Chapter 20: Faded Memories
He knew what he was walking into the moment Elidibus turned the echoes from the past to those of the proprietors. He hated it; hated how the man was using Ardbert's body as a means to an end; hated how the next moments were going to be cruel and how he already knew he was going to be unphased by most of it.
The fact that Elidibus knew so much yet still seemed to not understand was disheartening in its own right. He barely paid attention to the faces as he was attacked, waiting for the mobs to assault him before he drew his own weapon. It was a good thing he had followed in his Summoner gear. Going in as a White Mage would have just dragged the whole ordeal out and ignoring what he was seeing in lieu of keeping himself alive would have ruined him.
Haurchefant's likeness stopped him. Grief - at least an echo of it - settled in his breast thicker than it had the moment he realized what Elidibus was going to put him through. A part of him wanted to reach out but he turned away and followed Elidibus. It would do him no good to linger on things that could not change.
Fighting against Yugiri and Hien had surprised him in the sense that he hadn't expected their fighting style. Blessedly, the shades were weak imitations - or maybe he was just that strong, now.
He hated that thought.
Zenos was easy enough to deal with since the man didn't actually make him fight him.
Going up against Elidibus - against Ardbert - was a challenge in the beginning. He didn't want to. He was tired of all this testing. He was tired of every single Ascian weighing his soul in combat. He was tired of having to ignore the face in front of him because he knew it was a lie.
He was tired of it all.
And yet he still beat Elidibus. Barely - he only managed thanks to the firebird magics' healing aspect; had he been in his Dragoon gear or even Gunbreaker… - but he did beat the man and he hated that too.
"Have you finished?" came from behind him in a voice he could have wept at hearing. He turned, finding Y'shtola approaching at a swift pace. He stepped towards her and she met him, allowing him the brief moment of respite in her arms as he clung to her. Her voice was fond as she offered softly, "My apologies. I freed myself as soon as I awoke, but rather too late, I see."
He shook his head, pulling back. "Best you not have to suffer through the same as I. Best only one of us be tired of these Ascian mind games."
She cupped his cheek, sympathy on her face for but a moment before she turned to Elidibus. "Now, Elidibus, if you have ceased trading blows, I would trade words with you."
He gave her space to speak and did his best to track the conversation. He managed only half of it but he at least understood the big picture. Anything he missed would be reiterated when they rejoined the others.