the dying gasp.

you've committed the cardinal sin of boring me. and so I retire to the shade.

[aidcneus]

though the world be sundered and our souls set adrift, where you walk , my dearest friend, fate shall surely follow .

⊹      GUIDE  &  HADES  &  VERSES  &  TRIVIA  &  BONDS.

a study in  /  the endlessness of an immortal's grief, a violent refusal to let go & move on, weaving one's way into history & destroying it from the inside out, the eldritch horror of a years old entity stealing a mortal body, and a slow descent into madness.

an independent, mutual exclusive & highly private portrayal of emet-selch from final fantasy xiv. beloved by phoenix, est november '25.

primarily headcanon & personal interpretation based. this blog will feature spoilers from ff14, as well as very sensitive topics & themes. very oc & crossover friendly. flexible for any verse, concept & media. don't be afraid to reach out! I love meeting new people & writing with all sorts of characters.

affiliates ; @nightingeal ♡ & @bludlily ♡

blog roll ; @rcsfield & @zcdiark

⊹      PLAYLIST  &  PINTEREST.

[poohsources]

🐝  *  ―  𝑺𝑯𝑰𝑷𝑷𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑺𝑯𝑬𝑬𝑻.

send 🚢 or ( 'SHIP' ) if you ever considered shipping our characters romantically and want me to fill out the following form for our muses. bold all that definitely applies, italicize what could potentially apply. feel free to add more if you think certain options are missing or you just want to add more.

do i ship our characters together?: yes | no | not yet but maybe soon

would i like to ship with you?: yes | maybe, i'm willing to try | no

type of relationship i could see: childhood or high school sweethearts | exes | engaged | married | long-term relationship | crushes | unrequited love | fling | long distance | online relationship | just dating | new relationship | toxic lovers | friends with benefits

tropes i'd enjoy writing for them: friends to lovers | enemies to lovers | exes to lovers | fake relationship / dating | forbidden love | grumpy and sunshine | star-crossed lovers | surprise pregnancy | second chance | soulmates | amnesia / mistaken identity | forced proximity | secret relationship | slow burn relationship

would i rather plot first or jump right in and see where it goes?: develop their relationship first | jump right in | something in between ( what specifically? )

what now?: let's plot something | send me shippy memes | i'll send you shippy memes | write me a random starter | i'll write you a random starter

anything else i want you to know about me / my character / my shipping habits: ( put whatever you want here )

[aidcneus]

unprompted starter for @bludlily

it had all come down to this, hadn't it? an attempt at friendship, thinking for even a moment that these people— her— could be worthy of something. but what a disappointment it had all turned out to be, yet another reason to forsake them and this star.

his fine control was in tatters, things finally fraying to pieces after eons of grief-riddled work. she was burning away at the hands of light sickness, a hairs breadth from becoming one of the very monsters she'd been slaying. yet here she stood before him, defiant as ever, and the very notion felt like acid in his breast.

❝ you still do not seem to grasp the severity of your situation, ❞ he spits the words, that glib ease from their interactions before now nowhere in sight. ❝ just this once, would you listen to me, kore— ❞ the name slips out before he can even begin to comprehend it, the fact it was even haunting his thoughts at all. he falls silent, like a shock of ice has frozen his very veins. he's gaping at her now, a man seeing ghosts, face drained of all colour. 

[aidcneus]

I feel as though I still have a million things to add, BUT! I do have at least a basic outline of things on my verses page now. so if anything catches anyone’s interest, feel free to jump at me 👀 ( shb / ew spoilers)

[nipuni]

Angel of Truth

A speedpaint video of this will be available at my Patreon on december 1st! 😊

[vierandancer]

@aidcneus

Meiko had far too much on her mind. It was one thing to merely be the Warrior of Light's sister, and an entirely different thing to be the 'prophesized' Warrior of Darkness. A title she disliked for more than responsibility-related reasons.

Maybe this was divine punishment for cringing at Fray's monologues when they first spoke them to her.

Still, she had managed to absorb two Lightwardens so far. That was progress. But knowing that her brother and the other Scions' bodies grew weaker in the Source by the minute -- perhaps faster -- was an ever-present worry in her mind. She couldn't just be successful, she had to be successful and quick. Even now, as exhausted as she had been after talking late into the night with Ardbert, she felt restless enough to rise. Fortunately, if Ardbert was still watching her, he didn't interrupt her decision to slip out for a walk.

