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Traversing the convergence has left you exhausted. You are once again invisible to the world, as the one watchman who resides in the space you have entered doesn't take note of you.
Your aether is even thinner than last time. Then again, you aren't as strong as you were when you first came here. A lot had happened since then. But you find a way to use it to your advantage as you press against the wall and find yourself fading through it. It is a strange experience, but after willing yourself through for a good moment, you emerge on the other side.
You cast your eyes skyward, to see whether you are too late, but blessedly find a calm sky that is in the early stages of coloring red in a sunset.
You take a moment to get your thoughts together. You will only have one shot at this and cannot afford to mess it up. The world depends on you. Perhaps not the handful of people alive in your time. Not directly. But if you could find a way to prevent this suffering- this immense and overwhelming loss, then you would.
So, in order to hope and do that, you clutch the faint outline of a crystal to your breast before closing your eyes and willing the last scraps of your will to engage the enchantment on it.
A weak light spawns in your chest as the stone gives up some of the last of its charged power and spawns a glyph under you.
The moment drags on as you wait for something to happen, but all you hear is the wind- gentle and soft- and the distant sound of laughter. The sounds of a world not yet ruined.
As you wait- the memories well up and the time begins to pass. You don't feel the cold of the night until the sky has become well and truly dark and littered with a litany of stars. Yet even the cold- the numbness it brings- can move you to stand up. The spell has torn out so much of your remaining aether, you don't dare to move.
You nearly fade away. Only the last vestige of your willpower lingers strongly enough to keep you from giving in and seeking the rest you so dearly need.
You are rewarded for your tenacity when a figure strides up to you from inside the building you now lean against. Adorned with a black mask and a long, grey robe, they look around before their gaze is caught on you.
You hope they see you.
The figure walks closer until it towers over you and then kneels down.
"So it was you who called me, little familiar?" Azem tilts her head and long locks of dark hair fall from between her hood and face. "You are almost fading-" She lifts up her hand, but you shake your head and will yourself to stand.
"You want me to wait?" Azem asks confused. You nod, as anything you say is so soft she doesn't hear it. Instead, you walk closer and take out the one other thing you had brought with you. A spirit vessel, one of the last surviving ones. It had been a perilous journey, the state of the Source had affected the first far more than anyone had dared to guess.
You bring it to your breast and begin to attune to it- but then push it further than that. You transfer your last bit of aether- your last bit of you- into it.
Then, with the last sliver you have left, you hold it out to her-. to Azem, the traveler. And now the last hope of this star.
"May you find us a brighter future than I could give." You whisper, but the words are lost in the wind.
Slowly, Azem moves in to take it, and the moment she does- your task has been fulfilled- and you let the winds of the lifestream complete their hold on you and fade away.
-
The moment Azem took the crystal, she felt a sharp spike of pain and managed to stifle a curse before keeling over as moments and experiences flooded her. Snippets of intense emotion- harrowing scenes and- Amaurot wreathed in flames? flashed by her, almost too fast to recognize save for that one sight.
After what felt like hours- but likely was only a fraction of that time, the flood of information and experiences ceased and Azem could breathe.
She reached for her head and took off her mask before rubbing her brow. She tried to focus her gaze, but her eyes weren't of a mind to cooperate. The little being she had only barely managed to make out before, now was gone. And instead, her hand was covered in blood. She took a deep breath and got herself up on unsteady legs.
"Ah- Azem of the Fourteen! There hasn't been word you would come to visit-" One of the junior researchers came up to her and laid a worrying hand on her arm. "You look unwell-"
"I am not here in my official capacity, worry not." She groaned and let herself be shepherded to a bench. "I will be alright- probably. One of your creations, I think, had a malfunction. I did not know you employ crystal as data storage."
"Only for concepts, as far as I am aware." The youth spoke as he looked around, probably hoping to find someone higher up.
"Well, this one dumped all of the data into my head." She rubbed her nose again before opening her hand and revealing a little crystal in a lattice she didn't recognize.
"That isn't one of ours, as far as I can tell."
"Well, it was given to me by one of the creatures here, though it was in a very far state of decay." She nursed her headache and considered ignoring it for a good moment until a sharp spike of pain caused her to wince.
"I would advise you to get yourself checked out. A data transfer like that can cause health hazards in the long run." He stared at her with a worried look hidden behind his mask. "If you will excuse me a moment, I will call our facility director."
