The rest of the day of their arrival has gone hastily and with much work to be done, but thankfully rather smoothly. The Forum had enough concerns for the time, which meant G'raha's crew had a day or two at their disposal before they would finally be called to stand before the Forum. For most of G'raha's allies, most of all for Krile, this would be a time of taking on responsibility and caring for those in need.
The refugees were welcomed at Baldesion Annex by Krile's acquaintances and friends from the Studium, who provided a few rooms to house the people. They were quite cramps, and each had to house a number of them at the same time, but it was the best they could offer for now. Krile's next pejorative was to find occupations for those who were willing to work and have them maintain a steady income of gil. The Forum was reluctant to spend too much on them despite them having vast resources at their disposal. Either they were too arrogant to share, which G'raha did not believe, or they had another purpose, the one they considered far more important to put the money into.
And this was where G'raha's research came in. Waiting until they get an opportunity to meet the Forum was a waste of precious days that one could spend learning the nature of the Final Days, not to mention that there was a chance that Forum Members, in their stubbornness and devotion, would not grant the Exarch the olive branch he needed, defeating their entire purpose for coming here. Then his only source of information will be the reclusive ascian, and G'raha did not want to limit his options to someone like Emet-Selch.
This was the research that brought the Exarch to the Studium. A place that he once saw as the source of his knowledge and enlightenment. A place where Sharlayan youth would get an opportunity to learn everything about their beautiful world, the history of both their city and those beyond it, as well as study aether and various machinations of magic. At the time, G'raha naively believed that nothing was beyond the reach of those scholars, that they were the true keepers of this world's knowledge. Only after leaving did he realize how much there was that the Sharlayans did not know. His discoveries about Allag, the Thirteenth, the First, and Amaurot were not something one would learn from the Studium. Those discoveries were enough to change G'raha's entire perception of the world as he knew it; it put all of his knowledge in perspective. The Exarch found out that this was where master Montichaigne spent much of his time, and he had already shown himself sympathetic to their cause. Perhaps he would be willing to lend some leads, at the very least.
G'raha decided to catch him early in the morning before most of the lectures began. As the Exarch entered the Studium, a wave of nostalgia swayed the man immediately. He may not see many lectures himself, but he visited the place to meet with his friends who attended. The last time he visited this, he was a wide-eyed youth who took pleasure in every moment of his life. Now he was older than the men who ran this circle and shared their knowledge, truly remarkable. These halls were yet another reminder of days when everything was much simpler, when the world's horrors were far away, and he could hide from them when they were not as destructive as the Final Days.
It did not take long to find Montichaigne; he was talking to a young lalafell who was dribbling in his notebook instead of looking up into the elezen's eyes.
"…And thus, from the arcane succor, is white magic born." - Montichaigne was explaining one of many magical processes. "I hope it is clearer now."
"Yes, it is! Thank you very much!" - The lalafell exclaimed before rushing to the class and waving to the smiling lecturer. As Montichaigne looked around, when he saw G'raha, his smile became fainter.
"Ah, here you are. I was told that you sought an opportunity to talk." - Montichaigne welcomed him.
"Yes, Master Montichaigne, it would be an honor…" - G'raha began to speak like an intrigued student yet again, having to once again force himself to maintain his new persona. It was still hard to believe that G'raha was older and perhaps more experienced than the wise man before him. "There were a few matters I wished to discuss, yes."
"My days became even busier with the recent developments, but I believe I can spend some time…Come now, let's take a seat." - The elezen sat at the nearby bench, followed by the Crystal Exarch.
"I see your role as an educator as sa important as ever."
"Indeed…Though I only have a brief time to visit the Studium, my duties take priority. And you were, I believe, a student of Baldesion."
"Aye, I studied together with Krile." - G'raha smiled, once again thinking back to the careless days. "Well…He did."
"He?"
"I come from another world, a copy of this one until a certain point in time. G'raha Tia of this world still slumbers to awaken someday…I hope." - Those were the people G'raha knew from his past, yet this quiet, persistent whisper in his head wouldn't allow him to be entirely at ease. They were not his friends. They were friends of a much younger G'raha that still retained his idealism and naivety, even when slumbering. The Exarch imagined him awakening one day only to see a barren, dead star devoid of aether with only a few beasts remaining on the ruins of their civilization…A fate he cannot accept.
"I heard your story, and nothing has been more fascinating in the recent few years than this. Truly an extraordinary achievement for which you and all those that worked on it in your world must be commended!" - Montichaigne smiled warmly. "Is that the reason for your doubt?"
"My…Doubt?"
"I can see it in your eyes. Despite the past, you don't quite feel at home, do you not? Has Sharlayan become so alien to you over those years?"
"In a way…" - This was a good motivator for G'raha to think in-depth about the reasons he felt the way he did. "I have to admit, I expected much more panic with the way everything was unfolding beyond Sharlayan; I'm sure people must know something…"
"There was some when the news about Ul'Dah came, but the Forum was quick to reassure them. With our new guests, the news of Limsa Lominsa will spread the same way…" - The elezen sighed. "But we are prepared to do the same this time." - He spoke calmly and with acceptance, and G'raha did not believe that the Forum was content to die along with their city. They had a plan, a plan which was concealed behind a spell.
"I know you have a course of action." - G'raha said bluntly, forcing Montichaigne to chuckle.
"So that's why you have come. Alas, all I can say is that while I would love nothing more than to cooperate, many in the Forum think otherwise. The spell will not allow me to speak a single word of the true nature of our duty." - Montichaigne spoke clearly, yet G'raha was not content to let the opportunity go.
"How restrictive is the spell? What about hints, verbal manipulations, pantomime…" - G'raha began to suggest, only for Montichaingne to let out a laugh.
