Unto the End
Deep underneath the sea, Bismarck's breath created a giant dome of air, pushing away the water and revealing to you the Tempest's floor.
Even the blinding Light of the sky couldn't reach this far. You could feel that this was the place where the one who denied the light hid away.
Venture into the Heart of Darkness, the last chapter of your adventure.
Finish it.
They walked through the winding tunnel, the wet crunch of the sand underneath their feets echoing off walls covered in algae and corals. It was strangely beautiful, and perhaps if time had permitted it, S'eni would have taken the time to explore just a little. But time was something she didn't have, even now she could feel the Light deep inside of her burning, wishing to fully break free and twist her into one of its own.
Behind her, she could feel Ryne's eyes on her, ever watchful, waiting in case she needed to use her powers once more.
She just hoped it wouldn't come to that at all.
"There!" Alisaie called from up ahead. "The exit."
"Hm. Well that certainly was an arduous journey. I'm suddenly very glad for the roads our ancestors have built back home," Y'shtola said from next to her. "Thankfully, the Ondo's barrier has kept out much of the local wildlife."
After they arrived in Tempest, they had quickly encountered the Ondo, the First's counterpart to the Sahagin, and swiftly decided to ask for their help in finding the potential whereabouts of Emet-Selch. Of course they had to gather their trust first, but by now that was pretty par for the course she would say.
Once they had curried enough favor and helped them with a ritual, the Ondo had been happy to show and tell them the way to this so-called 'illuminated land.'
"And doesn't look like he's interested in throwing some monsters my way either," S'eni said. "Don't know if that's good or bad..."
"We shall see, I suppose."
She parted her lips to say something, but whatever it was had died on its way to them as their group stepped out of the cave—
"By the gods!" Alisaie exclaimed.
—and a giant city came into view. No...giant didn't do it any justice. Towers of stone and steel, taller than any she had ever seen, were spread out into the distance, forming an overwhelming sea of buildings. The lights shining through their windows pierced the darkness one would expect so deep underneath the ocean, making it an even grander vision.
An illuminated land indeed.
After a moment of shocked silence, Alphinaud finally found his words. "When the Ondo spoke of a city, I didn't think they meant an actual city!"
S'eni could only nod.
"Then...you can see it too?" Y'shtola asked, making them all turn towards her. Her pale eyes were widened. "The remnants we found in the Ondo settlement were solid, material structures. But these...they're an illusion. One on a monumental scale."
Slowly, she turned back to look at the city. "...How?"
"Do you recognise the style of the architecture?"
"Yeah." It was the same as the remnants Y'shtola and her had taken a closer look at while with the Ondo's. "Same as the mural too."
The other Miqo'te nodded. "Indeed. Now look closely. Emet-Selch hasn't simply reclaimed these ruins...he has layered the semblance of an entire city upon them."
Gods... Just how powerful was Emet-Selch?
Lahabrea seemed like a joke in comparison.
S'eni shook her head, chasing away the awe she was feeling at the sight of it. "Nothing for it. That's where we're headed."
"Why don't we have a closer look at that tower to the southeast?" Alisaie asked and pointed in its direction. "We might be able to reach it from the edge of the trench."
Following Alisaie's suggestion, they headed towards the tower, which only grew in size the closer they got, until they stood in front of a giant set of doors.
"Look at the size..." Alphinaud breathed out. "Now I know how Pixies must feel."
A voice suddenly echoed through the air, startling them.
"S'eni Gata recognized...Welcome to the city of Amaurot. Will you be riding the lift?"
"Wh—!?" Alisaie nearly dropped the rapier she had hurriedly unsheathed. "Did the building just welcome you!?"
"Mayhap it is not so passing strange..." Urianger said, a look of quiet fascination on his features. "Did Emet-Selch not invite S'eni to visit his abode? 'Tis plain thy coming was expected."
"Where will the lift be taking us?" Y'shtola asked.
"The lift services every level of Achora Heights, but is presently configured to convey passengers directly to the ground floor."
"Well, there you have it." The other Miqo'te shrugged lightly. "In the absence of a few hundred yalms of rope I believe there is little choice but to accept the offer."
"Hear that?" S'eni asked the voice. "We'd like to ride the lift."