"There is no need, let the man sleep." She sighed. "I am going to see if a night's sleep will fix it." She stood up and made to leave. "Though please do mention this to him and ask if it is another of his secret projects. If it is, tell him to work on it's manners." She smiles thinly before taking off.
The transfer to Amaurot from Elpis is always a rocky one. As much as has been done to try and stabilize the connection, Etherys's natural currents warp the flow and always leave those who ride it a touch more nauseous than before.
The same is true for Azem when she staggers through the terminal and so she chooses to make the rest of her journey on foot. Amaurot at this time of day is a thriving, bustling metropolis.
Before her little detour to Elpis, she had intended to head home, freshen up, and then join Hythlodaeus and Hades for the latest grand debate in the hall of rhetoric.
Debates were always a little bit stale to her taste, with all the old format rules and such. But Hades was an ardent enjoyer of the art, and what were friends for if not to make one's day just a bit more difficult? Hythlodaeus was a master at riling the other up, and she herself loved to lend her strength to the ever-ongoing campaign to get Hades to loosen up a little.
Today, however, she'd have to tap out. Sitting through a debate with this headache wasn't something she'd consider fun, even with the added spectacle. So she let Hythlodaeus know since Hades -holding the seat of Emet-Selch- was often still tied up at work around this hour.
One long elevator ride later, she planted her face in the pillows of her bed and hoped that a night of sound rest would help her feel better.
She did not, in fact, feel better.
For one, when she woke up, it was in the middle of the night and to horrifying imagery. Cities were burning, but none she recognized. A dark tower, reaching to the moon. A red sky, filled with falling stars and foes- not even the worst of creators could conjure.
Stubborn as she was, she tried to sleep again after a short time.
All it resulted in was more imagery of horrifying creatures, abused summoning magic, and- the convocation of fourteen.
When the morning finally dawned, she was exhausted and in the same amount of pain as the day before.
And what made it even worse?
She had a convocation meeting.
As many a cleric can tell you, no one shirked meetings more than the seat of Azem. She often had a valid reason, such as being days away from the nearest aethernet connection. But more often than not she elected not to come. Once, some years ago, the previous head speaker had tried to use a threat to get her to attend.
That turned out to be the move that ended his career prematurely.
The current head speaker had opted for a more subtle approach that she found standing in her doorway that same morning.
"You look absolutely horrible. No offense." Dressed in a white coat and one or two heads shorter than her, stood Elidibus, the Emmisary's seat.
This occupant being young and staring up to her with equal amounts of concern and reverence was something the convocation had learned she was susceptible to. Much to the annoyance of her long-time friend and fellow convocation member.
"None taken. Have they sent you to sweet-talk me into attending again?" She asked and opened the door further before walking away. A silent invitation that the young Elidibus took to without hesitation.
"They have-" He answered. "We discuss the-..." He stopped himself. "They need your input on the relocation of the Vii tribe."
"Ah yes, we need another library- let's build it in the forest of the hyper-insular rabbit people." She let out a heartfelt sigh and fetched her robe and mask. "Who believe that that forest has been granted to them by their gods and ancestors- and will never accept a new forest no matter how 'optimal' it is to their lifestyle."
"As usual you may yell at them all you like, provided you remain on-topic." She spied the youth with a hint of a smirk on his face. "And you refrain from giving Lahabrea a headache." He swiftly added.
"Worry not, I have been nursing one since yesterday. I will attempt to be clear and concise."
"That will be a notable first. Emet-Selch will be proud." Elidibus dead-panned before making to leave.
"I am sure he will." She sighed, her mood soured at the mere thought of him actually becoming proud of her ability not to derail their meetings.
The seat of Azem was no easy one. There were no easy seats on the convocation. But the difficulty in being the traveler was that it was your responsibility to bring outside-perspective.
It is a perspective that isn't always appreciated. Yet she stood and did exactly that. With their utopia growing and flourishing, those who invent new architectural concepts rarely think of the rest of the world.
After having made her best attempt at a concise report, she sat back down and nursed her headache, not expecting much to come from it. Most times, when it came down to the will of the people or the will of the rest of the star it was the people who won out. Today wouldn't be different, she thought.
But instead of the usual, this time, her arguments had found an unusual ally in Emet-Selch.
