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Post by Emet-Selch on Jun 18, 2020 12:53:29 GMT -6
[googlefont="Comfortaa"]
♡
@branford
He was dressed rather elaborately, wasn't he? It'd been a very long since that had been pointed out. Usually he had dressed appropriately for whatever he was going for, but here, he'd just stuck to his guise as Solus, save for the occasional black robe. Mayhaps it was time to liven up the wardrobe, get some suits, some ties. Look more modern for a modern business. And, well, that meant going out shopping! He could do that readily enough, and so that was why he found himself here. Sonora being a more modern style made that much easier as he found himself window shopping. He couldn't help but tilt his head.
The sun was high, so they would be open for a time more, as he engaged in some window shopping. What kind of suits did he want? There was the usual he'd seen; a suit, a tie, a blazer, and so on. That was tried and true, but there were some variations. There was one that was pleated, striped fabrics running down with some extravagant shoes. Another, a vest over a white dress shirt and some slacks. So many options, but which one to go with? In truth, he could get them all, make them all. But where was the fun in that?
"If only she could see me now." Persephone would likely either be laughing at him, or at least letting him know he looked good in them, or, both. Likely both, now that he thought about it. He placed a hand to his chin, resting his elbow in the palm of his other hand. It was a strange feeling, to not have any true obligations.
They disagreed on gods, then. Most were selfish, the primals cared only for their own power, even Zodiark was not entirely immune to this. But Zodiark was still mighty and magnificent. He who had saved their star from total annihilation. Regardless of tempering, regardless of His desires, Zodiark had saved them all, and for that, Hades would forever owe Him, even if that meant following His decrees and doing His will. But he let the man talk, his mood sinking ever so slightly the more he spoke. A man who was used as a puppet, who clearly did not take to such a role kindly. He'd heard the story, and had played the role of puppetmaster himself. He knew completely how those who were used as pawns, especially the ambitious ones, tended to take such a role.
Of similar kind. There it was was. Hades's eyes closed at the question, and when he opened them, there was a harsh coldness in those amber eyes. "You and I are not the same. We both align with our affinities, and our personalities on the surface, but that is where it ends." They both leaned towards the dark, and perhaps simply watching them, one could assume that they had the same personalities, but that was it. Their motives, their desires, their true feelings. The flippancy only came about because it was a way to remember his dear Hythlodaeus. To keep his memory alive. But beneath it all, they were different. Fundamentally broken perhaps, but one chose to cast away their humanity, while the other kept it, agreeing to take on the burden of eons.
His body twisted to face the man entirely. "I chose the darkness. To save my people, I would pay any price." He would pay it again and again. It was unfortunate how it had all turned out, but he would make the same choice. The alternative had been the annihilation of his star and his people, no price was too high. Even then, this man's talk of the darkness belied no small ignorance. "But that also assumes that darkness is inherently bad. It is not. All it is, is Light's other half. Light can be just as destructive. And if anything, darkness can be used as a beautiful force of creation." In Amaurot both light and darkness were used and revered. Neither was favored over the other. The balance only tipped with Zodiark. "But I'm not a monster. Not like you."
There was a small grumble as he shrugged. "Don't misunderstand. You were almost certainly reviled, used and then cast aside, when what your god should have told you is 'well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.'" Any servant of a god who performed their duties admirably should have been told so. He would acknowledge that this man, were he telling the truth (and he had no reason not to believe so), got screwed. There was no two ways about that. "For that, I pity you. Truly." But that didn't excuse him from what came after.
He pointed a finger at the man. A single finger. "But no gods bind you in this world. I myself have no longer been able to hear the call of my god. He has no influence here, and my mind is entirely my own. The same certainly applies to you. You found yourself in this world, free from any obligations. Your will your own, with only your ability to guide you. And don't say you don't have any. Those who play the role of villain in a god's puppet show are always of exemplary ability." After all, he made sure the pawns he used were of extraordinary talent; no manipulator would ever use those who brought little worth to their scheme. "All that talent, and you chose to just eat anyone in your path like a mindless beast. That's what makes you a monster."
