AB INFERIS.

[athena-ishnuala]

the Grape Story~Tales from the Shadow 7 

[magusinferi]

[The Eternal Calm Verse. ] Plotted Starter. Azem. @starled

Azem, unpredictable and so very curious by nature, was the sole individual he had learned to read to one certain extend, almost feeling – as if one faint connection between their very existence truly existed – when she was close to return to Amaurot once again. Wild and untamed, so very similar to him, she would only return after seeing new miracles, new surprises and after making new acquaintances. It was what made her very being so different to most of their kin – the drive and impulse to see so much more than her own imagination, to see and experience all by herself. And perchance such brightness of her mind, the very difference to his own who never left their proud city, had made him fall for her over the many centuries.  Oh, most certainly he would have left his unrequited feelings at that; being so very content of solely being a friend to her – one she visited so regularly and whom she also asked for counsel. And nonetheless, despite having lived a much longer life than most of their kin, the very moments with her were still the finest to his memory – those moments when she simply shared in his melancholy and laid down with him in the fresh grass of the park to gaze upon the firmament. Moments of silence, of quiet – unlike the many loud voices of the common citizens who truly enjoyed to elaborate and state their minds. He was none of them; and when he felt the faint glow and warmth of her very soul so close to his own, he had always believed to remain on this very spot for the rest of all eternity.

Perchance Hythlodaeus words held more truth into them as he had presumed for long; finding out that Azem had truly considered him trustworthy enough to grant him access to her own private home in secret, albeit she had never voiced such direct permission. And just mayhap he should have listened to their mutual friend far sooner, who had long suggested for him to lay bare what his soul seemed to see in hers. And now he did, full intending to propose to his beloved if she indeed felt the very same. In the very beginning he had been quite against such mischievous approach, yet when the day of her return drawn nearer his mind had long begun to race, to consider the many possibilities. And the very result of his long brooding had been to show the very beauty he saw in everything – in the smallest things he loved, in the many things he had begun to love because of her. In the incomparable beauty of her soul, and hers alone.

Nay, he believed to know what her heart desired after the countless of hours spending with her; and the least he wanted was to imprison her like one of the many creatures they conjured with their magics. She was a free spirit, like the wind and the rain, a true force of nature – and he wished to treat her so, with all of the love he could harbor for her very existence. The only true way for him to reveal what he had buried for so long, deep within his very core, was to show her such deep understanding of herself; to make her smile, to make her laugh. To see beauty in all, also in him. And thus the very plan was quickly and yet so very carefully constructed.

Only for once would he not wait for her on their usual destined spot; only for once would he not greet her with fine spells awaiting to be seen solely by her. Instead, so he had planned, he left the purest bouquet of her most beloved flowers, leaving hints of his true whereabouts in entire Amaurot for her to see the city and the people he so very cherished. An own adventure midst their own kin, with friendly faces – with witty conversations.

Hades patiently waited in her private chambers for her return, beginning to conjure imagines, sceneries of absolute and pristine gorgeousness – one flower prettier than the other, each winged creature brighter, more vivid and so seemingly alive than the previous one. There was only limited time, of course, but he would not stop to use his creation magic until she set foot into her own apartment – and saw him. Midst the vast field of flowers and creatures to greet her.

And she did arrive, eventually – the strains of her long travel still so very apparent on her silhouette.

The darkened cowl slowly glided down his smooth facial features, coming to rest on his broad shoulders to reveal the much shorter wisps of snow-white hair beneath it –no longer being the untamed and wild mane he used to so openly wear and show despite their communal robes. One which had always made him to be quite different to the other Amaurotians, not solely due to his rather eccentric reputation. Yet now the hair perfectly framed the grey mask hiding his upper face, with its wisps ending around the very same height of his barely visible nostrils. Despite such certainly surprising revelation of his sudden change of his own appearance – one he had not changed in eons -- Hades’ expression remained indescribable as ever, his lips tightly pressed to a thin line.

