jikan_rpg | [CLOSED] A heavenly assignment

Entry tags:

[CLOSED] A heavenly assignment

⌛ Who: Azem (

starshepard), Emet-Selch (

emet_sulk), and Rhea'li (

lightduties)
⌛ What: Three refugees receive a heavenly assignment in which they fix fractured souls
⌛ When: Early December
⌛ Where: The Western Paradise
⌛ Warnings: FFXIV Shadowbringers/Endwalker spoilers all the way down, probably

Rhea'li is no stranger to odd requests, so he thinks nothing of it when he wakes after a strange dream and a golden train ticket in his hands. It wouldn't be the first time a god-like being has called to him in his sleep...

Which is how he ends up in the Western Paradise with a number of other refugees summoned to help return souls fractured and ripped from their bodies by the timeloops back to their rightful place. When he hears that, Rhea'li winces, thinking of his own soul, the sundered nature of it and the re-fracture of it in recent days.

It can be a little tricky for others to spot Rhea'li in the gaggle of refugees who had been summoned to help with the situation in the Western Paradise (being as short as he is), but he can certainly spot the two ancients amongst the crowd as Inari Okami teaches them how to properly wield Kizuna to complete their task. Without hesitation, Rhea'li bonds with another refugee -- a stranger as suggested -- before gently breaking it, the magic coming easily to him. Mayhaps the ease has something to do with its similarities to the echo, even though he has little control over the latter?

The lesson complete, the refugees are allowed to disperse to complete the task of aiding the lost and fractured souls, though not without a warning; particularly malevolent lost souls can influence or corrupt those who attempt to help them, possibly even possess them. So it would best to not travel alone, so that another can assist in removing the malevolence.

It's with that in mind that Rhea'li keeps an eye out for Emet-Selch and Azem as the other refugees begin to disperse, waving as he approaches.

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Azem was under the impression it only hurt if done wrong or with someone the person already has a connection with. So this was likely to hurt, though they hoped it could be as painless as possible. It's only him that needs to break the bond and reform it, so they were hopeful it would go smoothly.

They smile up at him when he finally agrees and follows suit by pressing their hand over his heart in return.

They had decided that despite how much they love their friends, those that are like family to them, Etheirys as a whole was far more important. Without their star, they would not have those friends, their life, their loves, heartaches, and all else that comes with living. While they might not hold their star in the same regard as their mentor, they still regard it highly.

"Etheirys." And with that, the bond is formed. Azem notes that it immediately feels different from forming it with strangers though they're not sure they could put it into words.

Hades isn't at all surprised to hear Azem's word choice. Those who take on the title of Azem would not be travellers if they did not love the star. But it is the newly formed bond that holds his attention: a sudden awareness which had not been present before. As he expects, he can sense Azem's love for their world dimly through this new connection. What he doesn't expect is the giddy laughter that bubbles nervously past his lips.

He claps a hand over his mouth. The odd euphoria disappears as suddenly as it has come, leaving him unsettled.

His choice doesn't surprise Azem either. His duty has always been important to him, even if he hadn't wanted to be in the position he is now once upon a time. It's not just their love for their star that he might pick up on, but their love for him is also rather at the forefront.

The giddy laughter catches Azem by surprise and they can't help but giggle. It's not as if they haven't heard Hades laugh before, but it has never been anything like that. They're quick to clear their throat and put on a more serious face. "Now you just need to break the bond."

"Mm... Yes."

The part that he is apprehensive about. This time he places his hand on his own chest. It is easy enough to visualise the ball of light and from there to 'pull' it out. He braces himself as the light zips back towards Azem, but even though he expects the sudden loss, he still feels the emptiness keenly.

He certainly doesn't feel like laughing any more.

Azem doesn't break the bond on their end, not when they'd mentioned remaking it after he broke it on his side. He does it with such ease one would wonder if he hadn't practiced. Then again, he did always seem to pick up magic faster than they did.

They reach up to caress his cheek. "Do you still want to remake the bond?"

His cheeks grow warm and he nods quickly - although not too quickly, he hopes.