"You humor me! This spell is not one that can be tricked easily. One had to take possession over a Forum Member's soul to bypass it, and even after this, my peers decided to imprison and later exile Master Fourchenault for this misstep."
"So you cannot provide any aid at all?"
"An aid for what, exactly?"
"Discovering the true source of the Final Days, so it can be stopped before it is too late."
"Ah, I see…" - Montichaigne shook his head with regret. "How to explain…The spell will not allow me to go into detail, I'm afraid. All I can say is that you retained the idealism Krile spoke of, and I respect that most sincerely. Alas… idealism and heroics are not always the answer, and this is one of those situations."
"I disagree." - G'raha said reflexively. "Louisoix Leveilleur set out to do what everyone else believed impossible and halted a calamity which predecessors wiped out entire civilizations. The number of lives he saved is impossible to even conceive; where would all of us be if he simply laid down his arms and surrendered to fate?"
"Aye…" - Montichaigne sighed. "I sometimes wonder what my old friend would have said had he lived to this moment, but we will never know. We all do what we can, and the Forum will continue to follow this creed."
"But I do not understand." - G'raha shook his head. "How can your plan not involve stopping the Final Days if the people are to survive?"
"I cannot answer that."
"And does the Forum know the source of the Final Days?"
"No, we do not." - This response shattered one of G'raha's theories almost immediately and plagued him with questions. If they do not know the truth, that means Hydaelyn did not tell them for some reason… G'raha wondered if he was latching at impossible theories that he himself imagined. What if Fourchenault was right, and Emet simply battled with Hydaelyn and now uses this meeting as an opportunity to mock the Exarch and feed him false clues?
"Yet the Forum has a plan, correct?"
"Aye." - That was something. Now G'raha knew that the Forum had an idea of saving at least some portion of the planet's populace, even if it is just those in Sharlayan, but this does not entail ending the root cause. It made the Exarch think back to Amaurot, the ancients had a horrific task put before them, and they succeeded. By creating Zodiark, they were able to safeguard the star for generations, both unsundered and sundered. Was Forum planning something similar? No, it could not be…There are far fewer people in the world than there were at that time, and most of them would not be willing to sacrifice themselves. G'raha understood the decision the Convocation of ancients made at the time, but he could not support it wholeheartedly, not when there might have been another way. "I understand your curiosity, G'raha, yet if we are to continue, then we shall inevitably be drowned in a circular conversation that wastes both of our times. You will get an opportunity to present your queries to the Forum soon enough; mayhap I will support some of them. Besides, we have only final preparations to complete…All will know soon enough."
"Very well…Thank you for what you told me. If you truly do not know of the source…I shall have to look for another answer. But I will not rest until I find the truth that the Forum hides in such a crucial hour, every single piece." - G'raha spoke with resolve. Their world was on the brink of death, and playing more games of secrecy was not doing it any good.
"A bold statement; I applaud you. Still, you'd better be careful with your words. The fact that you brought Solus zos Galvus and had me give you the blessing does not exactly put you in a position to demand knowledge."
"Rest assured, I will find a way." - G'raha spoke proudly and stood up. "Whatever the truth is, however, I will find it…I know I can do this."
"Heh…I suppose there is no convincing you to halt?" - Montichaigne smiled. "You are just like him, just like his students…If you want to do something useful before your meeting, I advise scouring the libraries. You will not find the answer there, yet there might be…Some clues." - Montichaigne spoke quietly before standing up as well. "I have to be off for my duties. A pleasure to speak with you, G'raha Tia."
"Likewise." - The Exarch forced a faint smile out of himself as the elezen walked towards the exit.
At least there was something else he knew, yet this information served to give more questions than answers. If the Forum did not know the cause of the Final Days, then his chances grew even slimmer than G'raha imagined, and everything brought him to a clear-cut conclusion, the one that he despised but had to accept.
Having yet another conversation about this with Emet-Selch was unavoidable.
…
Finally, Emet could 'rejoice' in return to routine.
As their crew arrived at Sharlayan, G'raha's and Krile's attention was finally turned away from the ascian to matters which they considered more pressing. Most of this had to do with housing and caring for refugees in Baldesion Annex, among whom Emet remained, though obviously, his needs were the last ones they considered. It was good for all of them. It would've been if not for how little time they had to figure their problems out. The Exarch was still unwilling to concede, and neither was the ascian, though Hades wanted to believe that both of them were smarter than simply perishing in the flames of their stubbornness. There must be a way to break him; there must be something…Those were the thoughts that haunted the ascian even in his dreams.
He was rarely able to truly dream, although he attempted to enter the state of slumber for most of the passing day. The ascian did not care for the noise around him; he simply lay on one of the beds and stared into the nearest stone wall, trying not to think about anything. How uncomfortable and tiring was this compared to relaxing in the stream. How disgusting was it to hear the constant mumbling voices in his ears. The ascian found it ironic that Forum did not afford refugees much, just a bit of gil and no time to take a breather at all. If they wanted to have a meaningful stay here, they would have to find an occupation, even if it was a temporary one, and Forum will do nothing to support them financially. A lot of coins must have been spent on preparing the transportation to the moon and their vessel. Emet wondered what it was that awaited them at Zodiark's grave. There must have been some preparations going on the moon. Elidibus told him that there were Hydaelyn's minions on the surface; they awakened once in age and worked on a project of an enormous scale…Perhaps this was its purpose. A new home for the people of the Source. A creation far beyond the horizon, their last attempt to survive…
"Tomato pie, you say? No, I haven't tried that one…Sounds exquisite." - C'irena's voice rang from behind, once again interrupting Emet's dream-like state.
"You should try it; it's delicious! I'm not sure if they make this here, but if you ever go by Gridania, someday…And what about you?" - The second voice belonged to Arielle, a girl who sounded much more lively and upbeat than at any point during their time in Limsa Lominsa.