Ever so slowly, almost as if he intended for a dramatic pause, he lifted his cloaked arm to place all of his slender fingertips on his mask – the only true belonging which was truly his alone. The aether so easily flowed through his veins to the very tips touching the singular creation, giving the unspoken permission to reveal what was lying underneath. Soft and light as a feather, despite its material looking so heavy to the eye, he felt the mask, his second skin, lifting from his cheeks, attaching itself to his palm. His eyes still laid upon her – the sole sun and light of his very existence, one brilliant soul shining so very brightly whenever she was as close to him – whilst he removed the very hand still covering what common eyes would never be allowed to see.

Golden eyes, glistening like gold and honey betwixt the river of the many hues and movements in their reflection – two mirrors to the underworld itself. One seemingly perfect nose for his face and very distinctive pair of eyebrows which were usually never visible beneath the mask he bore for all eternity. He was well aware how outrageous his very actions would be in the eyes of many – to so very nonchalantly and unbiddenly remove what concealed their true selves – lest they forgot of their humble existence in service of their very brethren and their Star – more so in front of one of the Convocation of Fourteen. Yet it was  h e r, the one his soul had longed for, that he did not fear any consequences.

And despite their eternal lives as stewards of their very Star, he had long awaited this particular moment – had even waited for so much longer than most of his kin would have. Observing her for too many centuries, feeling his soul becoming more and more drawn to hers for more than an eon. Dwelling in the connection between their aether’s faint touch whenever she was close to him, slowly learned to bear the very sight of the truest soul of them all. Perchance he had already waited far too long, feeling the aching pain burning inside his very breast upon every of her departures – failing to speak such genuine words which his very soul seemingly loudly yelled whenever their paths crossed. But no longer.

Hades still glanced upon her, withstanding all the odds, lifting his arm merely for so little to almost inaudible snap his fingers in front of his tall and slender body, his mind focusing on the most beautiful being he knew to exist on their very Star – her. The aether immediately begun so swiftly and truthfully shaping what he intended to create with his magics, one imitation of one particular soul – hers – brighter than any star, any light seen in their proud streets. The numerous hues reflecting in such image shone in the many colors she held so very close to her heart, telling the very story of all the souls she had met during her long travels across their entire Star –those tales he had so eagerly listened to; and sometimes he had also seen in the passing souls ere they left towards the Underworld. Only one existence was blessed to be touched by so many souls, having so much light radiating from deep inside.

H e r s.

The very imagine of her soul how he saw it – how only he could perceive it as someone who possessed far greater sight and affinity towards the Underworld than any other individual – carefully filled the room, floating midst the many other creations he had prepared for her until she had entered her own personal home.

❝Your soul has always been the brightest of our kin – full of warmth, kindness and understanding.   Too bright, too significant in fact, that one lesson for eons had to be learned first ere I dared to truly raise my gaze. And all I’ve seen ever since, the true beauty you harbored in your very being all along, left my own soul speechless. I’ve come to the very realization that my soul was yearning for what it has lost whenever you left, that each of your many departures merely made the aching worse over the centuries. And thus have I concealed my blooming feelings for centuries, silently endured them, lest they complicated your duties for our kin and our Star. Yet you shall know now, for what it is truly worth, my soul will be forever yours to claim.❞

[sunsetquotes]

“Soulmates aren’t just lovers.”

— Ryn Weaver

[throughtheeyesofmyself]

[magusinferi]

// About Mating in the ancient Civilization

As beings of great intellect and understanding, the ancients already formed their civilization of equality countless eons before the Final Days. To them – or at the very least this was once the very core aspect of their belief ere some of them slowly fell into ignorance – the fate of one individual also affects the fate of their entire civilization. Albeit they were capable of feeling anger and even hatred, such emotions were unwarranted and had no place in their peaceful community; and they did well to teach even their youngest to understand this as soon as possible.