His voice took on a more venomous tone. "You're a monster and it's entirely your choice." Oh yes, they may have been similar on the surface, but this man, he found to be more like his great grandson, Zenos. A monster who simply looked for blood, caring not from where it flowed, all to satisfy his own violent desires. He still kept that finger pointed at Ardyn, "You asked who I am, rather than who I was. It's fair, who I was in my world is irrelevant here. I am Galvus, Matchmaker and owner of Galvus's Dating Service. You, however, had a singular gift, one that you could use to cultivate the health of this star, and you've squandered it." Squandered indeed. The warning signs were all there.
And that cold venom was replaced with the smirk, the patchwork abomination of this man's soul all too visible as he felt himself zero in on it. It made him unique even amongst all the unique shades and hues of the world. "Best I handle it, then. I can think of several, more productive uses of the darkness of an entire star." And he snapped his fingers. And just like that, the assault began, as he began to tear at those patchwork seams, and try to rip that scourge out of him. It would be interesting to see how this beast would take being the hunted for once.
This place was a convoluted mess of aether. Traces here and there of power exhausted in battle. It certainly showed it, even if the town had been rebuilt. Warriors clashed, people got hurt, and buildings were destroyed. But it wasn't just once, no. Traces from different periods of time that hadn't quite faded yet. Every time it brought some sort of catastrophe on Torensten, but it also seemed that every time, they were able to rebuild. It was just... rather pointless in it all, namely because one would imagine that the inhabitants would take the hint at some point. Hades couldn't help but wonder why people continued to live here after it all.
But he found himself doing some shopping. Might as well get some groceries before he headed back to Sonora. What few knew was the difference in prices throughout the towns. Being able to simply warp between them also made that a much easier investiture, he could always get the best prices for everything! Of course, that also seemed rather redundant. When you could literally magic the money into existence, the issue of price became, well, a non issue. Still, he was at least making the effort to be good, making the effort to try and be a model citizen that blended in with everyone else, even if he had his own business.
Still, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a young woman gazing longingly at a pendant. Something... something seemed off about her soul. It was a touch different. Of course, every soul was unique, every hue different, every shade standing out, But there was... how to put it, it was as if her soul was touched, wronged by some sort of external variable. He stopped near the window, gazing intently, trying to figure out just what was going on, there.
A unique name. Well, he'd give her that, as the corner of his lips curled upward ever so slightly. "Thank you. You're not the first to think so." And he was once again content to be the listener, the one who simply allowed those to express themselves. Within their words, no matter how carefully guarded, was always a little piece of themselves. Innocent words said aloud that, to most people, would simply speak a little of her world, of her faith. Visitors to and from different worlds seemed to be a common thing, so it wasn't like it would seem all that unusual for them. However, for a member of her world--no, the Unsundered Star, from which all of those worlds came, he found her story... well he found it unusual.
Everything lined up with events that he knew, except the actors had changed. Then again, with that little stunt of the Exarch's... perhaps she came from...? Would whatever puppetmaster of this world have that ability? But he now had a point in time at least, well, he felt so anyway. Nidhogg was ramping up his attacks in her world. He'd always been active, but he was getting more serious, pressing further in. Still, he looked to the sky above. Had a horde of dragons appeared? An eyebrow quirked. "I wonder if anything had drawn them here. They are drawn to power." He wistfully commented. Just that tiny little suggestion, just that tiny little thought. The Eye, that ever present item with all its hatred and rancor.
But it explained her demeanor as well. To be bitter and hateful would expose her to Nidhogg's grasp. Always within the eyes, always nearby. Yes, just one slip and this world would know Nidhogg's Fury. He changed the subject though, "I wouldn't put much stock in your god here. None seem to have any influence in this world. If returning home is your wish, I would begin with understanding this world." Hades shrugged. He would not allow himself to dwell on the primal that sundered his world, but this world itself. There wasn't even a lifestream. This world was fragile, feeble, and frail, moreso than any of the Shards. Unsundered it may have been, but the aether was faint, save for several overflowing pockets. In truth, that Eye probably had more Aether than any object for a good distance. Well, barring himself, of course.
