At long last, death was something more permanent than what he once knew and held lackluster advantages with. But this was something unexpected – a life untouched by the Lifestream, itself. Something at the hands of a merciful God – nay, not his Zodiark, but something beyond.
Such few words carried such a heavy weight – one that no longer remained on his barren. That it, in itself, was enough to leave the man stir-crazy – the lack of emphasis on his existence, his purpose – their memory. Everything had now been said and done, left in charge of the one known as the Warrior of Darkness and their allies. It was up to them to see the truth, to set balance, and bring down both the weary Primals who suffocated their air.
– But would it be enough?
He had never been able to consider it clearly before – his ambitions always clouded by a fog of darkness. To wish them all the best in their quest. To thank them. Such words were not able to meet his tongue when he wore the chained leash of Zodiark. But of what few moments he had untempered, left in the good-graces of Hydaelyn’s chosen, he had been able to present what little he could of his true self.
Not that such would make up for the countless bloodshed, the lives lost under his hand, the lands rebuilt and destroyed. But he had hoped it would be enough for them to understand what was at stake. To think beyond the prism which held their soul as tightly – think beyond that of Hydaelyn’s will.
It’d be a future written unknown to he and his people. Those who wished only to be remembered.
❝ Home, ❞ Hades repeated at his touch, finally managing to pull his attention aside to once more glance at the glittering city beneath them. The towers’ spirals, as tall and beautiful as the day he built them. No mistake, these were not mere replicas of a poor depressed fool. They were originals. Perfection.
It truly was a sight to behold – even with its’ physical consequence, the mans’ knack against the back of his head causing Hades to stumble a step forward – something a mere shade would be incapable of doing. No doubt in his mind, this was indeed his friend of the ages – the very one who held his unsteady mind, down to the wire of that fateful day. Two sides of the same coin.
❝ – It is quite astounding, isn’t it? ❞ he chuckles a single breath at the commentary – quite, his life expectancy was beyond any of his brethren aside from the one in hiding. And even then, how the three of them made it so far only to be stopped by a common enemy – aye, such fate would soon consume the remaining soul. Elidibus was but a grain of sand in a tilted hourglass, bound to meet the same demise. Oh, the stories Hades’s had hoped to hear the moment the emissary arrives with them. ❝ I cannot excuse any of my actions. But… I will neither ask your forgiveness, nor that of the rest of Amaurot for what became of me. ❞
If Hythlodaeus knew, then there was a winning chance that those of the past knew every motion, as well. How would they think of him, he wonders? That of the fallen council and their merit – the man who dragged through time.
As for questions… he had many. Yet none to which he wanted answers. Things best left unspoken – history was already written, and there was nothing more Hades could do to change that. The Exarch would make sure of it. He could go about the who, where, why, but in the end – it’d matter not. This was already a more surprised ending that he expected – something quite more than he ever deserved.
But before he could put it into voice, the man had been pulled into embrace of the other – an immediate warmth that he’d not known for years. An overwhelming sense of relief – it clings to the back of his throat, halting his undying breath temporarily as hesitant arms worked to return the favor. Unclaimed fingertips patting the redhead on the pat, as to consult – it took Hades more effort than originally expected to bring his guard down, a small smile turning his lips as brows furrowed lightly in sentiment.
❝ – I’ve missed you too, dear friend.”
Hythlodaues expected something far more different to happen really. For all his life, Hades had always been a man to challenge everything around him, to be better, do better. He originally thought Hades would take dying kicking and screaming or try to formulate some godsawful plan to go back to the world of the living. Defiance was in his blood but honestly, what he saw here was...acceptance.
Something he hadn’t seen in eons. Not since worry was a far off nightmare inn their youth. The gaze that found him was one of relief, gratitude, no longer burned, slouching with the weight of everything and everyone. A man Daues had only dreamed he’d see again, where winkles and dark bags under the eyes no longer existed. It only made the red head hug him tighter, ignoring how his eyes stung under where they were shut tight when he felt his best friend’s arms coil sheepishly around him in turn. Ah....this was what true content felt like.
After a moment, albeit reluctantly, the younger pulled away to gently ghost his palm over the other’s cheek. His amber eyes still were as wondrous as the day he first laid eyes on them. “Finally unafraid of my hugs now? Tis truly is the afterlife.” He tease with a weak chuckle.”Long have I waited for you, my dearest one. But aye, all is well now. We will not judge your actions, nor will I. What matters is we’re back together again, as it should be.”
“Well I suppose we should start our way home, Lahabrea has many a choice word to give.” The redhead snorted lightly before letting his hand fall from Hades’s cheek to instead coil his arm playfully around one of the former Ascian’s and tug him down through the field of flowers that lead to the path to their city. “We've all been waiting for you a long time. To most you are a hero to our people. Though our time is up, we are remembered by those in the realms because of your doing, an that alone deserves celebration.”
Mint green eyes scanned over the sparkling city before them, the gentle murmured of the soul inside were clear as bells to his ear. They knew of their newest arrival no doubt, word got around fast here.
“I have ever watched you at your side. A ghost upon your tainted life with the shards....you were always so sad, a pained heart longing for that which you lost. I watched the darkness consume you as I knew it would without my guidance. It broke my heart to know I couldn’t save you from your despair, and for that I pray forgiveness.” Daues murmured as he squeezed Hades arm, he wasn’t going to let go of him for some time now, they’d have to manually rip him from his friends side if they tried.
The fear of losing him all over again swelled his chest. “I was there, at the end...a specter as hallow as the city you created, but I could see through it’s eyes, I saw them, I saw you.” Hythlodaues confessed.
“A mistake of your own conjuring but a mistake enough for me to look through it’s eyes, to speak through it’s mouth. The moment it faded I knew your soul did as well, thus I came here knowing you’d arrive soon.” He explained.
“I won’t leave your side ever again, Hades...I promise.”
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