Conversation with Amyas

The Archon, still wounded and covered in blood, both his and his enemies, sat before Amyas; the Tempest's gaze was languid, tired, pained even.

But Amyas could feel a whole new presence coming from Zaruma; it was otherworldly, much like the one he could feel from the Order magi. Instead of serenity, however, there was a creepy chill crawling up his spine. The crimson hues stared down at the man in white cloak, if only to exclaim.

"Amyas..."

"I remember your servitude to me, once. How you were one of the aspiring Vassals, how I had visions of making you among those of importance in my ranks..."

"--But you ruined everything. You had to betray me, to stab me in the back."

Leaning his chin on the throne's armrest, one could almost note that Zaruma was still mildly bleeding; the wound that would be a fatal strike for the human was a lasting injury for Archon, and that gash in his chest was still apparent.

"For too long, I wished to kill you."

"Much like everyone who betrayed me, when I needed everyone the most. Tell me, Amyas..."

"What pushed you to do this? Why did you betray me?"
(Zaruma)

Amyas stood there, holding his neck slightly as his hand gets engulfed in his own flames, burning the wound shut - there we go, this feels a lot better. It still needed surgical repair to his mana circuits, Amyas knew that - he couldn't fare too well with his battlefield first aid knowledge.

This presence, it felt as if Amyas was in the presence of something...dangerous, malicious even menacing. He gulped once more, gazing at Zaruma. Was he actually feeling remorse towards Amyas? His servitude to him was /that/ great? How..? All Amyas did was fucking have dramatic episodes while everyone had their fun.

"Zaruma I..." Yeah, he felt bad about what he did but, he couldn't forgive himself for what happened nor forgive Zaruma for what he did.

"I would've given my life for you but you decided to take them in. I told you, I'm with you if it meant avenging my family and that was not going to happen with the way things were happening. You took them in, those who you told me we'll kill."

Amyas' gaze turns sharper, his connection to the arcane was faint. Through kindness, focus, focus, focus-

He couldn't do that anymore, it was darkness all over again. He'd lift his hands a bit within the collar pockets, gazing at the floor - shades covering his face, he regrets something.

"At the time, I was hurt. I watched Anaxes die, my mentor. Erenan die, a brother. You taking in those who HELPED kill them just... It broke me, had Ikkaku not saved me from myself - I don't think I would've lived this long, I would've taken my own life."

And at last, it was time to cut to the chase.

"I didn't betray you, as a being - your ideologies - your people. I betrayed your actions, your illthought plans. That's what happened."

Laureline's face flashes before Amyas' eyes.

"I have someone that I love, someone that kept me whole despite everything that happened. That's the only reason why I fought for the Fourfold, to keep her safe - to not watch her die. She's the only thing I've got that... That makes fucking sense anymore."
(Amyas White)

With connection to Arcane that Zaruma now possessed, he could understand humanity better; he could understand human emotions more vivid, in general. But even as far as he had come to understand humanity, with every note of hatred, anger, grief, loss, sadness that passed the heart of Occult in his chest- he could not find an answer to one thing.

Why? How could everyone abandon him, when he needed everyone the most?

Yet, the Archon listened to what Amyas had to say. There they stood - two defeated warriors, for the fact that the Lord was injured this badly first time in his entire life. And Amyas? His wound hurt no less.

The crimson hues that spelled rage in their expression were now filled with regret. Erenan, Anaxes, Effigy - everyone who was dear to him and now lost... he could understand why Amyas felt this way.

But it's not something that the Lord of Aetherius would leave unanswered.


"We do what we must, Amyas. Had you stayed longer-- you would realize what happened."

With a pause, he continued.

"Tragedy did this. She did this in order to break apart Coalition of Cruxati and Jianghu - as you can see, that worked just fine. I was furious- I was angry, just like everyone who stood by my side. I wanted to snuff out Kayeliun's life right that instant."

"But I could not. Tragedy had a point. If that war would keep going, Aetherius would be wiped out. Everything I worked for, everything we all worked for - it would die, burn and crash in our failure."

"I had to accept it. I had to swallow my pride. It stung at my heart, much like betrayal still stings even nowadays."

His crimson optics went sideways, his brows furrowing. Too much was lost in these times, something that Zaruma could not forgive himself for- and yet, of all, he still remains.

"Do you think it did not hurt me, Amyas?"

"Did you view me as a monster that is naught but an empty shell, with nothing to feel, nothing to reflect on?"

"Did you think that your treachery would help the situation, Amyas? Your treachery, and the treachery of many that have abandoned me?"

"All of the people that abandoned me, when I needed them the most?"

He paused. His lip curved, after which he spoke.

"Do you think this was truly a good decision of yours, Amyas?"
(Zaruma)

Amyas just stood there, in shock.

Did Zaruma just admit to having emotions? This certainly was confusing but it made sense at the same time, why else would Zaruma get angry at him for leaving? Why else would the Archon keep his life at least until he hears what he had to say.


And then the Archon started talking about how it was all a gimmick, a trick, something to keep their survival and existence known to the island of Agartha, it all made sense now.

"I was not thinking at the time. I was angry-.."

"I viewed you as a brother, not even an Archon - I don't care if this sounds disrespectful but fuck, you were the closest thing I had to a family."

"As I said, I was not thinking."

Amyas paused looking at Zaruma.

