"He should be this way!" Emet-Selch yelled as they raced through the streets, the screams growing louder and louder as more survivors retreated deeper into the heart of the city and away from Amaurot's borders.
"Why would he go on his own?!" Azem screamed as she ripped her mask off her face so that she could see better, still gesturing for the survivors to keep running in the opposite direction as they fled from the screams of the monsters that were relentlessly pursuing them.
"I don't know! I expect such recklessness from you! He has no excuse!" he yelled back with suppressed anger. All the while he was thinking to himself: 'What was that fool thinking?!'
Why did any of this have to happen?
Where did everything go so wrong?
Just a few short moons before everything seemed perfect with this world… and then the reports started to come in of people losing control of their creation magicks. Though the reports were few and far between in the beginning so he saw no point in investigating—merely chalking it up to a loss of self-control with those involved.
But the number quickly began to multiply beyond counting. Things then escalated as monsters were being born from the people's own terrors—which gave birth to more and more monsters in a devastating chain reaction that spread across the star like a wildfire.
Then… came the crushing weight of fear and despair. The sensation of loss as the entire world seemed to be burning before their eyes while screams filled the air—of wails and shrieks as people tried to flee to someplace safer though such places were quickly running out while the heavens above them burned.
Soon enough, the only place that seemed safe was Amaurot—but even the changes were encroaching upon the city itself.
The Convocation was in disarray and worked tirelessly as they tried to discover the cause of these events—and more importantly, a solution to stop them. Thanks to Fandaniel's knowledge of the celestial currents, they had found a way to predict where the next attacks were to strike and they were able to issue out the warnings to the nearby settlements outside the city.
The effects were so devastating that their people were already calling these events… the Final Days.
Just hearing the name was enough to send chills of dread down his spine.
It was here that Emet-Selch was able to join Azem in helping the few survivors reach the city from the countless monsters that were roaming the land. They had managed to drive back the hoard for the time being and were finishing the escort when they learned that more survivors were coming from the northeast… and they felt fear strike hard when they learned that their own Hythlodaeus was last seen heading in that direction.
If that idiot didn't get himself killed, then Emet-Selch was going to kill him himself when he got his hands on him. Just what was going through his mind to think he could fight off these things? Even with Azem here, she struggled to put these creatures down. They weren't just some run-of-the-mill wild beast… they were strong and tough… only growing more-so with the growing fear about them.
Azem then conjure red up her shield as she blocked a falling piece of rubble that fell from the crumbling buildings as they dashed through the pass. She knocked it aside as if she were knocking away a spray of water—her eyes focused ahead as they could feel the heat from the fires signing their robes.
Emet-Selch coughed a little on the dust, his lungs burning and his throat raw from breathing in the foul smoke. He looked up to see that the once beautiful sky was now darkened and burning with altered aether.
What was causing all this?
"There!" Azem shouted and he looked ahead to spot that there were a few Terminus creatures lumbering about… it looks to be at least half a dozen of them and their raucous groans filled his ears before he heard Azem scream.
Hythlodaeus was there, covered in blood and dirt as he backed away from the creatures… his bow snapping clean in two as one of the monsters raised its claw to take swing at him. Emet-Selch watched as if everything around him slowed down… he watched how his friend's face was filled with pain as he gripped a wounded arm—a few spots of blood splattering on the ground as a weariness came over his friend's face.
He watched how Hythlodaeus dropped the splintered pieces of the bow to the ground as he lowered his head, his eyes shut as if he accepted his end.
Azem then rode in upon a current of wind-aspected aether, dropping down between Hythlodaeus and the beasts as she held up her aetherial sword and shield, screaming out, "Hyth, get behind me!"
At the sound of her voice, Hythlodaeus's head snap up, staring with wide, violet eyes as Azem held up her glittering weapons and challenged the creatures around her.
"You did well, Hythlodaeus!" she called as he rushed in as well, giving Hythlodaeus a quick glance over. Thankfully, Emet-Selch could only sense minor injuries… nothing too serious that he would have to be treated immediately for.
He shared a look with Azem as she glanced back enough to check. He nodded once, silently reassuring her that it wasn't anything life-threatening. His arm would need treatment, but they could have that fixed in no time.
"Good," Azem said, standing her ground and the beasts groaned out at the sight of her. "Leave this to us! I think that the closest building right now is the Anyder! Head there and rest up!"
"No! I can't leave you both here on your own!" Hythlodaeus gasped before coughing violently on the smoke from the fires.
"Send him, Emet-Selch!" Azem commanded before she charged ahead, plunging the sword right between the eyes of one of the beasts and it howled in pain.
