When Emet-Selch and his allies finally reached the top of the facility, the ascian prayed that they had arrived in time. There was no telling what Hermes would do with Meteion and how receptive he would be to the judgment of hers, but one thing was certain, he couldn't be trusted. Azem's explanation he gave on their way allowed Emet to feel a little calmer before facing Hermes, but it wasn't enough to pacify him entirely. The restraining field was still on, and Emet felt its presence far too keenly. Hermes was exempt from it and would no doubt use all of his powers to restrain the team. When it came to protecting Meteion, he was far from a coward.
But when the Amaurotines finally reached the platform that rose above the clouds, placing itself on the brink between the atmosphere and the sea of stars. Hermes was there, still transformed and focused on Meteion, that stood underneath his shadow.
"…That they would never be free of fear and sorrow, anger and despair, of loneliness, so long as they yet lived." Meteion's voice echoed in the distance, once again regaining emotions that were absent the last time they met. However, this time there was rage in her voice, merciless spite as if hundreds of others spoke along with her. "Even now, their souls cry out for oblivion. And to this song of anguish, I lend my voice. We lend our voice."
"Something is wrong…" Venat spoke cautiously, although Emet hardly needed her comment to understand this. Hermes went quiet, barely acknowledging their presence at all.
"Oh, why…" Hermes's pained voice echoed through the platform. "Why did the stories have to be true…Why?!" This voice quickly turned into a raging scream as his essence raged; Emet could see this all too well. Hermes's crimson soul was aching, and there was nothing that could stop the process that was set in motion today.
"Hermes!" Elidibus stepped forward and spoke in a commanding voice. "This is your final chance. If you retain a semblance of a conscience, step aside and let us claim Meteion! If you refuse, know that we won't back down, even if it means forcing our way."
"And what then?" Hermes chuckled. "Will you imprison me like some petty criminal? Would you destroy Meteion just because it's the easiest way out? There is nothing for us to gain by surrender."
"How about an opportunity to prove that you care for our world?" Themis persisted. "You claim to care for each and every soul, for every creation that graces this star, and yet your deeds show that you're ready to sacrifice them all for your own sake!"
"Believe what you will…Either way, you're too late." Hermes moved aside to reveal what had become of Meteion. Her colors shifted as her skin and eyes grew paler and lost all of their colors, while the feathers that once brimmed with blue turned ebon. Her appearance was despair incarnate; the same dark aura swirled around her that Emet saw before countless ancients that created blasphemies from their minds, countless sundered who became monsters in their entirety. All of this came from one single source, and it stood right before him, with the last obstacle on his path being Hermes. "You were right, Emet-Selch, she relayed the answers Meteia found to me. I suppose I should thank you for becoming a catalyst for this connection…She relayed to me the tales of worlds ravaged by war, plague, and even complacency. So many different methods, yet always the same outcome. Despair, anguish, and death. And hence she made her judgment…And I shall stand by her side."
"How can you even say this?!" Loghrif's voice stung with a horrific feeling of betrayal. "I didn't want to believe that you would do it, couldn't force myself to believe, but now…Why?"
"Because some things, no matter how often one goes through them, never become easier." Hermes's voice echoed with sorrow. "For decades, I have watched countless creations have their entire existence depend on tests that mankind puts before them. For decades did, I witness the injustice, seeing so many of them being put down for their imperfections…All while none around me ever cared."
"You know it's a lie! "Loghrif shouted. "There are many who cherish their creations, even here in Elpis…I was here for long enough to know that most researchers do not abandon their concepts if it isn't absolutely vital. Have I not told you to come to the hall of rhetoric with this matter if you wanted?"
"Enough! There was no need to waste my time on those who wouldn't understand." Hermes scoffed. "Mankind has grown too arrogant, too callous in its practice, and so it is only fair that we ourselves will be subjected to a trial. Meteion's song shall test our resolve…And I will allow this test to be discontinued."
"Hermes!" Emet's furious yet pleading voice echoed, making the transformed Amaurotine look towards his enemy. "All you speak of… It's a lie, and deep down, you know it! There is no fairness to this test, just like there wasn't any in the one my Hermes began! You know the outcome; you know what your Final Days will do to our people, all of them! You know that this will lead to extinction and that everything will be scorched…I have walked this path for thousands of years, seen countless souls suffer and die, seen the pain that the star has endured…I saw you weep for a creation's demise. Imagine how many more lives will be lost if you are to continue on this path! I will admit that I have my doubts, but if as much as a small part of you truly cares for life…You will not let this happen!" Emet's plea was from the heart, even though he was reluctant to give Hermes chances. Despite everything Amon in the present has done, the ascian knew that Fandaniel of the past was a different man. The one who still clung to conscience despite his callous mistakes.
