A bare few managed to earn themselves the privilege of accessing their home in Amarout, and Damon was not used to many visitors because of that.

While his husband traveled long stretches of time, as was his calling as the Azem of the Convocation of Fourteen – to learn of Eitherys and living on its surface creatures – Damon had his duties and work at the Bureau of the Architect in the capital of their world. And considering how annoyingly busy their people kept him with their often embarrassingly easy questions – so below his intellectual prowess – he did not relish in the company of his peers. Never did, truly – until he met and fell in love with Ares.

And when adding to that their peoples' infuriating opinions and gossip of his husband's nature and temperament – even fewer he deemed 'deserving' of his attention. None who could not accept his lover deserved his time – that he believed with every sliver of his brilliant mind, heart, and soul – those solely belonging in Ares's protective grip.

So, while his Azem was away from Amarout upon his travels – Damon, while not busy with his tasks at the Bureau, often time locked himself away in their home in the city, the monotony of his wait for his lover's return broken merely by the visits of their son, Hades – and later accompanying him 'friend,' Hythlodaeus. And as amusing as he found watching these two dance around their attraction for each other – he occasionally grew irritated by their indecision. But knowing what kind of hardships brought along that kind of relationship in their society, despite his misgivings and somewhat innate tendency to scheme, push and prod – Damon refrained from interfering, deciding this decision his beloved son had to make for himself.

Then, one day, upon his husband's long-awaited return – for him – and as usual his Ares would be considerate enough to know that the few first days he 'owed' him his full attention, Damon was surprised by his lover when he didn't arrive alone. Apprehensive, too, seeing nearly… worship in the bright, blue eyes of the young immortal accompanying his Azem.

Themis – as the young boy was soon introduced to him – was the newest member of the Convocation, taking the seat of Elidibus – the Emissary, and to his bemusement, the boy seemed utterly enamored with his husband, even going as far as to call his Ares his 'guiding star.' Even more surprising, when questioned about the development, his lover refused to answer 'how' he earned himself such… reverence from the young immortal.

Ares never kept secrets from him – but this one time, he somewhat politely – so unlike himself, truly – asked Damon to let it go and what's more, let the boy be – apparently despite being quite uncomfortable about the boy's worship.

But Damon was a scholar – and as rarely as he found in his long, long life something intriguing… letting go simply didn't lay in his nature.

Especially not when that something concerned his beloved Ares.

And knowing their peers – and their attitude toward his husband – the boy's uncanny 'attraction' had him somewhat unnerved. Not that he was… jealous, of course, knowing Ares's heart solely belonged to him – but because as protective was his Azem by nature, those few who truly knew and loved him, wanted to protect him, too.

So, of course, ignoring his lover's request – he set to investigate the strange boy.

His son, Hades – by then taking the seat of Emet-Selch in the Convocation – when asked about the new member of it, shrugged helplessly, stating he had no idea what happened to have the younger immortal so enamored with his brother – as uncanny as it was – but seeing Damon's inquiry for what it was – a worry for his husband – swore to have a closer watch on the boy, in case his motives weren't so… innocent.

Finally, he discovered the truth of it almost by accident – as to their, his and Hades's bafflement – it seemed that in opposition to them, his Ares – unaware of it – had a witness of his 'meeting' with the boy.

"Why Themis worships Ares?" said one day Hythlodaeus when Hades brought him along to their home upon his lover's next travel, and his purple eyes lit up with humor at their frowns. "I guess, it has to do something with the fact that Ares accidentally saved him something unpleasant."

When asked to elaborate, and somewhat surprised by their interest, Hyth described that one day on his way to meet Hades, he stumbled upon Ares thoughtfully berating a group of young immortals who apparently thought it a great idea to pick on the youngest one of them, citing their amusement with the boy's interests as childish and unfit for their society. Ares – as was his wild nature – despising anything that had to do with denying one's free will and individuality, ended up enraged by the boys' attitude and de facto sent them to embarrass themselves in front of each other, with his innate gift forcing them to reveal their 'true' interests – making them utterly regret spiking his husband's temper, considering theirs were much more… embarrassing than the youngest of them.

And by teaching them that lesson in humility, apparently, his lover earned himself the boy's – Themis's – undying devotion. Misunderstood by his peers and lonely in his environment, but seeing someone like his Ares who stood up for him without asking for anything in return – it seemed that the young immortal saw his 'calling' in someday repaying the 'kind stranger' for his interference.

