Chapter 5: The Birth of Despair
The four of them fought their way up through Ktisis Hyperboreia as they searched for Hermes and Meteion. Claire led the way, fighting as quickly as she could as Venat healed with Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus offering support the entire time and Venat felt that they had such a strong team despite having never fought side-by-side with them all like this before. As they moved through the facility, they found numerous concepts, many looking like they were still undergoing testing, were set loose in an attempt to slow them down or scare them off. It really surprised Venat to see that Hermes would willingly offer up these creatures, knowing that they would most likely have to put them all down. But it seems that his gentle soul was now being overshadowed by the darkness of his mind with the revelations he had just heard.
He was willing to risk everything to hear the answers that Meteion had discovered and her heart broke for him. She knew that it was Hermes's right to hear the report, but they couldn't just leave him on his own when it happened.
Parts of the facility looked like they had been destroyed either by Hermes knocking them aside in his attempt to protect Meteion, or had done so in another intent to slow them down. Either way, they were able to fight their way to the very top of the building before they realized that his voice was coming from somewhere even higher above them.
"There are platforms set even higher for which to study avian creation," Hythlodaeus informed them as he looked skywards. "He retreated to one of them. I can see them both clearly."
So they began to ride the wind currents born of aether into the very heavens, hopping from one platform to the next… until they finally reached the uppermost peak. Where they finally tracked Hermes down.
He was waiting for them, with Meteion still standing still behind him. Whether she was watching them or still lost inside her own mind to the report was anyone's guess.
They had no choice… they had to fight back. Hermes had tried his hardest to knock them back, but she suspected that it was more of a way to exhaust and bind them rather than outright killing. Well, they couldn't bring themselves to kill him either and so they fought with the intent only to subdue him. Once he calms down they could decide what to do.
They were all panting hard as they watched Hermes fall to his knees after returning to his original form—the battle clearly over. Claire, still gasping for air, made to move forward before Venat held out a hand to stop her.
"It's over," she told her softly. "Leave the rest to Emet-Selch."
Claire looked worried but nodded as Emet-Selch brushed his hair out of his face and caused the staff he was carrying to fade away.
"It's over, Hermes. In the name of the Convocation, I hereby take Meteion into custody," Emet-Selch stated professionally as he stepped forward. "And setting aside the matter of your nomination, you will come with us, too. We require your knowledge to assess and resolve the situation."
At first it seemed that Hermes seemed to have finally given up. He winced as he forced himself to stand, holding onto his arm as he slowly turned around to where Meteion was still standing, still as a statue.
"Meteion… I'm so sorry…" he called with remorse in his voice. "Would that I could have listened to your report in full…" he took a few staggering steps as he went on, "Reflected upon its meaning and conveyed it to others—that they might reconsider their chosen course… but I have failed, and that wish will never be realized."
Venat looked at him, feeling nothing but pity for the man. At least until…?
"However…" he croaked, "Ere our fates become the province of others, I bid you tell me… just one thing. Was there happiness in those distant stars? Was there a reason for living?"
Venat slowly looked to Meteion, who had remained silent throughout the entire battle. In truth, Venat was aching to know this as well… but still terrified of what she would hear. It seemed that she wasn't the only one either, for everyone around her had fallen quiet as they looked to the girl—wondering what she would say.
At last, Meteion broke her silence. Her head lowered as she spoke in that mechanical voice: "We conducted our search as per your instructions. We scoured historical records. Communed with the spirits of the deceased. Heard the final testaments of the dying. Welcomed their shadowed hearts onto our own."
That was when something strange began to happen. A sort of dark shadow began to creep up from her legs and then up the rest of her body. As she stepped forward, the haze formed around her as if it were smoke and grew higher and higher. She heard Claire gasp in horror next to her, but everyone was focused upon Meteion's words as she went on: "One race had striven to create a world of bereft of animosity. They renounced relationships to avoid interpersonal strife, and in so doing brought about societal collapse."
Completely renounced all meaningful relationships? While she could understand the theory behind it, how could life go on without such a thing? Hermes sucked in a lungful of air at hearing that.
"One race had renounced war and devoted itself to the enrichment of its people. They were conquered. Though they destroyed the enemy in reprisal, they could not regain their former glory."
She could all but hear Emet-Selch grinding his teeth together as Venat felt her heart ache towards those people who lost everything in such a battle.
"One race had concluded that finite time was the root of all woes. Aspiring to shatter its shackles, they went in search of infinity. They discovered nothing is infinite, and that neither time or death can be cheated. Disillusioned, they gave up on the future—and themselves."
Hythlodaeus looked away at those words as Venat shook her head, not wishing to hear anymore. But Meteion continued speaking as she came closer.
"One race had discarded all things that gave rise to sorrow, hoping to have only joy," she said, "They found joy lost its savor in the absence of sorrow, and lost their will to live."
Her heart broke and she felt tears welling up in her eyes at such a thought. To strive to be happy… only to lose your will to live? Could that be possible?
But Claire was shaking and when Venat looked back up, Meteion had stopped in front of Hermes, her voice growing rougher with every second, "Though worlds apart, these people shared a belief. The belief that they had tried their best. That they had tried to fulfill their potential, with every step and success."
The more she spoke, the more that dark cloud grew thicker and larger until it engulfed Meteion entirely—leaving only two tiny lights staring out from the haze where her eyes had once been. "In the course of which they learned the truth. That they would never be free of fear and sorrow, anger and despair—of loneliness—so long as they yet lived."
A cold wind seemed to pass over them that had nothing to do with where they stood above the star and Venat felt a sensation of overwhelming dread sweep through her as if knives were digging into her skin. She watched in horror as the cloud cleared to reveal Meteion… who now looked as if all of her color had bled dry.