Though already exhausted, Emet-Selch held up his hand at her commanded and Hythlodaeus spotted this as he spun around to face him, begging, "Wait! I can…?"
But he already snapped his fingers and his friend was gone before he could finish his sentence.
If he was angry with him, he could bring it up later.
He let out a sigh of relief that at least one of his friends was safe… now to make sure that the real reckless one didn't get herself killed here. He brought forth his staff as he began to help back up her attacks as she danced among the claws and fangs that were swiping at her.
Even after all these years, Emet-Selch could not help but be amazed at how easily she danced among the battlefield… swaying from the monsters as easily as if she were dancing across a stage to a gasping audience. But he could admire her later. Instead, he cast his spells, causing his elemental aether to well up before bringing down his foes; though he felt that they didn't need any more fire raining down from the sky at this point. His eyes burned as the acrid smell of burning flesh filled the air and he wheezed to try and breathe… pushing himself onwards even as five of the six monsters died… almost there…?
But he didn't notice that a seventh creature was lumbering up behind him even as he dealt the final blow against the smaller ones. He spit out a mouthful of blood and saliva as he felt relief that they made it in time.
"HADES!" Azem's voice cut through the air even as he turned, his eyes widening in shock at the sight of a massive claw coming down to him…?
Only for him to be shoved hard from the side and a scream of pain filled the air. Emet-Selch staggered, trying to regain his balance before his eyes locked on what happened. Azem had come charging in and shoved him out of the way just as the clawed arm of the beast missed. But because of her positioning, she didn't have time to block the blow herself with her shield and she got hit directly across the chest, blood spurting out and onto the ground as she screamed.
Fury rose up inside him at the sight and he instinctively raised his staff as he was visited with a desire to burn this creature to nothing but ash for daring to hurt one of his dearest friends like that.
And like he wished… the creature was quickly unmade until only the crumbling remains of ash was left.
"Oh no…" he panted as he skidded to Azem's side and, as gently as he could, scooped Azem up into his arms. He could feel her hot blood upon his hands while her soul flickered dangerously in his sight. She struggled to breathe, quaking with each breath as her soul's light dimmed.
"I'm right here, just hold on," he begged as he held her close, transferring some much needed aether to keep her alive for now. But he knew that he would need help… it wasn't safe here… it wasn't safe anywhere…?
But he was not going to let her fade here. He then snapped his fingers as they faded.
"Hythlodaeus, help us!"
Emet-Selch had just appeared in one of the lower levels of the Anyder, searching about as he looked for his friend. He quickly spotted him downstairs—sitting on the floor, his head down and back against the wall when Emet-Selch staggered inside, carrying the wounded Azem in his arms.
Hythlodaeus's mask was missing while his hood had been torn clean off… so Emet-Selch was able to see his face as he gasped in horror at the sight of them. He leapt up, almost falling over to reach them even as Emet-Selch felt his own strength abandon him while he slumped to the floor—Azem spilling out of his arms.
"What happened?" Hythlodaeus asked as he pulled Azem's robes back a little to see where the blood was coming from.
"She shielded me from an attack," he growled, wishing that he hadn't been so distracted at the worst possible moment. "But she got hit instead!"
"Azem!" Hythlodaeus gasped with Azem's still form between them as he rushed to offer all the aether he had left.
Neither of them were master healers, but they had learned more than enough over the years on how healing works to become skilled in a pinch. A talent that was needed when being friends with the Traveler, it turns out.
So they took turns… slowly pushing away her pain as they caused her wounds to heal up. It was here Emet-Selch got a good look at her face—her mask laying cracked and forgotten where they teleported from no doubt. Even when she had been injured in the past, Azem was filled with life… having the sunniest disposition even when she was confined to bedrest. Now, however, it was as if someone had just uprooted a flower and stomped on it for good measure. She was sporting a heavy bruising around her face as the pallor of her skin that wasn't caked with dirt or blood had turned white and her long hair that she loved to wear in a few soft braids had become tangled and scorched.
It was like a physical wound to see her in such a state as he gritted his teeth and began to work on closing the wounds. He held his hands over her bleeding form and a gentle light began to spread.
Closing the wound fraction by fraction… stopping the blood from escaping the body…
Her wounds slowly began to heal as they were bathed with that healing light.
Mending the bones and torn muscles… making sure that her breath remained…?
Her ragged breathing slowly began to return to normal as her pain was fading slightly. Before he completely wore himself out, he drew back, everything spinning around him from all the aether he had used up before.
But Hythlodaeus kept going. Kept it up even though Emet-Selch could see him also struggling to remain conscious at this point. On the verge of passing out, Emet-Selch held out a hand and gripped his.