Upon hearing that from Hythlodaeus and some further investigation – when Damon questioned his lover once more upon his next return – mercilessly using his 'charms' to earn himself his lover's honesty (and thoughtfully enjoying it!), Ares finally broke and spilled the whole thing – apparently embarrassed about unwittingly causing Themis's attitude toward him – and as Damon learned it then, the fact that the young immortal brought upon himself even more scorn from his peers whenever 'the Azem's' character or motives were questioned around him, bravely standing against what he believed was untrue – entirely enamored with Ares as his personal hero.

Striving to follow in his footsteps, Themis earned himself the seat of Elidibus despite his young age – an uncanny enough occurrence – and upon the day of his induction into the Convocation, after the meeting called for that by the Speaker – he shyly approached Ares and somewhat blew his mind by calling him his 'inspiration,' then asking for the Azem to 'if he deems him worthy' consider him a friend.

Enough said – after learning about the whole thing and sharing the details of it with their son, who also found Ares's embarrassment with the whole occurrence beyond amusing, teasing his brother mercilessly, of course – Themis became one of the few welcomed in their domain, even during Azem's absence.

The boy's sweetness and such clear admiration for his 'hero,' – not to mention the amusement his attitude around Ares brought to their little family – soon earned him Damon's favor, and in his brilliant soul, he became one of 'his boys' – sharing that title with Hades and Hythlodaeus.

He couldn't help it – as the surest way to his heart was seeing and accepting his husband's unique outlook and the beauty of his soul. And despite not quite sharing Ares's morals and ideas – to 'his boys' Damon was mercilessly committed to keeping them safe and happy.

Perhaps that was why his heart simply broke when they learned of what the future held for their Themis. And despite not daring to change it – as the role 'his boy' was to play in it was just too crucial – Damon swore that once allowed, he would spend the rest of eternity trying to repay the boy's unfaltering loyalty.

And even as his fury toward Lahabrea knew no bounds – for using the boy's ideals to convince him that playing the role of the heart of Zodiark was something with which he could save and keep his dear one safe – both he and his lover stepped back, allowing this atrocity to happen.

When it became apparent that Venat and her people were bound to fail in their endeavors to change what was coming – and they knew they'll have to proceed with their own scheme, securing their boys past the Sundering of their world – Damon was there when despite the importance of keeping their upcoming world as unchanged as possible, Ares broke their agreement… somewhat.

Upon their last meeting with the boy in their home, out of nowhere – for Themis, anyway – Damon's heart bled when his husband took the boy's hands in his and resting his forehead against his whispered:

"Stay strong, keep faith. At the duty's end, we will meet again. We will, Themis, we will."

And he didn't need to see Hades's slight flinch at that to know that his lover's used his gift to engrave those words in the boy's soul – knowing Themis will forget him but hoping that despite it all… he'll be able to keep that oath.

And despite the young immortal's bafflement with that, Damon hoped that would everything they planned come to pass – he would be able to help his lover fulfill that promise.

Using the others' distraction with their… discoveries on the moon, T'senri snuck away from the group of bemused Scions and hopefully unnoticeably, left the Lopporits' base, climbing the nearby sandy hill and somewhat numbly falling to sit cross-legged on it, staring toward the crater left of Zodiark's prison and the fountain of aether still pouring out of it.

So much… his soul ached with the idea of just how many sacrificed themselves to call the first Primal forth.

Had to be done, whispered Ares reassuringly in the back of his head and T'senri's throat tightened painfully at the way his immortal's usually cheery voice now brimmed with sadness.

He closed his eyes, bracing his arms behind him, and leaned back on them, raising his face toward the lights of the universe above him and didn't even flinch when sometime after – as he lost sense of time – a warm, reassuring weight settled in his lap and leaned against his chest, but his lover kept silent – simply offering his heat as comfort he needed, as was his Raha's caring nature.