"As you wish. The lift will arrive shortly." A few moments passed until the giant doors opened. Giving each other a look, they all stepped inside and the doors closed once more. "Next stop: Ground Floor. Facilities include the Bureau of the Administrator, the Bureau of the Architect, and the Capitol..."
The ride took only a minute at most, and aside from the voice droning on, passed in relative silence. As the lift came to a stop, the doors opened once again with a chime and the voice announcing their arrival.
Stepping outside, S'eni could only look on with renewed awe. The city had already been gigantic from far away, but now that they walked amidst its buildings, it really hit home just how much.
"Incredible..." Alisaie said. "What did that voice say this city was called? Amaurot?"
Her ears perked slightly at that name. Emet-Selch mentioned it before!
But she didn't get to voice that thought, as Thancred cut in. "Look, over there!" he pointed into the direction of a robed figure in the distance. But...something was odd about it. "Is that...a person? Ah, no, my mistake. It's a giant."
"Giant or not, a resident of this place may have much to tell us. I say we make the first move." Not even waiting for their response, Alphinaud walked over to the giant. "Excuse my boldness but may I ask you a few questions...?"
"Alphinaud, you can't just—" Alisaie groaned and ran after her brother, S'eni, and the others following as well."
The giant figure turned around to face their group. It was dressed in long, flowing robes and its face was obscured by a hood and mask. When it spoke, the words sounded like nothing she had ever heard before, yet still understood it clearly as if she had grown up with it.
"Oh, what adorable costumes. Are you children on an excursion? This district has much to teach you."
Alphinaud seemed to be taken aback to be mistaken for children, but given the size difference, they would most likely seem like children to them. "Ahem. And which district is this, exactly?"
"You must be lost. Poor thing," the robed giant said. "You stand Polyleritae District, where the most vital institutions for the management of this star are located."
"Can you tell us where we find Emet-Selch?" S'eni asked.
"Ah, I see. You've come to marvel at the workings of the Convocation of Fourteen." The figure nodded. "Hm...hardly surprising, I suppose. The whole world holds its breath as the Final Days draw near, and our brightest minds race to implement their plans. Therefore...you must understand that gaining an audience at this time will be next to impossible. You should hurry home now, before your families begin to worry. Do you need me to walk you back?"
"N-No thank you," Alphinaud replied. "We'll be fine."
"Very well. Take care little ones..."
The figure walked away, joining with another one like it..
"What was that about?" Alisaie asked once the giant was out of earshot.
"Shtola." S'eni turned towards her. "Did you notice something strange about them?"
Y'shtola nodded. "To my eyes, they appear as arcane entities. Emet-Selch must have woven them aether like he has done with the rest of the city."
"The Final Days," Urianger said. "Such words well befit the oblivion described to us by our Ascian foe. A catastrophe of unprecedented scale, which did set in motion the summoning of Zodiark...and thence Hydaelyn Herself."
"But...that happened in the distant past, didn't it?" Ryne wondered. "From the way that person spoke, it almost seems like they're rushing to avert it in the here and now."
Realization dawned on Alphinaud's face. "Unless...For them the distant past is the here and now."
"I believe thou hast the right of it, Master Alphinaud. This aetherial Amaurot and its residents appear to be phantoms of a different age. Emet-Selch hath resurrected a memory, a moment in time from before the star was sundered."
"So we find ourselves in a long-destroyed city inhabited by the long-departed," Thancred said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "An unusual situation to be sure, but we're able to talk with these people. In fact, they seem downright eager to chat. I say we use that to our advantage."
"Sounds like you got a plan already," S'eni said, unable to hide an amused smirk.
The corner of his lips curled upward as well. "Split up, strike up some conversation, and maybe learn where our wayward Ascian is hiding. And while we're at it, it wouldn't hurt to wheedle out a few more details about this Convocation of Fourteen and their impending disaster."
"Alright." She nodded and looked at the others. "Guess it's time to socialize with our giant friends then."
That ought to be interesting...
Just like the buildings, their interior was also massive, which in hindsight made a lot of sense given the size of its inhabitants. But it made certain things much more difficult as well.
Like trying to speak with someone behind a counter.