"Had I not defected I wouldn't have met her. I wouldn't feel whole again. She... She held me together when I lost you all, when I lost my family for a second time."

He'd take a deep breath, shutting his eyes momentarily.

"... I would do anything to see her again and..." He shudders, sniffling. "... And... Be on your side again. The side of my family."
(Amyas White)

The Archon observed Amyas while he spoke, taking note of what he had to say; he was particularly curious as to what he had to say for himself, after all, and after hearing it all, he merely gave a small, curt nod to his words.

"Everything I do is done for a reason, Amyas. This was done not to betray the people of Aetherius, but to allow us to survive. We've grown stronger, and recovered."

"While the fools like Xococan have fallen, and Cruxati were reduced to irrelevance. All with time... everything is coming to a vision of my future, to a vision of our future."

"Kayeliun and Atro are growing old as magi, and slowly, they will be unable to be a threat anymore. After I raze Ardent, after I bring to the knees that disobedient tribe of Tochan, after we've recovered the technology of old with the nearing expedition-"

"We will have the opportunity to reclaim what's ours, to have our revenge for everyone that has fallen to Coalition."

But he knew of desires that men had. He knew that Amyas could not abandon his love in Ardent, and to that, he spoke.

"It is good that you found something to cherish... the philosophy of Chaos is to enjoy your life, to be happy, to indulge in what you wish."

"And I will grant yours."

"Convince her... send her a letter from your name, with your signature. Tell her to join us, here, in the growing Empire of mine. I do have people to carry such message."

His voice sounded soothing, almost irresistible to avoid listening - one would fine their heart calmed, their mind willing to follow Zaruma's ideals; was it the presence of Arcane, or has his understanding of humanity gone that deep?

"Come now, Amyas-"

"You have seen the results of raid today. Soon enough, Ardent will be reduced to nothingness. Their lies, their hypocrisy... all will be devoured by a flame."

"But you do not have to be in that flame when it happens. Instead, you can take your own place in my Empire, your own place with her-"

"With your lover. But the question is--"

"Will you pledge yourself to follow me, Amyas?"
(Zaruma)
... "Why do you take me back with open arms, Zaruma? If I was in your seat, in your place. I would kill me."

That confused the mage, but he was relieved none the less.

"I... If I pledge myself to you, I don't know if she'll live with me, here - all her friends are in Ardent, all her family's there too. I can't put her through that. Laureline won't handle it, I know her. She's delicate, like a flower."

And with that, Amyas was surely conflicted. He did not know what to say or do at this point.
(Amyas White)

Such question was understandable, and no doubt put Amyas under doubt; but the Archon already had answer to such question. It'd be rather odd that he wouldn't question such, after all.

"I have no desire to rule over Agartha of the dead, Amyas. Killing everyone is not an option, only those that truly wish to expel my kind, those that have forever made themselves my enemy."

"And you? You served me once. You're not beyond saving, not beyond understanding. That's why I preserved your life."

With a pause, he arched his brow. Laureline? He certainly has heard that name before.

"That woman? I've seen her around several times. She had plentiful of friends in Crafthold."

"Is this what you're concerned about, Amyas? Because she had come over here in the past already."

A brief sigh escaped his lips, before he exclaimed.

"But I do understand that. You can save her and yourself, Amyas, and those that you deem worthy of saving from Ardent, should you be successful at saving them from the wrath that should fall upon those Krausites."

"Or you could let doubt plague your mind, and be the reason of her suffering when Ardent burns."

"It is your choice."
(Zaruma)

"... I."

Well, Zaruma had a point.

".. You're right. I have no time to spend arguing. If this means that my lover and I will live a decent life in your empire. I shall seize it. I can't allow something to slip out of my hands again, not anymore."

Selling his soul to the devil, Amyas did something unimaginable to him, if someone had asked him prior to the battle if he'll let Zaruma live had he bested him in battle - there was no chance, he'd seize the opportunity and end him.

"... You aren't the destroyer of Agartha, as everyone keeps calling you. Myself included. You are it's savior, Zaruma. I understand now, I..." He paused again.

"I'll serve you with my life, I'll be at your side again. I have, however, another request of you."

He'd look quite...frightned at the thought.

"... Do I have to be Hestia's maid? That... That's... Oof.."

He'd chuckle, breaking the ice.
(Amyas White)

Many could call him a devil- indeed, Zaruma was rather convincing if he had truly gotten into talking, perhaps almost alluring, too. But that's about where differences end.

The Lord knew of kindness, of reason and gifts. And if anything, Amyas was given a large gift this day - he was spared, unlike many that met their death once they were captured by Aetherius. And more than that? He was allowed to bring someone he loves.

"All I ever wished was for Agarthan civilization to rise, Amyas. Had it not been for Ardent assaulting me first, I would be focused upon that entirely."

"Do not let the voice of many overwhelm your mind. Just because many say something, does not mean it's true."

An important lesson to remember. After all, the world was full of lies, and what was said about Zaruma in Ardent was certainly subjective, at best.

"No, you do not have to be her maid. I am her Lord, and I have the authority to have you released."

"You are to be released, and you are to join Dreadguard, under command of Somnus."

"Now go- prepare the letter to Laureline. Once you're done with writing it, I will pull some strings and see to it that she gets it."
(Zaruma)