"I heard them," he finally whispered after a long, long moment, wrapping his arms around his lover and resting his chin on top of the red hair. Opening his eyes, he stared toward the crater again, as his soul wept. "When we dropped in… I don't know if it was because of the Echo… or something, but I heard them… begging to be spared, Raha… Begging Fandaniel… and him mocking them… their sacrifice…" he choked, then took a deep, steadying breath and exhaled slowly. "So many… souls…"

Without saying anything, his lover wrapped his arms around his waist tightly and pressed against him harder, only his quiet, soothing purrs filled T'senri's lowered ears and he closed his eyes again, burying his nose in Raha's soft hair and taking comfort in his presence, heat, and scent.

Perhaps he was simply unable to understand the idea of the self-sacrifice… as it went against everything he was – yet, the whispers of the Ancients who gave up their individual selves to bring forth the will of the star… Something inside him simply rebelled against the sheer scope of Fandaniel's cruelty in using them for his means. In his insanity, forcing those who gave up everything to protect their world and those they held dear – to destroy it.

And in that, he thought he finally could see why Ares was so… miffed with the Ascian.

Not exactly, his immortal sighed and he felt a somewhat reassuring pat on his soul. I know it is hard for you to understand, my boy… not yet, anyway, but the extent of… Fandaniel's crimes against us… reaches much further. If it offers you some comfort, know that even now, he's paying for it… and will, for the rest of eternity, knowing that in the end – he failed. And once you have time to gather your bearings and recover… we will talk, Senri – and finally let you know what it all is about, I swear. And once you're ready… I'll have a favor to ask of you.

What favor? He replied hesitantly.

Now, with Zodiark's demise… It's time to see if our bet paid off, Ares hummed with consideration. Time to free Themis. But what I need of you, Senri… Is your understanding. I realize you know him only as the Elidibus, and your shared history isn't… great. But before we attempt it – I hope, you can find it in yourself to see him not as that. Because if it worked and he's whole again… and remembers who he once was – you'll come to know one of those dearests to me, boy. And despite his actions as the Elidibus… Themis is not at fault – doing what he believed was best for our people, mislead in it by those who thought to use his ideals for their means. And I think, after the Sundering, he lost… himself.

For you… I would do anything, Ares, he admitted honestly, then sighed softly and tightened his arms around his lover – whom he regained and kept thanks to their Ascians' schemes. Thanks to them – their relationship only grew stronger as they helped his beautiful prince rebuild his self-confidence and trust in his devotion. And for that – and everything else they did for him… Ares did for him – his immortal had his undying devotion.

Gods, spare me… not again, Ares sighed with resignation and if possible, T'senri could almost believe that he sounded like he was rolling his eyes at him. He frowned with confusion, unconsciously tilting his head curiously. Nevermind, Senri. Just… don't say anything like… that around Damon or Hades, okay? I know you're… earnest in your feelings and all – but I do not need any more teasing than I'm already bound to get… if it worked and Themis is back to his original self.

"Huh?" he hummed with surprise.

"Snark? Something's… ah, Ares?" Raha shifted in his lap and he leaned back to look down at his lover's beautiful, confused expression.

"Yeah… apparently, it's time to free Eli… Themis, and it seems he's somewhat… apprehensive about it?" he said with a frown, then gasped, when Raha's expression went slack for a second, then a positively evil grin blossomed on his plush lips.

"Aww, Ares… being shy about your biggest fan making a reappearance?" Damon drawled, and his usually soft-spoken manner was exchanged by a downright mean lilt to Raha's soothing voice, making T'senri's eyebrows shoot near his hairline when in answer Ares merely grumbled an incoherent complaint in the back of his head. Seeing his confused gaze, the immortal in his lover's skin chortled, tapping his hand against Warrior's shoulder. "Don't worry, Senri… You'll understand the joke soon enough, believe me."

"If you say so…" he hummed, then watched – feeling – his mate take control of his body again. "What do you think that's about?"

"No idea," Raha shrugged helplessly, wrinkling his nose adorably. Then his crimson eyes softened with worry when he raised his hand against T'senri's cheek, rubbing his thumb over his lower lip delicately. "Feeling better, Snark?"

His gaze moved over his head and back toward the light pouring out of the crater, then back to his lover's eyes. He sighed softly, then leaned his head in and rested his forehead against his mate's, closing his eyes again.

"Not yet… but I will, eventually," he whispered, then tilted his head and pressed a tender kiss on his lover's cheek, before straightening and looking toward the base of the bunny-like servants of Hydealyn. "As cute as they are… those Lopporits, I mean," he added at Raha's confused hum. "And as seemingly dedicated to their task… I can't help but think that what she… Hydealyn intended with creation of this moon, apparently, is wrong, Raha. Running away… not to mention that those of Reflections would be doomed to perish without a way to get here… It just… doesn't seem right… for me," he admitted, scowling toward the barely visible, massive gate.