"Yes." This time he doesn't hesitate to repeat the bond creation process, letting out a quiet sigh once it settles into place again.

He decides that he is going to find Hythlodaeus as soon as they return and do the same.

They're glad to see that breaking the bond hasn't left him feeling as if recreating it was a bad idea. It's not difficult to see that he's relieved once the bond is back in place. They pull him in for a quick peck on the forehead before turning their attention back to Rhea'li.

"I believe we are ready to go. Right, Hades?" They ask as they glance back at him.

As for bonding with Hythlodaeus, Azem would like to try it when they return as well. Though they also wonder if it's possible to have a three-way bond.

When Azem turns their attention back to him, Rhea'li likewise turns to face the pair, expression carefully neutral. It's not hard to see the affection between the two, hitting him harder now that he can bear witness to it happening before him, rather than seeing it in echoes of a dead city, a monument of pain.

He sympathises with Emet-Selch's desire to keep Azem in the dark. If... (or when, for it seems inevitable for such a secret to remain one for long) ... Azem learns of the future that awaits, things will change.

Rhea'li nods. "The task appears to be simple enough." Gaze flickering to Emet-Selch, he adds, "If you do not wish to bond with the lost souls, then I am willing to take on your share."

Nevermind that his own soul is a little worse for wear, still healing from the recent crack.

Edited 2022-12-08 08:49 (UTC)

Azem gets a reluctant nod. The process is indeed as simple as he had thought it would be. The bonding process should not pose any issues.

To Rhea'li, however, Hades scowls. "I have been ferrying souls since before your era began. I don't need your help."

He still wishes the bonding part was unnecessary, but it is what it is. He can barely remember what it had been like when the voices of the dead didn't resonate with him in some way.

Azem scowls at Emet. "Hades! Come now, I know you two have some history but you could be a little nicer."

They don't know just how much history the two have thanks to being kept in the dark as they have.

They turn back to Rhea'li with a smile. "I'm sure you've grown accustomed to this grumpy old man, however, I apologize on his behalf."

Edited 2022-12-09 00:15 (UTC)

Rhea'li just shoots Azem a wry smile and shrugs. "By the standards of the people of my land, he would be positively ancient."

Ha.

"You need not apologise on his behalf; I know he is reliable when it matters most." He taps his chin. "There are many other refugees on the same task as us. I'm sure they can search the courtyards and villas for lost souls. Shall we search the more remote areas?"

He points towards the forested areas around the outskirts of the floating island. Being who they are, he surmises their ability to endure the rigours of the task and travel would be better suited to the task than perhaps some of the other refugees helping.

"Hmph..." The joke fails to amuse him. Perhaps it would have if they weren't keeping the truth hidden from Azem.

He crosses his arms and turns his gaze towards the forest. Since he has a weapon now, he has no fear of venturing into more risky territory. Actually, is there any need to be cautious in this supposedly holy place?

"I suppose I will be taking the lead?" he asks with a put-upon sigh. "Fine. Let's be off then."

"One would think so with his demeanor." While the meaning behind the joke goes completely over Azem's head, they do chuckle.

"That sounds like an excellent idea. They also turn their gaze toward the forest before looking at Emet. "I suppose your sight would make it easier if you do, but don't think you need play the role of protector."

Azem doubts they'll run into anything particularly dangerous but they can still summon their axe if need be. How effective it may be, however, is another question.

Rhea'li simply smiles and gestures with a hand as if to say without words, 'after you,' at Emet-Selch's rather put-upon offer, falling into step behind him.

Fortunately the Western Paradise is, as expected, devoid of dangers so typical to various lands of Etheirys. Immaculately created shrines are dotted throughout the area, the endlessly blossoming trees gently decorating their path with fallen petals in a carpet of pastel pinks. They pass by other refugees, sometimes with a little glowing ball of light, one of the many lost souls drifting throughout the land.

As they enter the nearest forested area -- a shrine nestled inside it, further in -- the press of souls both living and lost thin out. But there are still lost souls within the forest to be found, wandering aimlessly. Some of them are higher in the branches, others prefer to stay on the ground, darting away if approached incautiously.