Gone were the rosy cheeks and bright azure feathers… her skin was now pale as paper with her feathers black as the night. Even her clothes looked as if they had been dipped in ink while her eyes became blank with a dull silver as she gazed at them all.
"Even now, their souls cry out for oblivion. And to this song of anguish, I lend my voice," she cried, "We lend our voice."
A rather evil smile appeared as she cried out, "O believed mankind, shimmering jewels of beautiful Etheirys… Rejoice, for we will free you from the cruel yoke of existence." Venat shivered as shock kept her rooted to the spot as she tried to grasp what was going on with Meteion, or whatever she was now. Said creature continued on as she stretch out her arms and proclaim, "There is no need to struggle in vain, for in nihility awaits salvation. You will know peace and serenity… and it will be beautiful."
Beautiful…?
When mankind is ready to return to the star… it is beautiful… always…
This was common knowledge amongst their people. But here, there was nothing 'beautiful' in what she was proposing. Planning to wipe them all out in a sea of sorrow and pain…? No, no this cannot come to pass.
Perhaps everyone else was just as stunned as she was as they could only watch, letting Meteion rant on as she reached towards the heavens and finished, "We will make our nest at the edge of the universe and there in the dark of the dead worlds hoard sorrow and suffering. There we will sing, our chorus ever louder and ever clearer, that our song may reach even this aether-shrouded star. Such is the answer we have found in the stars. Such is the gift we now offer to Etheirys."
They mean to kill them all.
They just stood there as if stricken dumb, but Emet-Selch was the first to break the silence as he stepped forward and demanded with unsuppressed fury, "Who are you to decide our fate? To decree we live or die?"
For the briefest of moments, Venat wondered what Hermes would say or do… he brought forth his staff and she truly believed that he would be the one to strike Meteion down and end her misery… yet then, to their astonishment, they were suddenly bound by magical chains and lifted off the ground.
Venat's arms were pinned to her side as her feet were just dangling a few ilms off the ground. She struggled and fought to free herself, all the while staring at the two of them.
"Have you lost your mind?" Emet-Selch yelled, voicing what she was wondering at just that moment. "You heard what she said! She means to destroy us all, yet you'd still take her side!?"
Without even looking at them, Hermes countered, "In the name of the star, we have discarded those creations that we deemed flawed. If we ourselves are flawed, does it not stand to reason that we too should be discarded?"
"That is sophistry and you know it!" Emet-Selch yelled angrily.
"Perhaps it is," he admitted, his head down. "Perhaps I am wrong. But who is to say that you are right?"
When he finally turned to face them, and she saw that sad smile there, Venat understood. The fabric of his mind was unravelling… he already had such little faith that his own life was not worth living. But with the knowledge of the fate of those other stars still ringing in his ears… it is sending him over the edge.
This was it… this was the very beginning of the Final Days. They had to stop it… had to stop Meteion from escaping… and so she furiously began trying to undue her bindings.
Meanwhile, Hermes came to a decision as she worked.
"Let us settle this with a determination," he decided. "In my authority as chief overseer of Elpis, I will make a judgement on man's fitness to exist. If he can learn to value all life and retain his will to live, even should his end be justified, he will surely find a way to avert his demise. If not, he will perish from the star."
She stared, unable to believe what she was hearing as he declared, "As with all determinations, provisions must be made to ensure fairness. Kairos! Awaken!"
At the command, a concept in the form of a large sundial appeared right over their heads. She had heard of Kairos before and what it could do… and she knew at once what he was attempting now.
"Memory reconfiguration system Kairos activated. Awaiting instruction," Kairos spoke up.
He was attempting to make them forget all about this and that was the extra motivation that she needed to work even faster in trying to undue the binding around her.
"Command: universal memory alteration. Target area: Ktisis Hyperboreia," Hermes commanded. "Starting point: arrival of Emet-Selch of the Convocation at Propylaion. End point: the present. Erase the memories of all events, and replace with a vague recollection of the following: I was here, preparing to demonstrate the functionality of Kairos to Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus."
Emet-Selch was glaring at him as she realized that he was also pulling at his own bindings, trying to free himself at the same time.
"Meteion's shared consciousness became unstable," he went on, "She and her sisters could not sustain their existence, and all dissipated with a burst. The resultant shockwave accidentally triggered Kairos, which erased several days of memories from all present. Execute."
"Command acknowledged. Initializing… three processes remaining to execution."
"Bravo," Hythlodaeus muttered from next to her, "I daresay one would be hard-pressed to make it fairer…"
He then looked over at Claire and explained, "Everything that you told us, everything that has happened—the fact we've even met…it will all be gone."
No, Venat was not going to let it end here. Claire was fighting harder than ever to get free but Venat had almost finished undoing her own bonds. Thankfully, Hermes didn't seem to notice as he turned back to Meteion and told her, "Go, Meteion. To the edge of the universe, where none can reach you."
"Hermes," she said sweetly, "Won't you come with me? If you were to shed your flesh, I should be able to carry you?"
He chuckled and shook his head, as if politely refusing her offer to come with him to pick flowers due to work. "I will remain. As a man, I will oppose the oblivion you bring."
Then why was he allowing this?
Meteion looked sad as she told him, "Silly fool… had you said yes, I would've granted you the gentlest end."
Thankfully, he was distracted long enough for her to finally get her hands free. With a great burst of aether she forcibly broke the chains and hit the deck. That took a great deal of aether to be able to break, but she rallied to her feet before running straight at them, calling her blade to manifest in her hands, ready to strike him down if she had to.
She had to stop them.
"This ends here!"
But he heard her and turned in surprise before rising his staff and blocking the blow.
"Fly, Meteion!" he cried and the girl didn't wait another moment as she quickly turned and took off in a burst of wind and light.