"Stop, that's enough…" he commanded. "You're over-reaching yourself. She's out of danger right now, so I think that we can just let her rest."
Hythlodaeus was breathing hard, sweat pouring down from his brow from all the effort he had put into helping. He didn't answer him at first as he just stared down at her bruised, bloody face… before gently gathered her up into his arms and held her tightly against him, her head resting against his chest as he calmed himself. Emet-Selch could only watch on miserably—his eyes that usually shone like gold suddenly lost its gleam and became dull.
"Why did you go out there on your own?" he asked, panting hard. "You were supposed to be helping with evacuating those from the outer reaches deeper into city. Do you know the panic we felt when we heard that you were gone?"
Hythlodaeus still didn't answer for a moment as he kept his eyes focused upon the unconscious Azem. But when he felt Emet-Selch's eyes boring into him he gave a sad sigh and answered, "I heard that the two of you were further south helping more survivors. At that time, I also learned of more monsters sighted near the outermost districts. I knew that if that place became overrun… you may not have a way back to the city yourselves. I thought that…?"
He trailed off before Emet-Selch shook his head in understanding.
"You thought to handle those creatures on your own to keep us from being overwhelmed. If that failed, then you intended to draw some of them towards you should we need time to escape?" Emet-Selch finished and Hythlodaeus could only nod dully while a faint, sad smile appeared on his lips.
"Looking back now, I realize how foolish it was," he confirmed. "But… I was worried."
Emet-Selch felt his breath catch in his throat and looked away as he felt angry tears burning in his eyes.
"Azem and I are fully capable of looking after ourselves," he growled.
"I know," Hythlodaeus chuckled weakly. "I know all this. And yet…?"
Emet-Selch looked back to him, finding it almost unnatural that his childhood friend was at a loss for words.
Seconds passed as if they were days as Hythlodaeus seemed to be lost inside his own head.
"What is it?" Emet-Selch asked, not liking the grim acceptance in his friend's normally bright eyes.
Hythlodaeus took his time in answering as he carefully lifted Azem's head up and gently ran his other hand through her tangled mess of hair.
"Emet… could you do me a favor? Tell her that I'm sorry," he said softly.
"Sorry? Sorry for worrying us? Don't think you can get out of this," Emet-Selch said coldly, hand hands shaking as he tried to wipe off the dirty and blood off Azem's face. He couldn't stand to see her like this. "You can tell her yourself when she wakes up."
"No… I mean… I know that we three promised to return to the star together… but I can't keep that promise now," Hythlodaeus whispered sadly and Emet-Selch's hands froze upon Azem's face.
"She will probably hate me for it… but I've made my decision," he went on even as a cold sweat appeared on Emet-Selch's brow and he slowly raised his head to stare at him in horror at the very idea of what he was suggesting.
Hythlodaeus just smiled back and answered, "I know already about the Zodiark Concept. Lahabrea came by to look at the restricted archives when it comes to summoning and when I asked why, it was Elidibus who explained the idea. As far as I know, not everyone in the Convocation is already aware of it?"
Emet-Selch slowly moved so that he was sitting back on his knees as he continued to stare at him.
"I-It was an idea that Fandaniel brought up to myself, Lahabrea, and Elidibus," he croaked out weakly. "He explained to us of the celestial currents and how by summoning a being to get them flowing again may be what it takes to stop the Final Days…? But you're right… only the four of us knew of it. We wanted to try and look into other alternatives as well as work out the details of this summoning. But… in order to create a concept on such a scale…?"
"A lot of sacrifices will be needed, I know," Hythlodaeus nodded gravely. "I had a look at what they were planning and I have to admit that I'm both… impressed and horrified in equal measure. But… after today… I think that I understand their reasons."
He shut his eyes tightly for a moment and Emet-Selch watched how a slight drip of blood fell from Hythlodaeus's face and trailed down his cheek like a tear before he opened his eyes again.
"I have given it a lot of thought over the last few days and so…?"
"We don't know if we will go forward with it yet," Emet-Selch gasped quickly. "We decided to inform the other members of the Convocation after we have all the details down! I was going to even speak with Azem about it before we voted and…?"
"I want to be a part of it," Hythlodaeus interrupted him softly. "Should the god be summoned, I wish to become a part of him."
Emet-Selch couldn't believe what he was hearing and snapped, "Don't speak such nonsense to me! Obviously you got hit in the head back there! I'm the one who agreed to go along with it for now so if there is any who should…?"
"No, Emet-Selch, I can't allow you to sacrifice yourself like that when I'm already willing," Hythlodaeus cut off again.
"No, I forbid it!" Emet-Selch all but yelled. "You need to stay here! Stay here and take care of Azem for…?"
"HADES LISTEN TO ME!"