Suffice to say, their entire perspective on interactions among their own kin were quite specific as well. They highly valued not even every individual being but also enjoyed forming special bonds, which were technically as close as family. The close family of one ancient was – besides pursuing the greater good for the sake of their entire community – the most precious aspect to them. As immortals who knew no illness for their own kin and merely died due to truly tragic and unfortunate accidents, they had to cherish those whose life was so well connected with theirs. Those individuals are also the only ones who knew them without their commune robes and without their masks.

The Ancients were, not unlike their respective shards later, capable of all known emotions and even deep love – yet their sensation for such were far more impactful overall. Particularly the concept love, an already quite complex topic even in the sundered worlds, was especially strange during the ancient times. They could feel love for any being, even objects they have created, any bond they shared – but amongst all, the purest form of love, was reserved for their family and in particular their mate. The concept of soulmates, how it is sometimes still referred to in highly romanticized tales in the sundered shards, was once truly part of the society. As the Ancients believed that their own soul was created for one specific other; their sole soulmate.

Albeit the Ancients could, not unlike to their later shards, have a crush on particular beings, those fragile feelings would never developed into the boundless form of love they could feel for another unless they were certain they were meant to be. Thus the ancients just feel the deepest form of love only for one entire other being for the rest of their eternal life. It is why they are truly careful in choosing their respective mate, sometimes keeping their romantic feelings for themselves for more than an eon before approaching another.  They are loyal beings, not as fickle as their shards, and would not even think about the possibility to be with another once soulbonded.

Physical affection is possible, yet the most intimate form of bond two soulmates can share is an aetheric bond, somewhat similar and yet very different to the Echo. With this intimate bonding, the two lovers can share their impressions, emotions, memories and experiences with one another, technically becoming one and the same for as long as their bond lasts. The ancients refer to this as the highest form of affection and love known to them. Since their aether is touching one and another, leaving an everlasting mark on both of their souls, it is shunned to participate in such activity unless it is their own soulmate. Such ability was mostly, if not completely, lost after the Sundering, however. Hades, later Emet-Selch, is even capable to tell whose souls were once connected with another, seeing the respective marks and traces of their former bonds.

Suffice to say, once Emet-Selch meets the Warrior of Light or any other shard, he recognizes his own mark on their sundered soul.

[princepsarchitectura]

Would you please be so kind to reblog/like this if you’re interested in interacting with a Hythlodaeus? This blog is written by Lynn and a sideblog, so follows come from @magusinferi​ !! All interactions are pre-Sundering & and are mostly for fun!

[magusinferi]

One important thing to note is, as described in my headcanon, Hades/Emet-Selch always had enough affinity to the Underworld to listen and feel the Soul’s real emotions.  This made him become very empathic and knowledgeable over the eons.  However, after the Sundering, he gradually grew bitter over the current circumstances. Whilst it was not uncommon to find a soul when their civilization was still the stewards of their Star, it was so very rare to find a truly agonized soul.  Now, however, his entire sight was tormented with the painful emotions of long lost souls who kept failing to find their way to the Underworld. There was no peace inside them left, only untamed rage and hatred. In those rare moments when he could listen to familiar peaceful melodies coming from a amicable soul, Emet-Selch always dwelled in memories when the very core of world was not as rotten as it was now.  He was the only one of his brethren still alive who possessed such sight of souls - and he was also the only one who could endure and listen to their laments for eons to come. Souls who once belonged to their own kin, in a distant past, but were now so fickle and fragile like a soft whisper - torn apart by what they had endured and bore and have experienced in their mortal lives. Hunger, misery, grief, pain, desperation. Seeing these souls like this was merely making the very burden he bore inside his chest grow heavier; feeling the inferno of their aching emotions burning inside his breast. 

[nipuni]

Dawn

A step by step process of this will be available at my Patron on july 1st 😊

[magusinferi]

          // Verses & Timelines.

One brief explanation. I will differ between verses & timelines; since both of these aspects have great influence on how I’ll write Hades/Emet-Selch in my ic-posts or drabbles. This is not only for my own reference, but also for my roleplay partners.