Venat gritted her teeth angrily at that before she heard the sound of chains breaking behind her and her head instinctively looked back in time to see that Emet-Selch—his glyph covering his face—had also broken free, letting the three of them down. He then brought fort his own staff as he turned his attention to Hermes.
"That is far enough, Hermes!" he yelled as prepared to fight. Knowing that she could leave fighting Hermes to him, she turned her attention back to Meteion. She leapt away from Hermes and bolted for the edge of the platform. It was still not too late, they could still catch her.
"Argos, to me!" she called as she jumped off the edge to where her faithful familiar had just appeared. He caught her and they immediately began to fly after Meteion, following her trail as she bolted to the sky. She never took her eyes off Meteion as the two gave chase to the very borders of the great expanse, leaving their star directly below them. She urged Argos to go ever faster, holding on with her hands so tense that she could feel her fingernails biting into her skin.
But they were catching up… slowly but surely, they were getting closer. She knew she was pushing Argos to his limits, but she would make it up to him later. They fought for every yalm to catch up, but finally Meteion was just within arm's reach. She stretched out a hand, almost able to grab hold…?
"Almost…" she said, urging Argos to go just a little faster.
But as her fingers tried to wrap themselves around Meteion's clawed foot, that black haze returned and the girl took on the form of a bird with inky black feathers and a long tail… and then broke free. Venat glared on, cursing herself for how close she was… but watching how much faster the bird had become, she realized that there was no way she could catch her now.
But she was far from done.
"Very well, then," she muttered before she held up her hand and performed one more spell. She had used this spell many a times before when hunting particularly elusive creatures and knew that this was their only option. So she cast her spell where a fragile light left her fingertips and sped straight towards Meteion, catching up to her and marking her while she was still in range.
"You may elude us this day, but not forever!" she vowed as Argos was panting hard and quickly slowing down. She just watched on as the glittering light that surrounded Meteion continued on ahead into the dark unknown. Venat gritted her teeth before she had Argo turn around and head back to the others. She may have let Meteion get away but she had to make sure her friends were safe, if nothing else.
Her mind was filled with anger at herself for not being able to do more, but Hermes still needed to be stopped. If they could… they may be able to find a way to save what little of himself remained and salvage this situation.
She flew downwards and soon spotted the platform… but as she drew closer, she saw a blast of light near the outer edge. She squinted through the light and gasped when she saw someone being knocked right off the platform and plummet to the world below. At the realization who it was, she screamed out for Argos to catch her.
Argos created a double who went falling after Claire, speeding downwards with the little energy he had left and managed to get underneath where she landed upon his back. Venat didn't realize how hard her heart was beating with panic as she flew downwards and Argos flew up to greet them. Claire had landed hard, catching her in the middle and knocking the wind out of her as she tried to right herself while in midair.
Venat knew that they were almost out of time and had to get out now. She could feel the disturbance right above her and knew that their friends had gifted them an escape surely—leave it to the two of them to be so creative.
Claire had been able to pull herself upright and held onto Argos's fur as she wheezed, holding onto her chest in pain as she tried to catch her breath.
"Let's go," Venat called as they flew straight upwards towards the platform—and sure enough—the confluence to the outside was waiting for them. Hermes couldn't have looked more stunned as he saw the two of them appear and head straight towards the confluence while Hythlodaeus beamed up and waved merrily as if they were going on a fun trip. At the sight of it, Venat briefly wondered if she could create a couple more Argos to carry them too, but Emet-Selch seemed to guess what she was thinking as he yelled at her, "There's no time! Quickly!"
The two shared eye contact and she nodded in understanding, knowing that they had no choice. If they tried to spend what little time they have left, then none of them may make it out in one piece.
'Forgive me,' she thought sadly as he nodded once to her before turning her attention forward again. Several more Kairos appeared and she knew they had to keep going, for their sakes.
But Emet-Selch called up again, this time to Claire, and declared, "Even now, I do not believe your tale. I would not suffer us to walk such a wretched path."
Over the noise that Kairos was making, she still heard Claire's sharp intact of breath right behind her.
"Still, if it must be said…" Emet-Selch added, his tone solemn, and she didn't have to look back to know he was still looking at Claire as he finished, "Do not squander it. The legacy I leave you."
Venat shut her eyes, offering a silent 'thank you' to both of them.
But…?
"No!" she heard Claire's heartbreaking plea from behind her, "Hythlodaeus! Hades!"
Not many people knew his real name. If that didn't cement the idea that she knew him in the future, nothing would. But she didn't stop to even look back. The girl could hate her all she wanted for leaving them behind but she wasn't going to allow them to waste this one and only chance. She just gritted her teeth even as Kairos began to glow and the hands began to turn fast.
"Go, Argos!" she cried as they bolted, straight towards their only exit. They broke through just in time just as the light became blinding behind them. She could all but feel the light nipping at their heels as they broke through and emerged over the rest of Elpis and the light didn't even pierce their escape as the door closed behind them.
Venat sighed in relief, gladdened that they were able to get away in time. She wearily ordered Argos to head to safe ground and they landed in the green fields—away from the facility… but as she dismounted, the full weight of all that they learned and what happened hit her like a sack of bricks. She felt heavy as she took only a few staggering steps… before collapsing in a heap on the ground. She used up so much aether both fighting their way through to get to Hermes, breaking the bonds, and then failing to catch up Meteion and marking her with her tracking spell…? Oh, she was so worn out and her muscles were screaming in protest.
But what hurt her the most was the sickness of the heart at the knowledge that she had failed. As well as…?
Claire immediately was at her side, asking if she was alright.
"I'm fine," Venat reassured her, just glad to see that she was alright, "Just a little tired."
She then looked up at the sky, realizing that it had already gotten late and the sparkling stars shone clearly through the gentle night. At least… for most.
"Can it be true?" she asked herself. "Are we the only ones left who see beauty in the world—in life? Are the stars above no more than husks of fallen civilizations?"