"Hm…They cook really tasty fish in Limsa Lominsa. I could have it every day…"
"I am a bit jealous of all the best steaks Rhotsatz had… I'd try some of those too."
This discussion was as meaningless as it was annoying. Through his pain and chains, Emet finally forced himself to turn around and look at the two women sitting on one of the nearby beds. There were very few refugees in the room, all of them staying around the corner alone or with few friends.
"Do you truly have nothing else to do that you are going to discuss food of all things?" - Emet scoured. "If that is to be so, then go and do this in a place where I can't hear it; some of us are trying to concentrate!"
"Oh look, the Emperor awakens!" - C'irena smiled while Arielle stayed silent, avoiding Emet's gaze. "How was your sleep?"
"It wasn't, in part, because of your pathetic antics, mind you."
"But we weren't even that loud!" - Arielle parred.
"I have a good hearing range, for good or ill." - Emet shook his head as he sat up on his bed. It was clear that sleeping would not be possible in a setting like this. Nothing but a waste of time.
"Hm…Maybe you can join us." - C'irena suggested, only to be met with uncertainty from Arielle.
"What? Why would you…"
"Join you in what, exactly?" - Emet was expecting to hear yet another nonsensical way to waste his time, and he was not wrong.
"We were trying to get to know each other better with a little game." - C'irena explained. "Not many joined, as you see, but Arielle and I are having a blast here! Essentially, you ask one question about others, and all have to answer, including yourself. If you don't answer, you're out."
"And what's the point?"
"Well, we are all stranded and have to run from…Well, you know. Whether we like it or not, our fates are not in our hands."
"Speak for yourself."
"Are you sure? Last time I saw, you were very susceptible to G'raha's chains…" - C'irena jested, although Emet had no force in his left to get angry. The ascian just sighed in annoyance. He was curious to see those frail mortals invite him to play this game of theirs, even if this was a being of unimaginable power being concerned. Either C'irena was very brave or very foolish, and there was some intrigue in finding out which it was.
"Are you not afraid?" - The ascian wondered.
"A little…" - Ariel admitted.
"You should be." - Hades smirked, after which he saw C'irena grow even more eager.
"Come on, your radiance, you know it will be fun! I'm sure elder beings like yourself need a break too. Surely it often got too tiring with all the people in Garlemald you had to manage." - Emet did not care for the excitement in her voice, but what else could he do? Leaving and pondering would likely bring him to all the agonizing memories once again, and he could do nothing with those while G'raha's chains were still on him. Perhaps he could find them entertaining for the time being.
"I'll judge your questions on their true merit, then." - Emet allowed himself a tired smile; the ascian stood up and strolled towards the bed opposite of Arielle and C'irena, casually sitting at it and looking at his newfound companions with anticipation. Both of them looked surprised, even C'irena.
"What now? Are you going to ask questions or not?"
"You know, that's not really your bed…" - Arielle spoke quietly.
"And your point is?" - Emet shrugged as C'irena continued.
"I didn't actually think you would…But hey, that's wonderful, is it not? Arielle, dear, would you begin?"
"Alright…" - The girl sighed and thought for a moment. Her confidence was wavering as she looked into Emet's eyes. "What's your favorite color? I like bright green. It really reminds me of home." - She spoke quickly and turned away towards C'irena.
"I like red." - The miqo'te said. "Bright crimson. It makes me think of some raging fire; I always enjoyed watching those back at home…Except for that last one, of course. And you, Solus?"
"Orange, the color of the sun." - Hades responded and watched C'irena look at him with surprise.
"Truly?"
"What's so surprising about that?"
"Well, I imagined you to be "black" or "dark blue" type of man." - C'irena pointed out.
"Glad to shatter your baseless pre-conceptions, then." - Ironically enough, Hades's response was not premeditated or thought on at first. The ascian simply spoke that which first came into his mind. Only now did the ascian begin to understand the reasoning for this choice, and it only served further to annoy him.
"I'll go next." - C'irena said as a sly smile emerged on her face. "What is the evilest thing you have ever done?" - She asked with anticipation, unmasking the kind of game she actually wanted to play. Hades was not opposed to it; if she wanted to know about the most gruesome details of his life, he would give her exactly what she needed. "I don't think I've done anything worse than…Well, keeping children imprisoned for Rhotsatz. I know, a boring answer, but what about you?"
"I…" - Arielle pondered for a moment. "I stole a loaf once in Gridania. I was very hungry and had no gil on my hand…I had to apologize for it later." - She spoke with the tone of someone confessing a monstrous crime; this made Emet chuckle.
"Oh, you sweet child." - C'irena smiled before looking at the ascian. "Can you beat that?"
"Let me think…There was more than one shard that I destroyed, countless civilizations I helped lay to waste…" - Emet spoke with pride, watching his companions listen to his every word in silence. Arielle moved away from him by a small margin. "It's honestly hard to pick out anything in particular. I suppose I will have to go with my exploits on the Sixth shard…I manipulated a queen of that world with promises of power and salvation, the tales she fed to her people and which they believed. They built an Empire which was guided by my hand. Those people believed that they were going on to transcend the limits of mortality and begin exploring space…But all their hopes were crushed when they all froze in ice which turned them all into statues moment before annihilating their bodies and rejoining their souls with those in this world, bringing about an era of frost. One of many such instances, but it is the one I played the most part in." - Emet smiled as even C'irena looked away and showed some second doubt.
"Let's just…Move on." - Arielle suggested, but Emet was not willing to stop.
"It's my turn to ask, is it not? Very well, then, this is my question, then. Do you ever think about how meaningless your existence is with the shattered, broken, pitiful souls your frail bodies have inherited? I have pondered on that for thousands of years, and I'm the one with the whole soul here!"