Nicknamed the Architect, he was often her staunchest opponent in the debate room of the convocation. Where she represents the natural aspect of the star, he represents its people and that often puts them at odds.
For them to be the best of friends outside the debate chambers surprised many. This time, however, it was her turn to be surprised as she heard him carefully deconstruct the defense that had been given for the new plans.
The debate finished with a final vote, to reconsider the location of the new project, and with that she found herself waiting for her friend outside the halls of governance.
"Since when do you spend any second longer here than you absolutely must?" He joins her and she picks up the pace.
"Well, I've seen a miracle- you have to give me a moment to marvel."
"Don't start." He speaks up curtly. But she knows him well.
"You never agree with me on these kinds of things. It's a novel experience!" She grins but he is having none of it.
"You are correct, a miracle has happened; you for once brought a sound argument to the table." She spies a hint of a smile on him and breaks into a laugh.
"As if that ever deterred you?" His expression shifts minutely, and together you walk for a few more minutes in silence until they come upon a river bank.
"You know it is not personal." He speaks with the ease of a familiar topic. One broached many times before.
"I know" She fills in. "Still, it is- nice." She smiles as she leans over the fence. "I am so used to nature having to give for man's wishes."
"Such is the way of life. To grow. You know this." He looks at her and she lets out a sigh.
"I am just enjoying what few victories I can get." She smiles. "And don't get your hopes up- the only reason I've opted for the short version today is that I am stuck with a bad headache."
"Get yourself checked." He answered with a sigh. As if it wasn't the first time he has made that particular suggestion.
"Hmm- I might." She rubbed the side of her head. "It is getting annoying."
"Wait. No! Ha-"
Hades looked at her with a peculiar look before stepping back. She could only motion and utter half a sentence before he snapped his fingers and she vanished from sight.
-
"You know her, I have never met someone more averse to visiting the medical center than her." Hades found him explaining himself to Hythlodaeus a few hours later. "So her actually agreeing to maybe see one is legitimate grounds for concern."
Hythlodaeus, however, seemed unaffected by his logic and instead opted to make a poor attempt at hiding his amusement over the whole matter. It made him wonder why he had ever fallen in with these two.
"She probably returned straight home after, I wouldn't worry if I were you." His friend mused. "It isn't the first time trouble finds her."
"You mean she finds it." He grumbled in feigned annoyance. "Did she mention anything yesterday?"
"Only that she was unwell and suffering a headache," Hythlodaeus answered. "And something about a mishap in Elpis." He shrugged. "If that does indeed make her less prone to her angry rants, though. It may be worth getting in contact with Hermes for." He laughed.
"It was a refreshing change, but not one worth sustaining if this is what it takes." Hades sighed in defeat. "Go on, I have paperwork to tend to and I know for a fact you do as well. We need a new building site sooner than later."
Hythlodaeus' face shot into something unpleasant, much to his amusement. "Why do you feel the need to remind me?" He whined, but if his dear friend was looking for compassion, there was none to find in Hades.
"Because it is important and we have dallied enough." He concluded and couldn't keep his amusement from leaking through his guard.
"Keep up the stern outlook and your wrinkles will only deepen!" The head of the bureau of concepts yelled in retort before scuttling off between the throng of the evening commute, leaving Hades to heave a deep and annoyed sigh.
Yet as much as he tried in the hours thereafter, he couldn't lift the matter from his mind. So after a few attempts of ignoring it and failing he lifted his hand to his ear and willed the advanced little concept called a link-pearl to connect to the one belonging to the seat of Azem.
Often enough when she was off to travel the star, the little innovation did not have the reach to get to her. Yet she should still be in the city proper- or at least within the reach of an aetherite.
Yet the link pearl couldn't make a connection, leaving him equal parts annoyed and worried.
After forcing himself to finish the more urgent matters of his work he decided to take matters into his own hands and took himself to the hospital he had flicked her to.
As usual, the staff fluttered around him solely on account of the color of his mask. This time he had no patience for the platitudes and niceties that he often navigated rather well, and asked directly for her by name and rank. Only to watch the attending female's expression still.
"She is under treatment and observation on the twenty-third floor."
He muttered his gratitude and let out a deep sigh. Once in the elevator he sought her out by her aether and found her blazing orange above him and to the left, surrounded by vivid blue and greens.
With his mind distracted, he didn't notice the cleric calling and chasing after him until he came face to face with a set of closed doors.