No, she didn't want to believe that. This universe was vast… and she doubted that the Meteia could have searched every single part of it. There had to be more life out there, many other stars where there was still life. She nodded at that, the more she thought of it, the more she came to believe it had to be true. Even if there were only a handful of other stars that existed, she was prepared to believe that they were out there somewhere.
But now…?
"And yet…" she said softly as she looked to her friend. "…I feel her. Though she is unimaginably distant, I feel Meteion's presence—and the place whereto we must go."
Claire stared at her. "But how…?"
"Ere she made good her escape, I placed an enchantment upon her," Venat explained. "One which allows us to follow her trail. She has already left the outmost bounds of Etheirys, and continues on her way. Given the vastness of the universe, it will still be no easy feat to track her down." It would take some time, but they were sure to come up with a way to give chase. She smiled slightly as she added, "But thanks to Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus, all is not lost. We remember. So long as we remember, our fates remain ours to shape."
Claire gave her a tired smile before asking, "What became of the others, I wonder…"
"What indeed," Venat agreed. "Let us begin by ascertaining the situation at Ktisis Hyperboreia, where the others should still be."
She then rallied to her feet, wincing slightly as her muscles ached and she could feel the beginning of a massive headache beginning in her temple. Still, they must be in better shape than the others right now.
"Given the likely state of their memories, however, 'twould be imprudent for us to approach them directly," she said worriedly. She knew that if their memories had been erased, she couldn't risk them seeing Claire… if they did, they would surely notice her soul and how similar to Azem it was. That would lead to questions that she wasn't sure if they should answer just yet—especially since they had no further proof for them. Not only that, she feared that it would be too painful for Claire to be able to face them with no memory of her.
"In which case…" she whispered softly before turning back to Argos. He was still panting hard as she gave him a loving pat, apologizing for pushing him so hard but asking for one more favor. Thankfully, Argos understood and agreed, taking off for the skies as he headed off to the direction of the facility.
"Where is he going?" Claire asked.
"Argos will investigate in our stead," she explained. "We shall share in his consciousness, and see and hear as if we were with him."
"You can do that?" she asked in surprise and Venat smiled knowingly. He was a very special dog, after all.
"Now, close your eyes and open your mind…" she told her, coming a little closer and taking her hands in her own. Claire did what she was told and together they relaxed their minds as the aether carried them to Argos, who had just landed outside the building where they saw the others having limped their way outside and were greeted by the other researchers.
But it was as they feared… they no longer remembered what happened. Not the truth of what happened to Meteion, or any of the threats that she made. The others reasoned that was the state of alert was due to Meteion's apparent demise which accidently triggered Kairos's abilities. They didn't recall anything but a vague recollection of arriving to Elpis. She could feel Claire's hands tremble in her own as the heard that.
She squeezed back gently but firmly, offering silent comfort.
With them believing that Meteion was gone, Emet-Selch informed Hermes that he would be returning to Amaurot with them as they discussed the seat of the Convocation.
They broke the connection and she looked on, even after releasing Claire's hands, but she saw how they were curled up into fists, still shaking. Venat felt her sick at the heart for the girl but didn't press the matter.
"Let us rest," she told her. "If only for a while. After all, you and I… we still have a long, long way to go…?"
That was an understatement. Just the thought of all that was now waiting for them was enough to make her feel dizzy, but they had to keep going. They had a lot to prepare for…? There was no sense in trying to bring either Emet-Selch or Hythlodaeus back since they could not prove what had become of Meteion… not to mention that Hermes—while stricken with Meteion's supposed death—seemed to have returned to his usual self for the most part. She would have to keep a close watch on him from here on out.
She would also need to start studying up more on dynamis and its effects… the whole concepts for the moon and Zodiark's prison should the Convocation feel the need to have to resort to such methods…? Her mind was already in overdrive as many plans began to swarm about her. Her thoughts were so busy that, at first, she didn't realize that Claire hadn't said anything for a few minutes. But soon she looked back, realizing that Claire had turned away from her and taken a few shaky steps forward.
Her head was down low and she seemed to be completely lost in her own head as well.
"Claire?" she repeated worriedly as the young woman stood there, her back still to her.
"I guess…" she whispered in a soft voice, her voice breaking up slightly, "It was all my fault."
"Your fault?" Venat repeated in confusion before noticing how the girl was now trembling, her hands curling up into fists. "Claire…?"
"If I never came back… would that mean that the Final Days never happened?" she asked shakily. "I was the one responsible for the second Final Days when I fought Zodiark… but now… does it turn out that… I am the reason why they happened at all?"
"No, of course not," Venat said, shocked she would come to that conclusion, carefully turning her around to look at her face. "Even if you were the one who fought Zodiark, you weren't the one who slew him. Not only that, Meteion's report was going to come through anyway, with or without you arriving here. You couldn't have stopped that."
"Then why?" she cried out, "Why did any of this happen?"
As if the weight of a countless horrors suddenly collapsed upon her and she could no longer stand as she fell to her knees upon the flowers and looked ready to break down completely. Venat remained at her side and did the one thing she could think to do and wrapped her arms around her, holding her in a tight embrace.
Claire instantly froze up at the sensation of being held as Venat gently began to stroke her head and whispered softly, "None of this is your fault. This would have happened anyway. That report was coming whether we wished it or not."
Claire continued to shake, looking as if she was doing her best to keep strong, but her arms soon found their way wrapped around Venat in return and she hugged her back fiercely—tears finally beginning to fall through the cracks that were steadily breaking through the barriers she built up around her. Her face was screwed up tightly as she held on, as if terrified that if she let go, she would fall away from the world entirely.