It was so rare that Hythlodaeus yelled that it stunned him into silence as Hythlodaeus just gave him that resigned smile.
"Now, now… I know that you are driven by sentiment but you can't allow it this time," he reminded him kindly. "But between the two of us, you have to be the rational one. We all know that among the three of us, I am the weakest when it comes to battle. You and Azem will be needed to help guide the people to a new future. One beyond the Final Days. But more than anything else…? I… I want to do my part to help you both reach your goals."
Emet-Selch didn't even bother hiding the tears this time as they came, and Hythlodaeus moved the hand that had been running through Azem's long hair to instead reached out to grip Emet-Selch's shoulder.
"I'm too weak to protect you… either of you," he sighed miserably. "At least, like this. Please… allow me to do just this one thing. You both have made me happier than I had any right to be… and so I wish to return the favor and protect you both. Give you the fighting chance you'll need to save this world. Can you do this for me? Can you let yourself lean on me for just a little while?"
*12000 years later*
Emet-Selch's eyes slowly opened as he raised his head from where he had unknowingly begun to doze. Not fully awake, but neither in the blissful abyss of dreams… somewhere in between where ancient memories arose to the surface in light of all that has happened.
That memory again.
He sighed as he ran a weary hand over his face as he gazed about the newly reconstructed room of his home in Amaurot. He gazed up at the walls that seemed impossibly high to him while using this borrowed flesh. Save for the many instruments that he once used to fulfil his duties as Emet-Selch… the bare essentials of a typical home for Amaurot was filled with only what was needed.
He looked around the room—his heart aching at the sight of it all.
Everything was just like how he remembered it… safe for one thing that he added in a bit of whimsy design. He was currently sitting at a piano that would have been perfect size to an infant of the ancient past… in fact, the piano did look to be no more than a simple toy in this giant's home.
He sighed once more before he ran his fingers over the delicate keys and listened to the comforting tone that it sang. If there was one thing that he was grateful for in this age of sundered, weak-willed men… it was the many forms of music that had risen since the Sundering.
He closed his eyes as he began to play a tune that he composed himself long ago… one which reminded him of his lost home. He felt a faint smile tug at his lips as he played for a time… dreaming of the towering spires that reached the sky… before the moon was created and the sun would rise to bath the entire land in a beautiful cascade of reds, pinks, and golds…?
He could still remember how the sun glinted off the tall buildings while a deep blue sky stretched on for what felt like eternity.
It was a time of seemingly endless peace.
When he was still playing the role of Emperor Solus… he could think of the children of Garlemald and how they used to wish that summer would last longer. That was honestly how he felt of his old homeland… as if it was a dream of endless summer. A time of endless possibilities and beauty…?
"All gone now… save for in memory," he stated sadly as he paused in his playing.
Why did he have to remember that day? The day that Hythlodaeus begged that he be used as a sacrifice in order help them in fighting chance against whatever it was that caused the Final Days. He promised Hythlodaeus that he would protect and look after Azem in exchange for that… and then what happened…? Azem left them…?
Left him behind...
His eyes grew unbearably sad as that familiar emptiness inside him ached. He had grown so used to feeling that terrible ache of loneliness that the few times that he was able to forget it… it startled him to feel its absence… which only brought it back tenfold.
He lowered his head, no longer able to bring himself to continue playing as he remembered those days leading up to the summoning of Lord Zodiark. How the monsters and the calamity continued to spread farther and farther until all that remained was Amaurot… those few who were lucky enough to escape alive had fled into the city, but even their city's defenses were caving in before the onslaught. Azem was the first to lead in the defense of the city, saving as many people as she could before he and Hythlodaeus ran in to help her.
But they knew that it was not enough.
They were encroaching upon the city's borders and once that happened, then nothing would stop the city from falling like the rest of the world.
When the threat was literally upon their doorstep, himself along with Lahabrea and Elidibus headed onto the words of Fandaniel and came up with a plan. A summoning of never before seen proportions would be summoned to cause the stagnation of the star's celestial currents to flow again… but to do so would require far more aether than anyone was capable of—even the entire Convocation of Fourteen would never have been enough.
And so… they reached out to the people of Amaurot.
And like he thought… half of the number offered themselves for a chance to save this world and their loved ones.
Including Hythlodaeus.
In the few days leading up to the sacrifice, he had pleaded and begged for Hythlodaeus to reconsider. That surely they would have enough aether without him offering himself up as well…? But the stubborn, smug man would not be denied.
Left with no option, Emet-Selch turned to Azem and told her the truth of the sacrifice, knowing that she would find out soon enough anyway, and begged her aid in helping him convince Hythlodaeus not to go through with it.
