He was too late.
For a moment, G'raha believed that Emet-Selch had the matter in his hands, that he was about to prevail and lay the dragon low, allowing them to strike at Amon. The man who G'raha learned so much about read many books and studied the sites and conquests, all of them from the great world to Meracydia. He was the shadow behind Emperor Xande and, as he learned, became an ascian shortly before the war ended. Now, he was out of the shadows, and his monstrous nature had been unveiled. Fandaniel didn't hesitate to give Tiamat the command to annihilate the pier, and the chained dragon had to obey.
After she was done, the entire place was consumed by wildfire without a single safe spot, making G'raha's heart sink.
"Krile!" He shouted out in fear and despair. Even the ascians were put unease by such displays of cruelty. Amon didn't care, however, and he didn't linger for too long. After the deed was done, Tiamat rose into the skies and disappeared inside the clouds once again, making her way toward the unknown. "We need to help them!" The Exarch rushed towards the burning place. The firewall Tiamat created has finally weakened with her departure, opening the pathway to the dozens of burning bodies. "Find Krile!"
The ascians did not argue this time; Emet began his search almost immediately. The Unsundered created a protective aura over himself that would allow him to withstand the fire.
"Come along, then." He commanded grimly, inviting the Exarch into the fold. Once G'raha approached, his entire essence was covered in the ascian's aura as the two walked into the flames. This was where the Exarch could see them…The burned bodies of those who were fearful yet hopeful people just moments ago, who would plead for salvation as they realized that their hero had finally arrived. They would be shocked and broken. Each of them knew of a risk that came with blasphemies, but to have another being attack them so swiftly. Some of them still flinched, gracing G'raha with a false hope that they might have still been alive, only for it to be crushed moments after as they let out their final breath. He was ashamed to admit it, yet G'raha could hardly force himself to care much for them when he knew Krile was among them.
"There!" Emet spoke up. "I still sense her soul."
They rushed to the point that the ascian noted and saw a gruesome picture. A body of an elder elezen lying on the pavement, his robes ripped apart and turned from white to the darkest black. His entire body fell victim to the flame, leaving nothing but lifeless, charred skin and a frozen grimace of horror. His face was mutilated, and his eyes were scorched, leaving nothing but skeletal remains that covered some of them. It was Master Montichaigne, and he had nowhere to hide. The old scholar was already dead long before they arrived. But there was someone beneath his broken body.
"It's her," Emet spoke coldly, immediately forcing G'raha to enter an adrenaline rush. The Exarch clung onto Montichaigne's body, pulling it aside as his heartbeat got faster. It was Krile. The lalafell had burns upon her skin, turning it red, yet they were not as grievous as those of others. She still breathed heavily, trying to grasp for clean air when she was surrounded by flames and smoke, even if her conscience was slowly leaving her. It must have been Montichaigne's final act of heroism…He covered her.
…
Hades grew overconfident in his struggle against Fandaniel, for a moment even quenching any doubts and possibilities of defeat that could emerge in his mind. The ascian felt good, felt powerful as he attacked the sundered traitor, making sure his return counted. Amon would not leave this world in peace; he wouldn't stop until the entirety of it was scorched into oblivion…He was an insignificant pest, but Meteia were a foe only few could contend with. This was why the ascian realized that G'raha, the heir to Edwin in his heroism, was about to lose his close friend and be pushed over the edge once again. He felt genuine fear. Fandaniel knew what he was doing, and his intentions were clear; it was a miracle that no blasphemies arose in Sharlayan during his attack. Perhaps Meteion focused her song on another area now. All he hoped for was that no one would fall to despair later; it wasn't unlikely, with both Sharlayans and loporrits having fallen comrades to mourn.