Even at this late hour -- it must have been well past midnight -- the Crystarium hummed quietly with activity. Crafters carrying on with their tasks, a few folks milling by the market boards. It felt like the people of the Crystarium were so thankful to have night returned to them, that they'd sacrifice sleep just to experience it a bit longer. It was sweet and she was happy to help those in need.

Yet still, there was an emptiness in her chest that she couldn't quite shake. Something known and yet unspoken -- at least for now.

If the Exarch had successfully summoned A'kihiko as a whole being, rather than the shade of solid aether as he and the others were now, Meiko would not be here. There would have been no need for her, just like there would have been no need for her in that fight against Elidibus on the frontline.

Convenience was the phrase that resonated in her mind. Her brother was taken out of play by chance -- little more than a miscalculated spell -- and she was the only viable substitution. A last ditch effort. And even when she performed adequately (or better), it was difficult not to feel like an impostor.

Of course, if she said these words out loud she would receive platitudes and reassurances and encouragement... appreciated, but not what she needed. Hell, she didn't even know what she needed or wanted to hear.

Maybe she never would.

"Pah," she scoffed, shaking her head. Her voice was low, speaking only to herself. "Stop it, Mei. Thinkin's no yer strong suit for a reason."

Her feet had carried her out onto the bridges that extended out from the Rotunda, giving her a measure of privacy as she stopped by a railing to stare out at Lakeland.

There was so much on her mind -- her brother, the Scions, the Lightwardens, Ardbert, everything happening back home and that damned Ascian showing up earlier -- but when she tried to focus on a single subject, her mind felt everything was on fire.

Hopefully, a few minutes of peace would help her at least grow tired enough to get back into bed.

[aidcneus]

the steps that lead emet-selch out and along the rotunda's bridge are silent things, ghostly footfalls from a hijacked body he knows all too well how to wield. no one would see him enter, just as no one would see him leave, as is always the ways of an ascian. that golden gaze finds meiko all too easily in turn ( he's always watching, always trying to glean what her next steps may be ), landing on her back as he spies her against the bridge's railing.

❝ cannot sleep? ❞ he drawls, marking his arrival at a distance, as if at least having the courtesy not to make her jump— not too hard, anyway. a gloved finger is tracing along the shape of the railing at his side, tapping against the metal, slow steps further narrowing the gap between them.

❝ to think you fought so hard to bring about darkness to the sky, yet here you still stand, like a cog that is simply incapable of remaining still. what could possibly be keeping our champion awake, if not that blinding, primordial light? ❞ it's hard to deny the amusement on his tongue, nipping at her heels in a way that poses more annoyance that threat. the way he stares at meiko in this moment is one of assessment, looking through her into what she herself cannot see. whether he finds something there or not, he doesn't acknowledge it outwardly, that easy smile remaining.

[shardgathered]

"what? did you think we'd have some exciting adventure? sadly this is the bread and butter of my work" meya placed another crate next to an already alarming amount of others that they had carried here for the past few hours.

the ascian did ask her and the scions to be more cooperative, for meya that meant dragging emet-selch along on their many, many errands. "sorry to disappoint you, your majesty, you want to work with the scions? that means back to the basics, 'm sure you had to do some sort of labor before you became emperor...?" — @aidcneus ( s.c )

[aidcneus]

for a man who'd insisted on tagging along for the warrior of lights endeavours, he sure did complain a lot. but emet-selch had never exactly advertised himself as the easy or tolerable type, his expression furrowed into a petulant frown.

❝ I have weathered my fair share of hard labour, indeed. ❞ he bats back dryly, leaning against a nearby stack of crates with his arms folded across his chest. he's done little to help since the task began, preferring to watch and provide snide commentary as meya did all the heavy lifting. even now, he was positioned in the shade, refusing to set foot into the blistering, primordial sunlight.

❝ do you not have lightwardens to vanquish? a world to save? you seem awfully unhurried for one so pressed for time. it is as if you're hell-bent on boring me. ❞

[bludlily]

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗟𝗬 independent writing blog for the warrior of light of square enix's MMORPG, final fantasy 14. highly selective & private. originally established in 2022, but remade in 2026. as written by sasha ( any prns, 23, eest ).

