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text; @sharkconcept | backdated to some time after talking to Emet-Selch

[starshepard]

i have been informed by emet-selch that you are from the future of our star
i would like to hear your side of everything

@rhea'li

[lightduties]

[Thanks to Themis' arrival, he expected to receive a message much like this at some point. Though this is rather sooner than anticipated.]

i see
i suppose you would prefer to speak in person, aye?
you recall the location where you partook in my experimental fish cuisine yes?
let us convene there

[It has a river view and everything! Perfect for serious conversations.]

[starshepard]

in person would be best
i will see you anon

[ They head for the location immediately after sending their text and will be waiting if he's not already there when they arrive. ]

[lightduties]

[Rhea'li arrives not long after. Unlike the last time they were here, there is no stall; Rhea'li's finally gotten bored of serving cryptocarp and has given up the pan... at least for now. Additionally, he's started dressing in the local couture, bright colours rather much more eye-catching than his previous clothing.

He approaches, expression neutral as he tries to gauge Azem's mood.]

Azem.

[He shoves his hands into his admittedly very comfortable pockets.]

Well. Cat's out of the bag, hm? What did you wish to hear from me?

[starshepard]

[ Much like Rhea'li, Azem has adopted the local style of dress. Colorful clashing patterns, though their choices are reminiscent of their robes, long and flowing. ]

Hah. [ Azem breathes out in something of a laugh at his choice of words. Their shoulders relax a little, however, they're still a little tense. ]

I would like to hear your side of the story. Ha-- Emet-Selch told me about how you killed him in order to stop what he and the others were doing. He also told me that you traveled to our time and met him, Hythlodaeus, and Venat in Elpis. That our star was shattered by my mentor in the aftermath of that visit.

[lightduties]

[Rhea'li lets out a long breath through his nose. Explaining all that transpires upon the star never gets easier.]

Aye, that is true. Though from my perspective, I killed Emet-Selch before meeting him in Elpis, where and when he was a different man to the one I had clashed with.

[He glances away briefly, before returning his gaze to Azem.]

And it was the Venat of my time who guided me to the distant past to seek answers to the problems that faced the star in my present.

[starshepard]

I see. [ Though they suppose the whole timeline doesn't matter that much from Emet-Selch's perspective when he couldn't remember that visit. ]

As Hydaelyn, aye? Am I to gather that somehow the same problem we faced reared its head once more? [ Azem can't see any other reason why Rhea'li would be sent back to that particular point. ]

[lightduties]

Aye. The Final Days. The Calamity that caused the magics of your people to run amok, creating terrible, uncontrollable beasts that slaughtered all in their path. The people of my time do not have creation magic, so instead their bodies were affected, transforming into the same warped beasts that tore the remaining people apart.

And just like in your time, the cause was unknown. With our eyes fixed so firmly upon our own star, none could possibly imagine the source lying far beyond the heavens, nestled the furthest reaches of the universe.

[starshepard]

That's... terrible. [ To transform against one's will into a terrible beast sounds like one of the worst nightmares. ]

Meteion and her sisters.

[lightduties]

[Rhea'li nods.]

Aye. Meteion and her sisters.

[What a terrible fate, to ingest the despair of other stars like that.]

Emet-Selch told you about dynamis, I hope? The other energy besides aether that Meteion was designed to interact with? 'Tis one that had little application in your time, for your bodies are aetherically dense, hampering your ability to use dynamis. And in the space beyond our star... aether is rather scarce. Most of it is dynamis.

go sleep!

[starshepard]

He mentioned it, aye.

[ Azem looks thoughtful for a moment. ]

I can see now why Hermes would create a being that uses such energies. But what of Zodiark? He was created to protect our star, was he not? I assume that protect endured even after the star was sundered.

[lightduties]

[Rhea'li shakes his head.]

The one who was raised to the seat of Fandaniel craved oblivion, so he used Zodiark as the tool to achieve it. I had to stop him, but doing so lead to Zodiark's destruction. And thus did the Final Days return to our star.

[starshepard]

He...