She tried… she honestly tried and all but threw herself at him as she begged that he stay here with them. She tried to reason that they were sure to find another way… another way to save this star without having to make such a sacrifice.
Emet-Selch could remember how painful it had been to hear her pleas.
Even worse was being forced to hear her passionate pleas to the rest of the Convocation gathered to take the final vote to pass the Zodiark Concept.
A resounding thirteen-to-one vote to pass it… with only him hesitating to raise his hand in agreement with the others.
He could remember seeing how Azem's mouth fell open slightly in shock when she realized that no one was siding with her. He half expected her to explode at them, to dig her heels into the ground and continue to argue with them… but what she did was far worse.
She just looked to the ground before slowly shaking her head in defeat.
She then reached up and took off her black mask… the mask of the traveler and set it upon her seat. She refused to have any part of this plan. Refused to allow herself to believe there was no other way. And then, without a backward glance, all of them staring in a mixture of shock and amazement, she turned on her heel walked out those doors.
Not a day has gone by since then that he didn't think of what he lost… didn't long for the days of old… didn't wish that his friends were still by his side.
And yet still… still, after so many centuries… he was still struggling with the absence of his friends. Hythlodaeus was still waiting for his freedom after being sacrificed to become a part of Zodiark… And now some imposter was walking around with Azem's soul… walking like her… even looking like her…?
This woman's eyes were almost identical to Azem's… with only the once vibrant glow missing now.
His fists tightened at the thought.
'She's not her…' he thought fiercely in his head. 'She is just a broken husk… the pitiful remains of that once vibrant soul. And it doesn't matter how much she reminds you of her… she can never be her… she betrayed us in the end…?'
Why did any of this have to happen? He often wondered if he should have let himself be sundered along with the rest of the world that day…? But then who would be here to remember them? To remember how the world used to be? Elidibus could no longer remember who he was or of the faces that once meant so much to him and Lahabrea… though he was now gone, he had long since lost his own sense of self through the many centuries of service.
Only for himself to fall by the same woman who bears Azem's broken soul…
The same woman who was on her way here at this moment. He slowly raised his head and could detect the abundance of Light slowly making its way towards him. That would explain how so much air was suddenly here at the bottom of the Tempest.
She would be here soon.
He had checked on the Exarch not long ago, planning to keep him for as long as he could to gain a better understanding of the magicks he used to bring his beloved warrior from the Source. He was unconscious for several days after he—admittedly could have handled it better—dealt with him by shooting him.
Still, the man should be grateful that he bothered to heal the wound to begin with.
But no, as soon as he opened his eyes and saw him there, the Exarch all but threw himself at him while screaming, "WHERE IS SHE?!"
He could still remember the look of hopelessness on his face until he causally brushed off his coat and informed the Exarch: "She is still alive and still herself. How much longer she remains that way is anyone's guess."
But when the man raised his staff and was ready to strike him, Emet-Selch was left with no choice but to imprison him here inside his recreated Amaurot. It should be enough to hold him until he dealt with everything else here.
He gave another long-suffering sigh before he held up his hand and snapped his fingers to create a little familiar. He gazed at the gray bird and sharp eyes, knowing that it would serve as a lookout for him to keep an eye on their guest for him until she came here. He already hid the pouch of Convocation member crystals, set up the proper paperwork to invite her into the city itself…? Everything was ready safe for one thing.
He watched his familiar fly off through the open window before he reached into his pocket to pull out a single golden-orange crystal. The only piece of Azem's magicks left in this world… a piece of the old friend he could not bear to part with yet.
He carried this crystal with him throughout every step of his journey, sometimes finding himself staring into the comforting stone as his eyes could see the faintest traces of Azem still mixed in with it. He didn't know why, but he would suddenly find himself being overcome with a strange sense of calm when he did so… taking comfort from one of the only few things that this world had to offer him.
But now…?
No, he couldn't keep doing this to himself. He let the crystal fall from his hand… landing with a soft clinking noise on the tilted floor before he stood and walked away, determined not to go back for it this time.
But someone else did.
A giant figure appeared behind him and reached down to pick up the crystal between its long fingers and looked at it.
"Oh? Are you truly leaving this behind? Or do you simply no longer need it?"
Emet-Selch froze at the sound of that voice before looking back to see the full sized, ghostly form of his childhood friend.
"Hythlodaeus," he stated stiffly as the shade gazed over the crystal with interest before it approached and knelt down to as close as it could get as close to eye-level as possible.
"Ever the slave to sentiment, I see," it teased and Emet-Selch rolled his eyes.
Even his phantom created Hythlodaeus was smug.