Thankfully, Krile survived. Wounded and worn, she was saved by Master Montichaigne, who, in his last moments, shielded her from Tiamat's flame. If not for this, then it would've been over for both of them. The ascian helped G'raha get Krile out with his portals as well as the very few other survivors they discovered afterward. Pashtarot and Halmarut, meanwhile, resolved to open the passage from the inner city to the docks so that medics and healers could arrive as quickly as possible. If Amon had returned with his dragon, they would've had problems, but thankfully, he spared them another encounter, though the ascian saw it as nothing more than the calm before the storm. With what he said about Azys Lla, the worst fears emerged in Hades's mind. The flying facility was entirely immobile once the Allagans tore it from the land. It could be moved across the skies if one could steer it in the right direction and deactivate the shields around it…That would, of course, require many engineers to man the continent at various positions; it would be akin to coordinating an entire fleet of ships, but if Amon had enough clones…The floating continent was approaching, and Fandaniel made his intentions very clear. To repeat the cataclysm that followed in the wake of Elpis's downfall. This was a matter to discuss with his allies, but for now, he knew that G'raha would not calm down until he got definitive proof that Krile was going to live in the medical bay, so the ascian decided to use this time to catch up with his brethren. Once Sharlayans reclaimed the docks, Pashtarot and Halmarut retreated back into the city. They decided to stay beneath the shadowy trees of the park, awaiting the Unsundered. When Hades approached them, he found them amidst a discussion.
"You pay too much mind to that old man," Pashtarot said dismissively. "What he did was brave, aye, but it was a choice between saving her and allowing both of them to perish."
"He could've tried to use her as a shield to save his own hide…"
"A lalafell to cover an elezen? Hah, that would be one pathetic attempt."
"I don't think that's what was at play here." Halmarut shook his head. "Once a mortal reach old age, they might cling to the remnant of their life, desperately struggling to prolong their hour. What he did was a selfless sacrifice for the young, admirable, I'd say."
"To an extent, maybe, but I'd rather not waste any of our time on pondering that. The traitor showed himself now and…" He paused after noticing Hades. "Finally, here he is."
"I see you've been discussing our most pressing concerns." The Unsundered joined them. "Fandaniel has once again proven to be an annoying spiteful pest, but in his arrogance, he unveiled his plan."
"Yes, we heard that." Halmarut nodded. "Is he bringing the entire Azys Lla and planning to drop it on Sharlayan? If it were anyone else, I'd call the bluff, but he is one of its designers and a brilliant engineer, after all."
"Yes, but I have a few ideas. With them in mind, I am sure I will lead you to…"
"Lead us?" Pashtarot crossed his hands. "Did you not say yourself that the Convocation is no more? If so, what gives you the authority to lead us? You might be Unsundered, and you're not a traitor, but you've proven yourself far from trustworthy…" It would seem there would be no easy way out of this.
"I wish I could deny your accusations, but alas…" Hades took a deep breath. It was better to come clean and settle the matter before they continued on their new mission. "I assume G'raha has told you all about my plan in great detail, and I don't expect him to lie. That was my grandiose plan, to travel to the past in the same manner he once did. All I needed was a suitable source of aether. Did he tell you about how Final Days started, as well?"
"Oh, that one was quite a tale." Halmarut sighed. "Undone by a single researcher with a flock of birds…"
"It's a bit more complicated than that, but in essence…Yes. Dynamis unbound is a dangerous weapon, and Meteia can unleash it at will. What mattered was the revelation that the Final Days were, indeed, born on Etheirys at one point. My plan was to stop them by uncovering Hermes's research and preventing his creation, Meteion, from leaving into the sea of stars where she is now."
"And then?" Halmarut inquired, although it was clear from his voice that he already knew.
"To stay there…And live. With Apollo, Hythlodaeus, Themis, all of them. Live like I once lived." Hades sighed and closed his eyes. Now he saw his foolish endeavor for what it was, that he had gone so far that to live among his own and pretend to live as if nothing happened. To live there would be to abandon his comrades and brothers that were left behind, an act of cruel betrayal. "If only I could be honest with myself back then…But perhaps the way it turned out truly was the best possible outcome."
"If only I could blame you…" Halmarut sighed. "But alas, I always had a temptation to live at a mortal pace, granted I never got that chance back on the Tenth." Hades knew what Halmarut talked about. When Hades recruited found Demeter's shard on the Tenth, he was, but a young man who lived a miserable life in a cruel and abusive home, ascian recruitment was deliverance and an opportunity to make the world better. "I met someone on the Ninth; Mireya is her name, and…I can't help but feel the temptation to spend a lifetime with her. We've grown to be friends even though she doesn't know about who I truly am."
"So quick to forgive." Pashtarot shook his head. "Don't expect mine to come so easily. Unlike some here, I gave up my desire to be like mortals a long time ago, and despite what my old self had, I abandoned it for our cause." Pashtarot was a different case. When Lahabrea found him on the Seventh, he had a family and the status of a well-respected general. He piqued into his crystal out of pure curiosity, yet the untamed spirit of Poseidon overtook the man's essence entirely, so much so that he felt no kinship with his old self whatsoever, unlike Halmarut. "I gave an oath to the three Unsundered, and as the last of them, you had responsibility. Responsibility to make out a dream come true, to champion our cause, but even when it all failed…All you could was run."
