Chapter 9: The View from Above

"Would you look at that," Emet-Selch said, drawing his attention away from the work happening at the base of the Ladder. The Ascian came to a stop just inside the gates, prattling on. "The citizens of Eulmore engaging in what can only be described as "manual labor." Who would have thought it possible?"

He blinked at the Ascian, curious to see where the line of commentary was going but not humoring said Ascian by voicing such. Emet-Selch eventually met his gaze and sauntered towards him, asking, "Do you know the most reliable way to deal with those who stubbornly refuse to see reason? You conquer them─crush them under heel. Such was the trusted method of Allag, and one still favored by Garlemald. But conquest is the easy part. The true challenge begins once the dust has settled─quenching the glowing embers of animosity and maintaining a semblance of peace. This requires the conqueror to treat the conquered with dignity, and the conquered to let bygones be bygones. A difficult feat to achieve. But you have achieved just that...to my considerable surprise."

He raised an eyebrow at that and found amusement tugging the corner of his lips as he asked, "Was that your attempt at a compliment?"

Emet-Selch scoffed at him. "Yes, it's a compliment. Take it."

He chuckled, shaking his head at Emet-Selch's indignation. The chatter near the Talos shifted and for a brief moment, their conversation lulled as they watched Chai-Nuzz give Urianger and Y'shtola the go ahead to begin. As the Talos started to fill with aether, Emet-Selch started talking again. "Ahh, the vibrant energy that fills the air when like-minded souls gather. To think back on that time before time fair brings a tear to the eye." He wasn't sure what expression he had on his face when he looked to Emet-Selch but the man reacted to it, surprised on some level by it. "What? You thought ancient beings like us incapable of crying?" Far from it, if he had to be honest, but Emet-Selch didn't actually allow him to voice as much. "Well, rest assured that if your heart can be broken, then so can mine! Back when the world was whole, we had family, friends, loves…"

Distrusting of the man as he was, he still felt sorrow for Emet-Selch. To not only lose so much but be damned to an eternity isolated and alone seemed far too cruel for even the Ascians to suffer through.

Emet-Selch seemed to pull himself out of it and continued. "Men knew peace and contentment, and with our adamant souls, we could live for an age. There was no conflict born of want or disparity. Our differences paled into insignificance next to all we had in common."

"A veritable paradise," he commented like an afterthought.

"Exactly. And then there was Amaurot…Never was a city more magnificent." The wistfulness in Emet-Selch's voice tugged at him and, for a moment, he was disappointed he would never see such a place to bring a melancholy tone to Emet-Selch's voice. "From the humblest streets to the highest spires, she fairly gleamed…Not that you would remember any of this."

Ears and tail both perked in the rush of mild anticipation. What? "Remember?" he echoed on the off chance Emet-Selch would indulge him but Emet-Selch simply brushed him off.

"Never mind. The point is: the world of old was a far better place than what we have now. I believe you would like it, having witnessed the things you have. Remember, you are of the Source. Unlike the halfmen here, you stand only to gain. Should you survive the remaining calamities, you will become our equal. A complete existence in a complete world." He was not above believing the part of Emet-Selch's history of how a single world shattered to have thirteen mirrors but to count the life that sprung up from it to not be whole in its own right still didn't sit right with him and he had a feeling voicing as much would be just as effective as talking to a brick wall. "But such talk is a pleasure for later. Back to work, hero."

Apparently that was his farewell because Emet-Selch turned around and made for the exit. Except, the man stopped mid step and turned just enough to look back at him. "Ah, there was one thing I had meant to ask. How well do you know the Exarch? Has he ever deigned to show you what hides beneath the cowl?"

He blinked. "If the Crystal Exarch wishes to keep his face hidden, it is not my place to push." When all he got was a stare in return, he sighed, muttering to himself, "I swear, the pair of you are like the same secretive enigma." He quickly confirmed to Emet-Selch, "No, he has not."

"What, never? Even to you?" He shrugged in response. He had no idea what Emet-Selch wanted from him. The Crystal Exarch was nearly as cryptic as Emet-Selch at times, if not more so, but he at least trusted the man to not kill him so he wasn't about to push. Emet-Selch, on the other hand, would probably talk him into circles or just kill him so he kept his questions to himself there. "How very interesting… I shall enjoy working out what it means. Until next time."

And with that, Emet-Selch sauntered off with his weird little wave. Echo'a would have watched the man pass through the gate but Dulia-Chai's exclamation drew his attention away.

The Talos were standing, the entire area erupting in a cheer at the success. It was oddly bittersweet. With the Talos moving, that meant…

"It's alive." He blinked, drawing himself away from dangerous thoughts as he turned his gaze to Ardbert. Ardbert came to stand at his side, gaze locked on the Talos and the crowd that surrounded it. "I don't know if you remember, but when we first met in this world, I was all but spent. I never thought to wonder why until now." When Ardbert raised a hand to look at it, he had to fight the urge to reach out and grab it, to reassure the other. "I think it all just got to be too much." Ardbert lowered his hand, focusing on him instead. He met that solemn gaze steadily. "The guilt of causing the Flood...knowing everyone hated me... But the worst thing was the solitude. Time wears you down, aye...but solitude eats away at you. It was so close to finishing me off." Ardbert's gaze flickered towards the gate. Ah, so that's why he had brought the topic up. "But as bad as it got, and as empty as I felt...I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like for Emet-Selch." Ardbert smiled at him. "All of which is a long way of saying: don't make a choice that leaves you alone. Nothing is worth that─especially not eternity."

He offered a soft smile in return. "I'll do my best."

It was comforting to know that he wasn't the only one holding some form of sympathy - or empathy, in Ardbert's case since the man had experienced it in a way he hopefully never would - for Emet-Selch. No matter how above other people the Ascians seemed to believe they were - or how right or whole or whatever term they chose to use - the Ascians were still people in their own right and even the most egotistical person had feelings, no matter how much they tried to deny it.

He hadn't expected to see Ardbert in among the crowd of people as he, Alphinaud, and Alisaie moved to be the first passengers on the Ladder after years of inoperation. The surprise that flashed across Ardbert's face when he beckoned the soul to ride with them was worth the small gesture. Honestly, did Ardbert really think he hadn't expected the soul to join them on the ride up? Especially when Ardbert was obviously present. He was tempted to badger Ardbert about it later if for nothing more than something to pester the other with.