"I cannot stop the process; it is too late…And hence why I will make the best of it. There are provisions to ensure fairness for this test, the ones that will make everyone present forget everything they knew, but…Alas, you are still here, Emet-Selch. Your soul will be recognized, and they would know that something is not quite right, even if you would lack the memory of it…" Hermes sighed. "Words cannot describe how sorry I am…But you cannot leave this place alive. "
With those words, Hermes sprung into action immediately. With his staff, the researcher unleashed a mighty spell of wind upon the Amaurotines, throwing all of them aside except for Emet, who he carefully avoided. The wind Hermes sent towards him was of a different sort, the one that forced the ascian closer towards Hermes, deeper into the platform's center. Hades caught the murderous glint in the researcher's eyes as he peered into his own. This was the determination Emet saw in Amon's eyes when he watched Elidibus suffer under his command, watched the two Unsundered fight until one of them was no more. Was Emet wrong to have at least some faith in Hermes? Was he always the monster Emet remembered in the face of Fandaniel?
The ascian began to channel his dark power, yet he immediately felt the toil on his body. The purple cracks pulsed again, causing Emet to moan in agony as his spells were interrupted. It was happening more often with every moment; battles in Ktisis forced the ascian to overexert himself, making his soul all the weaker in the face of the looming threat.
"Don't even try!" Elidibus's determined voice echoed from behind as the Emissary charged into the center with an aetheric staff in his hand. Moments later, he unleashed a wave of light at Hermes, making the researcher recoil at the burning pain and release Emet from his magic.
"Thank you…" Emet spoke as he stood up, still breathing heavily from the draining.
"Be careful. He isn't holding back." Themis stood by his side without a shadow of fear in his eyes. "I should've been firmer when we dealt with him…"
"No point pondering on that now; show how 'firm' you can be here and now!" Emet encouraged; there was no time to waste. "Aid me!"
Emet created an array of aetheric arrows with his creation magics, and while they were weaker than what he usually was able to achieve, this was compensated by Elidibus powering them up. One after another, the Amaurotine duo launched them at Hermes, who attempted to defend himself with wind magic, the currents that forced the arrows to immediately dispense into different directions. However, he wasn't able to remain untouched. Some of Emet's spells hit the mark. Even transformed, Hermes was just one ancient pitted against five; it wouldn't be long before he broke. All they could hope for was that they put him down quicker than Meteion reached her final conclusion and was ready to leave.
" You would dare to defy me?! Very well, then…I will not let you take her!" Hermes spoke, but Emet noticed the fear in his voice. He knew that the odds were not in his favor. Now once again, he and Elidibus were standing together against a common threat, against the man that started Final Days and was eager to destroy all of them. Side by side, enhancing the strengths of each other, both full of hope that they will be able to prevent the coming doom. The moment he should've shared with him in Garlemald as the two would've annihilated Zenos and Amon, saving the world and their mission of rejoining. Despite the cruelty of fate, even she had moments of good disposition, and Emet was not intent on misusing them. In the present, there could've only been two of them…But there were more now.
Azem, Loghrif, and Venat we're about join the battle, all of them preparing their weapons. However, Hermes was just as aware of that.
"Meteion!" The man commanded. "They want to take you away, to forever separate you from your sisters! I will defend you, I promise, but I will need your aid! Show them the power of Dynamis!"
The girl obeyed in silence, turning into a dark bird that swiftly flew toward the other three Amaurotines. Before any of them could understand what was going on, she unleashed dark waves upon them, forcing the trio to slow down.
"You will be the first…" Her broken voice echoed in all of their ears. "You will be the first to hear the song of oblivion, to feel how it is to fall into the darkest pit of despair!"
"Careful!" Emet warned them as he continued to evade Hermes's attacks. "She will use your emotions against you…Stay calm, and she won't be a threat!" Meteion alone could not weaken the aether currents on all of Etheirys, but perhaps it was enough to cover their platform.
"Duly noted," Azem responded, trying to evade the waves of d despair that swirled around them. The lone bird was small and agile, making it nigh impossible to hit her with precision.
"To see the power of Dynamis in action…Both intriguing and terrifying in its own right." Venat spoke up.
"Hermes, please!" Loghrif continued to plead. "End this madness while you still can. Think of others…Halmarut, Mitron, and Lahabrea, you worked with all of them closely. You know they care! Think of Thanatos! Would you cast doom upon all of them?!" As her anger continued to spread, a dark aura emerged around the ancient, as Hermes continued to watch with little doubt and sympathy in his eyes.
"Thanatos made his choice…And now I've made mine!"
"You…Bastard!" This was enough to make Gaia ache, forcing her to the ground as the dark aura swirled around her. Emet wanted to offer her some words of encouragement and control, but it was too late. The energy twisted her creation magic, making a nightmare come to life. She was able to get a hold of herself before too much energy was unleashed, but it didn't change the fact that one monster had already formed.
It was reminiscent of a venomous snake with scales that were colored in a mixture of black and crimson. Its fangs were bare, and the monster itself was ready to plunge them into someone's feeble flesh. Gaia was weakened, and she was the obvious target for the blasphemous creature. Thankfully, the help didn't take long to arrive. Apollo took the situation into his hands, rushing to her aid with a charged blade in his hand.
The snake hissed when it saw him, yet there was little a weak creature could do against an Amaurotine who was one of the Convocation's strongest. It spat some of its bile at Azem, but the pale aura he created around himself was enough to burn the poison before it reached Apollo's skin. With a few precise hits, the monster's head was cut off as it let out a last hiss, soon turning into a pale remnant scattered on the wind.