Overall the verses will have the greatest impact on how I will write my muse, whilst the timelines simply describe whether this is pre-sundered or post-sundered; particularly since his interactions with his fellow convocation members will greatly differ in each timeline.

My current main verse + timeline for common interactions, unless specified and/or plotted, is: Canon (verse) + Pre-Sundering (timeline)

My main Azem/14th seat is @starled, all verses were fully plotted out and will also apply to my own Hythlodaeus, once I made him.

In case I’m interacting with any other Azem or ancient-OC who does not wish follow my verses (i.e for Hades NOT to have romantic feelings for Azem), I’ll simply make Hades a close friend to Azem, unless specified for them to not be.

VERSES.

1. [ Canon. ] Situation according to my headcanon here. Both Hythlodaeus and Azem are his best friends, however Hades harbored romantic interest for Azem for many centuries. However, the two of them never confessed their mutual feelings until the Final Days approached and Azem left the Convocation, disagreeing with their plan to summon Zodiark. It was Emet-Selch who begged for Azem to stay, revealing his love for her albeit his words met deaf ears.

His beloved indeed did not return until he already carried the heavy burden and responsibility on his shoulders, having concluded the second sacrifice to revitalize their Star if only for a little. She, who had sought a different solution all along, also was well aware of Venat’s plans – agreeing for one final meeting with Emet-Selch. Confessing her true feelings for him, she sundered inside his arms as the summoning of Hydaelyn tore their Star apart.

2. [ Memories of the Beloved. ] This verse is more or less identical to canon – however, Azem and Hades bonded far sooner and even planned to receive a child. In the very end their Star get sundered before their child is even born, making him the only unsundered survivor of his family.

3. [ The Eternal Calm. ] The ‘Sound’ and therefore the Final Days never arrived. It is a peaceful verse, in which even the ancients can be happy.

4. [ The befallen Silence. ] This verse follows canon – however, Azem instead bonded with Hythlodaeus. Hades is growing distant due to his unrequited feelings.

5. [ The Burden of an entire Star. ] Follows canon – yet the third sacrifice is never getting planned thus there was no need for the summoning of Hydaelyn. The great sacrifices on their kin and Zodiark’s tempering makes Emet-Selch to become distant and melancholic, leading to Azem to no longer recognize him.

6. [ The Shepherd & Steward. ] This verse follows the concept of canon – yet Azem manages to find a different solution than to summon Zodiark, averting the Final Days. Albeit they have to mourn great casualties and many landscapes are devasted, their land still lives and their civilization has survived.

7. [ The Morrow ] This verse follows canon, yet Azem and Emet-Selch have a child which dies during the Final Days. Filled with grief it is Emet-Selch who is suggesting the third sacrifice in a desperate attempt to resurrect his ward.

TIMELINES.

[ the forgotten era. ] – Pre-Sundering. [ fragment of memories. ] – general Post-Sundering. [ the last hope. ] – general Shadowbringers (5.0)

[magusinferi]

           // Eyes & Other Body Traits.

Hades’ eyes are quite unusual, even among the wide variety among his own kin. Their color is very close to a soft golden, yet the most remarkable trait about them truly are the irises. Instead of merely showing the bright golden hue, one can easily recognize many different shades dancing inside them, almost as if they were peacefully swimming in an endless river. These shadows, some might even call them memories of souls, do not share common similarities – as each has their own vivid hues. Hades would describe his own eyes as mirror to the Underworld; a place of eternal peace. Naturally, however, there are just two persons who ever saw the true magnificence of his eyes since their culture of equality bestows anyone with a mask. Those two are Azem and Hythlodaeus, who both were as close as family to him. The family he never had otherwise.

Even among his other brethren Hades is considered quite tall, often towering over anyone else – yet this was not what made him to be so very different. Some might even go as far to say that his appearance is quite particular, as he never tamed his wisps of snow-white hair for many eons – making them to be very visible despite wearing the same commune cloak. For a very long time he wore such wild mane, until he cut it to a much shorter – yet still quite long – hairstyle, as he inherited the seat of Emet-Selch.