"And that has brought me naught but shame, as little as it matters in the grand scheme of things." Hades explained. "If you want me to admit then I failed, then you don't have to convince me…I did fail. I had multiple opportunities to end G'raha and leave no one who could create and spearhead a scheme as meticulous as the one that allowed him to destroy Zodiark. Even more so, had I not tried to spy on him and learn more of his new Crystal Tower mechanisms and instead focused on the source, Elidibus would've still been alive…We would've thwarted Fandaniel's plan with ease, and the rejoining would continue, considering that Hydaelyn expected Edwin to be the one to bring the ascians low. His demise might be a guarantee that our plan would succeed…It is because of me that the rejoining was no more. To travel into the past was a plan I considered even before Fandaniel betrayed us, the very moment I learned G'raha's true nature, in fact…"
"And yet you expect us to still respect you after that? After your incompetence destroyed the ascians?" Pashtarot continued, though there was no anger in his voice, only disappointment.
"I cannot undo my mistakes, and no apology will ever be enough…Hence I would not waste my words any longer." Hades looked up. There was one last way he could repay his people.
"But why did you not stay?" Halmarut wondered.
"The teleportation process was imperfect, sending what amounted to only a small fraction of my power, an avatar if you will. When I used up all of its power, I was dragged back into the present…But it wasn't for nothing." Hades closed his eyes, trying to hold back another tear, the smiling faces of Apollo and Themis, of the moments they spent beneath the night's sky. "I wasn't able to stop Meteion, but I brought her to light…Now our people know that the Final Days are coming long before her nest is even built. The rest is in their hands."
"Well…I suppose that's something. See, Pashtarot, I think that is more than enough to earn him forgiveness." Halmarut supported Hades, making his companion hesitate.
"If only this wasn't an alternate timeline…" The ascian clenched his teeth. "I would gladly end my own existence if it meant returning to Amaurot before all of this happened."
"We cannot return there, never again." Hades said sternly. "But what we can do is to ensure that the souls of our still have another chance at reincarnation in a world that is not consumed by Meteion's oblivion. When I left, I knew I was leaving their souls behind…Hythlodaeus, Apollo, Hephaistos, all those that were released from Zodiark. I failed them, but I can give their souls a future still. We can do this together. So what do you say…Will you take up the fight?"
All of them knew the answer.
…
G'raha was there when the medics carried Krile over to the bay, following them at every turn, always casting healing spells upon his friend. She was still alive, but by the time the help arrived, she already lost consciousness from smoke and the pain her burns inflicted upon her. There was no time to waste. The thought of having to lose yet another, perhaps the last one of his last close friends, horrified G'raha to no end. He was so close to saving her, all he needed was to try and bypass the firewall while Tiamat battled Emet, and all would've been well if only he could been quicker…The Exarch tried not to think about this too much, it was a miracle that Krile lived that long, and G'raha won't allow Montichaigne's sacrifice to be in vain.
When the medics brought her to the bay, G'raha stayed to help in any way he could. That was the only way to pacify his oppressive heartbeat and the rush of adrenaline incurred by Fandaniel's attack. He would help bring herbs and potions and, at times, continue to cast the healing spells upon the faintly-breathing lalafell. Minutes would pass as more horribly wounded people were brought into the fold, and soon the carers had to spread between them. G'raha stayed by Krile's side, of course. He wished to see her awaken, or at least something that would reassure G'raha that she was alive. He was inclined to pray…Yet he couldn't force himself after the two most powerful gods that he knew fell so low in the hour of doom.
As G'raha continued to watch over his friend, he noticed someone else come into the room. A young elezen girl carried a healing potion to Krile's bedside, with both fear and care in her eyes. She put the potion on the desk by her side.
"The doctor said…He said she needs to drink it when she wakes up." Arielle said as she looked up at G'raha. "Will you give it to her?" Her voice shook as her eyes were still partially frozen. There was no doubt in G'raha's mind that her seeing the flames Amon brought would be terrifying for her, not least because it would remind her of Limsa's downfall.