"Get off my case, I'm not gonna give you the satisfaction of saying anything," Emet-Selch scolded as he folded his arms. "I just… simply don't need to hold onto it any longer. I have given up on her."
"Giving up on our friend?" phantom Hythlodaeus gasped with a shake of its head. "I don't know if I should be offended or shocked to hear that." It then looked upwards towards the north and added, "It's strange in that I can sense her coming closer… she'll be here soon."
"That's not her," Emet-Selch repeated stubbornly. "Surly you can sense it?"
"Oh, yes, I can see it very clearly," phantom Hythlodaeus nodded. "I see the abundance of Light threatening to break her soul apart… as well as…?"
Emet-Selch arched an eyebrow. "As well as…?"
"Hmmm…" the shade hummed curiously. "Perhaps two…? No… huh… what do you know? It would seem that there is still a way."
"A way for what?" Emet-Selch sighed, tired of the riddles.
"Just that all the pieces are in place for her to find a way to triumphant over that light," it told him and Emet-Selch stared at him with mild surprise before shaking his head.
"Come on, surely you can see how badly damaged that soul is?" he pointed out. "Her soul is cracking apart and soon will be… gone…"
His voice trailed off with just the faintest trace of concern peppered along the tone. The shade observed him for a time before speaking again.
"You put a bit too much of him into me," it explained. "So you expect me to be able to see what you could not. For between the two of us, I was always the more gifted when it came to Soul Sight. And right now, that gift is showing me the faintest traces of another piece of our friend's soul… just a fragment… but…?"
"What? How is that even possible? So you're telling me that there is still a way for her to win over the Light in her state?" he summed up in irritation. "If she really were our Azem, then I would believe it. But again, she is not. Just a weak, pathetic imitation."
"Now that is unkind," the phantom Hythlodaeus schooled gently. "I don't think that you are as ready to give up as you are acting right now. You still hold onto hope that they can prove you wrong. To see if our sacrifices were worth it."
"Of course not! What this world has become is nothing to what it once was!" Emet-Selch yelled, his heart aching as he gazed around at the beautiful building, to the giant window that gazed out at the ghostly city through the gloom. "Just like this city… this world is just a pale shade. Nothing but phantoms of what they once were. Nothing but a tiny piece of something that had been so much greater than their feeble minds could ever understand."
It had been a long time since he ranted like that.
"Perhaps that is what is needed," the shade sighed. "No longer does this world need god-like beings and instead… more of the mortal."
"What?" Emet-Selch snarled as he glared up at the shade, almost willing to dissolve it here and now.
"I still remember," the phantom Hythlodaeus chuckled. "You were the oldest of the three of us and so you made it your duty to look after and protect us. Me and our little Kore."
Emet-Selch smiled faintly at the name. Kore meant 'maiden' to his people and a common term to use for a little girl. It was this nickname he called their trouble-making friend when they were children—especially since she was a far from 'lady-like' as it was possible to be. He could remember how she would puff out her cheeks whenever she heard it and demanded that they use her real name.
Even after they grew older and were presented with many other responsibilities befitting their stations, once in a while he would call her out as their little Kore just to be a jerk to her. The last time that he did that though he paid for it when she conjured up a handful of snow when his back was turned and hit him on the back of the head with what she called a 'snowball'.
She was so childish at times.
He could not remember when last he thought of that.
"Is there something wrong?" the phantom Hythlodaeus asked in that amused tone that he knew all too well.
"Nothing," Emet-Selch snarled back. "Memories won't bring back what was taken from us."
"Perhaps then it would be better to rest?" the phantom Hythlodaeus suggested softly.
"And let it all be forgotten and in vain? I think not," Emet-Selch stated.
"Stubborn to a fault. But then again, that was how you always were. Yes, I remember when we were first learning to create," the phantom Hythlodaeus sighed fondly. "I was barely able to create anything meaningful. My skills were so pitiful… but you and Azem certainly were blessed with great potential from the start. Do you remember the first thing that you ever created on your own? Your own determination to be able to create was what caused you to make something bloom right away."
How could he forget?
When Amaurotine children first learn to create, they start off with something small and harmless… flowers or plants are popular and safe for first timers. On his first attempt he was able to create a blooming flower… and by the third attempt he had created a bush full of those beautiful blooms.
He smiled back at how proud he had been when he held up the flower, bright red petals and sharp thorns upon the stem. Telling his teachers that the reason for this was to protect itself. They laughed and patted his head at they all praised him for creating something so new.
"It was more than what I could say for Azem's disastrous first attempt," he retorted, remembering how she ended up creating a wild flower that could move and hop about on its stem as its petals fanned out with sharp fangs. "Leave it to her to create something dangerous for her first time."
The phantom Hythlodaeus burst out laughing at that.
