will look for it at any turn, however." - G'raha said.
"Huh…" - He only now began to realize that they were potentially heading into the greatest crisis in the world's history, and the only reason everyone was so calm was that their minds could not grasp the sheer scale of it. Emet's could, and his reactions were clear enough.
Estinien decided to do his part and to see that Ishgard was ready to join the council and protect its people from the catastrophe. Before that, the dragoon had only one matter to attend to here. He walked towards the medical bay, searching for his wounded comrade. Estinien knew she was alive, but it would do good to be certain of her well-being. He found Fordola among the wounded, her eyes half opened and slowly restoring her powers.
"Bloody hell…And here I thought we've lost you…" - Fordola spoke weakly.
"I always enjoyed toying with the edge. How are you?"
"Oh, it's that question again…I'm better than there. Will get up in a few days or so." - Those words were relieving for both of them; Estinien longed to have a short respite after hearing so much. "What happened there…Have we won, at least?"
"I wish I knew the answer to the question. Perhaps we have…But if not, we are in for all of the seven hells breaking loose."
…
Anima's fall marked the beginning of chaos in Garlemald. The tempered run wild and uncontrollable, consuming the ruins in a whirlwind of desperation and violence. Their minds had nothing to give them direction or any semblance of control, manifesting Anima's rage and disdain implanted by Fandaniel. The proof of his victory. Their souls have been replaced by animalistic instincts of another until they are put down like beasts.
But there was one outburst that came out of one man's shattered soul and nature, a man who cried out in despair at the demise of his people. He would unleash spell after spell, decimating what ruins were before him out of pure agony. Tears fell down his face; it was almost impossible to breathe, impossible to think. The images and memories became blurred as Emet-Selch desperately tried to convince himself that the events of the last few hours were nothing but a horrendous fever dream. That Elidibus was not dead and would soon return from the stream, that Zodiark's seal was not broken and his souls not gone. That this world that he sought to restore was not doomed to slow and devastating destruction due to a madman's design.
But every time, he would face the inevitable truth, and the impending loneliness would creep on his back. Fandaniel's mocking words still echoed in his ears; a sundered ascian which Emet considered beneath him had taken everything from him, made his plan obsolete. His was the failure. Hades failed to stop Edwin from taking the light away when calamity was in sight, failed to pay attention to the source as he was fixated on rejoining the First, failed to help Elidibus when he needed it, failed to save him, failed to kill G'raha when he had many opportunities, failed to save Zodiark…
"Aaargh!" - Hades screeched in agony. This attracted a few tempered men who crawled beside him, seeing the ascian as another source of prey. Their degenerate mumblings echoed in Emet's ears; he turned around to finish them off. Their frail bodies, easily controlled souls, and frail minds. The sight of these tempered disgusted him. He wanted to make them suffer, rip them apart, and burn their souls away; the mere thought of such degenerates inheriting the star made him want to puke.
One of the thralls attacked, but Emet summoned an aetheric blade, plunging it into the man's neck. The blood streamed as he coughed and shivered like an insect. He would die in a few seconds, but Hades was not satisfied. He took his blade while the man was still alive and carved out his heart. The creature beneath him stopped moving as he ripped it from its chest.
The other tempered watched it with what Hades could only call an expression of sheer terror. What was it? A degenerate thrall showing emotions? The garlean man ran away or at least attempted to do so. Hades would not allow him the pleasure. He unleashed a whirlwind of darkness that obliterated the victim in an instant. There was no satisfaction in this, only further pain and dismay. Why did it have to be this way? Why did he have to suffer so? What was this punishment for? Was his Sind finally catching up with him? Oh, how did it burn…
After looking at the dark sky, Emet noticed that in his fit of rage, two crystals fell out of his pockets and now laid down on the load. The ascian rushed to them, but both were already drenched in the tempered's blood. A purple and an orange one, Hades picked them up to feel some semblance of relief. Useless things, both of them. One housed a memory of a man who never forgot, even though, at times, he wished he did. Another tool in memory of a friend long lost, the friend Emet killed himself. But why did he clutch onto them so much? They were his reminder of the days long gone, of their joyful trio. Now Apollo was gone, and Hythlodaeus was gone. Any promise that he gave him on the moon was broken, shattered even. He failed them, too, more than he could have imagined.
As Emet's tears fell on the bloodied crystals, still shining with echoing light amidst the chaos, he tried to concentrate. He needed to do something, to go somewhere from here, no matter how hard and agonizing the ordeal shall be.
Deep inside, the ascian knew that there was only one path for him to walk now, one last do-or-die attempt to reverse the damage that had been done. This world could not be saved anymore; it would be consumed and ravaged in only a few months, leaving nothing but ash in the wake of its final days. Some part of Hades wanted to see G'raha live through this, to feel the pain and agony of his own failure. And yet, this was not the reason Emet did not slay him on the moon. He still had the knowledge of the crystal tower, of how to transcend time. Even if it required generations, in his case, the time they did not have anymore, it was still worth a try. To achieve a perfect future that the ascians longed for.
However, there was one matter Emet would see to before that, and that was the truth. Fandaniel's cryptic words of Emet knowing that Zodiark will fall before his creation, that their fate was predetermined long before until Hades changed it somehow. It might have been just an attempt to stir his emotions up, to torment him as he did Elidibus. But there were no lies that Emet sensed in his words; Amon knew something that he didn't. Something that may have prompted him to destroy Zodiark and be certain that it will bring about the cataclysm yet again.
The ascian focused and closed his eyes. The renegade crimson soul was still out there, chaotically moving between places in search of something. He had the answers that Emet sought, and this time he will have everything.