Ah, Lahabrea. If only one knew how much time had passed since that day on the Source. Hades could only quirk an eyebrow as he took in her features. Red hair, green eyes. Something... no, this wasn't right. He had no memory of this woman. There were no records, Elidibus had given him no knowledge. Everything about this seemed wrong. To have the Eye, had she perhaps been one of Alexander's earlier companions? No, that couldn't be it. Things didn't make sense. She put on a cheery enough facade. But the anxiety rolled off her. He put her into an uneasy state. Was there something about him that was making her uncomfortable?
He listened to her tale, and simply allowed her to unload. One could learn much by simply letting another say what they pleased. The Azure Dragoon of Ishgard. Well, that provided a possible connection as to the how, but that still didn't make sense. Estinien was the former Azure Dragoon, and the other, well... he didn't recall it being the woman in front of him. But, he accepted the hand all the same and gave it a decent enough shake. Honestly, he wasn't all that physically imposing. But, a name to give, yes. "Solus. Unfortunately I have no such elaborate titles here." Here, of course, being the keyword. He may have once been the Honorable Emet-Selch, Architect and Angel of Truth, but those titles did not quite carry over here.
Here, he was just Hades, or Solus. Strange, that.
Of course, the first name of the Garlean Emperor may have been an issue, but it was the name he had given to Cissnei, and he was leaning on the lack of a third eye to deflect suspicion. "And from my perspective, you definitely sound lost. Perhaps you should set a goal for yourself. A long term ambition to push towards. Something for your own gain, for you speak with pride of your homeland, but you don't look to be in a hurry to return, so something else must drive you, surely." But her burdens, yes. Why did she retain such a burden like the Eye of... Oh there was no need to ask that, the answer was obvious enough. It was a trait he had pegged in Alexander as well. Adventurers were by nature a proactive and often ambitious lot, even if at times they seemed aimless, there was usually some vague motive at work.
The reason to hold onto an artifact like the Eye of Nidhogg was obvious.
He'd just happened to notice it at random as she returned. A particularly spiteful shade of red that just oozed hatred for all living things in the world, more that of a rabid beast filled with venom.. That was Nidhogg's aether. It was unmistakable. Very few beings in his life had ever harbored the sheer amount of rancor that Nidhogg did. It tainted him, twisted him, until his soul was a dark red cloud of pure hatred and fury. Of course, he knew it was the eyes, or at least an eye. Nidhogg himself would... well, Midgardsormr's son would have announced himself in a more dramatic fashion.
Then of course, there was the how. Nidhogg's eyes were accounted for and destroyed by Estinien. This was confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt. They'd been used as catalysts for the primal Shinryu, and exhausted of their aether, were destroyed. So how did such a relic appear in this world? It left one answer; time. And that told him the world; time was of no import to whatever puppetmaster pulled the strings of who came and who left. Any point in time for a world was fair game to pass into this world, and that was telling.
And once again, he felt that anguish burn in his breast, that he tried so hard to bury. The fact that she was here did nothing but help to rekindle his dream of eld.
From any point in time...
Of course, this warranted up close and personal examination. Meaning, that, Eillien was going to have company in very short order. The owner of the eye naturally warranted interest. He imagined it was simply Estinien or one of Alexander's companions. They'd been cropping up recently, stood to reason another would appear sooner or later. And so, he waited for that fleeting moment of a glance, and when he saw her... nothing. He recognized nothing about her. Very obviously a Dragoon, but where in the world did she get the eye? There were gaps, holes he wanted to fill with understanding, everything was beginning to hinge on it. Everything.
So that was why Eillien found herself next to a rather tall man. Not towering, no, he knew to shrink ever so much. But the rest, well, he couldn't be around her as Solus zos Galvus. Even if she wasn't a historian, the third eye would give him away. She was from the Source, Nidhogg's eye made it that obvious. No, Hades kept his natural appearance, finding that in some cases, it made a better disguise than the actual disguise. A return to the old, wearing naught but simple black robes, though he kept the mask off. That might be a red flag.
"Are you looking for something?" It was a soft, gentle voice. Long white hair flowed through the openings in his hood. Amber eyes gave her a curious look, making sure not to drift to the bag that held the eye. Oh, but he could feel it, and even staring at the woman he could see brief traces of that clouded rancor.