"Sir- I am sorry but that is a closed ward- oh!" The man took two steps backward as he turned around. "Honorable Emet-Selch, how may we help you?"
"Azem is here?" He asked the obvious and got a nod. "Yes, sir. Admitted this afternoon."
"What ails her?"
"I am not at liberty to say, do you wish for me to find you someone who is?"
"Go." He instructed and peered through the closed doors, finding her orange soul flickering in a manner he hadn't seen before.
"Hades?" The usually soft-spoken voice of Hythlodaeus cut through his thoughts and brought him back to the present. "How is she?"
"In treatment. The rest you can see for yourself." He gestured to the set of closed doors. "Something is disturbing the cohesion of her aether." He repeated what the doctor had told him. "She is presently asleep."
"How could such a thing happen?" Hythlodaeus asked crestfallen.
"That is what I am planning to investigate. I am asking you to stay here in my stead, for now. I need to speak to Fandaniel. He has run Elpis for a considerable amount of time, if anyone would know what kind of stray concept could cause this kind of a condition, it is him."
"I see, of course, I will stay. Have they said anything about a treatment?"
"Not as of yet. There cannot be treatment without first finding a cause." Hades answered calmly. "But she will be alright." The man gave Hythlodaeus a last look before striding out of the building.
-
"She is sleeping and stable for now, we advise against waking her up until absolutely necessary." A man well along in his tenure as a physician comments as they finally let Hythlodaeus into the room.
"We theorize her dreams may assist her in unifying and stabilizing her aether." She twisted in her sleep and spoke words that died on her lips. Sweat beads off her brow as she clutches the blanket she is wrapped in.
"They do not look to be kind dreams." Hythlodaeus finds a chair and sits down beside her.
"Sadly they are not, but be they bad or good, her aether is calmer when asleep than when awake."
"I see, we will just have to be patient, then."
"Please call if anything arises." The man asks before taking his leave, leaving the room calm and quiet.
Not long after, Hythlodaeus sinks into thoughts. He had seen his fair share of concepts come by, as bureau director. But never one that malfunctioned as terribly as the one she had run into.
Hythlodaeus sat with her for a good few hours more, until eventually, he fell asleep in his chair.
—
"Azem"
'Azem!'
She shot awake from dreams of fire and brimstone. Of a burning Amarot and came face to face with - something. An awareness besides her own insisting on having her attention.
"Who calls me?" She asked but saw none. She wasn't even sure where she was or if she was even awake.
"Forgive me for having to bring my burden to you to bear. I know it isn't what any of you hoped for, but it is the only option left to me.
The future of the star depends on it."
A face she did not recognize formed, belonging to what looked to be a familiar at most. Dressed with horns and scales.
"I am a reflection of you, many centuries in the future from now. A great disaster will befall your people, and you are the only one who can alter its course. You may not be able to prevent it anymore, but-... you will be able to win the star a better outlook." The voice spoke, but her words beggared belief.
"You are from the future?" She asked, and earned an answer in the being's nod. "Through magic beyond my expertise I have visited your time, and now have come as a last resort to save the star from extinction. With this last whisp of me are my memories. I beg you to use them- to find a way forward. To do better than I could.
You are the last hope of this star."
With those final words spoken, she felt the being's aether uncurl and begin to fade. But the memories and hellscapes remained firmly locked behind her eyes.
When she reached for one, they unfurled under her touch into a caleidoscope of images, neatly bound along a string signifying time. Opening one, she landed in a stone room with several un-robed people and a man bearing the robes of the emissary. The seat of Elidibus.
—
Several hours later Hythlodaeus woke up in bed. Her bed. With her nowhere to be seen and his link pearl going off. His worry was swiftly allayed, however, when Azem's voice spoke up.
"Forgive me for leaving you to sleep, but I need your help, Hyth-" She spoke up sounding worked up.
"You do know Hades will kill me, do you?" He laughed worried, but then let out a sigh to calm himself down. "What can I do?"
A brief pause stilled the room before she spoke up again. "I need someone to listen to me and tell me I am not going insane."
"Alright, that much I believe, I am capable of. What happened my friend?"
Her voice softened then. "I-... need some time. To think- and I can't think in a hospital, so I-...left.."
"How about, I do not tell Hades- for now- about your escape, and you tell me where you are?" He bargained.
