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Elidibus's words blend together as he continues his tiresome speech to their sundered brethren. Emet-selch has heard these words time and time again - not because they were meant for him, mind you, but because he always seemed to get dragged along when time came to raise up a new shard into office. The process is wholly tiresome and uninteresting: you've seen one Nabriales, you've seen them all. Still, it's a good a time as any to catch a few winks, and slowly but surely the Third Seat finds himself drifting off…
… the girl’s words blend together, as do the boy's. The three have only just met, mind you, so Hades can't be blamed for being nigh-uninterested in what they have to say. All he wanted to do was ensure the dunce on the ground didn't get a sunburn and cause a ruckus, and instead he's found two ruckuses in the making. The first, Hythlodaeus, is incorrigible. Utterly absurd. ‘No more talent than a newborn,’ he claims, yet his ability to string words together hinges on the mind-boggling. Hades had never had quite a verbal sparring partner as this - he hates it. Absolutely. That’s what this weird feeling in his chest is, right? Hate?
Yes, Hades hates Hythlodaeus. One-hundred percent. As for the other…
He’s pretty sure he hates the girl, too. The feeling’s different, but no less intense. She’s a loud-mouthed, nosy, unfathomably irritable boor of a girl who can’t seem to stop causing trouble.
He had been on his way into the academy when some knuckle-dragging oaf had knocked Hades’s books from his hands. Given the smirk, it was obviously intentional: he paid it little mind. He wasn’t here to make enemies or participate in the tedium of meaningless preteen interpersonal relationship drama, he was here to learn. So it was that Hades ignored the obvious slight.
However, as he went to pick up his book, a shadow loomed over him. It was that same kid, and he was reaching for Hades. He tried to ignore it again, closing his eyes as he prepared for the inevitable… when a loud *CA-CRACK-!* rang out in his ears. It echoed through the hallway, sounding sharpest just above his head - a little towards the wall, actually. Hades peeked out of one eye; nothing seemed amiss at first, until he noticed the bully wasn’t over him anymore. Instead there was a new shadow, cast by an outstretched fist. Hades lifted his head…
And was mortified to see his would-be bully’s face nearly caved-in, stuck in a cratered wall. The kid was slumped, out-cold from a single blow - and who was responsible for this sudden turn of events? Hades turned his gaze slightly more upwards, towards this mysterious ‘savior’ (he was not calling her that, no matter how much she insisted).
The girl was… rough. She had this almost wild look to her, unkempt robes that frayed at the edges, and a mask that was not only strangely plain but also miserably chipped. Did she make it by hand or something? Either way, it matched her shaggy mop of hair, ratty black strands arranged in an approximation of a ponytail - just enough to keep it off her neck and out of her striking amber eyes. Most of all, though… she wore a smile. A wide one, like someone who’d just found their life’s calling and could feel the satisfaction and purpose flowing through their veins by way of the rush of endorphins their brain was using to pat themselves on the back with.
Hades frowned back at the girl. “I didn’t ask for help.”
The girl just smiled wider. “You didn’t have to.” Her voice was just as irritating as the rest of her, so self-assured and utterly at-peace with having disrupted the cycle of educational hazing.
He was about to reply when he noticed someone rushing in. The bully’s friend, no doubt, his own fist raised and aimed right at the girl’s jaw. It looked like she was about to dodge, until she noticed Hades was still beside her. To his utter bewilderment, she didn’t step out of the way or try to redirect it: The girl stood there and tanked the bully’s punch, right to the cheek.
And she smiled.
Wordlessly, her other hand thrust up into the surly boy’s stomach, knocking the wind out of him. As he stumbled away, he inexplicably fell onto his back, nearly rendering himself as unconscious as his friend. No, wait, he didn’t fall on his own - there was a shoe peeking out from behind the corner, right in his path.
That shoe was obviously connected to a person, that person being Hythlodaeus. Those well-trimmed lilac locks looked around, apparently assessing the situation. Just as he stepped fully into-view, however, a teacher rounded the corner. He examined the scene with no small hint of displeasure, but before he could utter a single word in reprimand, Hades heard a shout behind him.
His head whirled around to see yet another boy rushing towards him, this time with nothing standing in his path. It looked as though he was actually looking through Hades, probably at the kid who’d just laid out two of his friends. Eager for revenge and blind even to the fact that faculty was observing, he made to lunge…
And, in a panic, Hades instinctively blasted the unfortunate fool with a ball of fire. The bully shrieked as he was singed, flying back down the hallway and skidding on his face until he collided with a water fountain. Thankfully it put him out, but that didn’t mitigate what happened next.
Within a blink, several spectral arms were hoisting the three of them by the collars. They floated over to the teacher who’d watched it all, the man absolutely fuming at the blatant disregard for academy etiquette. Even as he launched into a lengthy lecture, the girl fired back to defend them - they were attacked, so why were they being punished? Hythlodaeus just offered a quip or two as backup for her claims, leaving Hades to just sigh and recite his own testimony when prompted.
Unconvinced that the matter was settled, the teacher carried the three of them to the headmaster’s office, plopping them outside as he went in to discuss the matter. As the adults murmured behind the door, the three finally introduced themselves.