The features of his face are practically perfect and flawless in any way, perchance since he was one of the very first ancients to ever wander upon their Star. Yet he is widely known to never smile under his half-mask, always wearing the very same stoic expression. However, without his mask his eyebrows are very expressive and do much more work than his thin lips to give an impression of his current mood. Truthfully, Hades just whole-heartedly smiled a few times, always whilst being by Azem’s side.

Perchance to fit the very color of his eyes, albeit unknown to most, he also wore quite long golden nails, which scarcely ever were visible beneath his long sleeves.

[magusinferi]

        // Origin/Basics. Hades is one of the very first of the immortal Ancients who came to life many eons prior the Final Days, thus making him even older than most of his brethren. Due to his entire existence being tightly connected to their very Star, as one of the first beings to have formed a soul and consciousness, his individual powers are also tremendously and unparalleled. During the very history of their Star many ancient mages have gained similar amounts of power, yet – perchance especially because of his certain affinity no one else of their kin possessed – Hades remained unsurpassed.

Truthfully many – if not the majority of the elder Ancients - indeed possessed a certain sight, allowing them to become aware of the souls who have yet to return to the Underworld; yet Hades sharp sight and awareness of such had always caused rumors even in the very early days of their civilizations. Where others could hardly recognize more than an almost transparent shape, scarcely even visible to their eye, Hades could see the full variety of their entire being – as he could see the hues, could listen to their tales and even feel parts of their emotions if he truly focused on such task.

Even those of later generations who were considered as gifted could not even come close to the affinity Hades seemed to possess, unable to hear their whispers and laments. And, due to the very nature of the souls which were close to a mystery even to them, none of them could ever truly lead or control them, either. Such endeavor was indeed examined, far before the Ancients decided to not attempt to control the very nature of the Star themselves, yet without any results. However, Hades is still standing as the only mage who is capable of at least setting the souls on their right path if they strayed away from their original purpose – to return to the Underworld.

Fortunately those incidents were quite rare, even for their immortal lifespan, that one lamenting soul would cause havoc – nonetheless Hades was tasked to oversee the Underworld to prevent a possible catastrophe. Suffice to say, after spending eons listening to the forgotten tales of those lost souls, Hades imagination and wisdom became far greater than most of his brethren – as he was always willing to listen to these souls who had yet to return to the lifeflow, learning about their happiness and perchance even misery. And sometimes, when he found a exceptionally tragic soul, he would soothe it with his magicks ere he sent it to their salvation.

More interested in the lost than the living brethren, he was widely known for preferring to be alone, keeping to himself and his task alone. Some ancients might even call him to have become a victim to sloth. So over the course of eons only very few brethren ever dared to approach him, unless they had a task for him – or, albeit rarely, they possessed a similar affinity to the Underworld as he did. Since the ancient civilization demanded for them to use their individual skills wisely, they sought aid from the elder; which was in such case Hades to be precise. During his unimaginable lifespan he had taught many, including Hythlodaeus, to use their gift and recognize the difference between the souls’ hues.

Bearing the knowledge of both the living and the dead for so many eons, Hades imagination – and his sheer talent for creation magicks – made him a valuable asset for the Bureau of the Architect, as well. Occasionally, during the development or experimenting of a rather difficult or even possible dangerous concept, Hades was often tasked to overseer the project, albeit he was never made a full member of the office; perhaps also due to his quite eccentric and lonely nature.

Suffice to say, despite the very fact that Hythlodaeus, Chief of the Bureau of the Architect, became one of his two closest friends, the truest friends Hades ever had in all these eons, his friend merely pragmatically chose to decline the mantle of Emet-Selch, the Architect, knowing that Hades was far more suited than he was.