[nipuni]

Reaper

A speedpaint video of this will be availale at my Patreon on june 1st!

[aidcneus]

something quite important to my portrayal of emet-selch is his mental state near the end & then the culmination of shadowbringers.

whilst it's shown in parts in the game itself, it doesn't go too deep. with my emet-selch, however, I view his desperation and instability to be immense come the time he's physically confronted by the warrior of light & co. he has nothing left to lose; the warrior of light has disappointed him, he's holding the exarch hostage and he's achingly, violently desperate. there's this unpredictable, erratic edge to his once laid back and glib demeanour now. what he's desperate for is anyones guess; is it to succeed, to overcome his opposition, or is it for the warrior of light to prove him wrong and put him down?

it doesn't matter, really, because he's simply too far gone now. whatever eloquence he once had is gone and all he can do is mock, belittle, tear into the warrior and scions like a rabid animal pushed to the very edge. he really, truly wanted to believe in these people, and they're just as useless as everyone else he's ever known. it's like a breaking point for him.

in the midst of this breakdown, I think glimpsing azem is even more of a gut-punch, because how could this disappointment possibly be them. he knows the warrior is a soul unlike the others, of the source and capable of being his equal. but that flicker of azem only frays his mental state further rather than comforting it.

I think his appearance takes a hit too. throughout shadowbringers, he keeps his composure and looks put together, like the charade of solus he's played for so long. I think his skin is a ghostly pale, dark circles under his eyes, his irises an even brighter, sickly yellow, his hair unkempt. everything about him screams unstable, otherworldly and wrong. I think those claws of his break through too, tearing his gloves and sharpening his fingers.

then there's the transformation as a whole, his true form, and the fact showing such a thing is considered a sign of great emotional instability. he becomes everything he would otherwise hate and be disgusted by. death is a release for him, as much as he thrashed against it.

[aidcneus]

You're insufferable, you know that?

love is a battlefield ( accepting! )

emet-selch's lips curl at elinor's words, arms crossed over his chest as he regards her. for all the bickering they partake in, the lingering hostility, the push and pull, he seems entirely unfazed by the summoner's frustration. he's nothing if not aggravatingly laid back in her company.

❝ and yet it is you who seeks me out, again and again, your heart ever on your sleeve. do you think me ignorant? ❞ he takes a step closer, his height casting a shadow over the hyur before him. there's nothing threatening in his stance, there truly never has been since they first came face to face, but his presence is an imposing one no less.

❝ you oppose everything we stand for, yet you cannot stay away, can you? you think I do not notice the way you stare at me when my head is turned? just whose side are you on, warrior of light? ❞ a gloved hand reaches forward, grasping the others chin. ❝ careful not to disappoint your beloved scions, now. ❞

[aidcneus]

what are we................

hades doesn't even bother to look up from his morning papers.

❝ I am with you day and night— of my own will, might I add—, we sleep within the same sheets and we share a child. if you still feel the need to ask me such things, I fear there is no hope for you, hero. ❞

[nipuni]

Emet-Selch sketches! 💘

[aidcneus]

Stop looking at me like that.

love is a battlefield ( accepting! )

❝ like what? ❞ emet-selch's gaze flickers down towards the scholar before him, a lazy tilt to his head. the words are just shy of a taunt, that golden stare taking her measure. whatever he does or doesn't find, it doesn't show on his features. he leans forward, however, just shy of looming over her space.

❝ you are the one seeking me out, are you not? slipping free from the watchful gaze of our beloved warrior. tsk tsk. whatever would your friends say? to find you here with me. ❞ there's a smile on his lips, an incredibly fine line between amused and predatory. ❝ I am eons your senior, but I am no fool, dear. you've come down to me for a reason. what is it? ❞

[bludlily]

" so, you would have me call you... hades, then? " the name feels odd on her tongue, a sensation so very unlike anything she has ever experienced. it felt personal, intimate, as if it were not meant for her ears, nor mouth. and yet, emet-selch's— no, hades' words were clearer than they had ever been. she was to call him hades. she hesitates. almost goes, are you certain that is your wish? but refrains in the end, opting to instead continue unpacking her bag for the night. she does not look at him when next she speaks, " all right, hades. " nose wrinkles, just a tiny bit, and she can't help but laugh a little awkwardly. that'll more than certainly take some time getting used to. but, get used to it she could. at the very least, it did not leave a bitter taste in her mouth that the title of emet-selch did. it was an improvement for sure. " gods, that feels weird. "