"But this is still going to lead to the choices that were made… how they were willing to sacrifice so many lives… so many for this star without even thinking about the consequences for the future… all desperate for a paradise that was lost," she cried. "Even in our time… we can't… we could never… I could not ever imagine myself willing sacrificing so many lives. They are my life and I just… I can't…?"
She just cried as Venat held her.
"I never wanted any of this," she whispered.
Venat closed her eyes miserably as she felt a wave of sorrow threaten to break free as well—not just for what happened, but for how lost and scared she sounded. The full realization of what was destined for them now was fully aware in her mind as she felt a few stray tears fall for the loss of a world that was to come. The Final Days were coming now… they didn't know when it would be, but it would come. But…? She hadn't abandoned hope yet; haven't surrendered to her own fate to become Hydaelyn and sunder this world yet.
She would continue on to find another way.
Rather than say that though, she held Claire tighter to her, running her hand through her hair as she whispered comforting words and encouraging her softly. It was all she could do to just be here and reassure her that none of this was her fault.
"But…?" Claire tried to reason as Venat shook her head.
"Do not blame yourself. If you never arrived here, we would never have known the threat that was nestled here," she reassured her. "We never would have seen Hermes go as far as he did and pass judgement upon mankind when he let Meteion escape. Without you here, he may have sent her off into universe and we never would have known otherwise."
She smiled sadly as she gently pulled her back to look at the girl's face, red and tear-stained, brushing the tears from her eyes as her cries slowly shifted to sniffles.
"Thanks to you… we now have a chance," she whispered gently.
Claire fell back against her and held on, burying her face in Venat's robes as she worked hard on trying to get her breathing under control. But Venat didn't try to stop her, knowing that this was something that she needed to get out. It felt almost like a release for her, as if something poisonous was leaving the girl's heart as she let out all the stress and sorrow that had built up after who knows how long.
Venat didn't know how long they knelt there, but she didn't care how long it would take so long as her young friend would be able to recover from this. And it seemed that the comfort she was offering was helping her little by little. Eventually, as the fireflies continued to dance about them, Claire pulled back, having exhausted her tears and wiped what was left of them on her torn sleeve.
"I'm sorry," she whispered as Venat gently placed a finger over her lips to silence her.
"Don't apologize," she told her sincerely. "Something tells me that you needed that cry."
Claire sniffled and nodded, her cheeks now a little red from embarrassment as Venat just looked on fondly. She then offered that they return to her temporary abode to discuss where to go from here. But as Claire made to get up, Venat watched how she winced in pain and stumbled slightly. She reached out to steady and brace her, asking what was wrong when she noticed the few drops of blood on her robes.
"What happened?" Venet asked urgently.
"Hermes… he… hit me with a spell," she hissed in pain. "It's alright, I've had far worse."
"Ah, so that was how you got knocked back to the ledge like that," she said with a nod of understanding. She pulled the robe back a little to see bruising already taking effect on the girl's neck. "Yes, it looks like some sort of attacking spell. You got hit hard with a thickly concentrated form of aether. Hang on…"
She held up her hand and worked on dulling the pain, but as she did so, she could feel that Claire was also suffering from more than that injury.
"Your body is exhausted," Venat scolded, realizing that she hadn't seen her stop to catch her breath at all day. "You are running yourself ragged."
"Haven't had time to really think about it," she confessed a little sleepily. "It's nothing though, I can handle this…?"
"You may believe that, but your body is telling you otherwise. If that is the case, then you are to come with me," Venat said firmly. "No arguing. And it's for the best that we lay low for the time being anyway. Come."
Vent didn't leave her with any time to argue as she helped her to her feet and directed her back towards Poleten Oikos where they could catch their breath. Normally, she would have worried about being stopped by researchers or someone since she was so recognizable in her white robes. Thankfully, with how late it was getting, as well as most having been gathered outside the facility to get answers, she was able to get them both back without running into anyone. She just guided Claire back to the building and ushered her inside so that she could tend to her.
"There, we should be safe here for now," she said as she quickly shut the door behind them and set to work examining Claire's wounds. She took her back to the bedroom and peeled away parts of the torn robes to get a look at the nasty swelling and bruising that dipped down below the collar. She could see the faint, white scar that marred her skin that reached from her shoulder and down her chest. With the girl's permission, she pulled the robe away so that she could examine her chest and ribs—noticing how she winced when her hand trailed over her ribcage.
"Looks like a few cracked ribs," Venat said as she carefully, her hand now bathed in a warm and gentle healing magicks. "And a few deep cuts when the wind cut into you… all in all, nothing that isn't easily healed. It seems that he was only trying to knock you off rather than kill you. Though… if Argos hadn't been there to catch you…? It would probably have led to your death anyway."
"What happened to him?" Claire whispered softly, eye twitching a little in pain as Venat worked on her injuries. "How could he…?"
Venat paused in her healing and her eyes found Claire's own green eyes—filled with confusion and anguish over what happened to Hermes and Meteion. Venat could only look on sadly as she ran one hand through her long locks in a comforting way.
"Hermes?" she asked knowingly. "If there is one thing that I learned, that in desperation, we tend to do things that we never would have dared imagine if we felt we had any other choice."
"But to go from feeling angry at everyone else for how they disregard the creations here to wanting to end the world and everyone on it…?" Claire question, still looking lost.
"I do not believe that he truly wishes for the world to end… but at the same time, he has become so lost that he cannot find the hope that is there. He is a man who wants to do good, but found himself defeated by his own despair… which led to such mistakes," she sighed, knowing that they had failed him. "I wish that I knew another way to answer, or of a way to help him, but I know not what I can say to make this better… if anything could."
Silence fell between them as they thought it all over. How could it have gone so bad in such a short time?
"I wonder if the Scions will believe any of this?" Claire muttered to herself as Venat looked back to her.
"You wish to return as soon as you can to your friends?" Venat asked and she nodded.