"Um, excuse me?" she called out, standing on her tiptoes and still not reaching the edge at all.
"Yes?" the echoing voice of these people replied, shortly after followed by a hooded head leaning over the counter. "What can I help you with?"
"I, uh, would like a visitor's writ, perhaps?"
The clerk nodded. "Yes, I can assist you with that. Full name, please."
"S'eni Gata."
The clerk repeated her name once, then began to check what she assumed was a register. A moment passed, followed by a sound of confirmation. "Everything is in order. As your residency was approved by Emet-Selch himself, further forms of identification will not be required. Here are your application documents." Practically out of thin air, the clerk produced an envelope and handed it down to her. It was quite oversized. "Submit them at the Bureau of the Secretariat and the clerk will issue you with a visitor's writ for the Capitol."
"Thanks. Where can I find that?"
"You walk back the way you came, turn east, take the junction south, then continue further east. It is the last building down the road."
"Last building down the road. Got it." Tugging the envelope under her arm, S'eni turned around and left.
While they had spread out to pry the citizens of this conjured-up city for information, they had learned quite a deal about the catastrophe that had struck the world of old. Creation magic running rampant all over the continents and the Convocations effort in trying to stop it.
But they also had learned little else from them, which she supposed was only realistic, since there was doubtless any other topic on the minds of the people back then. Still, Thancred and Ryne found out where the Convocation resided and there was little doubt that Emet-Selch was hiding away there. The problem was, no one could get inside without a writ of permissions.
And since she was the only one whose name was registered here, it fell upon her to get it for them.
Well, at least it's not particularly difficult, she thought while eyeing the envelope.
With the instructions she was given, S'eni swiftly arrived at her next destination. She was greeted by a sight of more of these ancients, some sitting in a row of benches, while others stood in line at the various counters. Looking around for a second, she spotted one where only a single other person stood and walked up behind them.
Soon enough, it was her turn. "Next please..."
Standing on her tiptoes once more, she somehow managed to push the envelope on top of the counter. The clerk in turn took it, opened it up, and began to read its contents. "Visiting the Capitol?"
"That's right."
"Please take a seat over there," the clerk said and pointed towards one of the many benches. "Your name will be called once your application has been processed."
Might as well get a little rest while I still have the chance. She made her way over to the bench, climbed on top of it and sat down, letting herself sink against the large backrest and casting her gaze across the hall.
Hard to imagine that these were what the Final Days looked like. It was oddly calm if one considered that the world was teetering to its destruction. Yet here these people were, standing in line and waiting for applications to be processed.
Though maybe it was one of the ways they coped with it. Pretend it's just any other day; to just keep going.
Maybe these ancients weren't so different from them, then.
A gasp suddenly escaped her as pain once more raked her body and the edge of her visions began to grow white again. Planting her hand next to her, it was all she could do to keep herself from falling sideways...
"...May I?" a voice suddenly pierced through the haze of hot white pain, chasing it away and making her whirl towards its owner. Another ancient.
S'eni looked to the spot next to her. "S-Sure," she replied, exhaling deeply and sinking even more against the backrest while the ancient sat down next to her. A moment of silence passed, before the person, a man she could tell for some reason, spoke up again.
"You are not from our time, are you not?" he asked. "Did you follow in the wake of Emet-Selch?"
She turned to look at him, eyes widening in surprise. "Did you just—?"
"There is no need to be alarmed. I'm nothing but a shade. Here, yet not. I know that my name is Hythlodaeus, and that this city is a recreation. A phantom moment plucked from a time long since gone." He began to rub what little of his chin was visible. "These others seem unaware of their pale existence, but I wonder if Emet-Selch's mind was distracted when it came to my reconstitution. A stray thought would have been enough. 'Hythlodaeus will realize the truth,' for example."
"You really think it's because he made a mistake?" she asked, not even bothering to hide her doubt.
"Even he is prone to mistakes like everyone else. You see...we were once close friends, him and I. Yet in spite of my perception, I play the same role as all the rest: a bit part, meant to bring color and noise to this well-crafted stage. Too much scrutiny, and we shall burst like the fragile bubbles we are." He looked at her and continued in a much lighter tone, "So my presence is nothing to be concerned about. I only wish to share your company while we wait."