"Okay, It won't be long until he finds me, either way." He felt a part of him ease as an inkling of her usual humor peeked through. "I am at my house."
Hythlodaeus was at her door before long, and despite having escaped his watch not too long ago, she felt herself ease at the sight of him.
"First things first, I brought you some food from Valdur's place, and I am going to insist you try to eat some of it." He strode right past her and conjured the artfully crafted food out of the aether.
As reluctant as she felt, she opted to do as he asked and sat down. She had been going without food for a good while... and Valdur's wasn't something you could easily ignore.
With Hythlodaeus satisfied, and she herself feeling marginally better after what had been a long day of unusual and strange things, she sat back and willed her ragged nerves to calm.
The silence she had been tormented by in the hospital had been filled with shards and moments from those horrific sights, but now- with her dear friend keeping her quiet company, the silence felt different. Calmer.
"I need your help." She spoke up softly. Where those words were usually difficult to get over her lips, her two dearest friends had quickly and summarily dispelled that notion.
"A being deposited a set of memories in me, and told me I am the last hope of this star, and I don't get the feeling she's lying." She looked at her friend, who had always been a superb listener.
"I've been seeing these memories in my dreams- and-..." Her words fell quiet. The silence lasted for a good while before she pushed herself into finishing that sentence.
All the while, Hythlodaeus had been waiting for her.
"- Amarot burns." She swallowed her nerves. "We- us- our people go extinct in something that is called the 'sundering' of the star." She stared at her leftover food. "Only a very few people survive, and Etherys is nearly lost." She made herself meet his gaze.
"And we knew- but the memory was lost-" She closed her eyes and fought her emotions to a standstill before continuing. "Hades he-.. we die." She wrung her hands as the images she had sought out in her gifted memories surprised her. How could someone from the distant future know of Hythlodaeus, Venat, and Hades? It made no sense.
"I don't understand, but this- it's real. In some version of reality, these things have come to pass. And to prevent worse I have to use these memories in some manner."
"Can you tell to whom the memories belong?" Hythlodaeus asked.
"Somewhat. She is referred to as the warrior of light, and bears the traveler's blessing."
"And this being says she has failed in her duty, and now has no chance but to leave it to you? And it concerns the star?"
Again she nodded. "I know it sounds like madness"
"Let us not jump to such conclusions prematurely." He spoke in a consoling voice. But she could not accept it.
"Hades would call it an elaborate construct, an experiment gone wrong. And so would I- if I hadn't seen what I saw."
"What is it that convinces you?"
"I-..." An image flashed before her eyes of a man with Hades's face but a different name
"Emet-Selch, Solus yae Galvus. Emperor of Garlemald."
"I don't... I can't put it in words. I cannot explain. But I know-"
"Alright, that is good enough for me." He smiled as she drew an exasperated face. "I am not Hades, If you believe it to be so, then I will not question you. But I will ask you what I can do."
"Tell me I am not crazy." She laughed shallowly. "I should try and document this, huh?"
"Not going any crazier than you have always been." He winked. "And keeping a record of these events couldn't hurt. Just take my advice in one matter, please." As she looked at him he continued.
"Don't watch them all at once. You will likely get overwhelmed. Take it one step at a time and give yourself time to work through these new-found memories."
She nodded slowly. "Right, that I can do." She looked at him. "Thank you, my friend. I-.. have one last request to make of you."
"Hmm?" He looked at her.
"Don't mention this to Hades. He has enough on his plate as it is, and news of his city burning down- won't go down well. I don't want him to worry."
"I would advise you to tell him what he needs to know. But I will leave that to you for the time being." He smiles.
"I will, as soon as I know what to tell him."
—
Hades's finished his investigation in Elpis three days later after both he nor Hermes couldn't find even the smallest lead. Having sought up and down the archives with nigh on a night of sleep between them resulted in deep and dark lines under his eyes as he stepped into her apartment.
Her place had always been a chaotic place, but this time he had to do a double take. His friend who so notoriously hated documenting anything was hovering over a crystal and in deep meditation on it.
"I know, it is a sight to see, isn't it?
Hythlodaeus appeared from her kitchen with a mug of coffee and what looked to be a few hours-old slices of pizza. "Come, sit. She will be done in a moment and then you can tell us about your journey to Elpis.
But most of Hythlodaeus's words shot past him instead as he watched the current seat of Azem bite down her frustrations as she inscribed the crystal.