[magusinferi]

Among one of my many, many new headcanons I honestly want Hades to have a familiar with an actual soul. Which would be, by common standards impossible, but doable for him.  And it’s going to be a hound named Cerberus, which he created to help Hythlodaeus when he could not or did not want to bother with it. His familiar has quite similar abilities to his own, albeit far from being as strong, thus was fitting to assist in his place. It is also an independent being, who does not require Hades to be around.  However, he actually had to wait for the approval of his one and only creation for several centuries as people considered it dangerous, particularly if he handled it wrong. 

[nipuni]

Shadow’s embrace

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

[magusinferi]

❝every adventure requires a first step❞ - @starled // Promethea. Alice Madness Returns Meme.

          The very same gentle voice.                          Kindly meant words which lingered in the air.                                           For more than a painful eon.

                            Why did she always came to find him,                             oblivious and yet so thoughtful,                             solely to leave him behind?

Transparent shades of vivid hues danced in front of his eyes, so very distant and yet so far. Delightful souls touched almost so faintly, almost by coincidence, and yet he recognized their tale in their shades. Tales of friends, of lovers united in the raging storm of the Underworld; scarcely recognizable by the eye. And yet he could see – could feel, listen to their whispers from their very Star. It felt so easy, so very natural to him by now not gaze upon them, seeing through them as if they were merely of transparent glass. There was no focus needed, no manipulation of his own aether to endow himself such blessed ability. As he was gifted like no other.

                      What could he possibly learn what he not already knew?                    Sung by the deceased who shone so brightly upon the sky?                                  Even if it meant to accompany…her.

Promethea had found him laying on his back in the grass in the park once again, perchance his most favorite place in Amaurot. Not quite an extravagant hiding place, he had to admit, albeit most of their brethren did not bother to search for him anyway. And yet his eyes, hidden beneath his unique mask, never met hers, seeking so much more in the sky – not daring to face her. There was no cowl to keep his untamed white wisps of hair contained which merely made his indifferent appearance far more unsettling. But Hades never cared much of what their kin thought of him – or his affinity to the Underworld for that matter. Albeit, he was quite intrigued, as she happened to offer such an opportunity to him, and not Hythlodaeus. Though, in truth, he understood full well her reasoning. Their brethren depended on his friend, needed him here in Amaurot whilst he was shunned.

Such kind soul. The truest blessing of their kin. Seeking to aid those who struggled, who might learn from their knowledge and kindness. Alas Hades did not. Many found pleasure in sheer endless debates or in overtrumping themselves and their friends with their newest creations; yet he was not like any of them. Not even once in his immortal life had he wished to be elsewhere, seeing their very Star with his own eyes. His mind, full of images, hazardous concepts and ideals, was already all he needed. Nonetheless she made him reconsider his own resolve, each time more she raised the same unspoken question. Yet naught ever changed.

His answer would remain the same, for the next eons to come. And he knew what would follow. She would leave, as she always did – disappearing like the souls who returned to the life stream, only leaving rumors and whispers of her appearance in the farthest corner of their very Star behind. Mayhap he would listen to them, estimating her return centuries later; feeling the weight of his very own soul heavily inside his chest. One vacuum which could not be filled – not by friendly words of his friend nor the many shades who always surrounded and talked to him.

Nonetheless he understood the nature of her very soul – one bright shade of such unique color that there was no other in existence. One sight he never grew tired; and also the very reason why he could not gaze at her now. If he solely lifted one plain finger, he could have felt her warmth radiating from her; feel the vibrancy coming from the very core of her entire being.

                   ❝You knew the answer ere you entered the park.                       And yet you came.❞

Hades lifted one hand to wave dismissively – intending to send her away. Alas he had little hope she would indeed leave, knowing her all too well. It merely made her departure more complicated, tormenting even. 

Lips were pressed tightly, silently mourning the scenery bestowed upon him by the sky above - one he had learned understood so very well over the past centuries. It was almost as if the Underworld itself wept for him. Torching his very core, setting it ablaze next to her radiance. Their nature did not match in the slightest; and still he could not deny that he loved her. And thus he would remain in Amaurot, attending to his own duties whilst she wandered. Spun tales. Inspired their kin.