"I will, thank you…Are you alright?" The Exarch held her hand in an attempt to soothe her, allowing Arielle to take a deep breath.
"I… It's alright. I was scared when I saw the dragon; I'd never seen one so large…But I should stay strong. We were lucky, and it didn't reach me, so…" She continued to breathe, calming herself down. "I just fear it might return."
"We aren't going to let them," G'raha responded. "The dragon and its rider might be nearby, but now they unveiled themselves to us, we'll take action… I'll take action. I promise."
"I just hope it doesn't stop the evacuation; everyone's getting really scared of that." Arielle sighed. "But I will stay brave. I must…For lady Ameliance." She said, reminding the Exarch of someone he dared to forget after all his recent exploits. A grieving mother who would not allow anyone but Arielle at her side after her grievous loss, despite G'raha's attempts to communicate. He knew that he needed time, but after weeks had passed…He began to fear for her. And now the ascian has returned, and she would know very soon.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, yes, quite…You can go help others now."
Arielle nodded and left as G'raha continued to watch Krile with his heart pounding out of his chest. At least the medics believed she would live. It was enough to give the Exarch hope…Until finally, he could see her move her arms.
"Ugh…" She breathed out loud as the lalafell slowly moved her head, slowly and weakly, through the pain of her burns.
"K…Krile?"
"I…" She tried to speak, still faring in a state of semi-slumber, but now G'raha knew for certain that she was alive, and the thought made him smile with joy. "Where…What…"
"It's okay, Krile, don't force yourself to talk." G'raha quickly grabbed the potion. "I'm here now; you're alright… We're alright. Drink this. It'll be better." He slid the flask into Krile's hands, having the lalafell slowly drink it. With every next second, the Exarch could see Krile slowly rejuvenating and opening her eyes. When she saw G'raha emerge before her, her face was full of visible relief.
"Thank the Twelve…" She began to speak as she put the empty flask aside. "I was afraid you got caught in the fire and that dragon…Oh, that dragon…" She still breathed heavily as if trying to recollect what occurred during the attack.
"You're safe now, and I was so worried…" G'raha clenched his fist as a tear fell from his eyes. "That I might lose you after all we've been through."
"Please, Raha, it's alright…We made out of it alive, after all, and…You saved me, thank you. Without your help, I might have as well been ash!" She spoke with genuine gratitude, perhaps forgetting what happened during Tiamat's attack. G'raha wasn't surprised, it would be a common consequence of such shock, yet she needed to know the truth.
"It… Wasn't I that saved you."
"What do you mean?" Krile raised an eyebrow. "What happened there?"
"It was Master Montichaigne that jumped to defend you when the wyrm unleashed her flames. He shielded you with his body so that the flame would not burn you, but…"
"It came at a cost." Krile finished with a quivering voice and frozen eyes.
"Yes. He was at the epicenter when the dragon attacked…He died immediately when we found the two of you; his body was already mutilated and consumed by the inferno." He relayed the horrific truth as he watched Krile clutch her head in pain as her entire body shook. The news wouldn't do well for her state, the potions were a very limited reprieve, and the pain could easily come back at any moment.
"Quiet, now, just relax…" G'raha was careful to hold her head.
"And…The others?"
"I think it's for the best if you rest first and…"
"Please, I need to know…" There was no way around it.
"Very few survived. Far too few."
"Gods…" Krile clenched her teeth and closed her eyes, still speaking faintly. "I should've helped Montichaigne; I should've seen it, I…"
"It's okay; you couldn't have done anything. He was…He is a noble soul, and he decided to give his life to you. We should both make the best of this chance."
"He was a good man…" Krile coughed as a few tears fell down her face. "If not for him, we would've never been allowed here, and he did everything for us even when he had no reason to…Even when he had to go against the grain among the Forum and now…" Her hands shook as the realization of the occurring deaths stroke Krile. Both she and G'raha were tied to this constant strain of misery. No matter how much they tried to resist, it did not get better at all. "I can imagine what the flame did to his body…Even in death, he wasn't afforded the respect…" For once, Krile's tone switched from weakened pain to spite and rage. "It was Fandaniel, wasn't it? The ascian Estinien told me about…The endbringer."
"Yes." G'raha nodded. "Amon, by another name. He reclaimed his body and attacked, probably trying to terrify us and force more blasphemies to form…He also knows about the exodus."