"Is that…What Final Days brought?" Gaia wondered in awe.
"That but many more of them, I assume…" Apollo helped her get up. "Hopefully, we'll never get to know."
"Enough!" Hermes screamed as he unleashed another wind spell, forcing both Apollo and Gaia to the ground. It caught them by surprise and resulted in them losing control of their weapons. "I will not have you interfere any longer. I will not! Meteion, stay back; I will call upon you if…"
"I don't think so!" Venat was there to intercept him, undercutting the wind currents Hermes unleashed with her blade of light. She masterfully evaded his attacks, attempting to slash the researcher at his weak spots.
"Why are you even here…You are no longer with the Convocation! This is not your battle to fight!"
"You insult me, Hermes. It is a battle that every living being in this world has to fight, and it shall forever remain so!" Finally, she was able to wound Hermes by striking at one of his hands. The researcher shouted in pain as he was forced to retreat even further and rely upon his magic, which nevertheless was not strong enough to slow Venat down. Emet could see in his eyes that he yearned for a change of tactics. When Venat attempted to attack him again, Hermes created a shield instead of focusing on attacking. An emerald aetheric frame emerged before him, absorbing all the strikes Venat launched at him. She was too overconfident when the shockwave pushed her aside.
"If you claim this to be your battle, then you will fall all the same."
Emet was ready to jump and aid Venat, but right as the ascian was about to cast his spell, he felt it again. As he watched Elidibus and Venat bate their enemy, Emet once again fell to his knees. His hands shook. It was as if a ravenous beast drained his aether with every passing second, tearing him apart. This incredible malnourishment is only made worse by the suppression field. Just like when G'raha contained Emet's spirit…The ascian felt powerless. He could see the images flash before his eyes, those of the Crystal Tower in Norvrandt, the blindness reservoirs that still contained the ascian's soul. It was calling for him to return…It would not be long before his avatar in here loses form and is sent back…It couldn't end like this…
"Need a hand?" He could hear Apollo's jolly voice behind him as the Amaurotine helped Emet get up. "We have a bae to win, in case you've forgotten…"
"For heavens' sake…" Emet stood up with Apollo helping him; the ascian couldn't resist a faint smile that emerged on his hands. "Guess it's your turn to aid me."
"So…Together, Hades? "
"Together."
They weren't the only ones who were coming to their friends' aid. Loghrif rejoined as well, carrying her staff in her arms. No longer did she have any reservations about the battle she found herself in. Emet knew it couldn't have been easy to fight against the one she considered a friend, but now he had unveiled his true face. With her creation magic, Gaia caused the spires of the earth to emerge from the ground, piercing Hermes and causing him to unleash aether, wasting more of it with every second. It wasn't long before he would fall before them, and it was for Emet and Azem to finish the job.
The two made their way towards Hermes, with Emet sharing his dark aether with the traveler. Once Apollo festered on his power, he was ready to transfer it into something more, unleashing their combined might.
"Time to end this!" Azem shouted as he created explosive spheres of darkness with the ascian's help. They exploded at the same time, draining Hermes of even more power. Now the five of them were engaged, there was no chance for the lone researcher to withstand them.
"No…I must…Meteion! I need your aid!" Hermes called out, making the girl unleash yet another wave of despair, channeling it through the entirety of their platform. It was enough to halt the Amaurotines' advance and make them pause. Emet clutched his head as he felt the agony of her song pulsing once again, causing the ascian's might to falter. Judging by what he saw with his allies, the effect was similar. "And that's far enough!" Hermes shouted as he channeled more aether through his staff, manifesting chains around each of the Amaurotines.
"No!" Emet shouted in rage as he realized that he was trapped once again. The ascian immediately attempted to cast a spell of darkness to break them, yet the chains were too strong. "Fight like a warrior, you coward!"
"I may have overestimated my abilities…" Hermes took a deep breath. "It was folly to think that I will be able to kill you and keep the others away all on my own, a waste of my time and energy. But once your memory has been erased, the shock and confusion will do a fine job of distracting you, and I will have just enough time to finish the job…A final deed before I erase my own memory." He spoke with a malicious glint in his voice. "Kairos, to me!"
Emet closed his eyes; it was all according to the scenario Hydaelyn recounted for him. All the same choices, same turns…Now he was on the brink of having his memory erased once again, perhaps something that would destroy his entire conscience, stripping him of who he was. Oh, how ironic it would be to fall for the very same trap twice, ushering in the same undoing.
A shame that this was never fated to happen. The Kairos did not appear.
This realization made Hermes freeze in shock as he desperately tried to focus, and yet to no avail.
"Kairos, to me! "There was no response to be heard. Hermes's hands shook as he gazed at the floor, still clutching to his staff. "W…Why is this happening? It never faltered before!" He continued to call out, each new attempt with less and less vigor in his words. It was as if Hermes's entire world was crumbling around him. Emet imagined it being Fandaniel of the present, having to witness the same pitiful fear in his eyes…It made Emet laugh, holding neither pride nor malice back. "I don't understand…Why can't I sense it?!"