"It suited her fiery personality," it reminded him. "Even our teachers were impressed that she created life so easily."
"What is your point?" he asked dully.
"You were thinking of our friend when you created that flower?" it reminded him and he felt himself freeze up at those words. Yes, that was partially true—for when he was thinking of a flower… he suddenly thought of their little Kore—the youngest of them and someone he wanted to protect. And so… the flower came from that desire. Beautiful petals blossoming from his hands as those sharp thorns to keep it safe from predators… it resembled their friend perfectly.
The only mistake he made was of telling Hythlodaeus about that later on when he asked him what he thought of when he created that flower.
Emet-Selch hadn't created flowers since that day… not until after the Sundering, anyway.
After the world had been sundered, he created two different types of flowers… roses and lilacs… or as they are now known by today's people—their true names having long since been forgotten. He created them and gave their true names after Azem and Hythlodaeus… it was one of several reasons that he insisted on having vases with those same flowers no matter what empire he had built up. It made him feel as if they were still with him.
In fact…?
He turned his gaze to the opposite side of the room where a vase of said flowers were standing by the window, as if enjoying the faint light of the ghostly city.
His eyes screwed up tightly at the sight of those sad petals. He wanted it all back so badly… to be able to wake up and find that he had just been having a long and terrible dream… and everything would go back to how it was before.
"And now you are trying to find a way to save her," the phantom Hythlodaeus stated. "Despite you claiming that it's impossible, you are willing to continue to push this newcomer to the limits. For it was only when Azem pushed beyond her limitations was she able to shock everyone with something new and astonishing to behold."
Emet-Selch shook his head hard.
This was ridiculous. He wasn't even speaking with the real Hythlodaeus… the phantom here was just his own memories of the man he used to know. He was talking to himself.
He turned and began to continue on his march to the door before the shade stood up and called, "You did make a promise to me long ago."
At that, Emet-Selch paused once more, stopping dead in his tracks as the shade finished, "And you were never one to break a promise."
His hands curled up into fists as he remembered.
The final plea that their Hythlodaeus requested before he sacrificed himself to become a part of Zodiark.
"Protect our wildflower… our little Kore," the phantom reminded them gently and Emet-Selch closed his eyes, screwing up against the flood of emotions that threatened to break out.
"Go away Hyth," he sighed as he walked forward. "You aren't even real."
"As you wish," the shade sighed before looking upwards to where he sensed the presence of a familiar soul drawing ever closer. "But if I know you as well as I think I do… then you will not allow her soul to fade here. Not on your watch."
*Later*
He had tried so hard to forget… to push it out of his mind. But those words all but burned themselves into his very soul as he waited for her to appear.
After she kept him waiting for so long, she finally decided to appear… as was her wont.
Emet-Selch confronted the one called the Warrior of Darkness… he faced off against her even as he heard familiar words ring out from her mouth. Even though he balked at them, all but laughed at them daring to claim that their losses even came close to what he lost; the words that the phantom spoke continued to play themselves over and over in his mind.
But just as he watched the Light consume her… it was pushed back.
No… this wasn't possible…?
There was no way she was there… the blinding light was just playing tricks on his mind when he saw Azem appear before him.
He looked at her soul… this pale shade of the woman she used to be…? He could see how the light had been straining against the bonds… her soul cracked so deeply that it physically hurt to look at it. But still, she would not stop, would not let go… something that was too ingrained within any of her incarnations to ever leave.
But now that soul burned fiercely, the cracks closing… being filled in with another fragment of soul. It was now denser than all others around them save for his own—burning ferociously yet cold… as a raging forest fire in winter.
Both her and not her…?
As beautiful and fierce as the flowers he created in her honor.
His eyes watered in pain at the sight of it all. Memories suddenly began to play themselves over and over in his head as he looked to the soul that was more complete than it had been in centuries. Her voice inside his mind:
"Come on, Hades… the rains of ceased and we have been blessed with another beautiful day! Let us not waste a second of it!"
She was so fond of saying such things.
"Oh, is the illustrious Emet-Selch too big and important to spend time with childhood friends? Don't be grumpy, I went through the trouble to bring back some pastries from my last trip and I wanted to share them with you and Hythlodaeus! He should be off work now so let us go visit him!"
Why was she always like that?
"Emet-Selch? Oh, good! You're free the rest of the day! Let's go off to the park and get some fresh air! It's so warm now!"
Always making him feel so warm and happy when she was near?
"Don't worry about me, Hades. I'll be fine. I promise that this trip will not be nearly as long as the last one. And if anything happens, I know that you'll be the first one to fly to my side!"