"Of course, Snark," his lover sighed, then he felt his fingers curl around his chin and Raha delicately lead his gaze back to him before he moved slightly and pressed a fond kiss on the corner of his mouth. "You're a born protector, my heart… Leaving someone behind like that… would never sit well with your beautiful soul."

And at that, he couldn't help but blush, clearing his throat and looking away from his mate's adoring gaze. Then frowned involuntarily when for some reason Ares snickered quietly, then he got that feeling again - like he was rolling his eyes.

See… Embarrassing, isn't it? The immortal grumbled to his confusion, but burying his heated face against his lover's throat, he decided to ignore it – in favor of enjoying the tight embrace when Raha chuckled fondly and wrapped his arms around his neck, running his fingers through T'senri's hair delicately in familiar, reassuring caress.

Raha wasn't sure what he expected to happen once their immortals took their bodies over and set to proceed with their tasks, but certainly… not what happened.

Allowed to observe from the back of their shared head, he was somewhat surprised when at first Damon teleported to their bedroom in the Rising Stones – alone – picked up the crystal vessel from the hidden cache – and then rejoined his husband in a familiar-looking building, the dark walls reminding Raha of their week-long stay in Hades's abode below Tempest, to be soon joined by the man and his lover in the massive, empty room he did not recognize.

"I felt Zodiark disintegrate," said Hades softly with an… uncanny level of calm in his sharp features, looking between his father and brother. "We kept away, as promised… but what now? And did this work?" he pointed toward the vessel in Damon's hands.

"We're about to find out," his father replied with a frown, then focused their gaze on the crystal, turning it slowly in his hands before he sighed. "I hope… he's okay. As unprecedented as it is… Obviously, I wasn't sure, but it doesn't feel empty, so I believe our bet worked and Zodiark's demise didn't pull Themis along. But is he… whole? One can only hope," his eyes drifted toward Senri's form and Raha saw Ares's too-bright sky-blue eyes narrow at the vessel before he sighed and looked up at his brother.

"If it did work, Hades," he said slowly, folding his arms over his chest and looking between him and Hythlodaeus, who with some uncertainty looked back at him, leaning against his lover's side. "Do you think you – with the two of them along – can pull off what we asked?"

"I believe so," Hades sighed, rubbing his chin with consideration and then turning his golden eyes at Hythlodaeus and raising his eyebrows slightly in question.

"Themis's aid would certainly be helpful," Hyth said looking toward the crystal vessel, then grimaced slightly and sighed. "But since you weren't sure – we prepared everything in case he wasn't… available, so there's a backup plan, as we knew Damon would appreciate," he nodded toward them and his immortal smiled involuntarily. "Hades, of course, is the crucial part of it – but I'll do all in my power to support him while you're away."

"That, I never doubt," Ares grinned at the violet-haired immortal, nodding slightly before turning his gaze toward his husband. "Ready, love?"

"As I'll ever be," Damon sighed, then while the others with some apprehension in their expressions moved away, leaving him in the center of the room, he carefully settled the vessel down on a seemingly earlier prepared pillow, then stepped back and took a deep breath. Raha – if he could – would flinch, feeling his immortal's staggering amount of aether gathering around his soul, swelling impossibly when Damon closed their eyes. Then, when he started to whisper in a language he by now knew, but couldn't really understand, he felt that mass release in a torrent, apparently, doing whatever his immortal demanded.

When Damon fell silent, then took another deep breath and staggered slightly, then open his eyes, Raha saw Ares move to him… them, immediately, supporting his husband slightly when he leaned against him, and could almost feel Senri's passenger without word feeding his aether to Damon through their bond.

"What did you do?" Ares whispered against their ear. "You were only to open it, love…"

"I just made sure," Damon chuckled weakly, then sighed tiredly. "You have a promise to fulfill… after all."

"Gods… I love you," Ares chuckled somewhat sheepishly, pressing a tender kiss on Damon's cheek before leaning away and looking toward the spot they placed the vessel. When his husband leaned his head against Senri's chest and followed his gaze, Raha saw a huge figure curled in between the immortals spread out around the room. Gawking from the back of their head, his soul flinched slightly at Damon's amused chuckle.