[ Azem stares at Rhea'li in disbelief before slowly shaking their head. ]

And then you were sent to the past to uncover the answer and in turn, told Venat what was to come and she ensured time could continue as you knew it.

[ They lower their head, brow knit as they frown at the water. ]

I suppose I can see why she'd choose that route but... [ But it still doesn't sit right with them. ]

[lightduties]

[He had not wished to tell them at all who he was and what was to come. But that decision was out of his hands...]

Us sundered peoples... our aether is thin. Thus we could wield dynamis and give chase to Meteion and her sisters in the furthest reaches of existence, ending the Final Days in earnest.

[His smile is thin, not at all like the easy grin he had when they met.]

Venat waited thousands of years for her champion... never knowing if mankind would overcome this trial.

[starshepard]

I suppose that makes sense. [ Though they're sure they could have come up with another way if given the time. Time they simply didn't have because they didn't know what was to come.

A rueful smile forms on their lips as they look at Rhea'li again. ]

To think that that champion would happen to be a shard of myself. Fate is certainly a funny thing, hmm?

[lightduties]

[Fate? That seems hardly the case. So much seemed tangled in who he once was and who he would become. And in one timeline, his life had come to an ignoble end... Having peeled back the curtain upon many mysteries of their star, he can say that much of it are the invisible machinations of people.

Still, he can't help mirroring Azem's smile.

Nevertheless, Themis' request has not gone unforgotten.]

Though the Final Days has ended in my time... to speak it plainly, it could not have been done without the assistance of Emet-Selch. Twice I petitioned his aid and twice he answered from beyond the grave.

[starshepard]

[ It's difficult to say without all of the facts. Given Azem's penchant for predicting the future, there's no telling if they had some plan in the works or not. It's easier to just call it fate in the end. ]

He helped you? [ They look at Rhea'li with wide eyes. ]

[lightduties]

[Rhea'li nods.]

Ultimately he does not desire the star be destroyed. He saw his duty to the end, even though the results were not what he hoped.

[starshepard]

[ Hades had seemed so bitter but what Rhea'li says makes sense. Even after everything that has happened, Azem couldn't see him ever giving up on his duty to the star. ]

I see.

[ It's after all of that that a thought occurs to them. ]

Out of curiosity, how is it he helped you from beyond?

[lightduties]

[Hm, he hadn't thought about it too deeply after the fact. But...]

I know not for certain... But if I were to hazard a guess, mayhap the strong sense of duty allowed him to linger for a longer time in the Lifestream as himself. And...

[He reaches into his pocket. When he holds out his hand and unfurls his fingers, he reveals a crystal bearing a very familiar mark, resting upon his palm.]

...I suppose even after all this time, he would always answer the call of your magic.

[starshepard]

I suppose that sounds like him.

[ They could see him stubbornly hanging on until whatever task was seen to completion. ]

Huh?

[ Azem blinks and looks down at the orange stone in his hand. Sure enough, it was their symbol, that of the sun, though not a crystal they themself recognized. After all, they hadn't created it. ]

I see. [ They find themself reaching out, not to take the crystal but simply to trace their fingers over its edges as they smily softly. ]

[lightduties]

[Rhea'li hesitates for a moment, watching Azem touch the crystal, before continuing.]

I know not if he spoke of it... but we share the same soul. Or at least, I, part of it.

[starshepard]

He did mention that which explains why we have so many similarities.

[ They draw their hand back and offers a lopsided smile. ]

I wouldn't have believed him if not for his gift.

[lightduties]

He and Hythlodaeus, aye? 'Twas our friend who suggested I masquerade as your familiar.

[And what an interesting experience that was! So many of the people in Elpis readily accepted his perceived strangeness the moment he mentioned he was Azem's familiar. Though there were those who seemed to share a similar gift to Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus...]

Though I was once enemies with your coworkers, we have made our peace with each other. [A small smile.] I cannot say that I forgive them, but... we must move ever forward, yes?

[starshepard]

I do remember hearing something of a wayward familiar of mine, though had no recollection of sending one to Elpis.

[ They chuckle. ] I imagine it went over quite well.