S'eni looked at this Hythlodaeus. She didn't know why, but somehow felt that, even above all these other shades that posed no threat to them, she could trust him. With a nod, she said, "Alright. Time flies if you've got company, right?"
"Absolutely."
Silence set over them and they began to watch their surroundings. People coming and going, names being called, and the benches next and behind them slowly emptying.
"...If you've come this far, then you know of the catastrophe which awaits us."
"The Final Days."
Hythlodaeus nodded.
"What began as isolated incidents soon swelled into a world-spanning threat. The Convocation of Fourteen─well, it was Thirteen at the time─endeavored to create a will for our star. They would repair the fundamental laws of order and halt the spread of destruction." His gaze shifted to a line of three standing in front of a counter. "But creation on such a scale required an immense source of power. Of those of us who still lived, nearly half offered up their lives in the name of salvation."
S'eni watched as the first in line began to disappear into thin air...
"Yet the star had suffered. Many species were lost. The land was blighted, the waters poisoned, and even the wind had ceased to blow. So another half of our people sacrificed themselves to Zodiark. To cleanse the world; to ensure that trees and grasses and myriad tiny lives would sprout and grow and flourish."
...the second in line disappeared as well. Tearing her eyes away from the sight, she looked at Hythlodaeus instead, who continued to tell her their story in a solemn tone.
"The cycle of life had begun anew, and we reconsidered the means by which we might protect it. The Convocation decided: we would nurture our world until it was bursting with vitality. Then, when the time was right, we would offer some portion of its energy to Zodiark. In return, He would restore those whose souls had fed His strength, and together we would resume our role as stewards."
S'eni's eyes widened "By the gods, you were going to—" A raised hand made her pause.
"However, there were those who disagreed with this plan. They argued that enough had been sacrificed, that this new world should belong to the newly born lives. These dissidents surrendered their life energies in the creation of Hydaelyn, an incarnation of their opposing belief. And for the first time in history, our people stood divided...You know how this conflict ended, I take it?"
"Hydaelyn won, and the world was sundered in the Source and its thirteen shards," she said. Hythlodaeus nodded, turning his covered eyes towards the ceiling.
"Emet-Selch has ever been a champion for the will of Zodiark. The original plan may have been set back by millennia, but he will not have abandoned his course. He will pay the price for our return by whatever means is necessary. And though he may carry himself with a certain glib ease, he is not one to carry his burdens lightly. In fact, I imagine they have only grown heavier with every passing century..."
He fell silent again, leaning back and nodding. She couldn't help but watch this strange shade of a person that had lived countless millennia ago. Some time ago, S'eni might have scoffed at what Emet-Selch had told them, but now, sitting here, she could feel some of that weight he must have endured.
"I—" she was interrupted by her name being called.
"It seems it is your turn now," Hythlodaeus said. "Go on."
She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately nodded and rose to her feet. "Thank you."
He inclined his head.
Jumping off the bench, she began to make her way over to the counter when suddenly—
"Ah, one more thing. There is someone else with you, is there not?"
She halted in her tracks as Ardbert made himself visible next to her, and they both turned around to look at him with equal surprise. "You can see him...?"
"No, I can see no definite form. Only faintest suggestion of a second soul. I doubt it is visible to anyone but me," he replied. "Otherwise, I assume only you can see and hear this ethereal companion?"
S'eni shared a look with Ardbert, then gave the ancient a nod.
Hythlodaeus raised his fist to his face and began to chuckle.
"Your connection is hardly a coincidence. In our time, the two of you were one. The color of your souls gives it away. A hue that distinctive cannot be mistaken, no matter how thin the soul is spread." Another chuckle. "Hah! This is just the kind of fate I might expect for someone like her. Surely Emet-Selch has recognized the hint of 'her' in you...?"
Her? She wondered, crossing her arms. Who is he talking about? And Ardbert and I were once...one?
Was that what Seto had meant when he said their souls were similar?
"S'eni Gata!" the clerk called her name again, making her glance over her shoulder. When she looked back towards the bench, Hythlodaeus was gone, leaving behind only ghostly words echoing through the hall.
"Farewell my new old friend. May you find what it is you seek."
Getting there...