"Ha-ha-ha…Oh, you poor, wretched fool. You truly believed us to be utter morons, didn't you?" Emet chuckled, still finding the situation incredibly amusing. After hearing this, another laugh echoed through the platform, the one with much less malice, but it must have stung Hermes nonetheless. "You know, I might have still been incredibly mad at my 'dear friend' for his constant childish distractions if he didn't explain the intent behind his actions…Alas, I would've preferred him to do it before trying anything, but this is still a decisive improvement!"
"W…" Hermes turned towards Azem. "What have you done?"
"Oh, nothing too drastic." Apollo chuckled playfully. His confidence and ability to remain so upbeat and jolly even in the most critical situations was something that Emet always admired, even though he wouldn't admit it. "See, when Emet-Selch recounted the tale of his timeline, he said that many tragedies that unfolded rested solely on the fact that you were able to erase the memory of those present on that day, including Hades himself. All of this with a curious device from this facility under the name of Kairos. Naturally, I conducted some research on my authority as a member of the Convocation and learned more about its nature. Its code was apparently kept in the Concept Review area, from where anyone with an established connection could summon it, which primarily included you. While others did their best fighting a mutated beast, I took this opportunity to establish a connection of my own… It wasn't too hard, given all the information your fellow researchers gave me. Once I did it, I made sure to spread as much of my own aether as possible, all in an attempt to muddle this connection. Dare I say. It was a resounding success! If anyone wishes to use Kairos, they would have to go through hours of fixing it…Not too big of a loss, won't you agree? A malicious device, that one, probably for the best to keep in responsible hands, by which I mean not yours." The confidence and playfulness in Azem's voice made Hermes take a few steps back, still unable to brush the stain of pure horror upon him.
"You…I should've seen; I should've…Damn, you."
"Yes, for someone who's trying to orchestrate an entire apocalypse, there are too many things you didn't foresee. Also…You have my humblest thanks for listening to y explanation so attentively. It gave us just enough time… Don't you feel it?" Azem chuckled as a sardonic grin emerged on his face. Emet felt it, too; the strength was returning to him, and the chains that were created around him felt like a simple tickle. The field was deactivated. The researchers must have done as they promised and reclaimed the lower levels.
"At last!" Venat shouted with pride before unleashing a powerful wave of light, breaking the chains of every Amaurotine present, including Emet. The wave was so powerful that even Hermes recoiled in fear. They stood before him, unchained, and there was no chance to resist.
"Time to end this!" Emet shouted, commanding the power of darkness and unleashing more arrows, but this time they were pointed at Meteion. Alas, Hermes was too quick to jump in between them and create a protective aura.
"METEION!" The researcher shouted. "There is no more time…Forget what I said; there is nothing for you to do here! Do what you've decided upon, create a nest at the edge of the universe, and send the song of oblivion, make the Final Days descend upon our kind, a final test, a final challenge! I beg of you!"
"If that is your wish…Goodbye, Hermes. You will know when you hear our song, the sweet nihility will come for you…And for all of them." With those words and moments before Emet and Venat annihilated Hermes's protective aura, Meteion charged towards the sea of stars.
Emet could feel his heart skip a beat.
Hermes was all but outnumbered, but she was still corrupted, and not she made her way toward the very place from which she would sing her song after reuniting with her countless sisters. If Meteion is not stopped, all their efforts will be for naught. The path Emet walked ever since the sundering, the agonizing goal, and duty of giving his people another chance, be it through rejoining or rewriting history itself. All of this was towards one single goal that was now in sight, a creation infused with overwhelming despair, some of which came from Emet himself. So many mistakes, each of them could still be fixed with one simple gesture…
"I…" Emet closed his eyes and concentrated, channeling all aether he had into his vessel. Only a reckless fool would attempt to transform into the weakened state the ascian was in, yet there was no other choice. It was something Hythlodaeus would do, something Apollo would do, what Themis would do…To give what little they still had for others, risking their own lives without a second thought, was their true resolve. And now, it was time to finish that which they had started. "I have to…Just a little more…" The power swirled around him, exhilarating every single strain that remained within his avatar.
"You are not going anywhere!" Hermes shouted before attempting to unleash a whirlwind at the ascian. However, it didn't reach Emet before aid came his way. Azem shielded Hades from the wind, taking the brunt of it upon himself.
"Damn it!" He screamed in pain as all of Hermes's magic struck him.
"Apollo!" Emet shouted, trying to reach out and help his friend.
"I…I will handle it! Focus on Meteion!" Azem encouraged him as Loghrif stood beside them, aiding Apollo with her magic. It was just enough for Emet to concentrate, to feel his body change and become surrounded by an aura of darkness. He won't be able to assume his unbound form in its entirety, yet Emet had enough to make himself fly…He could feel the violet wings emerge from his back as his avatar slowly grew in size, a form that would be enough to rush towards Meteion and end here, there, and then.
However, it was followed by a powerful explosion of wind that annihilated the aura that was maintained by both Gaia and Apollo. With a wave of destruction that followed, both Amaurotines were pushed back by an incredibly white margin, so much so that Emet witnessed them falling off the edge of the platform.