"Eh…" - C'irena shrugged. "Not really, no. I thought about how to improve my life often enough, but I haven't contemplated it that deeply. And even if I did, who's to say our life is meaningless or shattered or whatever? I'm just fine with it."
"I agree." - Arielle said, her voice growing louder by the second. "You might see us as lesser, but it doesn't mean our lives are meaningless or incomplete. Just because we're…Just because we're weaker doesn't mean you have the right to purge us as you and your Empire did! We aren't your…We aren't…" - Her voice broke, and the ascian sympathized to a small extent. She must have heard a lot about her weakness and inferiority from Rhotsatz and other pirates.
"Let's just move on." - C'irena suggested, and Arielle picked up on it.
"Yes, let's do it… It's my question, isn't it? What's… What's the most beautiful sight you've ever seen? I'd say that it was the southern Twelswood…But after seeing Sharlayan, I'm not so sure." - She said with infatuation and a smile once again emerging on her face before turning to C'irena.
"That's a good one. I haven't traveled that much outside my tribe's village before joining the Kraken's Arms a while back…I like the sea. The boundless, blue, traversing all the horizons, beautiful in every way, you get the picture." - She answered the question fairly quickly before looking at the ascian once again; no doubt she wanted to hear his answers the most.
"There was an isle…" - Emet began, trying to recollect his most recent memories, as agonizing as they were. "The remote isle of Kritos. I do not know whether it still exists today, but I remember its endless jungle and woods, a powerful volcano rising above the land, housing so many unique animals…And people lived in harmony with them. A place far away from the heart of our world, where one can simply let go and…Take joy." - Hades wished he had realized Azem's love for places like this earlier. After so much toil, after all this pain, he wanted to be alone in a serene place like this without anyone disturbing him. There, he could close his eyes and think that his two best friends were lying beside him, silently feeling the sun rays upon them and smiling. He would smile, too. The ascian noticed that Arielle grew enticed by his tales, although she remained highly cautious judging by her frozen and hesitant eyes.
"Is this…Is this island real?" - She wondered.
"Of course, it was real. Back in the time before all the insanity, before all the chaos began." - Emet looked away to hide his faint nostalgic smile. "Sounds beautiful, does it not?"
"It…It does." - Arielle admitted.
"Now for my question." - C'irena continued enthusiastically. "What do you regret the most in life? For me, it's obvious I lingered in my tribe far too long before leaving…So many years wasted that I could've spent adventuring. Of course, it wouldn't be as simple and joyous as I expected back then, but still. Arielle?"
"I regret…When the siege began, I didn't help my parents; I couldn't…My father fought while I hid in horror, not knowing what to do. He told my mother to run…" - Her voice broke as tears began to emerge in her eyes.
"If it's too painful, we don't have to." - C'irena noted.
"No, no, I… It's…I was too scared to do anything; I should've run quicker; I don't know, I…" - She began shaking and immediately felt C'irena's hand around her neck. She soothed Arielle slightly, allowing the girl to breathe and collect herself.
"Let's hear your answer, shall we?" - C'irena looked at Emet-Selch. It was a difficult question for the ascian, far more difficult than he wanted to admit. He cursed Apollo as he left the Convocation. He plotted behind Lahabrea and Elidibus's backs in creating Azem's crystal and doubted their plan. He was asleep when Lahabrea was slaughtered by Edwin and Thordan, he wasn't with Elidibus when Zenos and Amon tormented him, he couldn't help Hythlodaeus and fulfill the promise he gave on the moon…
"I regret failing my friends." - Emet said starkly, suppressing all of his emotions beneath a cold, distant exterior. "That is all. Now, it is my question, isn't it…What do you consider your purpose in life?" - He got philosophical with the last question, with no reason to back down.
"To adventure." - C'irena answered casually. "To see more of this world, to explore as many weird corners of it as I can, you know? There is so much to see, and it wasn't until recently that I understood that. Obviously, it's a bit more complicated now…" - She chuckled nervously before looking at Arielle. The elezen girl calmed down; she looked up with eyes full of doubt.
"I am not sure…" - She said. "I want to find…I don't know how to explain it. I want to…To not be alone." - Her voice was full of shame as the girl looked away with embarrassment. The ascian saw that she was going through a horrible grieving process. It was most likely stunted due to how Rhotsatz treated her and most others, not giving them any chance to speak about their fears and pain. When everything in her surroundings forced her to shut her feelings off, it would take much longer to reach the most poignant moments of realization. Perhaps now that the constant shock was over, she was finally opening up.
"I understand." - Emet spoke with unexpected sympathy that he expressed. This child has suffered far too much, and no one deserves to live through these horrors. This was the exact reason they fought to restore Amaurot, to bring back the people who would never bring such pain to others.
"You do?" - Arielle looked with surprise at ascian's eyes. Judging by her expression, the girl noticed some sympathy within his gaze indeed. "And what is your purpose?" - She asked quietly.
"To go home." - The ascian responded with his voice on the verge of yet another break. C'irena and Arielle were both enthralled and could not speak of anything; they looked down and pondered on Emet's words. Was it his tone, his moment of vulnerability, that made them see how pained he truly was? It did not matter anymore; they saw enough.
"My question is next…" - Arielle took a deep breath. "Do you miss home? I do, especially now…After all that happened, I wish my parents had never left Gridania in search of adventures and work; perhaps we wouldn't have ended here…"
"I don't miss mine." - C'irena said. "A dull place, that one. I'm glad I left for all it was worth; tribal life has very little appeal for me."
"And you?" - Arielle continued to gaze at Emet.