We used to be… much bigger than what you're used to, my boy, he hummed, sounding more than exhausted. And seeing the huge figure in the weird, white robe flinch slightly, then push back the hood of the white cloth and look around with confusion – he almost understood.

Despite his massive size, that immortal looked… extremely young – a boy, pretty much. Shoulder-length silver hair surrounded a youthful, confused face as too-bright, blue eyes moved from one figure to another around him and his eyebrows drew together in a frown until his gaze stopped on Senri… Ares and his eyes widened impossibly.

"Ares…" the boy whispered, shifting his massive form to seemingly sit on his knees and hesitantly leaning in slightly, apparently utterly confused.

"Hey, Themis!" Ares boomed with his trademark, crooked grin and for some reason Damon using his distraction, moved away from him, taking a few, careful steps back. "Told you we will meet again, didn't I?!"

Brace yourself, Damon chortled, confusing the seven hells out of him, especially when he saw Hades and Hythlodaeus on the other side of the room look toward the exchange with expressions that looked almost… like they were waiting for something – and maybe holding back a laugh.

"Ares…" the boy repeated, then his huge, blue eyes filled with tears and if Raha could – his jaw would drop open – when he reached out and picked his lover's body up despite Ares's indignant hiss of complaint at that… that was cut off when the boy… Themis pressed the tiny looking in comparison Seeker against his cheek and sighed with apparent relief. "…I missed you."

As hilarious as it looked, Raha couldn't help the way his soul ached at the sheer… level of misery and nostalgia in the boy's voice.

"There, there…" Ares sighed sadly, tapping his hand against Themis's cheek, then despite everything, grinned brilliantly toward Damon, mouthing a 'thank you,' and his husband nodded gracefully in turn, sagging against the wall with a tired sigh. "Now, put me down, boy… I do not appreciate being treated like a toy," he grumbled with pretend annoyance – that turned quite real when the boy blinked, then looked at him again, rising him atop his palm at level with his blue eyes.

"It's still all… a mess," Themis said slowly, frowning as he narrowed his eyes at his 'catch'… then a big, bright grin blossomed on his face. "But, by the gods, you look adorable like this!"

At that, Hades and his lover snorted a laugh, then walked around the massive boy and joined Damon's side.

"Want to bet Ares won't hit the ground anytime soon?" Hythlodaeus chuckled, leaning against the wall next to Damon and looking up with a cheery grin.

"Don't encourage…" Hades grumbled, narrowing his eyes at his lover but with more than a hint of amusement in his bright, golden irises.

"You're on, Hyth," said Damon gleefully, sending his son an indignant look – at which Hades turned his gaze away quickly as his lips twitched with amusement. But when the golden-eyed immortal's gaze turned toward his fuming brother – demanding to be put down – and the huge boy gushing at him in turn… Raha thought he saw something melancholic flare in his expression before the characteristic scowl took its place almost instantly.

Now, that all of my boys are safe – and after we give Themis some time to… re-accommodate himself, Damon hummed at him, distracting Raha from observing his son. We're going to have a talk, boy – all of us – and I hope when you understand the stakes, and what we will still need of you… and your Senri, especially when we will head to Elpis – you'll see that we ever had your best interest at heart.

I already know that, Damon, he replied with confidence. Whatever awaits – and I think Senri will agree with me on that – we're forever in your debt and whatever you ask of us – with all you did for us, it's only fair for us to return the favor. And knowing you – and Ares – as much as we do, and suspecting… that whatever Zodiark was the 'temporary measure' against and Hydaelyn's project is an escape from – if what you plan will help us face it… You have my full support, that's all.

Thank you, Raha, for your trust, Damon answered with a hint of amusement. But before we'll set up to face that – I'll have to ask you to do something you might find somewhat… strange. And perhaps… embarrassing.

Huh? If he could he would scowl at that. What do you mean?

I'll explain later in detail, boy… But your task will be the most important, I swear, now his immortal's voice rang with amusement and some… sheepishness. You'll need to turn on all your charms, my boy, and win over the most difficult and stubborn of my people there is.

Who? Raha was utterly confused now.

Me, Damon chortled and he suddenly had a bad feeling about this.