"And he won't leave us alone until he stops the evacuation…"
"He might think he already got his victory, but we will show him that he is wrong…"
"We will, indeed." The ascian's voice echoed from behind, causing G'raha to shiver and turn around. Emet-Selch strolled into the medical bay, eyeing the Exarch with utmost curiosity. "I hope I a not interrupting because I've come for you."
Now Krile saw him as well, for the first time able to realize that their old adversary returned. She let out a sharp gasp before weighing down on the Exarch's hands, losing all of her strength.
"Damn, it…Someone, come over; she needs help!"
The nearest healer made her way toward Krile and checked her pulse.
"It's alright. She's stable…Just needs to rest and restore her energy."
G'raha sighed, realizing that it would take some time before she was able to walk and not faint; the Exarch soon turned towards the ascian with his eyebrow raised in annoyance.
"Could you not have been a little more tactful?"
"If I didn't interrupt, you would've spent ages soothing her when all that woman needs is some rest." Emet shrugged. "I heard you were talking about fighting Amon…Well, we're of one mind in this regard. Come along, Pashtarot and Halmarut are waiting, and there's much to do."
…
Hades did not expect to come at such a pressing moment and, as a result, interrupt G'raha's and Krile's heartfelt talk, but that which was done was done, and he didn't regret it. The ascian needed the Exarch as the strongest mortal among Sharlayans in their next operation that he came up with along with his two comrades, and when the prospect of Azys Lla itself showing from beyond the clouds was so close, they had no time to waste. Still, this hardly helped to soothe G'raha's annoyance as the two walked toward the emptied streets of inner Sharlayan.
"I hope they can get her back on her feet soon enough…" G'raha sighed as he looked back towards the bay.
"Still whinging about her? She is in good hands and, from what I've seen, in good condition. You can wait with your explanation until after she's properly awake." Hades sighed and reassured him.
"A condition that you made worse with your 'graceful' entrance."
"Well, am I really to blame that you mortals are that easy to startle?" The ascian chuckled, making G'raha shake his head rather swiftly.
"Not even a day since your return, and you're already making me regret standing up for you before Hydaelyn." He scoffed, though those words caused Hades to slow down, as the ascian could barely believe his ears. He looked at the Exarch with eyes wide open and judging by a faint smirk on his face, G'raha wanted for exactly that.
"You…Saw her?"
"I did," G'raha responded. "Since you left, the only course of action left to me was to descend into the stream and to see our protector myself." He spoke quietly and with shame. It was clear that he didn't see what he expected.
"And?"
"She is grievously wounded from fighting you, she wasted most of her energy and now can barely even keep up her form, it was as if she could melt at any moment. I doubt she has much time left if she is still alive, even." G'raha recounted, and the ascian didn't know how to respond. He should've been gleeful that the Nemesis to his entire kind was on the brink of demise, that he made her pay for her sins, and yet…Hades couldn't help but think of Venat he met in the past. She was a loyal ally who played a role in uncovering Hermes's plan and stopping him; he would not wish such a fate upon her.
"I assume you talked extensively?"
"We did, yes…As much as I hate to say it, you were right. All of this right until Edwin's death was a part of her plan, and all of us cog in this scheme. Her faith in mankind she boasted about…"
"The faith she never afforded my people."
"And do you think she afforded any to mine? She expected Edwin to take responsibility for all of us, to save our people from doom by destroying Meteion and ending the song of oblivion…And other thousands of lives that abide on the star? They were at her mercy, at Edwin's mercy, and now that he is gone and she failed… There's no solution left in store but to run and abandon our home. Twelve thousand years, twelve thousand godsdamn years…" G'raha clenched his fists in anger before taking a breath and trying to release his fury. "I… Shouldn't think about her too much. She's practically dead at this point, and she has no control over our lives anymore…I will not lie. At times I wonder if that is how your people are. You, Hermes, Hydaelyn…Making decisions for the world's entirety unconcerned with the consequences and lives lost." The Exarch spoke before looking down. "But then I remembered that I was ready to do the exact same when I traveled back in time with the help of my comrades. The fact that I was ready to erase my own life doesn't change the fact that I was ready to do the same to thousands who did not consent to it. Perhaps that is simply what the desperate do…Or those who have too much faith in 'their way.'"
"I see you're growing…" Hades smiled with approval. "Were all of my people like this, we would have never built a civilization as prosperous as Amaurot. Same for your kind…Either way, the thought of Hydaelyn realizing just thrown wrong made me smile."