"Every hour of every day." - Hades smiled. "There is so much of it that was gone far too early, that did not deserve its end…So many souls and people wished for nothing more than to witness a brighter tomorrow. So many friends. During all those years, I knew that I would never be able to restore the world as it was. Even should we complete all rejoinings and bring our people back, it would never be the same again…But now there is a chance to undo it. Everything, from the very beginning. And this is not a chance I will forego." - Emet spoke softly, yet still with resolve. Seeing their genuine interest and even echoes of sympathy reminded the ascian that the people before him were not malicious. Simply very naive and in need of guidance. "Go on, then. Ask your other questions."
"What is… What's your darkest secret?" - C'irena asked others. "Well, the darkest you're willing to tell. I killed a few people when I was with the pirates. Innocents, even. They weren't defenseless, but we attacked them first."
"I…" - Arielle stuttered. "I'd rather hear Solus. I can't think of anything, sorry." - How quickly did this game turn into questioning the ascian. Emet was willing to oblige.
"I have two secrets. One is buried in the depths of the aethereal sea where Hydaelyn resides, and the other…I don't remember it." - C'irena and Arielle looked at Emet, clearly puzzled, but did not dare to speak out. "Here is my question to you, then. Do you think mankind can survive the Final Days?" - The question was followed with dreaded silence, as Hades expected it to go. Even he wasn't quite sure about the answer. These people were clueless and easily succumbed to despair and were far too selfish to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Yet after Hydaelyn's sundering, their aether became thinner, and now they can interact with dynamis. Emet had no doubt that had his people known the truth, they would have been able to create more entelechies to counter Meteion, which would be able to interact with dynamis, but perhaps a solution like this would come easier to the sundered who did not need creations to interact with the energy. It was but a question of guidance.
"I think we can." - Arielle sighed with doubt. She tried to make her voice sound resolved, and for a question as dreadful as this, she did her best. "I know many people thought it impossible…But I think there are some among us who can. G'raha traveled through space and time to save another world and succeeded, and he wants to save ours even more…And you too, Solus. You are a powerful mage, and if you stood by his side…I think you might decide on something. If you help him, truly, genuinely…I think he will help you." - She said with characteristic naivety.
"What makes you think he cares?"
"He cares for everyone…I just saw it in him in Limsa. He cares so much that he can't stand aside. We as people meant nothing to him, yet he still tried his best to help us."
"Your people also didn't kill his friends."
"It's not about that…" - She grew quiet. "If you are waiting for him to let go of the past and accept you…It won't happen. You can't let something like this go; I don't think I will ever be. Rhotsatz forced me to serve him, forced me to look as he tortured my friends, forced me to suffer, he…I despise him! I don't know how to explain it. I…Just…I think if you genuinely help G'raha, he will help you too. He will never forgive you, but he will repay the debt…As we will repay it for him saving us." - Her naive voice was full of faith and belief. No lies, no mockery towards the ascian, just sympathy and a desire to see people around her get together better. Of course, it was much more complicated than this, yet Emet could not refute this point immediately. What if she was right? What if they work together instead of continuing this bickering? Might there yet be a compromise? The ascian was not so certain. If G'raha repays the debt, they will both get what they want, but if not, Emet will lose his final hope of saving his people.
"Is that what you truly…"
The ascian did not get an opportunity to finish. The door to their room opened, and he noted two guests entering, the ones whose absence was quite a relieving realization until they decided to appear and ruin any relief he had. G'raha and Krile talked between themselves, discussing the recent matters, and this time the ascian was more than interested in overhearing.
"…But how are they going to save people from the Final Days, then?" - Krile asked.
"That's what we have to find out. I already considered the paths that the ancients took, and something tells me this isn't it." - G'raha responded thoughtfully before being interrupted by C'irena's voice.
"Look who's back! How's your work going? Or research? Whatever you were doing."
"Fine enough…" - G'raha looked at their group with some reservations, looking at Emet with interest. "Did you talk to them?"
"What, I can't decide who I'm going to talk with anymore?"
"No, it's simply…Strange." - G'raha noted.
"Just because you have a problem communicating with people does not mean everyone does." - The ascian shrugged, but Krile stood in before them and spoke to the elezen girl.
"Arielle, I've been looking for you. Can you come over for a moment?" - Krile wondered.
"Sure…What is it about?" - The girl asked.
"We've been discussing places where you could help out for coin; the Forum is not very charitable with allowing you time for the reprieve; I don't know what got onto them…Anyway, there is a couple that is running low on maids and manservants, they said they would appreciate it if someone could help out, they promised to pay a healthy sum, and I know they are the ones to keep promises. Would you mind me introducing you to them?"
"Of course not, I'll be glad to help!" - Arielle stood up and rushed towards Krile as the two left the room.
"Well…" - C'irena sighed. "Guess I should be looking for some work, too, huh? Anyway, see you around, boys." - She waved to Exarch and the ascian and followed Krile, leaving them alone once again. Emet sighed defeatedly and looked at G'raha with some annoyed anticipation.
"I see that glint in your eyes, and I know exactly what it means. Come to deliver another of your moralizing speeches, have you?"
"Not, not exactly." - The Exarch denied. "Simply coming in to inform you that I am off for a little exploration in the library."
"More power to you, then, and more peace for me while you're away."
"You're coming with me."
"Ahem…Of course, there had to be a catch." - Emet shook his head. "May I at least have the right to know why?"
"I'm not quite sure myself…But something tells me that we will see."
The ascian looked down to the floor, tired and defeated. Once again ahead, he reminds himself that this will soon be over, that this will not be for nothing. Perhaps there was merit to Arielle's suggestions after all. Only time could tell…If only they had it.
…
Fourchenault did his best to conceal this during their talk with G'raha, but there was no relief in his words, no justice or understanding. Nothing would soothe a grieving man's soul as it was torn apart by the agony of constant realization, two of them even. Every time Fourchenault tried to think of something else, tried to speak to his wife, did his best to feel like their life allowed them a brief reprieve before they traveled to the moon together…He would remember that his children were gone. Mercilessly slaughtered by a monster that reigns over darkness and casts his judgment on their world, a monster that was at the Baldesion Annex near them, a monster that smiled and mocked him in his face, a monster that toyed with his captor with few repercussions.