@aidcneus

[aidcneus]

❝ it is simply a name, hero. of which you carry many. ❞ hades counters. it's a vulnerability, an offering, but he'll be damned if he acknowledges it as such. they'd come this far, however, and he had promised no more titles or masks.

he's already claimed one of the chairs within her room for himself, leaning back into it with one knee crossed over the other. it's not like he has anywhere else he can go, tied to her as he is. the collar and leash, metaphysical though they may be, are tight around his throat. cora's grasp on him is unyielding, of that he has no doubt.

though he's done little to foster trust between them as of yet, he can hardly expect her to slacken her grip.

in the time since their showdown, the body he wears has truly come to belong to him now, despite his efforts to rid himself of it. he'd set the stage, taken his final curtain call, and yet here he still stands. the weight has lifted from his shoulders, but life isn't something he expected to still keep. hades doesn't know where to go from here, nor what to make of the newly gained quiet in his mind. it is simply him, and.. her.

❝ if you are to pull the leash any tighter I may very well choke. am I expected to sit here and watch over you as you sleep? ❞ in all honesty, he can't remember the last time he himself felt such a need, long since cast free from the shackles of bodily needs.

[aidcneus]

me: (asks for angst)

me when y'all actually fill my inbox with it: whoa hey now hang on a second—

[nightprompts]

&. 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

(  an  assortment  of  short  and  angsty  dialogue  prompts.  feel  free  to  change  and  edit  as  you  seem  fit.  )  

❛ i didn’t know where else to go. ❜

❛ i’ll never be that me again. ❜

❛ you can still be good. ❜

❛ i thought you’d be here. ❜

❛ don’t act like you know me. ❜

❛ because i care about you, okay? ❜

❛ it wasn’t supposed to end like this. ❜

❛ i was scared. i thought you had lost your way. ❜

❛ am i supposed to just let you go? ❜

❛ you deserve better than me. ❜

❛ don’t make me do this. ❜

❛ i’m not who you think i am. ❜

❛ you don’t mean that. ❜

❛ please just hold me. ❜

❛ i don’t want to understand, i want you to stay. ❜

❛ and why should i care? ❜

❛ you look awful. ❜

❛ i can’t do this without you. ❜

❛ don’t let me lose you too. ❜

❛ for what it’s worth, i really am sorry. ❜

❛ it’s not your fault. ❜

❛ i don’t know who i am anymore. ❜

❛ is this the part where you kick me out? ❜

❛ don’t we deserve to be happy? ❜

❛ promise me you’ll still be here when i wake up. ❜

❛ you can’t save everyone. ❜

❛ it was a nightmare, that’s all. ❜

❛ it’s just a scratch, don’t worry. ❜

❛ you know me better than i know myself. ❜

❛ don’t go where i can’t follow. ❜

❛ you’re better off without me. ❜

❛ we all die alone. ❜

❛ people get hurt if they get too close to me. ❜

❛ i hate what i’ve become. ❜

❛ i’m not going anywhere. ❜

❛ is there anything i can do to help? ❜

❛ i don’t even recognize you anymore. ❜

❛ who did this to you? ❜

❛ please don’t leave me. ❜

❛ oh, now you care? ❜

❛ don’t come any closer! ❜

❛ i missed you so much. ❜

❛ you don’t have to say anything. ❜

❛ do you want me to leave? ❜

❛ why are you avoiding me? ❜

❛ you could have died, you know. ❜

❛ i wish you were here. ❜

❛ you’re not alone. i’m staying right here. ❜

❛ i can be your family. ❜

❛ of course i’m here. where else would i be? ❜

❛ we just can’t seem to get it right, huh? ❜

❛ don’t look at me like that. ❜

❛ don’t push me away again. ❜

❛ this wasn’t how it was supposed to go. ❜

❛ you’re leaving already? ❜

❛ this was a mistake. ❜

❛ can’t sleep? ❜