As he was from the Darkness he had created, being the sole keeper to the lost souls who did not found their way to the Underworld and she from the Light their very Star needed to breathe and exist.

[nipuni]

Veil

A step by step process of this will be available at my Patreon on august 1st!

[magusinferi]

Some random headcanons // not in full detail right now but to give a glimpse on my portrayal. 

Hades was an Amaurotian who knew very little of their Star since he never travelled; and albeit most of his brethren at least indulged in such activity every few hundred years – mostly for inspirational purposes – he never did. Due to his unique connection to the Underworld he often could glimpse upon the souls, quietly listening to their tales.

His abilities were indeed quite spread among his kin, yet Hades was the only one who could influence the flow of the Underworld in such way that it almost seemed as if he could control it. Though many were blessed to see the living souls, a true gift of nature, passing, he was amongst very few who could recognize their true shapes, saw their natures in the different hues and could listen to their untold stories. Due to such unique skill he, at least per name, was well known.

Hades never particularly enjoyed being around his brethren; mayhap since he was so indifferent. For many eons he could, in fact, rest in absolute loneliness without ever feeling truly lonely. Even as child – one time so far in the past that only very few of his immortal kin could claim to have known him back then – his affinity to the Underworld had been so very strong that he found friends within the most pristine lifeforms without one vessel.

For the longest of time Hythlodaeus was his only friend; and it took them several decades to become as close to the other. Nonetheless, due to them being almost equally gifted, Hades indeed found pleasure in talking to the other for a few hundred years, albeit never being much of a talker. They would spend hours over debating the soul storm within the Underworld itself, attempting to guess every soul’s tale and history.

Since Hyhtlodaeus was, despite his gift, also quite interested in common conversation with their brethren – thus there came a time that his friend was often called elsewhere, particularly because of his gift. Because unlike him he was indeed also very gifted to make new friendships. Hades had avoided his own kin for so many eons that he had become almost a stranger to them, and only very few would dare to speak to him. So he started to distance himself once again, despite his friend’s best endeavor to include him in their society.

Hades met the 14th, Azem, long before they took upon the seat in the convocation. One kind soul, indeed, who so very often helped those in need. They noticed that Hades was shunned; and knowing of his talents they would often ask him for assistance – which he, much to their surprise in the beginning – immediately provided. Thus it became regular for them to visit Hades; also to share their knowledge of the world with him.

The only time Hades truly found pleasure upon listening to stories of their Star was when Azem visited him. Unfortunately they would often leave, sometimes even for several hundred years, but then he could also enjoy their tales for decades as well. When his adventurous friend got called, he was not surprised – knowing of no one more fitting.

Hades has loved Azem, long before they disappeared – long before he even took the mantle of Emet-Selch. Upon their many departures he would, for the first time ever, feel unrest deep inside; and his loneliness could not be cured by watching the Underworld alone. As heartbroken as he was, he always remained indifferent when they returned; never revealing his feelings.

Hythlodaeus was the only one who knew of his affections. The person mentioned in Hades’ short story, the one Hythlodaeus mentions and wants him to talk to, is in fact Azem.

Albeit Hades was more gifted than Hythlodaeus it was his own ignorant nature, his lack of interest to interact with his brethren, which took his first chance to join the convocation. However, though loved by their entire kin, Hythlodaeus did not accept the mantle of Emet-Selch for Hades’ sake, hoping to help his lonely friend by giving him true purpose.

Hades was, in fact, a very kind and empathic person deep inside – yet it was challenging for him to speak of such emotions. Only his closest friends knew of this side of him – which also resulted them of not being offended when he acted distant and cold. Knowing he always wanted to do good, and never harm.

Although his own power was boundless, even compared to his own powerful brethren, Hades never particularly liked to display his skill – nor to show himself in his truest form. Only Hythlodaeus could make him change to his true self and form when needed.