Whether G'raha admitted it or not, he was giving Emet-Selch a second chance by keeping him around and not looking for ways to annihilate his soul. His words showed sympathy for their family, sympathy that at the time seemed truly genuine, but his malicious actions went against it. Every second that Fourchenault wasted trying not to think about Emet-Selch was a disservice to his children and their legacy. He still heard their goodbyes in his mind, constantly thinking back to the day his son and daughter left Sharlayan. Their sweet voices were still there, still talking, growing fainter with every moment. The two were in a single stream of sound that permeated his mind.
"Why didn't you stop us…"
"Did you ever care…"
"Why is he still alive…"
They would never be so vengeful, Fourchenault knew it, yet his heart told him a different tale. It made their voices so real, so close as if their souls were praying to him from the depths of an aetheric stream, asking for justice before they were gone forever. Justice that Fourchenault couldn't quite give out. Once again, he was trapped in a cycle of his foolish belief, the principles that held on to him from the time Fourchenault was still on the Forum. Do not intervene; only observe. He couldn't do this now, not when it was so personal.
Barely a single day passed, yet it dragged out for an eternity. Fourchenault helped Ameliance, but every time he would look into her broken, ashamed eyes, he was once again reminded of his failure to act, failure to do something. She was the last person Fourchenault truly loved, and Emet-Selch would have taken her away from him if he didn't tell him the truth. There would have been no shame nor remorse in the ascian's actions.
Even though Fourchenault woke up in his bed this morning, it was draining and depressing. He could not force himself to get up for a good half an hour; his thoughts forced him to lie down and gaze at the ceiling above him. The elezen thought of his family tried to focus on the positives and remember Alphinaud and Alisaie as they were instead of thinking of their demise, yet every thought would circle back again to this dreadful loop. He wasn't there to listen to their last words, their pain and agony, yet it was clear in his mind, gaining form and power with every passing hour.
And so have the husband and wife found themselves sitting at their table in solitude, in the same room yet once again completely broken down by the weight of their minds. Fourchenault wanted to talk, yet he knew not what to talk about. Would it be yet another exchange of support and warmth between them? Those moments might have been a treasure, but while the root of the problem was not addressed, they began to lose their meaning. This shared pain would have meant everything to them had there been nothing else they could do, and there was.
"Ameliance…" - Fourchenault spoke faintly, yet the echo spread through the empty manor like a pained grunt. Sometimes the echoes that reigned here were those of laughter and joy from both parents and children. Those were the echoes of stories they told to each other, sharing their achievements and wonders. Alphinaud would speak of his studies and the new connections he made, while Alisaie would not miss out on an option to tease him…Ameliance always had to intervene in their feuds, while Fourchenault would always spare his word of wisdom for them. Louisoix was there, too, an elder archon who experienced much more than any of his descendants, yet he would never scorn upon the true spirit of idealism that his children were able to awaken. Now, only the graveyard's silence.
"Yes?" - She looked up with a glimmer of sincere hope emerging in her eyes as if waiting for this moment. "Are you feeling…Alright?" - This word sounded pained, both of them knew how much of a lie it would be to admit to it.
"I am… It's…" - For a moment, Fourchenault wanted to reveal to her the truth of the coming evacuation to the moon, but the rising pain and magical chains that emerged in his mind made him forget the thought immediately. "I'm worried for you, my dear; I…" - The elezen clenched his teeth before bracing himself to speak out. "I need your advice. I know it won't be pleasant, but I can only ask…"
"Of course." - Ameliance was ready to help, as ever.
"I assume we both think the same about Emet-Selch…"
"No, please." - She recoiled and looked away.
"I'm sorry…
"Please…" - She stuttered for a moment. "D-don't." - Her eyes were full of shame as she began to breathe in an attempt to ease herself after being shocked by the sheer mention of the ascian's name. Fourchenault was ready to give his beloved time, and after about a minute, Ameliance looked up at him again. "Forgive me, it's just…I can't control myself; I don't want to think of him, don't want to talk to of him."
"I understand, and it's the same that I am feeling…Yet we have to do something, do we not? He is protected by the Exarch for this 'greater good, but this is wrong, and we know it! He is shielding a murderer and a monster who feels no shame subjecting entire nations to annihilation; I was there to see what he did at Limsa, I…" - Fourchenault was about to continue his rage full rant but noticed that Ameliance grew paler as he spoke those words, it was getting too much. Perhaps she had no strength for anger, unlike Fourchenault, no strength for disdain. He would have to carry on with enough for both of them, for at this moment, Fourchenault realized that complacency was never the answer.
However, before he could continue, they heard the doorbell. A visitor was at their doorstep, immediately making Fourchenault forget his hate and focus on the present. He looked back for a moment before throwing a glance at Ameliance.
"Shall we?"
"Yes…"
The hosts stood up and walked towards their door in the hall. Fourchenault was the one to open in. When he did, both witnessed a familiar hyuran young man in the robe of the Forum. As soon as he saw Fourchenault, a relieved smile appeared on his face.
"Master Fourchenault!" - Rolandeau exclaimed upon seeing the elezen safe and relatively unscathed. "Thank Thailak, you are alive." - This hopeful expression on his face was undoubtedly genuine, even if such warmth would seem fake and unwarranted but a few weeks ago. Rolandeau and Fourchenault have always argued during Forum meetings. The two men had opposing views on Sharlayan isolationism, which was often the ground for conflict. Yet after Emet-Selch attacked and humiliated them both by possessing Rolandeau's body and forcing Fourchenault to betray his oath, some commonality emerged between them. Fourchenault was grateful for Rolandeau defending him during their meetings.