Hades keeps an eye out for danger, but when none is forthcoming even he starts to relax and take in the scenery. It looks like the other refugees are doing their part. Good for them. Maybe they'll all be done by the time the three of them reach the forest--

That hope is immediately quashed of course.

Grimacing, he glances at the other two. "Shall we split up and meet back here? I would say in a bell's time but I have no way of discerning time's passage here."

The Western Paradise is beautiful. In some ways, it reminds Azem of home, but there are enough obvious differences that it makes their heart ache a little. They miss exploring Etheirys.

The forest is peaceful, which shouldn't be a surprise given how the rest of this place has been. The only thing that seems out of place is the lost souls floating about or darting here and there.

"Sounds like a plan." They wait for Rhea'li to agree before turning to begin the task of collecting souls.

Rhea'li nods. But to tell the time in a land as dream-like as this...?

"If one returns and is left waiting overly long for the others, we all have means of finding each other, aye?"

Emet-Selch with his sight, Azem with their magic, and him with... Azem's magic. Though he supposes it would be best he avoid using that in front of Azem themselves.

"I will search the left side of the forest." And with no sign of hesitation, he waves without looking back as he steps into the thick of trees.

"...Very well. I will head over there." He points in a different direction then looks to Azem. There is brief hesitation. A part of him doesn't want to let his trouble-maker friend out of sight. "I will find you when I'm done," he eventually says."

With that, he ventures forth as well. Although he says he will come looking, it's more likely that Hades will end up distracted by the souls of the dead.

"I believe we do." They do have their communication devices, after all. Though Azem is thinking more along the lines of just summoning the two of them if need be.

They can tell Hades is hesitant and shoots him a smile to put him at ease. "See the two of you in a bell or so."

And off they go to gather up souls. A task that proves easy enough once they actually manage to get close enough to them. It's the getting close which is a challenge with many of the souls. They're quick to dart out of reach if they don't want to be caught.

For his part, Hades is still intially reluctant to form a bond with other souls, but the reassurance from Azem goes a small way to easing his concerns. He approaches the first one carefully and gathers it to him, biting down a soft gasp as its emotions rush through. It's the same for all the rest he manages to catch. All their despair and regret and sorrow are emotions he is intimately familiar with.

Reluctance gives way to an almost obsessive need to collect as many souls as possible. He tranforms into his mage form to better handle them all, cradling each one in his ash-grey hands.

He quickly loses track of time this way.

The emotions of the souls Azem gathers up do initially get to them. But after a while, they find it easier to block that out and carefully gather up all the souls they can carry. They still treat them all with compassion but don't let their emotions overpower their own.

Eventually, they find they can't carry more souls, unlike Hades, they don't transform to carry more. They do find that time gets away from them and can't be sure if it's been a bell or more by the time they return to the spot they'd agreed to meet at. They wait for a little bit before deciding to locate Hades first. With him it'll be easier to track down Rhea'li, assuming he doesn't return.

Hades proves surprisingly easy to track down. It helps that he's transformed into a larger form. Azem lets out a soft huff as they smile up at him. "I was a little worried when you and Rhea'li didn't return to the meeting place. But you seem to be doing well."

He jolts in place when he hears their voice. Glancing down, he absorbs the soul currently in his hands and looks away.

"Could you hear them, Azem?" he rumbles quietly. "So many unfulfilled purposes. The greatest tragedy of mortal life. I want to help them all. I--"

He spots another wayward soul and starts after it.

Seeing him like this confuses Azem, causing them to pause long enough for him to get a head start on them. They know Hades is far more compassionate than he lets on but this whole endeavor seems to be affecting him quite a bit.

They sigh and rush after, contemplating transforming just so it's easier to catch him. "Hades, wait! We need to find Rhea'li."

He halts, watching the soul whisk away (probably frightened of him; maybe of Azem's shout). He turns, all four eyes staring down at his friend.

"Did Rhea'li not return...?"

They feel bad that the soul gets away but they tell themself it'll be fine. Someone else will find it, if not in the near future.

"No, he didn't return." THey shake their head, craning it back just to look up at him.

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