"NO!" The ascian screeched as he watched his best friend disappear from right before his gaze, losing his balance and falling to his demise. There was nothing Emet wanted more than to rush down there and save him, yet he knew he couldn't. With them being able to transform, the two had to find their own way out of this. His was another duty.
"I will not let you…I will not!" Emet's distorted voice rang out as the ascian rose up on his wings, charging towards a distant black bird that spirited away.
"You won't dare!" Hermes was about to stand in his way, yet he was not quick enough to reach Emet. All thanks to two white figures that stood between them, making the ascian feel a tremendous shift in the surrounding aether. Both Venat and Elidibus transformed, becoming the warriors Emet remembered them as. Though their forms were not as refined as they became in the present, both shone with the light of hope and glory, one carrying a blade and another a staff. Against the two of them, Hermes stood no chance.
The researcher rushed into the space above, but he couldn't fly far. Elidibus and Venat unleashed their might upon her, striking the fiend with light's tremendous reach. His screams echoed in Emet's ears, as did the echo of his descent. Hermes was descending into the same pit he tossed Azem and Loghrif into with Venat and Themis on his tail.
It was just him and her.
With all his power, Emet charged toward Meteion, feeling his resolve grow with every single second. It was as if thousands of voices echoed from the land, all crying out for their salvation, for another chance at life they were deprived of, the myriad of souls Emet witnessed face away and perish in his own world, going through countless circles of hell on their way. So many that deserved to live and survive, all their legacy ruined, none of them even dreaming of another chance. She was so close, the sole cause of the chain of woes, that mankind had to suffer. So close to getting away and repeating all of the tragedy, setting it in motion…
"No…I won't let you take them! Not again! "Emet shouted in desperation and agony. "I saw the despair you bring, saw the countless deaths and endless suffering…And I will say never…I will never let you destroy this world…Like you destroyed mine!"
She would not look back or even hesitate, not after what happened. Nothing more than a program instated into her by Hermes, the one that only cared for the final judgment…
Spending the last more of aether Emet had to spare, he created a single arrow, launching it into Meteion's back. It hit her, making the girl moan in pain; there was blood coming out of her back…For a moment, Emet believed that all of this would be over now, yet she continued to fly, even with the wound he inflicted. All the while, ascian couldn't continue any longer.
He closed his eyes, falling into oblivion.
…
For the first time in countless years, Emet surrendered to the flow of his fate. He closed his eyes, feeling his avatar decay from overexertion and release of boundless aether. His wings were scorched, swiftly dissipating into ash. There was nothing to carry him anymore, not even enough power to create a portal. He did everything he could, everything he was allowed by the merciless judgment of fate.
In his fall, Emet felt the winds dancing on his skin, the force that resisted the ascian's fall, the one that was not enough to hold him on their own. Emet's tears streamed down his eyes, swiftly being torn away by the wind. Meteion left the star and flew towards her sisters, the ones that still called upon her, preparing to destroy their beautiful world. And Emet will not be here to see it, for his time was at its end. The avatar will not survive for much longer.
And yet, despite all of this, the ascian felt nothing but joy. To have those moments relived, to see his friends and the beauties of Amaurot, to have the truth revealed to them, a truth that was enough to give his people a fighting chance against the approaching despair. And most of all, a chance to look into Apollo's and Themis's eyes and hear their words of forgiveness. Forgiveness for pain that they didn't have spot suffer, yet they must have felt a kinship with Emet's deceased friends…Their timelines spun from the same origin, after all.
Ah, this sweet, serene thought. That despite all of their missteps, the timelines were, indeed, different. With Kairos sabotaged and Hermes's plan in ruin, the people of Amaurot and all of the ancient world finally got a fair fighting chance.
"I…" Emet thought back to the night before the campfire, one of the earlier ones, back when the world was broken by sundering. The people in it were nothing more than malformed beasts, and the three survivors had no course of action in mind. He remembered all the tears that fell down his eyes as he thought of Hytlodaeus, who was consumed by Zodiark, forever remaining in purgatory, waiting for his friend to release him one day. Thought of Azem, who was broken by Hydaelyn's spell, made into just another creature tern without memory or language. He remembered Lahabrea putting his hand on Emet's shoulder. Emet was always stern, but he was nothing compared to Lahabrea. In the countless years of serving by Lahabrea's side, Emet never saw him cry. It took the end of the world to unveil this side of Lahabrea for him, a man who lost his beloved son, who held his broken remnant in his arms the day their world was sundered. He remembered them going to a small campfire that Elidibus set up, keeping his vigil in absolute silence, still hearing the voices of countless souls that yearned for release from Zodiark's prison. How the three of them sat by this campfire, snuggling together to share the warmth. How they told stories of their lives and loss, three souls that everyone in the ancient world would consider wise and powerful heroes…Now broken and faded, not knowing what to do. Not sure if there was even a point to carry on; if there was, it would certainly not be for their sake but for the sake of their people that yearned for release. And thus did their journey begins. A journey that turned them into monsters, a journey that finally ended today. "I've…I've done it… I've done it…"
As Emet took a deep breath, he prepared for the end. He knew he wouldn't die, but he didn't expect to wake in Elpis, either. The Crystal Tower still held onto his soul, dragging him back into the present. The broken present that Emet despised, yet it was the world he belonged to.