Emet-Selch knew, due to his very abilities of being able to see the very core of one soul, that the Warrior of Light was indeed one shard of his former beloved. It was for this reason he was so obsessed with them; it was for this very reason he – somewhere deep inside – had not given up hope yet. On them. Yet he lost this hope in the moment the Warrior of Light failed to contain all the pure Light inside their body, proving once again that their soul, their fragile body were not worthy. Merely a shadow.

The aethereal lamp Emet-Selch bestowed to the Warrior of Light during the MSQ is indeed one he had once gifted Azem for one of their many quests. Prior the Final Days he would often hear Azem whistling when they needed him; thus he, in some way, told them the very same by pure instinct – seeing the shade of their soul so very clear in front of him.

Emet-Selch had actually kept his kindness, his empathy for many, many eons. Though he played a major role in the creation of the Allag, he was not responsible for their downfall as he had merely assisted them during the Golden Age. The Crystal Tower is also his very own creation; perchance one reminder to himself that there might yet be hope in their sundered souls.

He lost his love, his patience and kindness merely a few decades ago when his firstborn, the very first child he had ever sired in his eternity of life, died from natural cause. In the very beginning his love for the newborn had blossomed so well that he had become so very willing to accept the current state of the world. And yet his love withered. He was there when his son died in his arms – and he indeed saw how the soul slipped away, drifting to the Underworld. In this moment his hatred grew; his heart became numb. And he knew this world, how it was, was not allowed to exist.

[phantomemes]

lines taken from various characters and events found in  american mcgee’s  game  ,  alice : madness returns  ( 2011 ) .  feel free to change pronouns   ( he , she , they , i , etc )   &  tenses as you feel necessary .

“ another day  ,  a different dream perhaps ”

“ i know what’s real ”

“ i know i’m guilty of something ”

“ punishment hardly ever suits the victims of a crime ”

“ you’ve used me and abused me  ,  but you will not destroy me ! ”

“ i want to forget ”

“ it’s not a dream  ,  it’s a memory ”

“ how is one to find her way ? ”

“ i didn’t kill my family ”

“ i’ve not come back here looking for a fight ”

“ i’m not afraid to die ”

“ when you’re not on edge  ,  you’re taking up too much space ”

“ threats  ,  promises  ,  and good intentions don’t amount to action ”

“ every picture tells a story .  sometimes we don’t like the ending .  sometimes we don’t understand it ”

“ delusions  ,  too  ,  die hard with memory ”

“ only the savage regard the endurance of pain as the measure of worth ”

“ forgetting pain is convenient  ,  remembering it  :  agonizing ”

“ a secret is only a secret when it is unspoken to another ”

“ different denotes neither bad nor good  ,  but it certainly means not the same ”

“ how fine you look when dressed in rage ”

“ is our situation not dismal ? ”

“ every adventure requires a first step ”

“ only a few find the way  ,  some don’t recognize it when they do — some don’t ever want to ”

“ everything’s a nail  ,  is it  ,  miss hammerhead ? ”

“ forgetting’s just forgetting  ,  except when it’s not ”

“ a good guest does not overstay  ,  a perfect guest stays home ”

“ who benefits from your madness ? ”

“ what you claim not to know is merely what you’ve denied ”

“ authority must be obeyed  ,  or it must be overthrowned ”

“ you shouldn’t ask questions you know the answer to ”

“ make your survival mean something ”

“ memory is more often a curse than a blessing ”

“ the past must be paid for ”

“ you’re as randomly lethal and entirely confused as you ever were ”

“ return to whatever hovel’s home to you ”

“ your presence here is unwelcome ”

“ everyone here has an excuse for doing nothing ”

“ this world is not so either  /  or ”

“ what’s true of the living is often true of the dead ”

“ this life is full of random death ”

“ death is the ultimate equalizer ”

“ all have the right to be eaten ”

“ you’re not that good a liar  ,  and i’m not that stupid ”

“ your madness will be punished ”

“ come to receive your punishment then ? ”

“ the damage is done ”