"Speaking of my visit to the stream." G'raha looked up. "There was someone else I met there. An Amaurotine with purple hair by the name of Hytlodaeus…" Yet another revelation for Hades that caused his heart to jump in excitement.
"What? But if the souls that rested inside Zodiark are…"
"Released into the stream, yes." G'raha nodded. "As Hythlodaeus told me, he was content to be sundered and reincarnated until he felt his memories emerge…You mentioned him being affected by Kairos as well. He wasn't content to perish before learning the truth. Hence he separated from the flow of souls."
"So you're saying…He is still there?"
"Indeed, not far from Hydaelyn. I told him that you were not going to return from your voyage, but something tells me he will stay and wait for either way…"
"I need to see him." Hades's voice became hasty. "Before he gets sundered and the stream consumes him, while there is still a chance…" He needed to face Hythlodaeus and speak the truth to him. Of a promise, he gave and failed to keep.
"Did you not say yourself that Amon is a bigger concern than anything else now?"
"I…Yes, I did. But once he is dealt with, I am descending into the Aitiascope to see him."
"As you wish…And how was your journey, then? I would assume it failed, but you're far too cheery for that to be the case." G'raha noted, incurring yet another smile on Hades's face.
"Quite shrewd of you…Long story short, Ryne and others agreed to help me with teleportation, but it simply wasn't enough for me to maintain a stable form out there. My time was limited, and nothing else could restore my powers…I did what I could at this time. Suffice it to say, the history of the past has now taken a different turn, the one where my people have a chance to survive and fight back…Even if I will not be there to see it." The more he spoke of it, the easier it was to make peace. That world was not for him, and it was not going to change.
"I'm…" G'raha paused for a moment. "I'm glad you succeeded, truly."
"Oh, so now you do care about our people?"
"I care for saving innocent lives, no matter how distant or far-removed they are from myself." The Exarch stated.
"Perhaps you are worthy of a hero's title after all…"
"And what of the First? How's Ryne? How are the others? Are they doing well without me?"
"Well…" Hades paused. "They would have if not for the fact that the Final Days reached the First as well."
"What?!"
"Don't worry; Ryne has done a good enough job protecting the world. Of course, that cost her that barrier she put up over Crystarium, but it's not like she needs to fend off the Ascians any longer. "
"She must be so tired of all the burdens forced upon her…"
"Oh, that she was. And to add to that, I take it she had trouble with Mitron's memory resurfacing within her mind, at times even conflicting with her own. She can control it thought, and I have faith in her abilities."
"I should've stayed…"
"Don't even start." Hades shook his head. "In fact, before I left, Ryne wanted me to deliver something to you, some words from her and all people of Norvrandt." Those words immediately caused the Exarch to look up in anticipation. "She wants you to know that neither she nor anyone else from the First holds any grudges for your actions. They know that you broke the seal and unleashed the Final Days, but alas, they chose to be far more charitable than I. She promised that she and all people of the First would continue to fight, and even though they knew they could not root out the problem…They will keep their faith in you. Ryne believes that you will be able to stop the chaos and prove all disbelievers wrong." Hades smiled with pride as he watched a tear fall down G'raha's eye.
"I…I left her without finding a solution, unable to save her from Eden's chains, so hasty I was in my desire to stop the rejoining. I left her to suffer despite her being the one to save Norvrandt…"
"The last thing she would want to is for you to wallow in pity over what has been done. I created a suitable body for her and shared some of my knowledge on soul transfer with Beq Lugg. So, assuming we succeed in stopping Meteion and bringing peace to the world, she would not have to be shackled by Eden any longer."
"You…Did that for her?"
"You sound surprised as if it's uncharacteristic of me to repay for kindness. She deserved this chance after all her sacrifices. It was only fair I gave her the chance." Hades shrugged. "Don't fret; I won't force you to thank me for this. I don't want you to break your teeth. But you would do well to prove her faith in you right, don't you think?"
"Oh, I will…I swear I will."
"Glad to be on the same page." The ascian smiled as the two finally approached the park where Pashtarot and Halmarut awaited them; both were eager to get to the action. "I hope you two weren't too bored while I was away. The task of distracting G'raha from whining over his not-at-all dying friend has ended in a resounding success, and now we can finally talk about handling the traitor."
"And why do we need him at all?" Pashtarot crossed his arms. "He will only slow us down."