Reluctantly he followed his friend to the dining table. "What in the name of the star has happened to her? First, she makes sensible arguments and now she is inscribing crystals? I dare not say this to be the seat of Azem. He scowled as he spoke.
"A lot has happened, indeed. Some of it bad, some of it good- you know how it is." Hythlodaeus teased him with his non-answer. Upon reinforcing his glare the man began to laugh.
"Alright, alright, calm down honorable Emet-Selch! I was only joking." Hythlodaeus looked at him with a feint smile lingering on his lips. "I think mayhaps you should ask her that question?"
He let out a disgruntled sigh before taking a long draft of the coffee. Pizza did not sit well with him, as the rocky travel between Amaurot and Elpis still left him feeling nauseous.
"Hades- you are back." As on cue, she strode into the room looking somewhat weary. "How did your investigation go?"
"Brilliant. We couldn't find anything. Not even a lingering aetheric signature." He looked at her as she made her way to join them at the dining table.
"Fandaniel, as an authority on these matters, as well as the staff of Elpis haven't been able to find any lead or clue. The only thing we've learned is that whatever manner of creature did this to you isn't a documented concept, nor likely to have been created there. There is also no trail nor any sign of its presence and escape. Which should have been impossible in the first place. Elpis is now undergoing rigorous containment controls, to make sure nothing slips the net." Hades crossed his arms and looked out the window.
"We don't know what it is."
"We even checked on Pandaemonium in case the words of Lahabrea let something slip. They were highly offended at the notion." He added and his dry tone managed to get a smile out of her.
"If Pandaemonium is getting involved I am scared." She wrung her fingers. "So does not finding anything, to be honest."
"I share your sentiment. Unfortunately, there isn't anywhere else I know we can do." He confessed. "How have you been in my absence?"
"Well enough, and worry not. I do not seem to be worse for wear. I just have been entrusted with a collection of memories, as far as I understand. I am still trying to sort them out."
"Memories?" He thought back of Elpis and his frown deepened. "Kairos, perchance. I will notify Hermes."
She shook her head. "What happened to me, happened right outside of the entrance. I doubt that device would have the range."
"True, if it did it would be deeply disturbing." He agreed.
"Anyway, I am glad you have returned to us in one piece, oh Honorable Emet-Selch!" Hythlodaeus spoke up and incurred a scowl.
"I am sure you two have missed me dearly." he answered dryly.
"Oh immensely. We have missed your bleeding wit." She joined in and managed to prise a smile from him.
"I am sure, the two of you are hopeless without me." He feigned and got a bold and honest laugh out of the both of them. Not many appreciated his sense of humor, some would mistake it to be genuine hubris. But not them. No, they knew him to an embarrassing degree he'd rather not think too much on.
From there the conversation devolved to more day-to-day matters. On what he had missed concerning the convocation and Lahabrea's newest creation. Also the seat of Lohgrif and Mitron's supposedly hidden affections.
"Also, word has reached me of your 'escape' from the medical center, oh honorable Azem." He put a halt to the rumor exchange. "They were rather worried." He pointedly looked at Hythlodaeus.
"Don't give him the stink-eye. This was all me." She spoke up. "I- needed a place to think."
He was about to open his mouth in retort, but the final tones of her voice seemed to catch him off-guard.
"Still, you've left the department without notifying anyone." He pressed on but in a softer tone of voice. "You had people worried for your safety."
"I will apologize." She promised softly. "I should probably have let them know, huh?."
He just answered that with a sigh.
"I've assured them the matter is under control, for now." He fell quiet for a moment. "You believe you can handle this?" He hid a degree of worry in the words.
"I believe so. I just need some time, and if I recall correctly the convocation has been requesting me to remain in Amaurot, so I think I will oblige them this once."
"They will be beside themselves with shock, I can assure you that." He commented dryly, but couldn't hide a flicker of a smile from manifesting.
"If you need us, you know how to reach me." The moment he spoke the words he hid a wince. For all his skill in public speaking, he wished he'd not make his words sound so cold. But she smiled nevertheless.
"I appreciate that. I wouldn't say no to us having a meal like this more often." She grinned.
"As long as you bring actual food, Hythlodaeus, I may consider attending." He let a smug grin slip as he saw his friend recoil in shock.
