The Emissary
Author: TUCfan.
Pairing: None.
Rating: T, because the game is likely meant for older teens.
Description: The five times he saw the Emissary, and the one time he talked to him.
Disclaimer: I do not own Grim Dawn (I have bought the game and all available DLC, though) or Crate Entertainment. I am simply writitng this for my own sake, not for gain.
Author's Note: Hello all. This isn't my usual fandom, but I adore this game. This piece would go along with two other stories, possibly more if I think of anything, all surrounding my character in the game, Ares. This also contains dialogue straight from the game.
Song: Written while listening to the official Grim Dawn soundtrack.
1. Outside of Devil's Crossing
The first time that Ares ever saw the Emissiary, he had no idea who he was or what he wanted. He had an imposing black robe that bore symbols Ares didn't recognize, completed with a hood that covered the upper half of his face.
Ares had only woken up after his possession minutes prior. Though he remembered very little, he knew that this man was to be avoided. When he later spoke to the man guarding the gate, he was told that the Emissary had appeared right around the time that he was waking up. No one saw him approach. It was as if he had simply walked through a whole in space and appeared. Ares knew that everyone could use the riftgate in Devil's Crossing, but so far, he was the only one they knew who had a personal one of his own. Perhaps this man was connected to the Aether as he was.
As Ares did more to help around Devil's Crossing, he saw that the Emissary never left. He always stood, watching. His body always seemed to know where Ares was despite the hood always covering his face. His mere presence alone was enough to frighten Ares, as though he were being endlessly trapped by a fate he did not want. Of course, he already seemed to be, what with the Aetherials and Ch'thonians constantly targeting him above the others, but that was besides the point. That was a fate he could live with, because it meant helping his friends. Whatever it was that the Emissary had in store for him, it didn't seem like something he would particularly enjoy going along with.
2. Outside of Homestead
The second time that Ares saw the Emissary, he was waiting outside of the gate to enter Homestead. Nothing about him had changed, only his location. Ares didn't know how he had been found, seeing as his conversations and plans with John Bourbon were confidential, but he was still there, only watching, as always.
The first fear he had felt at the sight of the black robes and green seal upon the ground had dimmed slightly, replaced more by unease. Ares had been gaining strength, first as an Oathkeeper, then as a Dervish, but still he felt as though this man, if he could even be called that with the inhuman was he simply stood and watched all of the time, could easily overpower him.
It wasn't so much that he was worried that he would be attacked, but more that he was slowly being trapped. Somehow, he had been followed all this way. Would there ever be an end to it? After all, Ares had other priorities. His friends needed food in Devil's Crossing. The Aetherials and Ch'thonians needed to be taken down. Unless this man had something to do with one of those two things, he felt it would be a waste of time to even say a word to him.
3. Inside of Fort Ikon
He should not have felt surprised. After all, the Emissary had followed him from Devil's Crossing to Homestead. Apparently a little farther north was no issue for him.
The wind of the icy mountains whipped all around in the courtyard of the fort, and on it were carried whispers, calling his name, "Ares... Ares... Ares..."
With a shiver, the Dervish turned to see the Emissary watching him, as always. A particularly strong gust of wind lifted his hood, and Ares could see where it was his eyes should have been. Instead, the empty sockets were filled with fire matching the color of his seal upon the ground.
A dread began to fill him. This was not normal. None of his life was, but this was somehow even worse.
All he wanted to do was save his friends. If he had to bathe the world of Cairn with the shed blood of the Aetherials and Ch'thonians, he would. But this, this endless calling that ceaselessly followed him wherever he roamed, was not something he could deal with. He just wanted to be left alone.
But alas, the Emissary watched on.
4. Inside the Coven's Refuge
At this rate, Ares was getting angry. He had finally killed the Loghorrean, meaning the Ch'thonians were disabled for the time being. The Aetherials still posed a threat to those who he had fought so hard to protect. He didn't have time for some crazy eyeless man who followed him wherever he went.
Thankfully, it seemed, he didn't have to pay attention to him very much. The Emissary stayed in his one spot towards one side of the Refuge, and Ares was content to stay on the other side. With all he was dealing with in Gloomwald and beyond, it was easy to forget that the flaming eyes constantly sought him out.
It seemed as though the calling that the Emissary had put on him was fading. Perhaps he had found another who he could pester.
5. Inside the Malmouth Sewers
Exasperation was all he could feel. And exhaustion. The Emissary truly would not give up, would he? He must have known that Ares was close to finishing his mission in defeating the Aetherials, because there he was, as always, watching.
Ares knew he could not escape the fate that was in store for him. Long ago he had accepted that fact. But what he did know, and would cling to as long as he had breath, was that he would do things in his own timing. He did not care if the Emissary wanted him as soon as possible. He would save his friends first.
All he had to do was cleanse Malmouth, and then they should be safe. It was his biggest task yet, but he had only grown in strength and fortitude since the beginning. He could handle whatever it was that awaited him. Even whatever the Emissary had in store.
1. Outside of Devil's Crossing
Ares had finally done it. He had finally defeated both the Aetherials and Ch'thonians. His friends were safe. Devil's Crossing was safe. They could finally live again.
But the Emissary still remained. Ares could hear the whispers of his name even when he was away from the man. He had become insistent now that the threats were gone. What could he possibly still want?
With resigned steps, Ares found him outside the gate, where he always was. Nothing about him had changed. As always.
The Emissary was the first to speak. "Ah, we speak at last. As I am sure you know, there are many who now cast their gaze upon you, traveler, or should I say Taken? Some who mean you ill, some who fear your potential. Then there are those who command me. They have taken great interest in your accomplishments. It appears you may be just the one we require," he said, speaking in a voice far more human than Ares expected.
"You require me? For what?" asked the Dervish.
"I cannot speak of such things in this place. The cursed gaze of our foes is cast upon us here, so I will be brief. Great powers are gathering within the distant lands of the fallen Korvan people and the Great Eye has decreed that you must play a part, whatever that may be. Will you answer our summons? Will you join me through the portal? Or do the mortal concerns of these people outweigh the calls of fate?" he said.
Ares did not answer at first. His mind was racing. The Korvans were in the south, and had been quiet for some time, but he knew that could easily change. What if they grew too strong, and began a conquest north? The people of Devil's Crossing had certainly grown stronger, and could defend themselves from the remaining Aetherials and Ch'thonians, but what about whatever it was that was growing down south? He would have to face them head on if he wanted to prevent them from attacking.
"Very well," said Ares, making up his mind. The Emissary smiled and opened a riftgate behind himself, walking through with ease. Shaking his head, and accepting his fate, Ares walked through behind him, beginning his conquest with the forgotten gods.
Well, there it is. My first finished fic in the Grim Dawn fandom. There may be more following this. Happy reading!