"Greetings…"
"What a welcome surprise." - Ameliance said warmly, relieved that there was someone to distract them; Fourchenault shared the feeling.
"I hope I am not distracting you. May I come in?"
"Certainly." - Ameliance said and stood aside along with Fourchenault. "What brings you to our manor?"
"I wanted to talk to your husband, my lady, if he does not mind." - Rolandeau looked at Fourchenault with a sense of urgency, enough to suggest that this would not be a simple check-in. "I heard your story in detail now, it spreads among the Forum like wildfire, and it eases my heart to see that you survived the nightmare that went on in Limsa."
"It wasn't easy and wouldn't have been possible without some people…But that is in the past. I'm glad to see you safe as well." - Fourchenault tried to smile yet failed to make it genuine.
"Come inside, then, I will prepare some tea." - Ameliance beckoned him, but Rolandeau did not seem particularly eager.
"Thank you for your welcome, but I admit my time is not unlimited…The work within the Forum calls, you see, and this is a discussion I wished to have with master Fourchenault in private. Purely for the sake of not having certain topics be limited by the spell." - Rolandeau claimed, immediately proving Fourchenault's suspicions on the serious nature of this matter.
"I have no objections…" - Ameliance sighed before looking at her husband.
"If this is a matter of importance, then I will oblige." - Fourchenault nodded. "Perhaps my study upstairs is a suitable place?"
"Yes, that would be perfect."
Fourchenault was eager to see what Rolandeau was about to say, and perhaps they needed privacy to discuss those matters. Ameliance smiled at Fourchenault.
"I hope your discussion proves fruitful."
"One does not ask for private talks unless there is something of importance to discuss." - Fourchenault nodded. Ameliance walked back to the kitchen and the hall while Fourchenault was left to host their guest.
"After you." - Rolandeau smiled. Fourchenault guided him towards the manor, slowly ascending the stone steps covered by azure carpets. The man's study was a place where Fourchenault would prepare his speeches for his next meetings and work on his arguments and propositions for the Forum; now, there was little use for it except for speaking in private.
"I never got an opportunity to thank you, Rolandeau, and you deserve it." - Fourchenault commended his peer, to Rolandeau's surprise.
"For what?"
"For defending me before the others. You did not have to speak up, especially for someone you share so many disagreements with."
"Oh, that…That is nothing but my duty. I am not discarding any of our fellow Forum members when they are sneered at unjustly." - Rolandeau claimed with pride.
"And make no mistake, this deserves recognition."
"If you say so…"
Soon the two worked into Fourchenault's cabinet. A perfectly organized place with countless paperwork and a few quills to write with. There was a single window, a view that opened with a view at the beauty of the nearing sea, a soothing sight that always allowed Fourchenault to concentrate. There were two chairs, one for Fourchenault and one for Ameliance, when she came in, perfect for guests, well.
"I assume you want to know more about the situation in Limsa…" - Fourchenault decided to go straight to the point as he sat down. Rolandeau shook his head before descending to his chair.
"I would've, but I met with mistress Baldesion, who recounted the story for me, though there is something related I wanted to talk about…" - Rolandeau sighed. "The ascian matter."
Of course. What could be more important than a chaotic being of such power walking across their streets? Rolandeau continued.
"Am I correct in assuming that his soul is too thick in aether to ever turn him into a blasphemy, that he instead summons ones with his magic?"
"Indeed. It's not exactly a controlled process. From what I understand, he needs extreme emotions for it to occur, just like we do."
"And it seems that he can control these emotions to an extent if he summoned a beast specifically to cause chaos in the city."
"That was done with the purpose of freeing us, but yes, it seems he can…"
"That means he can do it again." - Rolandeau spoke the truth with his concern. "If his plans to break Exarxh's chains fail, he might resort to those very same tactics he used in Limsa…"
"I know all of this." - Fourchenault reassured him; Rolandeau's argumentative tone made the elezen feel like he was accusing him of something, as if there was any support from Fourchenault towards Emet's actions at all. "What is your point?"
"I am questioning Exarch's choices."
"So do I. I mean no offense, but was it not you who argued that we should open our borders and contact the remnants of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn? Well, here they are." - Fourchenault nodded as he saw Rolandeau sigh.
"I…was more than happy to open our city up for foreign contact and speak to the scions and the time traveler himself. A healthy exchange of methods and knowledge is always appreciated. I had not the slightest idea how far those methods go, however. Bringing not just an ascian, but an Emperor of Garlemald into our city…There are some lines that should not be crossed." - Rolandeau spoke with resolve, confirming that they were in agreement.
"He believes he will grant him the knowledge…But I know that's a futile hope. That's an ascian way to lie and manipulate for their own game, Emet-Selch, no doubt, looks for a way to turn G'raha Tia into his pawn. I expected more from someone…" - Fourchenault paused, desperately pushing his thoughts away from this dreadful loop. "From someone who was there when…You know."
"I wish I truly understood your loss so I could offer true support, not just meaningless excuses…But I'm sorry for all of this, truly." - Rolandeau said with compassion.
"Better wish that you never do." - Fourchenault replied starkly. "I am grateful for the rescue I got, but I am not going to tolerate his presence, not after what he did to my family. His schemes led to my father's death. He humiliated me and threatened to kill my wife…He killed my children. He deserves to burn." - Fourchenault spoke with emotion, but it was for the better if he tried to contain them. "And what does this Forum think of this travesty? Do they not realize how absurd it is?"
"We held an emergency meeting yesterday as you and yours were settling. There is little need to go into details, but our consensus was thus…There is no time left to ponder and prepare. The evacuation to the moon will be announced after we conduct a hearing for the Exarch, Emet-Selch…And you."