Well, at least she wasn't so stubborn as to deny that he spoke only the truth. After all, back in their worlds, it was part of his title after all. The Angel of Truth. He may have kept some details out, but he never really lied either. Everyone had their secrets, their own burdens to bear. They all had something they wanted to keep to themselves. Even so, if he must play the game of deception, he preferred to deceive by simply weaving so many truths, that one had to guess which one was what he was referring to. It also brought up a humorous possibility; what would happen if a day came that he just decided he would outright lie? Perhaps that would be quite the trump card in the days to come; not like he had the Angel of Truth title here, either, right?
So he simply watched, and he waited, as Cassandra felt for the north. Should be easy enough, examine the trees, look at the sun in the sky, so on and so forth. It seemed she had her own methodology, as she used her aether to grow moss on a tree. He kept that insufferably smug look on his face as an eyebrow quirked. "A tad overkill, is it not?" Ah, well, she tried. But as much as he liked to have a flair, there was also the need to use exactly what was necessary and no more. It was why he merely shot the Exarch in the back instead of blowing him away with some ancient spell of darkness, you know.
But she was stabilizing, and it seemed that all was well in the world. "Well, you seem to have everything under control. Enjoy your newfound freedom from Hydaelyn, remember not to stay out past your bedtime, and don't talk to strangers." Innocent doe eyes and weariness did not for a good combo make. "Ah, and if you could refrain from informing dear Alexander that I am here, I would appreciate it. I would prefer to avoid any unnecessary drama with him, if I could." Cassandra may be a little more hesitant, but he was fairly sure that Alex would try to attack him after everything. Or at the very least go into some sort of frantic detective mode where he'd try and see what Hades was plotting.
Which, actually... "On second thought, feel free to. You know as well as I do it'd be entertaining to watch him fret over some grandiose scheme on my end." Especially when said grandiose scheme didn't exist."And if you ever find yourself in need of a soul mate," With a snap of his fingers, a small card would materialize, gently landing in Cassandra's hair. "You can find me in Sonora. Galvus's Dating Agency." And so he revealed what he'd been up to since coming to this world; setting up a matchmaking business. That was his grand scheme. Persephone did always say he'd be a natural at it.
Raising his arm, he gave... well, it was technically a wave, but it was more him flopping his hand back and forth. Amber eyes narrowed, and with a flash of darkness consuming him, he vanished, retiring to the shade. But hey, at least she had directions, right?
He shrugged with a knowing smirk. He would concede that. Yes, it was best to know one's enemy when one may have to act against them. But in knowing of the enemy, he had felt there may have yet been a possibility for a path of lesser tragedy. Alas, once again he had been proven wrong, except this time the battle did not go as well as he had hoped. Instead, he was content to merely let her talk and come to her own conclusions. But her remark about her lack of blessing intrigued him. "Well that confirms we are nowhere near the Source or its Shards. I can no longer hear Zodiark's Call, but I wasn't completely sure." Which meant, well that had to mean his mind was entirely his own again, didn't it? Even if he were still tempered, he could obey no commands he could not hear.
Hades crossed his arms, as if pouting. "And doubt me if you wish, but when have I ever given you cause to doubt my words?" Really, now. That was rude. So he just stood there as Cassandra wobbled. She really was not feeling good, was she? He'd managed just fine when he'd first arrived, but he was also of much sturdier stock for the moment. She was divining, that much he could tell. So he just watched, and he waited, quietly. Despite what others thought, Hades was perfectly capable of not being a bother, people just liked to label him as one for one reason or another.
Although it did finally give way when he rolled his eyes ever so slightly. "He's North, Cassandra. In Torensten." Some things still never escaped his sight. "He doesn't involve himself with the Moogles, he simply does odd jobs. I daresay he's quite content to no longer be a Warrior of Light." Alexander enjoyed rising up, but also enjoyed obscurity. It was that paradoxical nature that wanted the fame, glory, and thrill with none of the notoriety. "You, ah, did learn how to tell which direction is North, didn't you?" It was a rhetorical question, but one filled with smug.