"Now that I understand so much more… now that I finally have answers, there may be a way we can still stop the Final Days," she told her anxiously. "Though… I'm not sure where to even start…?"
"Yes, it is troublesome," Venat agreed. "After all, with Meteion having left this star entirely, the only option would be to give chase to her nest at the edge of the universe. But, we still have time to think that over."
It would be difficult to go on alone, but she knew that with the answers now open to them, she would have to ensure that Claire returns to her time. She wasn't sure if Claire could return to Elpis, but either way, Venat needed to get back to her own battlefield as soon as possible. Though… the idea of saying goodbye after so much had happened… it was harder than she could imagine.
Yet…?
"Yes," she agreed. "I believe that your time here is nearly at an end and that you will need to return to your friends as soon as possible."
At that, Claire froze and looked up at her with wide eyes.
"What… right now?" she asked quickly.
"Well, we can wait until morning when you have completely healed," Venat relented. "But, if we plan for early in the morning so that most are still asleep… that would be the perfect time for us to return you to the future without anyone else knowing."
"I… well, I could stay for a little longer?" she offered and Venat smiled sadly.
"I appreciate the offer, but time for you is not on your side," she reminded her. "Why? Is there another reason why you wish to remain?"
"I just… I feel… this place… this world… feels so…?" she mumbled as she played around with her sleeve nervously, trying to find the right words to explain what she was feeling. But Venat's eyes widened slightly at the motions… recognizing those movements at once. The way her head was down as she tugged at her sleeve… unable to look her in the eye as she stammered some kind of excuse…? That was exactly how Azem would react whenever she was nervous. She remembered when Azem had been younger and she first bright the girl under her wing… how she would do this exact thing whenever she was nervous. That had been before her wayward pupil found her confidence and became the free spirit that they all knew her to be, of course; but still, such little things as this were not something Venat could ever forget.
Seeing that, confirmed for her once and for all.
"Azem…" Venat said in understanding as Claire slowly looked up at her with wide eyes. Venat only gazed back sadly. "I suspected it when we first met. But… I was thinking that if only three escaped the sundering… then Azem, our Azem, would have been one of many who were sundered. Is that not so?"
Claire hung her head and nodded once before she reached into her pocket and pulled out a crystal. Venat recognized the shape as well as the symbol of the sun upon it and knew at once that this was a crystal that held memories upon it.
Venat silently took the crystal to examine it and felt her heart beat a little harder as she thought of what this all meant. She could sense Azem's magicks from within.
"So you are Azem's incarnation…" she said slowly. "Is that what Emet-Selch—the Emet-Selch of your time—told you?"
"I… I'm afraid I don't remember anything about Azem," she confessed softly. "But… after learning more of the Final Days from Emet-Selch while I was in the First; as well as the recreated version of Hythlodaeus… I was able to put the pieces together."
And was later gifted this when Emet-Selch felt that she understood. At least, that was what she could imagine. To think that her dear Azem would indeed be sundered… only to return to the world that she loved in such a form after so many thousands of years? She could only imagine how many forms… how many lives—that Azem must have lived since the sundering.
Did her future self as Hydaelyn recognize that trace of her in this girl as well?
"From a world of suffering, coming to this place must have been nothing less than a great shock to you," Venat mused as Claire thought it over.
"At first it seemed as if I had stepped into a paradise or a dream," she confessed slowly. "After witnessing even just this tiny trace of the world that Emet-Selch knew, I now understand why he was so desperate to get it back. But… I was wondering… you all strive to make this world a better place, yes? So… what will you all do when you achieve that?"
Venat blinked, having never once given that any thought.
Here, the people work tirelessly to try and contribute to the star, strive to make it a perfect paradise… but… once that goal is reached… what will become of them? The people live to contribute to this star… but if this world was perfect, what more could they do to contribute to it?
She remembered what Meteion said in her report of that star that tried to free themselves of all that gives rise to sorrow.
"They found that joy had lost its savor in the absence of sorrow and lost the will to live."
Were they slowly heading down that same path? Unknowingly dooming themselves in the future by trying to slowly remove all traces of suffering and sorrow in this world?
"Perhaps… we lost sight of that," Venat said slowly as she gazed to the window and saw the seemingly perfect world out there. Were they also heading towards a similar fate if they continued on this path? The more that she thought of it, the more likely she could see it ending that way… for if they continue to strive to make this world flawless…? When the day comes that it does become perfect, what would be left for them?
"The time that you come from is so imperfect that there will never be a shortage of those who will need your help," Venat told her. "With that, alone, you need not fear. You must do it often."
"How did you…?" Claire croaked in a startled voice.
"Oh, I heard that you have been a great help to many people here," Venat pointed out and Claire looked on in surprise as Venat chuckled. "Hythlodaeus also told me of some of your good deeds earlier."
"Oh, he told you?" she asked with a rather sheepish smile. "I guess it's just so ingrained in me that I couldn't stop myself. I can't help it… despite all that is going on, I just couldn't stop and stare around me at how beautiful everything is. How could I pass up a chance not to enjoy this place which feels like it came out of a faerie tale? I had to listen to the people and learn more… and if they needed help…?"
"There is nothing that compares with the simple joy of seeing a smile upon a person's face," Venat said. "For the love of adventure."
They were smiling at that and soon Claire couldn't help but giggle, which caused her to smile and chuckle along with her—before they both began to laugh. At what, neither of them knew, but for some reason, it felt so freeing to just be able to laugh out loud and release all that was kept locked up inside. And for a long time they couldn't stop. The stars twinkled outside the window and Venat glanced over at them as her giggles slowly died down and her thoughts shifted about in her head.
She gently placed her hands on either side of Claire's face and gently tilted her up so that their eyes would meet. She gazed over her carefully, looking deeply into her eyes, her smile both tender and warm as she gently wiped the remains of the tears that stubbornly remained.
