The Union of Earth and Sky

[Aerys Hellgate]

Aerys was quiet for a long while after Zeik spoke.

The air around them grew thin, as if the world itself awaited the young man's reply to this vestige of prophecy before him— but in Aerys’ mind, things moved less like prophecy and more like… calculations.

“..Raethos? Temples of who?”

Aerys had never heard of these places before, but didn’t doubt the truth in Zeik’s words. He spoke with a mystifying certainty; the kind that only came from centuries of watching things fall and reform and fall again.

He sighed before casually raking his fingers through his hair, taking a beat to think about what he wanted to say, and how he wanted it to sound before this esteemed wizard sage. He seemed too settled in his ambitions for Aerys' words to reach him, but he had to say something. How often would he have the opportunity to speak with this guy? Let alone convince him to return home.. He had to say something.

“Listen..I won’t pretend I understood half of what you said. I mean, not entirely but.." He paused, his voice quieter than usual. "You speak like someone who’s already seen the end.. Like, you've lived long enough to pull patterns out of history I haven’t even read about yet.” He gave a faint, crooked smile. “..let alone ever experience.”

His gaze lifted to Zeik again.

“But I will say this mate: you sound… tired. Not weak, mind ya’. Or broken in the faintest. Just.. tired in a way I don’t think any human should have to be.”

For the first time, there was something like disappointment in his eyes.

“I remember growing up, hearing your name spoken like a bloody legend. The Hellgates’ living myth. I figured you’d be the first to step forward when everything started falling apart— not the first one talking about dissolving your ties like they never meant nothin’ to begin with.”

He exhaled through his nose, slow.

“You say all life is your people. That’s noble, truly mate I mean it.” His jaw tightened slightly. “But to those who actually have people — a home, a place they bled for — those wise words can start sounding a lot like indifference.”

Aerys turned slightly, glancing toward the east — where acres of this once vibrant forest now lay razed by war.

“Thing is… we don’t have the luxury of a worldview that broad. Not right now. We’re talking about real cities. Real faces. And a very real Empire getting closer every day.”

His eyes sharpened when he looked back at Zeik.

“And Akundae.” he repeated, testing the sound of it, and shaking his head. “Never heard the name.. But it sounds like you’re going after the head of the snake..”

A pause.

“…which if you are, then you might actually be the only reason the Acrix doesn’t end up like this place. But wars aren't usually won alone mate..” he said, crossing his arms and leaning on a decrepit tree.

“I was thinking.. what's the harm in letting me come with? Think i'll slow ya down?”