"Trust me; the Exarch is a mighty ally when he puts his all to it. After all, it was him that ended the rejoining…"
"As long as he's willing to fight by our side." Halmarut sighed, causing the Exarch to join the conversation.
"Of that, you can have no doubt. I swore to put my resolve to stop the Final Days by any means; nothing will steer me from this course."
"Good, I hope so." Halmarut nodded as Hades stood between them, feeling that he might have to act as a mediator from time to time, especially between G'raha and Pashtarot.
"So, let's discuss what we know."
"That traitor has his old body, the one that should've become food for worms a long time ago…" Pashtarot said.
"A clone, no doubt. He must have stored them within Azys Lla."
"Who was that wyrm?" G'raha wondered. "I confess, I haven't seen many dragons in my life, but that one was mightier than most I've read about."
"As she should be, for that is Tiamat, the brood mother of Meracydian dragons that the Allagans captured thousands of years ago…Under the ascian guidance, I admit." Hades explained. "She wallowed in her grief over the loss of Bahamut and her futile attempt to reclaim him that resulted in a primal's creation. She grew complacent with her chains. This must have made her vulnerable for Fandaniel…."
"And so he forced her to serve against her will. I recognized the neurolink technology."
"Indeed." Hades nodded. "But she isn't the only threat. If we assume he spoke the truth, he is bringing the entirety of Azys Lla to Sharlayan, so he can drop it to the ground and cause a calamity so great that it would no doubt annihilate the entire archipelago. And the only crew he can have to control it is the army comprised of his own clones. Another threat to keep in mind, and when it comes to reaching it…"
"Can you not just teleport to Azys Lla?" The Exarch wondered and noticed Pashtarot shake his head.
"If it was not in a constant movement, then we would've been able to, yes. We need to know exactly where to teleport before opening a rift, and all we know is that it it's somewhere to the East, making its way to Sharlayan." That much-made sense, but this meant they would have to come up with another plan.
"Any alternatives, then?"
"As a matter of fact, there are." Hades continued. "We will fly."
"Fly? I don't think the Forum will spare any chocobos for something so dangerous."
"There will be no need. As Unsundered, I can still use creation magics, and of my trademark creations back in Amaurot was a shadow gwiber, a pet wyrm of my own, perfect for usage as a flying mount. I can still summon it at will." Hades explained, though judging by Halmarut's expression, the ascian still harbored doubts.
"And what of the dragon? If she notices us trying to approach the continent, she will no doubt attack…"
"I can try and cloak us, though that will only for a certain amount of time." Hades ponded. "I suppose the confrontation with her is inevitable. We have to be prepared."
"The dragon is his main weapon." Pashtarot continued. "If we get rid of her, then Fandaniel stands no chance in a battle against us."
"It all hinges on the neurolink; if she attacks, we would be wise to focus on breaking it, as complicated as it will be." The Unsundered noted. "But that's not our first course of action. If he wants to gain some leverage over us, he might attempt to drop the facility there, and then, we shouldn't expose ourselves…Perhaps if we could get inside the flagship undetected, we could halt the continent's advance."
"Good idea," G'raha spoke out in support. "I believe I can be of use when we get inside. I've studied Allagan tech for decades, both before and after my slumber; even though there weren't many scriptures about Azys Lla, I imagine the technology used there would not be too distinct."
"You've studied it, you say? "Hades chuckled. "Need I remind you that you stand before a man who helped create it in the first place? I've been to Azys Lla many times, mostly to maintain my contact with Amon when he was still on our side. I know the halls of its flagship well, same for its tech. Whatever lengths Fandaniel may go to in his attempts to surprise us, I doubt he has much chance of success."
"Then we try to outplay him at his own game…" Halmarut smiled. "Yes, I think I like that."
"A daring strategy, but between the four of us…" Pashtarot clenched his fist. "We will make that scum pay."
In a rather ironic way, Hades was thankful to Amon. If not for his timely appearance, the conflicts between him, G'raha, and the remaining two would only become stronger, and that's not to mention how others in the city would react to his return, especially Ameliance Leveilleur…But now, all of them had a task to do and a foe to destroy. And with him, an entire floating isle, Elpis's twisted successor.
"Then it is decided." Hades declared with a smile. For the first time, he was truly eager to fight for this world. A broken, sundered, and torn world…His world. "Time to fly."