But the truth was that he loved the way that she always treated him. He wanted to feel that way always. How both she and Hythlodaeus cared about him.
"Thank you for caring, Hades. It is who I am. My nature, I suppose. I'm happy… and I can make so many others happy, which makes me even happier. But I don't see that as a bad thing. It is how it is and so why would I ever wish to change that?"
He would give anything to go back and live just one more day with the two of them by his side.
Just to have them here with him and act like the world was still a bright place…?
"If you and the rest of the Convocation ever thought to stray beyond this city then you would see it as well. The desert kingdoms… the cities of the forests…? The people who live in the tall mountains to the north…? So many places with so many interesting people. Please, Hades, will you not come on an adventure with me sometime? It doesn't have to be a long journey… but… please?"
Now he could clearly remember… even after she left her seat on the Convocation, he never once felt any anger towards her. She was always…?
"Someday…" he promised her with a gentle smile on his face as he looked to her, chuckling a little at the excitement that shone off her like a halo of the sun.
He barely felt the pain as the light pierced right through his chest and he felt his breath catch. Only the images of his two dearest friends faces appeared in his mind's eye.
"Hades?"
"Hades!"
Their faces were clearer than he could ever remember and he felt at peace despite knowing that they weren't waiting for him where he was going. But still… he was far too tired to continue on this pointless road.
The future that they fought for was never going to be the past that he loved so dearly.
At last he found his answers.
It had been long enough.
Even as he reached up and felt the wound in his chest… the gaping hole… he felt no pain. Perhaps it was relief… his struggle was finally over. And as he looked at this new warrior… this woman who carried his dearest friend's legacy now… he could see how similar her eyes were… like how Azem's used to… he felt strangely at peace.
She looked at him with sad eyes as she asked softly, "Emet-Selch? Hades…?"
Despite the fact that she wasn't the real Azem… he still found comfort with her here. For that brief moment, he felt warm and cared for once more. And he supposed if he was to fade here… he was glad that she was here.
For she was family to him. No matter how many eons have passed and how many times that soul was reborn. He could never forget that feeling. For it was her nature to forever walk ahead… but he could always count on her coming home… eventually.
And so he smiled at her as he felt himself fade away—finding it strange that he could suddenly smell roses and lilacs on the wind here at the end of all things.
He had only one regret as he thought back to that day where the three of them remained huddled in that building as the world burned outside. So quiet and dark that one could forget the nightmare that was waiting for them on the outside:
"Can you let yourself lean on me for just a little while?"
Upon hearing Hythlodaeus's earnest plea, Emet-Selch gritted his teeth so hard that he was sure that he cracked a couple. His hands were curled up into tight fists as he rested them on his knees, still on the floor of the archive chamber. Feeling tears burning the corners of his eyes, he raised his head and looked at the weariness in both of his friends faces. Watched how silent tears slowly fell from Hythlodaeus's eyes as he held Azem close to him, whispering, 'I'm sorry'.
He couldn't take it any longer and moved closer, wrapping his arms around both of them and held them close to his chest, right where his heart was.
"Protect our wildflower… our little Kore," he asked him as Emet-Selch could only nod once.
"You are, and always will be our dearest friend," he whispered to Hythlodaeus as he kept his head bowed low and felt the hot tears fall from his face and gently splash onto Azem's pale cheek, "And I promise you, one day I will bring you back."
His hands shook as he worked on some way that he could convince Hythlodaeus to turn back from this plan somehow. It was his job after all to look after these two no matter how much they may torment and annoy him. He couldn't imagine not having Azem coming home with dirt clinging to her robes and leaves entangled in her hair… he couldn't imagine Hythlodaeus happily telling him about some new concepts that were brought to him… nor of how Azem loved to sing or hum whenever she was happy… how Hythlodaeus would laugh at seemingly nothing just to strike up a conversation of how lovely the day was… how Azem would be constantly getting herself hurt and he would be up at night fretting if she was alright or not… how he would be summoned to her side whenever she was in danger only for him to scold her recklessness while Hythlodaeus only chuckled as Azem would lower her head and pretend to look sorry…?
He couldn't imagine continuing on without either of them at his side.
"The three of us… will meet again," he vowed.
(Oh, I just had to do something this. I was thinking about flowers in the game and suddenly I wondered if Emet-Selch liked flowers… and then it led me to wondering if he created something to remind him of his two best friends? Oh, and for the name Kore means 'maiden' or 'girl' in Greek so since I don't know what her real name was—I know that Kore was another nickname for Persephone—and no one is saying otherwise XD. In either case, I could totally imagine the boys tormenting little Azem with that nickname and her getting annoyed at them. Anyway, just the one chapter for this story, but I hope you all enjoyed it!)