And yet once Hades felt the soothing spell upon him, his descent slowed, the winds became quieter, and soon the grass touched his ailing skin. And someone's hand held onto Emet's head, gently holding him.
"Easy, easy, now…" As Emet opened his eyes, barely able to see anything through both his withered eyes and the tears that clouded them, he was able to recognize Apollo. His friend was alive and well, and judging by the green surroundings, they were back in Elpis…
"Where are…We…"
"It's alright," Azem said with a glint of fear in his voice. "Just don't speak for now. You don't have much aether left…" It was clear from his voice that Emet's transformation must have brought him to the brink. "Venat and Themis took care of everything, they opened the confluence for me and Gaia to teleport away safely, and they did the same for you…As for Hermes, they have him here, in chains."
"Good…Good…"
"Please, just try to hold on!" Azem's lips quivered. "The researchers already sent a message to the Capitol; they will see you and try to find a way to maintain…Just please, hold on." Tears fell from Apollo's eyes. "Leave the explanation to Themis and me."
"I have…No time." Emet said, calling onto the last few motes of aether he had left to maintain his avatar for just a while longer.
"What are you doing? This is too much energy to waste. You won't hold on like this!"
"Please, Apollo." Emet smiled, finally able to speak normally as the final source of energy allowed him to restore his senses, including sight. "You don't have enough time to save me…But you have time to save yourselves."
"No, no, no…" Azem shook his head. "I gave a promise! We made a promise! After all, you've gone through. You deserve to have another chance to live among us like you've always wanted! I refuse to believe that there is no other way, I…"
"Hah, just like on the day we chose to call forth Zodiark." Emet chuckled without a tint of anger in his voice. Now he understood how his friend felt on that day, how he felt now. "See it this way…I gave a promise to prevent the Final Days, and yet I failed…I wounded her, perhaps she won't travel as far now, but she is still free. I gave you a chance, even if I didn't protect you…And you, in turn, gave me a few blissful days in Amaurot, days that I could spend in your company and hear the words…They are priceless, and they are more than enough." With those words, Emet forced himself to stand up, getting a look at his own avatar. It was scarred with countless purple cracks upon his body; some pierced it right, like wounds instilled by a weapon. He was a fading shadow that didn't have much time left. But in the time he still had, there were words left to say.
The ascian looked around, noticing that they were far from alone. Researchers from all around Elpis gathered around, asking and, at times, even demanding to know what was going on. Loghrif was the one talking to them and keeping them calm, already back on her feet and doing her duties, as she always did. But this wasn't the sight that caught Emet's eye. Instead, it was Hermes. No longer transformed, he was chained by the two white-robed Amaurotines, the three of them staring at the ascian in silence.
"I thought we got you just in time, but…" Venat wondered, looking over Emet's wounds, but he just shook his head.
"Have no worries. It's not you…You two did everything right. And now, if you allow me…"
Emet moved towards Hermes; he had words to say.
"Are you sure?" Elidibus questioned him. "You are terribly weakened. I have to agree with Azem on this one; you'd better stay…"
"It's alright. I promise." Emet reassured him before looking at Hermes. The lone researcher looked down with shame and anger, clenching his teeth.
"Came to gloat? To laugh in my face and speak of the punishments that the Convocation will inflict upon me?" He was pitiful, though now Emet couldn't force himself to feel hatred even for him. There was no need to overexert his strength for such petty feelings.
"Not in the slightest. We're beyond that. Whatever the Convocation's decision will be, it will now be mine to see." The ascian sighed.
"I did what I had to do." Hermes scoffed. "I saw the eyes with which you looked at me. I know that you wouldn't understand…Even though you should. You came here because you were sick of the same cycle, of the same pain; you wanted to be free…And so did I. Every time, I had to watch the same thing happen again and again…My peers repeat the same callous mistakes…
"Hermes." Emet took a deep breath. "Look me in the eyes and say with honesty…Was it worth it? Is your test worth all the despair you will bring to yourself and others?"
"I…It is…"
"If there is one thing I respect about the sundered, it is that when a single madman attempts to decelerate their societies, the last thing they do is play by his rules. It was naive of you to expect the same from us, Hermes…And don't forget your first victim, the one who will suffer the most." Emet crossed his arms, making Hermes look up in shame as a tear emerged in his eye. "You know who I'm talking about."
"No…No! I would've protected her; I know that those in the Convocation would've had no care for Meteion! You would've broken her mind and twister her essence; you would've killed her if it meant an easy way out! "
"An easy way out, huh…" The ascian smiled. "We gave you a chance. I might have had my biases, but Elidibus was earnest; he would never have you judged for the crimes you didn't commit. Alas, we're beyond that now. I hope that one day you will understand what you did to Meteion by forcing her to succumb to despair rather than allow us to help her. You profess love for all of creation, yet you are the one that made her into a weapon, both in my world and now…"
"No, I didn't! It would never have come to this if it wasn't for you!"