"You remind me so much of her," she confessed. "So kind and curious… full of wonder to explore the world. I have lost count of the stories of her adventures to places I have seen myself with mine own eyes many times… but to hear them from her was as if I was seeing them for the first time once more."
Venat looks at her fondly.
"You are truly remarkable," she told her honestly. "Never have I ever beheld one's conviction such as yours. If there was any doubt in me before, it has now been dispelled. You are worthy of the title of Azem."
Claire blinked and turned red.
"But, I am not her," she reminded her.
"No, you aren't," Venat agreed with a nod. "Make no mistake, you share many similarities with the Azem of here and now. Yet, there are just as many differences between you two. For example, Azem is radiant as the sun and never seen without a smile. Loud and not afraid to speak her mind. You, however… are quieter and more resolved in your tasks. You shine… but not like the sun… more like a star in the night sky… or mayhaps this moon that I supposing create… when all else seems dark… that is when you appear most clearly. You are a balance of both light and dark… you are both. A child who has still so much to do and see. When you told me of your own adventurers, I could feel the joy and happiness in your voice to see more of the world. As well as the love you felt for your companions and many others you have met along the way. You have learned much simply by meeting them and I can safely say that they had their lives change for the better having met you in return… as have I."
Claire gazed back as more tears began to fill her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "For… for all the terrible things I thought of you… of Hydaelyn…? For…?"
But Venat would not hear of it. She shook her head, never once letting her smile leave.
"Do not ever apologize for how you feel," she reminded her softly. "I would expect none less for all the many burdens I have placed upon you that there will be resentment there."
She grips the girl's hands in her own, feeling them still shaking slightly, and says, "Such potentials from your time that I never once thought possible. You are like Azem not because of your connection to the current one… but because of the person you are. The stories you shared with me are the proof that you are loved and treasured by so many. You travel for the joy of it… to offer succor and aid bit by bit… no matter how small. If you can find even the tiniest bit of happiness for someone who is lost, then that is enough for you to do so. If that is not the very spirit of the seat of Azem, then I cannot think of what is."
Was this the reason why Emet-Selch chose to leave this to crystal to her? For the Emet-Selch of her time came to realize that he recognized her as the newest Azem?
She pressed the crystal back into the girl's palm and closed her fingers around it, knowing she would need it soon.
"Those words that you spoke before," Claire stated, her shoulders now shaking. "I have never heard of anyone speak like that before… but when you spoke of your love for the world and it's people; it was as if you were speaking from my heart. For that is how I feel for the ones of mine time."
She squeezed Venat's hands tightly back.
"I was so angry with you… with Hydaelyn for so long now…" she confessed sadly. "I couldn't understand Her silence, why I felt as if I were stumbling around in the dark. But now… I feel that I am beginning to understand why."
She gazed at her as she looked at the crystal of Azem, watching how it glowed faintly within her grasp.
It was this moment at sealed it for Venat. This was her Champion of the future, Her hope… the incarnation of her pupil and friend. Though she was both part of and separate from Azem… the love that Azem bore of this star still exists in her.
And knowing that, rose up that familiar protectiveness. Determination to guide her along her chosen path no matter how long it took to get to the end.
She looked back to Claire and asked, "You know a little of my past already, but do you know the reason why I chose to accept the position of Azem when it was offered to me?"
Claire blinked at that as Venat smiled at the memory.
"The purpose of Azem… the traveler, the Shepherd of the Stars, Counselor to the People… they identify potential threats to this Star and its people. To learn intimately the cultures and people which inhabit this world and assist them as needed. This… is the duty of the one who holds this role. Of this crystal."
Claire beams, eyes glistening with joyful tears this time as she tucked the crystal away. Venat smiled back with pure adoration for this sweet child. She then was taken aback as the girl flung her arms around her shoulders and buried her face in her robes once more. Venat was surprised, but she embraced her back wholeheartedly.
She shushed her gently as Claire's eyelids drooped considerably; the dark shadows underneath them more noticeable than ever.
"Sleep," she reassured softly, running her fingers soothingly through the girl's long, pink locks. "You have earned it. And you won't be able to help anyone if you make yourself sick through sheer stubbornness. I'll keep an eye on things so just relax."
She started to hum a tune to her until Claire couldn't fight the call of sleep any longer and slipped into the realm of dreams. As she drifted off, Venat whispered another spell, this time to ensure that the girl have no dreams for this night and focus more upon slumber and recover from today's events.
Once she was certain that the girl was completely asleep, she stood up and called Argos to her side. Her faithful familiar appeared as he always did and looked up at her happily as she stroked his furry head.
"You stay here and watch over her for me," she instructed him. "Don't let anybody else inside until I return. I need to take stalk of the situation. If something happens, your job is to get her out of here and to safety, though I doubt anything will happen now."
Argos nodded once before he went straight over to the bed and plopped down on the rug next to Claire as he began his watchful vigil. She smiled, knowing that with Argos here, then she should be safe. She would be back as soon as she checked up on everything.
She doubted that anything would come after them now, but she couldn't live with herself if something did happen while she was away. At least now she took comfort in the thought that she would be safe and protected as she slept—for tonight, at least.
Venat quickly left Poleten Oikos and took a few moments to calm herself down as she went about her investigation. She spoke with a few scholars and researchers, who informed her that Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus were just about to leave with Hermes—but were asking her all sorts of questions on if she was alright since they hadn't seen her since she went inside with them with Azem's strange familiar.
Venat only gave half-hearted answers as she looked around, not really sure of what she was expecting. But soon, she came upon the Propylaion, where a familiar figure was outside those doors. At the sight of Hythlodaeus, Venat felt herself freeze up for a moment before she took several deep breaths. She had to make sure that they were alright and so she stepped forward, calling out to him, who looked up with a bright look.