"Will I really have to endure this?"
"I'm sorry, my friend, but that's the majority's wish."
"Fine…And what do they think of the situation as-is?"
"Most consider the Exarch a wild card, someone far too independent and chaotic, revealing to him any of our plans was deemed impractical. Can't say I disagree. However, to openly act against Exarch and Solus, trying to expunge them from our city, was seen as a waste of time and resources…Many believe it is of little importance once the evacuation begins." - Rolandeau recounted he did not sound convinced at all.
"It is not a waste if they care for our people and justice!" - Fourchenault exclaimed with anger, though it was not directed at his ally. "Do they not see how Solus will try and sabotage it just to spite us? He would do anything to break free, and they are simply waiting for it to happen."
"They have a myriad of other priorities…But they are not exactly favorable of the ascian. That's why I come to you." - Rolandeau's tone glimmered with interest. "I suppose there is merit in speaking plainly. I believe we can and should eliminate Emet-Selch." - He spoke with a confidence that had Fourchenault shocked. He expected Rolandeau to disapprove and speak ill of the ascian, but not this. But the truth was that Fourchenault did not reject this proposal; he only needed to know the details.
"But…How? Will the Forum allow that?"
"They won't aid us, but they will thank us if we succeed."
"Is that so…" - There was no point in denial. "I would like nothing more than to bring this monster to justice. For my children and thousands of people he murdered."
"I am of the same mind…So let's get to the matter of how. We know that ascian souls can separate from their bodies and do not go into the aethereal sea upon their host's demise, but this process can be countered."
"It can, the scions used white auracite to trap their souls, so they could be destroyed by other powerful means. Do you know how his soul fares now?"
"I know that it's tied to the staff of the Crystal Exarch, somehow…Do you think it works similarly to white auracite?"
"A version of it, yes…The point is, it might make our job significantly easier." - Rolandeau thought.
"We need but to find the means and learn more about the nature of this imprisonment."
"Exactly. I have a few ideas as to where find means, and I thought I could gather some information. If I came and began asking questions to strangers, they wouldn't be inclined to answer. You, on the other hand, went through what can only be described as hell…So, what do you think?" - Rolandeau leaned forward, eager to hear Fourchenault's response.
"G'raha will suspect something were I to ask him directly; he is very adamant on Emet-Selch's presence being necessary…I could talk to Krile. I believe she will be more receptive."
"I would be grateful…"
Before they could continue, Fourchenault heard their doorbell ringing once again.
"Do you mind waiting for a moment? I need to see who's there."
"Of course not."
After those words, Fourchenault left the room and looked upon the manor's lower level. Ameliance was already approaching the door with haste, and Fourchenault descended the steps to be by her side once they welcomed their guests.
"Do you know who this might be? "- Fourchenault called out to Ameliance and saw the woman shake her head.
"I'm not sure; perhaps someone from the forum?"
Fourchenault opened the door and, to his surprise, saw someone who he had just discussed with Rolandeau. A lalafell scion with a hopeful smile on her face as she saw Fourchenault and Ameliance. Krile was not alone; however, she had a companion. The elezen girl they encountered in Limsa, Arielle, was with her.
"Greetings!" - Krile exclaimed. "I hope I am not distracting?"
"We can spare a few minutes." - Fourchenault nodded and stepped aside with Krile and Arielle entering the manor.
"Welcome." - Ameliance spoke warmly.
"Wow, it's…Beautiful." - Arielle smiled as she looked over the grandiose halls. An understandable reaction for any newcomer.
"It's been far too long, Krile." - Ameliance continued.
"That it has…" - The lalafell sighed. "I am very busy with all the people I have to keep an eye on, so I can't stay as much as I would love to. G'raha told me that many of your servants left you only recently, right? I decided to bring someone who would gladly help you with housekeeping if you give her a place to stay and some coin…The Baldesion Annex is rather cramped for everyone, I am afraid."
Fourchenault saw the hope in the girl's eyes as she looked over the house. She went through unimaginable suffering and loss in the last few weeks and saw the city she lived in turn into a tyrannical state before going down in flames; even the slightest feeling of finding a new home would be an enormous relief for her. It was a shame that she didn't know that she would have to change home again and very soon. They will find their future on the moon, the only safe haven.
"I'm Arielle." - The girl looked at Ameliance with hopeful eyes. "Master Fourchenault knows me. We escaped from Limsa on the same ship."
"A pleasure to meet you; I'm Ameliance Leveilleur. I heard about what happened in Limsa, a horrible tragedy, all of it…"
"I was one of the servants for their leader, Rhotsatz…He always commended me on my work, so…"
"It's alright, you don't need to prove anything to us." - Ameliance spoke as some enthusiasm arose in her. Having someone else in their home might lighten up the atmosphere only a little. Ameliance needed a company that did not make her think of their dead children. "We would be happy to have you if Fourchenault does not mind."
"I don't." - Fourchenault nodded, allowing himself a smile. "You deserve it after all you've been through, and we won't turn you down. Ameliance would need some help from both of us in the coming days."
"I'll gladly help!" - Arielle beamed. "Can I stay here, then?"
"Of course." - Ameliance's voice radiated kindness. "It would be a pleasure for us to help someone in need and grant you the home that was so untimely taken from you."
"Wonderful." - Krile spoke up. "I'm sure you will get along. I'll have to go now; best of luck."
"And to you…" - Fourchenault spoke quietly as she rushed away. He was about to ask some questions about Emet-Selch, but he would have to find a better moment later.
"Let's go." - Ameliance said to Arielle. "I'll show you around.
"Of course!"
Soon they left deeper into the hall, while Fourchenault was left alone once again with a guest waiting in his study. Welcoming the girl was a moment of relief for him, making the man forget about the plan that was emerging.
They still had to have this discussion.