"Deny it all you will; I will not begrudge you for it… I've gone through my own share of delusions in my time. They take decades to settle in and accept…But perhaps it will be a bit quicker for you. Because I think, on some level, you still care for her, even if your hatred and pride overshadow this love. You might believe this is the end and that nothing can be done…But it is not true." Emet confessed with a proud smile.
"Spare me your sympathy, I…"
"Something tells me that soon enough, you will get an opportunity to make things right for both your peers and Meteion. I admit, after everything I have seen and lived through, I would be disinclined to give you another chance, and I wouldn't care for the pain you feel…But they will. Because soon you will find out that the people you despise so much care for giving everyone a fair chance." Emet kneeled toward Hermes, looking him in the eyes. "For the Hermes, I know it is far too late. He is too far gone into his own hatred and spite, despair that overtook him, and all he can do is to perpetuate it further…And he isn't made happy by that. He suffers every second of his miserable existence, knowing that it is too late to go back. Remember this when you have another chance to make the right choice…To prove that you truly care for life, that you truly care for her…" Emet said before turning around from ashamed Hermes. Perhaps there was some remorse in him left that will allow Hermes to make the right choice later on. Perhaps Themis, Apollo, or someone else will find a way to establish a connection with Hermes, to show him the beauties of this world, to convince him that it was not worth destroying. But all of this was destined to happen without Emet's involvement; his tale of striving for rejoining, resistance, and salvation came to an end here and now. There were other souls that yearned for an explanation, and Emet would give them what they desired. It was impossible to hide his state now, and all researchers stared at him with shock and misunderstanding. The slowly-shattering body and essence, the cracks going through his face. He didn't have long at all, and he couldn't live without speaking of the answers. Perhaps it was better to keep the truth a secret for a time to prevent panic, but with how today turned out, hiding anything was impossible.
"You are dissipating right before my eyes…" One of the researchers said.
"What's happening to you? "
"Are you from the Convocation? Why did you chain Chief Hermes?"
"You look just like Emet-Selch…"
The ascian took a deep breath.
"I…" He felt his heart ache once again, causing him to grab his chest, and he resisted the urge to fall to his knees. "I am Hades, the last of the Unsundered, and I will tell you the truth you desire to hear! Heed me, people of Elpis, for you will be the first ones to know my tale. Forgive me and my friends for misleading you. It was necessary for our attempt to find a solution without violence…We failed, but all is not lost yet."
"Are you Emet-Selch? But I swear he shouldn't have arrived until later today!" One of the researchers claimed.
"I am Emet-Selch, but not the one you know. I hail from a different world, a different timeline, where I am the last survivor of our kind." He announced, watching the researchers recoil in fear. "I know that you will find this tale suspicious, and I do not expect you to trust me…But I hope you will believe your most trusted representatives in the Convocation, Azem, Elidibus, and Loghrif, for they were the very first ones to listen to my tale…And do not concern yourself with my state. If there was even the smallest chance for me to rise above it and stay in this world, I would give everything for it. So many places I would've seen, so many people to reunite with…But the few days I've spent here were blissful enough, and for that, I repay your world with truth…Twelve thousand years ago, I made a promise that I would give our people another chance, pull them back from the brink of oblivion and so everything to see our broken world restored." More tears fell from Emet's eyes as the ascian felt his lips quivering. "All of those people who I swore before…They are gone now, and yet I will fulfill my duty nonetheless for both your sake and theirs.
"What…What happened in your future?"
"My star befell to an endless chain of calamities and tragedies, some of which I took part in…Yet all were started by a single individual who called upon the most dreadful and dangerous one yet. The one that disrupted creation magic itself turned the skies crimson, reigned fire and brimstone upon our cities, and caused countless monsters to emerge from hell's darkest pits. Hermes sent his creation to the edge of the universe, from where it sent its sort to Etheirys, all while erasing memories of those who knew the truth. We never got the chance to prepare, and the tragedy took its toll…And as much as it pains me to admit it, the very same process has begun on this very day in your world."
"What?!" Numerous Amaurotines recoiled in fear, much like the ascian expected. There will be panic, and with good reason, but at least it would not be as bad as having to suffer it at the same time as the apocalypse hit them. "Are you saying the song of oblivion will come to us?"
"Is Hermes seeking to destroy our star? But why?"
"How are we supposed to prepare."