"How- oh- you wound me Hades! Pizza is a perfectly acceptible-" He tuned out the rest of the argument and took a few deep breaths. When he opened his eyes Azem gave him an amused look as Hythodaeus rambled on.
Finally, he let himself relax. He let his poise slip for the comfort of being among friends.
And at last, he was feeling content.
—
Over the days that followed the seat of Azem mostly kept to her quarters, working on documenting her gifted memories. This rather new kind of focus had Hades somewhat concerned in the beginning, but as the days passed other matters took precedence. With the title of 'Architecht' came quite the responsibility, and his colleague and friends' excellent argument had led to more trouble for him. He'd need to find a new building site.
When he had finally found one, however, and took it before the convocation he found her to be in attendance. And not only that, according to the emissary she had shown up voluntarily. One hour later he learned she had also come prepared.
She had surveyed the site he had proposed and brought a concise report to the convocation with an almost unusual calm.
"Well, if the seat of Azem approves of the location, I am certain the honorable Emet-Selch would gladly look over your findings concerning the soil consistency." Lahabrea, usually rather chill of character seemed oddly amused at the proceedings, much to his chagrin.
"Of course, I would be happy to take these findings into consideration." He answered on auto as his mind tried to get behind Azem's preparedness.
"I've not known you to read meeting notes before." He asked without asking as they left the government district.
"Come now, I am not that bad. I know my track record isn't great, but this one literally said; for the seat of Azem in capital letters." She gestured out an overdrawn version of Lahabrea's ornate script."It's pretty hard to miss."
He instead gave her a side-eye. "To quote your own words back to you; 'that has never stopped you before.'"
She broke into a laugh. "Alright, alright. How about- my dear friend came to my aid on the last meeting, and now I get to return the favor?"
He huffed in an attempt to hide his surprise. "How kind of you, oh honored seat of Azem." His words came out sounding far more glib and sarcastic than he intended, but she did not seem bothered by his asinine humor. Instead, she laughed.
"Don't get used to it."
"Etheirys as my witness, I know better than that."
She broke out in a laugh at that, and as much as he'd try to fight it, a smile wormed its way over his expression. One born out of the warmth of friendship, he convinced himself. But sooner than later it was clouded by worry.
"How has your aether held itself? Are you recovering?" He stopped her on one of the junctions, next to a towering linden tree that had been carefully pruned to perfection.
She tilted her head in thought. "It's been stable, but I have basically been sentenced to bed rest by the both of you and by the convocation. Aside from the memories, I feel fine."
"I see, well, I've lost a whole week once, I imagine you will be fine." She nodded quietly.
"Wait-" then turned around. "You lost a whole week?"
"Once yes, in Elpis." He sighed. A local memory-altering device they use there experienced an error, it was a mess, really." He let out a deeply disgruntled sigh.
"Hmmm! So you are saying there is a week's worth of time you don't recall- how tempting to make use of!"
Exasperation shot over his face. "Don't you dare."
"So much blackmail potential." She grinned, not in the least deterred by his expression.
"Why am I friends with you again?"
"Because you dislike the rest of the population." She grinned and walked ahead.
"I do not. I merely think-"
"And because without me your life would be a dull collection of days behind a desk."
He brought his hand over his head as he tried to find a rebuttal to that, but came up empty.
"I know how you like to show off, and how much you enjoy a good spot of combat." She waited for him ahead. "And I also know I'd have passed to the star if you weren't there to help me."
The skyline fell away around him as a vivid memory took hold of him. One so old, yet not touched by the passage of time. Of the first time he had answered her summons. Of his first brush with this side of their star. The traveler's domain. Azem's domain.
"And of course the many times you have stopped Lahabrea from locking me up in Pandaemonium to study me for my eccentric ways." She continued on, pulling him back to the present.
"He has told me has given up on that plan. He describes you as too fickle and a pain in his backside."
"Ah, I am flattered!"
He shook his head, hiding his amusement. "As much as I enjoy this ceaseless banter and your company, my responsibilities call."
"Of course. I've missed having the time to talk like this. But I understand. Perhaps staying in Amaurot for a while longer won't be as boring as I thought if I can see the two of you more." She smiled. "Don't overwork yourself, Hades."
"I would say the same to you, but I know I needn't worry." He felt a little mote of relief in seeing that despite their lives getting much busier since he had ascended to the convocation that she had not lost her sense of humor, or the ability to see straight through his words. Sharp and biting as they could be.