[ They hum in response. ]

Having not lived those experiences I don't feel there is anything I can forgive, I can only accept what has been said. But, aye, we can only move forward.

However, I first need some time to myself.

[lightduties]

[Rhea'li nods.]

Of course. If you have more questions later, you need only ask and I will answer.

[starshepard]

Should any come to mind, I will let you know.

Now... to decide which way to wander first.

text; @sharkconcept

[starshepard]

im back and i have a gift for you

@Rhea'li

[lightduties]

welcome back
a gift?
where shall i meet you then?

[starshepard]

thank you
i can meet you anywhere
do you have a place you enjoy to go?

[lightduties]

many
let us convene at the fountain
tis located in the entertainment district and is the site for sky racing

[starshepard]

i will meet you there

[ It does take Azem a little bit longer than intended to find their way to the fountain but once they see Rhea'li they greet him with a bright smile. ]

Hello, there!

[lightduties]

[The day is turning to night, and so the Fountain is not as busy as it will be in a few bells. There are some racers doing some laps in the early evening but it's not quite the swarm of people who were here when Rhea'li was here last.

He's in a slightly different outfit to last time they met, but nevertheless the holographic belts catch in the evening light.

He nods in Azem's direction returning the smile.]

Azem. The new hairstyle looks good on you.

[starshepard]

[ Azem is dressed in their usual bright colors and crazy patterned loose-fitted clothing. They've recently discovered the joys of pants that look like skirts with deep pockets. It's made carrying things around significantly easier, they've found. ]

Thank you. I wish I could say it was by choice. [ They chuckle as they run a hand through it. ]

[lightduties]

[Rhea'li tilts his head, not quite understanding.]

What do you mean? Did something happen?

[Surely there isn't a Jandelaine-like hairdresser forcing makeovers on people, including Azem?]

[starshepard]

Oh, no no. [ They shake their head with a laugh. ] Just a little fire mishap.

Anyroad! Your gift. [ They dig around in their pocket before pulling out a smooth gleaming stone with veins of what appears to be blue crystal running through it that almost seem to give off a bit of light. ]

What do you think, neat rock, huh?

[lightduties]

[A fire mishap? He kind of wants to know...

Rhea'li blinks at the stone for a moment. It isn't the first time he's come into possession of a rock (fine, crystal) from an Ancient, but this one presumably doesn't have the echo of memories resonating within them. Wordlessly plucking the stone from Azem's hand Rhea'li doesn't immediately reply, instead holding it up to the light and turning it this way and that to examine it thoroughly. He marvels at the way light dances off the crystal, a small smile curving his lips when he lowers his hand.]

'Tis a pretty one, aye. Thank you.

[He tucks the stone into his many pockets.]

Where did you find it?

[starshepard]

[ The mishap is not near as interesting as he imagine.

Azem smiles in response to him examining it. ]

You're welcome. I thought mayhap it would make a nice piece of jewelry or something to simply decorate one's space. I'm glad you like it.

I found it near one of the waterways. Sadly it was the only one around.

[lightduties]

[Alas.]

I'll treasure it.

[Anyroad...]

How do you feel?

[Now that they've had time to process the revelations of the future.]

[starshepard]

Good.

[ As for the question, Azem is quiet for a moment as their gaze drops to their wrist where a bracelet that resembles a watch can be seen. However, instead of the face having a timepiece on it it has a moon that is lit up. They can't help but smile as they lift their gaze back to Rhea'li. ]

I am still saddened to learn what the future holds but things are well.

[lightduties]

[Rhea'li tilts his head as he watches Azem glance at their bracelet. A gift received, mayhaps?

He supposes that's as good as can be expected.]

Shall we make things more well then? The Entertainment district is full of places to have a good time.

[starshepard]

[ Azem tilts their head, giving him a curious look before grinning. ]

Certainly. I haven't been back here since Hades and I played a few games at the... [ They trail off, brow furrowing as they try to remember what the place is called. ] The arcade I believe.

What did you have in mind?

[lightduties]

[ooc: continued here]