"Patience…You still have time." Emet reassured them. "And rest assured, there is hope, for something happened today that was not supposed to happen. The device that Hermes used to erase memories of those who knew the truth was broken…And he was left powerless to enact it. The creation is free, aye, free to make its nest and unleash the cataclysm upon you when it's ready, but this time you know the truth. You know what lies before you and my friends of the Convocation will no doubt tell you more than I ever could in my limited time…" Emet chuckled, thinking of words that came up to his mind, the ones he argued about on the moon with his stalwart yet unfortunate companion. "There was a man I knew from the future, one of the few that could understand my struggle…He believed that miracles could happen, even those big enough to turn the tide of history and save entire worlds. For this, I mocked him, believing this to be nothing more than delusions and dreams. But after I've seen today…There is no other word I can use. Such a victory and revelation should not be possible. The time itself works against it, and yet…Here we are." Emet wiped his tears as he watched his people, about to walk the same path he once did, but with a weapon more powerful than any weapon or magic. Knowledge. "That is all I can do for you, but…I believe in you. I believe that when you combine the powers of our magi, the ingenious minds from all around the world, you will find a way to end this creature and end the song of Oblivion, to undo the calamity that destroyed my people. It is your battle to fight, and so fight it with honor. I gave you a chance, and now your fate is in your hands…" Emet paused as he looked at Hermes and Venat for a moment, quickly switching his focus back to others afterward. "Yours and only yours, and do not let anyone else make the choice for you! This is your world, and from this moment on, and on behalf of all those that perished in my world, I give you a blessing for the battle ahead. It…It will not be simple, and I will not pretend it to be otherwise, but together, I have no doubt that you will…You…"
Emet's heartbeat increased as his body ached again. The ascian growled and fell to his knees, trying to contain his agony. The cracks became wider; they were impossible to hold back.
"I…And thus, my duty is complete." It felt surreal saying those words now after so much has happened. And yet, the chance he yearned for was now given, even if he wasn't able to witness the fruits it would bear. "I…See it…So close…The tower…" His body could break any second now, yet through sheer force of will, Emet persisted.
"Hades!" Apollo rushed towards him, helping the ascian stand up as the latter breathed heavily.
"Don't worry. I'm just…I will be fine when my soul is finally restored…I should be."
"Is there truly no other way?" Azem spoke with a pained voice, the grievous reality finally catching up to him. "I'm sure there is something we could do, I'm sure…"
"Apollo, please…If you want to do something for me, then I would ask you to give me a promise." Emet continued to smile, wiping Azem's newly-emerged tears.
"A…Anything you need."
Emet reached out for his pockets, taking out the purple memory crystal, reaching out for Azem.
"T…Take it."
"Your crystal…"
"It is one of those I made with Lahabrea and Elidibus after the sundering…It has all my memories about our path, about all that we have seen, both of the Final Days and the Sundering, of calamities and all that came after…The chronicle of our tragic tale. Now, it belongs to your world ever since you and Themis filled it with aether. I entrust it to you, keep it safe for me, will you…" Emet pleaded. "And please, please…Do not look into it unless absolutely necessary, unless this is the only way for you to gain knowledge about the situation…Those are just memories, of course, not your memories, but the one that peers into the crystal will feel as if those memories are their own, feel all that I've felt…"
"I promise I will keep it safe," Apollo spoke with resolve. "And if this is truly the last memory of you that we will have, then I will make sure it will live on with us forever, your contributions…They will never be forgotten."
"And one last thing…" Emet coughed. "One more promise…When it comes to me…To him…I can only ask for one thing. Whatever happens, whatever tragedy or disagreements strikes the two of you, no matter how hard it may be…I pray that you stay by Hades's side." Emet asked as he watched tears of shame streaming down Apollo's eyes as he watched Emet's avatar fall apart. "If you leave, his heart will be broken into a thousand pieces, some of which will never be picked up…I will know that. You and Hythlodaeus…You are everything to him."
"I…"
"Promise me. Please…"
"I swear on my life that I will not leave. Whatever comes our way, even if I will want another way…I will seek it while standing by their side, and nothing will tear us apart again."
"T…Thank you…" Emet smiled and closed his eyes. "It…Feels so good…I just wish my brothers were here to witness this moment, to feel it upon themselves…Even if this will not be enough to undo my sins before them, I know that we're still alive. It would've been a moment of pride for them, a moment of joy…"
A moment that was interrupted by an unmistakable presence, causing the ascian to open his eyes and use some of his last remaining strength to turn his head around. Truly a sight to behold, something Emet forgot about after all he had to deal with here, yet the moment he saw two Amaurotines approach, one in black and another in grey robes with familiar soul colors, Emet remembered that this was the exact day he was due to arrive. The day when their doom was born, and the tale of their end began.
"Don't you understand just how nonsensical this tale is?!" Emet-Selch's angered voice rang out as he spoke to his cheery purple-haired friend.
"Come now; perhaps someone has a peculiar sense of humor?"
"Humor? Are you serious? This is preposterous; some fool is masquerading as myself from the future and has multiple members of the Convocation, including Azem, fooled, absolute madness!" He scoffed in anger, making the ascian laugh to himself. Oh, how stubborn he was back in the day…And yet his voice was soothing. A final reward for his trouble is to have a glimpse of his older self, unburdened by duty and trauma, still walking by his friend's side. "Seems like there's a gathering here…Now, where are they all? Where I'm the heavens is this…Wait a minute." The ascian's sight was clouded due to his dissipating aether, yet he felt Emet's presence keenly. The unburdened man was watching him, shocked to his very core, and the same could be said about his companion. "That soul…But…How?"
He knew.
"Good luck. It's…" The ascian took his final breath as his avatar began to dissipate, turning into the aether, leaving no shell to hold the soul, soon to be dragged back into the present. "It's in your hands now."
Hades heard nothing after that.