"Ah, Venat! Fancy running into you here," he said cheerfully as she stepped forward.
"Yes, I heard that you were injured, how are you fairing?" she asked and he shrugged at that.
"Nothing serious, thankfully," he reassured her. "Emet-Selch's magicks took the edge of it off, but I'll be sure to be properly looked over when I return to Amaurot… or so Emet-Selch commanded."
"Where is he?" she asked, looking around, realizing how strange it was to see Hythlodaeus standing here alone. "And Hermes?"
"Hermes was badly injured and so Emet-Selch took him ahead of me," Hythlodaeus said. "I just saw them off. Because of the state of emergency, teleportations have been restricted but they made an exception with Hermes and Emet-Selch. I just finished seeing them off. I will be given a room here until the restrictions lift tomorrow."
"I see, well, full heartened I am that you are well," she told him truthfully, guilt rolling about in her stomach for having to keep it all secret.
"Yes, and I was quite looking forward to seeing you again," he added, his brow furrowing as he struggled to remember. "Could you remind me of all that happened while we were here…? I fear that we were all caught up in a spell of Hermes's Kairos… and my memory of the days spent here are… practically non-existent."
Venat looked on sadly and so she tried to tell him what she could without revealing the truth. That the two of them arrived and met with Hermes and assisted him with some of his work, though that had been the course of several days and that she didn't run into the two of them until yesterday evening.
"So I fear I cannot speak all for your time here," she confirmed as he looked disappointed.
"Yes, I understand," he nodded. "Ah, but what of this new companion of ours? Some of the researchers said that they saw all four of us enter, including this… what they call a unique creation?"
"Truly?" she asked with a smile that made her ache inside. "I fear that I and my companion left early. There is no need to worry for us for we weren't affected by Kairos."
A part of her hoped that somewhere deep within him, he would recognize that their sacrifice had ensured their escape. And it seems to have worked for he was smiling at that in relief.
"So you were able to avoid getting caught up in our forgetfulness then," Hythlodaeus chuckled. "Good, good. At least something to be gladdened for. I have to admit that it is rather frustrating not being able to recall what happened…?"
"Can you recall anything at all?" she asked, hoping against hope that he would tell her otherwise, but he just sighed and shook his head.
"I vaguely recall the day we arrived," he admitted slowly as his face became screwed up in concentration, clearly struggling to think back. "I remember speaking with Emet-Selch on removing his mask…? But…?"
He sighed and shook his head.
"Otherwise all I can make out of vague recollections… sounds and shapes…? I remember sitting in a field with… someone…? But for the life of me I cannot think of their face clearly," he sighed. "It is more than a little frustrating. All I know for sure is that I have this sensation that something… important happened but I cannot recall anything. It's so strange having your heart remember something your mind cannot."
"I see," Venat sighed. "And Emet-Selch? And Hermes? They are the same?"
"More or less," he confessed. "I fear that Hermes is taking the destruction of his familiar—Meteion—I believe her name was—rather hard. We offered to assist him, but he said that none could replace her for him. I fear that I underestimated how attached he was to her and unintentionally hurt him."
"Ah, yes…" she nodded. "I fear that he cared very much for her. I don't think that there was anything he wouldn't have done to protect her. So he would be taking her fate hard."
"I see," Hythlodaeus frowned. "Then I shall do all that I can to help support him as he recovers from this loss. Emet-Selch will bring him to see Emmerololth, who will oversee his recovery."
Venat nodded in agreement, knowing that they were safe from Hermes—for the time being. Her mind began to race once more as she felt Meteion's presence still out there as she moved ever farther away.
"Venat? Do you need me to send out a search party for your thoughts?" Hythlodaeus asked in amusement.
"Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry," she said, coming back to reality. "Just that… a lot happened over the last few days for me and I have recently been inspired to work on a new project. It will take time to map it all out, of course…?"
"Ah, truly? May I be so bold to ask what it entails?" Hythlodaeus asked in interest ad Venat gave him a mysterious smile.
"Mayhaps down the road from now," she told him regretfully, "I fear that there is much work to be done in the coming days. So, I may not be so readily available as I have been before now. So, if that should be the case, may I ask that you continue to look after Emet-Selch and Azem for me? Oh, and Hermes now as well?"
"Why of course, you don't even need to ask for that," Hythlodaeus reassured her, though she could hear the slight surprise in his voice. "But, forgive me for asking, how serious is this?"
"I fear that I cannot speak of it right now, but rest assure that if a day comes that I can, I will reveal all to you," she told him softly. "But know that I will continue on my work to protect this star and its people that I love so dearly."
"Very well, I shall trust to your judgement and wish you the best of luck in its endeavor," Hythlodaeus said. "I'll be sure to tell Azem that I have seen you and that you are well, I'm sure that will bring a smile to her face. Until next we meet."
He gave a friendly wave and turned to leave—but he took only a couple of steps before he paused.
"Ah, I almost forgot," he said as he looked back to her. "This other companion of ours…?"
"She is a young girl who was very lost, I fear," Venat explained with a sad smile. "No need to worry. I believe that she is on the right track now and has most of her answers. I'll tend to her and make sure she gets home safely."
"I see, full glad I am to hear that," Hythlodaeus said with some relief. "I only wish I could remember meeting her…?"
"Know that she had grown very fond of both you and Emet-Selch in the short time that you spent together—and that I may be so bold as to say that you have grown fond of her during these last few days. I'm sure that you will meet again… one day," Venat nodded. "But for now, you focus on your own recovery. And… please take care of Emet-Selch and Azem for us."
Hythlodaeus beamed back as he walked off to get some rest—leaving her feeling the first wave of sadness enter her heart.
(Awwww. I know I said this before, but I am a sucker for sweet moments like this. Especially with mentor/student relationships.)