And the smug increased, and began to show on his face, his arms raised for a moment before lowering. "Ah, the snippy comeback. Well, shall I remind you of the time you helped create a rather large gap in my chest? I imagine a practical joke at your expense if only fair play." Still, she had a point, Solus was the best she had. He shrugged, shaking his head at the suggestion. "Solus will do." It'd have to, wasn't like she had anything to go off of right now. Not that it mattered, Solus had no meaning here. Hades had no meaning here, and Emet-Selch, that was a title he couldn't even begin to bother with here. So for now, Solus would do. Nevermind that it was a name had had been using in pieces.
A simple complaint about the intrusion into her personal life, then? Still, for her to not immediately leap to the Au Ra's defense, well, that said all he needed to know about the debt, then. "I know about your personal life because unlike Lahabrea, I actually do my homework, before I get to work. Did you know he used to be our finest Orator? Ah, how the mighty have fallen." In truth, Zodiark had been his idea. He had to give the man credit there. But all the body hopping changed him. He preferred to craft new vessels. More time consuming, but it didn't have the burden that jumping did. No, Hades would only ever steal a body if it was of a truly spectacular specimen. "I know about you, Alexander, your friends, and even the inter-dimensional intruders like dear... oh, what was his name... Noctis, I think?"
Of course he, well, he was asleep for Noctis, and Solus for the rest, so Elidibus filled him in more than anything. But intruders from another world always put the Ascians on high alert. Whenever someone managed to breach the veil between worlds, the Ascians sensed it, and they watched, because as the stewards of the Star, it was the duty of the Ascians, and these intruders were true unknowns. "As for the rest, I'll just fill that in for you; you're in a world called Zephon, on the continent of Serenestra, in the Wanderwood, near the town of Torensten. There's a moogle village nearby, too if the aether is anything to go by. You're here because someone pulling the strings felt it would make for a good time to bring you here, I imagine." And then he saw her expression. "Can't say I blame them. The doe eyes and innocent demeanor do make you an easy target to tease."
Cassandra, compared to the others, was an extremely easy target.
He stretched his arms out, cracking his knuckles as he tried to get the blood flowing as he hunched over. Playing the part of explainer could be oh so tiring at times. Right now, a nap was starting to sound pretty good. "But Alexander and his bird are here, Lycoris is here, Ayako is not here, the others are not here. I've turned over a new leaf as they say. No, there is no known way to get back. You're stuck here, I'm afraid. Possibly forever." And, well, had he hit everything? He was pretty sure he had. "Have I missed anything?" But it wouldn't hurt to double check.
There it was, that long, beleagured sigh. The katana vanished into aether as "Ayako" sat right up, the glamor falling away to revealing the skunk stripe and Garlean regalia. There was an audible huff as his shoulders slumped. He had his mischievous side, of course, and well, with Cassandra he deserved to indulge it, after everything she'd gone and done to him. Better than reaping vengeance. "Well I suppose that will have to do. A good fright is a fun fright, I suppose." And it all fell away as he floated to his feet. She already knew exactly who he was, no need to hide his more... supernatural aspects. He looked up at the light of the sun. At least it didn't burn him as it did elsewhere. Was that a result of no longer hearing Zodiark's call? It did bring to question the matter of will; was he still tempered? Or was Hades free to be himself, again? He wasn't sure.
Taking a step into the shade. "I'm not quite sure how you noticed, but it doesn't matter. Yes, 'tis I, hold your applause. While I'm a bit hesitant for you to be calling me Hades after, well, everything, I suppose you can't exactly call me Emet-Selch, either. I can't be addressed by a title I no longer hold, after all." He seemed a bit steamed, more than anything. At least he wasn't being... overtly hostile. But he was being rather snarky. Which, considering the role she played in his demise, he felt entitled to have some form of payback, and he was trying to be good. So instead of something truly vicious like killing her, a little spooky jump scare, nothing more!
As for the woman he impersonated... "I also thought you might like to see that joke of an Au Ra you are so fond of." And yes, that sounded horrible, but there was something else to that. Yes, see, the real Ayako had... well, he would explain in just a moment. "And before you get offended on her behalf, tell me; what was her debt, last you saw her?" He quirked a brow as he gave her an exaggerated shrug? Surely Ayako had learned to be responsible, yes?