“That was a good punch.” Hythlodaeus said to her, all soft smiles as if they weren’t mere moments from getting suspended - or worse. “Hythlodaeus. Couldn’t help but notice things were getting dire.”
Without missing a beat, the girl grabbed and shook his hand. “Nice ta’ meetcha, Hythlo! Is it alright if I call you ‘Hythlo?’ I’m bad with long names.” She snickered, as though her measly intelligence were a point of pride. Hades silently observed the exchange, disdain writ clear on his face. The two ignored him for now. “Thanks for the assist, but I coulda taken ‘em.”
“Hehe, I’ve no doubt you could’ve. Still, it would be remiss to make you do all the work. Pathetic as I am, I couldn’t stand by and do nothing.” Hythlodaeus grinned back, his own self-degradation so utterly instinct that it nearly slipped past the other two.
Blinking, the girl shook her head. “Pathetic? Dude, you knew exactly where to be! Numbnuts never knew what hit him! And you-” Finally they turned their attention to Hades, who had been content to sulk this entire time. He scowled as her gaze settled on him, and scowled deeper in response to her oafish smile. “- you were awesome. Did you see that jerk fly?! I’m surprised you didn’t burn his dinky robe off with how hard you hit him! Seriously dude, you have got to teach me how to make a fireball like that.”
“I will not.” Hades immediately answered. “I was just making sure I didn’t get trampled - let me be perfectly clear. I did not ask for your help. I would’ve been much better off if you two hadn’t interfered. I could’ve just gone on with my day after a noogie or two, content in the knowledge that they’d get bored and leave me alone after a while.”
For the first time, the girl’s smile faded. She regarded him for an uncomfortable amount of time, then spoke again. “... but would you have been okay knowing someone else had to suffer?”
Stunned, Hades blinked. He opened his mouth to answer, only to find he had none. She continued.
“I don’t like people like that, the kind that think they own the place and walk all over others. Just keepin’ your head down ‘s all well and good for keeping the heat offa ya’, but all you’re doin is shifting the heat elsewhere.” Her hands clenched, hard enough that her knuckles turned white and began to tremble. “I don’t like that. They needed to be taught a lesson - this isn’t their playground, and you ain’t their toy. You needed that lesson, too.”
Dumbfounded, Hades’s eyes narrowed on the girl. What once he regarded as nothing more than a troublesome upstart had suddenly become infinitely more complex. Maybe her motivation was simple, but her mind was sharp. Sharper than she let on. Maybe… she was worth keeping an eye on. If only to keep her out of more trouble. Yeah, less trouble for her meant less trouble for him. That’s how it worked, right?
Unprompted, she offered him her hand. Peering over her shoulder, Hythlodaeus grinned wide and innocent, though his face also betrayed a fraction of his inner monologue - the two were far too interesting to merely let wander off. He’d hang around, see what kind of mess they’d stir up next. He might even lend a hand, if he’s able.
“What’s yer name?” The girl asked.
Hades considered for a moment. As their hands met, he winced from the force of her squeeze. She just smiled back.
“Hades.” He hissed, wrenching his appendage back and rubbing it tenderly.
“Pfft.” She snickered. “Seriously? Between the three of us, not a single name that doesn’t start with ‘H?’ Man, all our parents musta read out of the same stupid page laying around in the waiting room when we were born! Think they know each other?” She laughed to herself, like her half-witted joke was the funniest thing she’d ever heard.
Before Hades could admonish her, or Hythlodaeus could goad her, like they were going to so very many countless times in the days to come, the girl recovered and looked him right in the eyes. In that moment, Hades could faintly grasp the image of her soul - it was blinding. He fought the urge to squint. Hers was a radiant, unmistakable thing. Untethered, unrelenting, and totally unyielding. From behind those bright, shining eyes, Hades could see the nature of the girl: she was a wildfire, clad in flesh and instilled with a disdain for injustice. Her name?
“Helios.”
His best friend. Or soon-to-be, despite his intentions.
“...elch? Emet-Selch, are you with us?”
Emet awoke with… not so much as a start. His eyes merely opened, and he stared at the familiar red mask of Elidibus.
“Emet-Selch, are y–”
“Yes, I heard you the first time.” He dismissed the emissary. “Are we done here?”
Elidibus regarded him silently for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, I believe we are. I was just meaning to tell you that you’re free to go about your business. I will show our restored comrade to the rest of our brethren.”
“Yes yes, very good.” Emet rolled his eyes. “If you’ll excuse me, I need another nap.”
“... Very well.” The white-robbed Ascian gave him another nod. “I shall apprise you of any further developments when you awake. Rest well.” He faded into the darkness, leaving Emet by his lonesome.
The Third Seat sighed tiredly. It wasn’t often he dreamt, though it was almost always of that bygone era. One day, he told himself, he’d be rid of such dreams. One day, they’d be nothing more than pleasant stories to recite with those once-lost and soon-found friends. One day… he’d see Hythlodaeus’s smile again. He’d see Helios’s oafish grin once more.
One day…
… But not today.