FFXIV Write 2021
Prompt #23: Soul
Dual WoL AU, Thanatos (and Hero’s mentor Percival) are property of @oathboundknight and have been lovingly borrowed for this ficlet with permission.
Hades stared intently at the Miqo’te before him, the color of his soul so familiar and yet so faded. Inwardly he sighed in relief. The younger Azem had always been easier to handle than the elder. He recalled the day they met with upsetting clarity. “Hades!” Chimed Thanatos, forgetting to use titles as he carted a young man in tow. “I would like to introduce you to Hermes! The next Azem.” Back then the news had shocked him. Usually Convocation members were chosen by- well- the rest of the Convocation.
However, declaring his own successor was such an Azem thing to do that Hades had a million other arguments running through his mind before settling on the one. “Excuse me? For starters, my title-”
“Ah, of course, my mistake.” The other leaned in with a wicked smile and kissed his cheek, causing his small self-declared protege to snicker, “Hermes, meet the most Esteemed Emet-Selch. I promise, once you figure out how to work the stick out of his backside, he is a far better conversation partner.”
“Do not.” His argument died on his lips as he processed the information, “When were you planning to tell me you wanted to retire?”
Thanatos stopped and looked at him before turning to the young Hermes, “I’ll introduce you to the others in a moment. Mind giving us some time? Just for a while.”
How little things changed, this youth before him held no malice or even concern in his gaze. Only curiosity. Hermes had always wanted to know why. Why something worked, why they weren’t allowed to take direct action, why couldn’t he bring his giant angry bird creation into the lobby, why Hades took his coffee black when cream and sugar existed.
Why he seemed to be the only one willing to get involved in the problems of others.
He cut off the questions before they came, because once that floodgate opened there’d be no stopping it. Hermes’ smile would worm it’s way into his cold black heart, he’d find some way to charm and even seduce Hades into friendship if it was the last thing he did. The longer Hermes spoke, the more likely he’d be to listen, and that was a threat to the entire plan.
Unless.
Unless he befriended Hermes first. Charmed him into complacency and shattered him once his trust was assured. That would be the only way. So long as he only had to deal with Hermes’ sundered remains, he could control the situation and turn it to his advantage. “Well met, hero. I must say, I was not expecting you here hale and whole.”
“Hero.”
“I- that’s what I said.” Hades frowned, taken aback by the interjection.
“No, you said hero. Lower-case H, I can honestly hear the difference now. Everyone gets to do it once, the second time I’ll punch you where I can reach.” He gave Hades a long suffering smile, “My actual given name is Hero. Hero Hikara, Tia of the H-Tribe.”
“Oh you poor soul. No wonder you can hear the difference.” Despite himself, Hades laughed a little. Literally named hero- of course. It was so quintessentially Azem it hurt. “My apologies, Hero, I did not want to get off on the wrong foot. You may know me as Solus zos Galvus, but my true title is Emet-Selch. Ascian. At your service.”
Instead of frowning or drawing a blade, Azem’s shattered self offered a hand and a smile. “Nice to meet you, Emet-Selch.” The same smile. That same damned smile.
