Elyus's POV:

I sat on a hilltop that was a good distance away from the Domo, unable to decide whether I should leave and accept Arishem's mission or stick to the original plan by having Druig put the celestial to sleep.

But even with that, Sprite's words practically invaded my thoughts.

Sersi choosing Ikaris over me practically damaged me enough where I didn't want to rely on anyone else to avoid it backfiring on me.

I mean, I figure things were better to be alone instead of with someone else. Every time that I tried to be with someone, let alone be friends with, life always took them away from me. Sadly, I expect it to happen with Dane.

It's what I'm used to. Though, there are people out in the world that should have the choice like I do. We shouldn't be the ones to take that away from them.

"Can I join you?" The figure takes a seat beside me on the large rock.

I roll my eyes. "Why ask if you are already doing it?"

"Because I knew you'd say no." Sprite muttered before letting out a sigh. "Had a talk with Makkari and...I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for what I said. I was just angry that--"

"The guy you love sided with his ex?" I snort, earning a hardened glare from the girl. "Hurts doesn't it? It'll last awhile."

She exhales through her nose before she waved her hands in front of us. Sparkles of cosmic energy create an illusion of the Babylon temple.

"Babylon used to be right there." She recalled. "We ever had any real home on this planet, that was it."

"I used to think that too." I weakly smile. "Once we all split up in Tenochtitlan, I explored the world and grew envious of the relationships I saw within the humans here. Sort of explains why I don't like to talk with others as much because I didn't have anyone."

She raised a brow. "Then why are you running a bar? Aren't you forced to talk to people?"

"I hated seeing innocent people become despised for who they are by others who wanted them either dead or to force them to change who they are."

"Yet you still think they're worthy of being saved? After all the terrible things we've seen them do."

"As much as there is a part of the world that deserves to be wiped out, there's a group of others a part of this world that came together to defeat Thanos." I give a small smile. "They saved half of the universe. They risked their lives for the people they love and those that don't deserve saving. We might have played a a role into improving their lifestyles but they played a part into shaping on what's right and what's wrong. A friend that I once knew said not a lot of people will accept it but some will. All we have to do is find the right people."

I stand up from my spot and look down to Sprite, meeting her solemn expression. "I'm sorry for what I said to you, Sprite. I know you think that these people don't deserve to be saved but in my eyes, nothing will ever be enough for Arishem. The only way to improve the planet is by showing them and not through the means of punishment." I say before I step down from my spot and continue to walk along the dirt path, leaving her alone.

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THE HYDE OUT BAR, LOS ANGELES
THIRTEEN YEARS AGO

"Well Ellie, I'm taking my break." Julian spoke up, watching as I carefully line the newly clean shot glasses in a row. "Think you can take over?"

I raise a brow as I glance at the almost-empty bar. "I think I'll manage."

"It's a slow day but don't you worry mija," He comfortingly patted my shoulder. "don't let it get you down."

"I won't." I state before gesturing for him to leave. "Take your break, shoo."

"I will, I will." He chuckled before pushing open the door to the backroom.

I turn around to rearrange the bottles and the sounds of footsteps entering the building causes me to smile but I didn't turn. "Welcome to the Hyde Out. What are you feeling today?"

The sounds of a stool momentarily scratches the floor as the person takes a seat. "Not sure, to be quite honest." I freeze at the familiar voice. "What would you recommend?"

I slowly turn around and my heart practically drops to my stomach at the sight of Ajak. "Holy shit."

"Hello, Elyus." She chuckled.

I place the bottle down and quickly hop over the gate before pulling Ajak into a tight hug. "It's been so long. I-I can't believe you're here." I laugh as she patted my back a few times. "How did you know where I was?"

"I keep track of everyone to make sure they are doing okay but I personally wanted to check in with you." She pulled away from the embrace, taking a seat on the stool and I follow suit.

"Oh...well, it took a while to get used to living on my own. The owner practically treats me as his family since I've been helping him with his bar so I've been staying here." I explain with a shrug. "Not the best way to start out but it's better than sleeping in the streets."

Her eyes soften. "You know that you are more than welcome to stay with me. I'm sure the others feel the same way as well."

I quickly shake my head. "No, no, it's alright. Besides, I tried living with Gilgamesh and Thena but I didn't want to burden Gil with trying to keep Thena at bay while keeping me safe at the same time. Other than that, I haven't spoken to the others."

"So...you don't know where Sersi is? You two used to be so close."

I wince but reach for the bottle and shot glass I placed on the table, pouring myself a drink. "Haven't heard that name in a while."

"Elyus--"

"Ajak, if you're going to tell me that I should see her, save it. I don't want to relive old memories. I'm finally at a good place where I don't think about them at all." I mutter before downing the shot. "I especially don't want to hear how perfect her marriage is with Ikaris and how they're happily living their lives together in the happiest places on Earth with their cheerful dogs and peppy neighbors in their perfect little neighborhood."

She places her hand on my arm with a small smile. "I will say that she is living a good life but I'm sure she's missed you."

My eyes narrow. "Did you not hear the part about her living happily with Ikaris? She'd probably laugh at my situation about wanting to see the world but now I'm running a bar that barely gets tips."

"But you don't care the slightest about the money." She chuckled. "I know you, Elyus. You want a place for others to come to when they have nowhere else to go. A haven."

I nod with a smile. "Exactly."

"Well, then I can't wait to see what you do with the place once it's your time to lead it." She pats my arm again, standing up from the stool and I walked with her to the exit. "And maybe this time I'll know what to order."

"I could make something right now, if you want?"

She shook her head. "It's alright. I still need to get home. Besides," She ruffled my hair with a grin. "It'll give me another thing to look forward to."

She pulls me into a tight hug once more and I sigh. "Promise that you'll come back soon?"

"As long as you promise me that you'll at least try to talk to Sersi."

I playfully roll my eyes. "I promise."

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IRAQ
PRESENT TIME

I bring my knees close to my chest, using a small stick to sketch random lines in the dirt.

"Never got to have that drink, huh Ajak?" I mumble. "Maybe in the next life."

As much as I loved the planet, a selfish part of me wanted to leave so that we could see Gilgamesh and Ajak again. Even if our memories would be lost, we would get to start again.

"Thought I'd find you here." The voice breaks me from my thoughts but I didn't bother to look. "It's where we went star gazing for the first time."

I slowly nod, continuing to draw random lines in the dirt. "It's hard to imagine how things change over time.  All the memories simply buried over time, just like the history buried in the sand we're standing on."

"Maybe we're the ones who've changed." Sersi took a seat next to me, feeling her shoulders brush against mine. "While I appreciate you sticking up for me since Ajak chose me, I know that deep down you're still hesitant about the plan. Even had a chat with Ikaris about it and he's obviously not on board with it."

I wince at the mention of his name. "Personally, I see it as getting a do-over but nobody on this planet deserves to go out this way. If Arishem finds out that we're trying to stop the emergence, I'm worried that..." I trail off before I shook my head. "I don't want anyone to get hurt. As much as I hate to admit this, Ikaris is stronger than us but even he isn't powerful enough to stop him."

"It doesn't hurt to try. You and I both know Arishem's way is archaic and violent. It's not natural to allow all life on an entire planet to be destroyed."

"You don't get it." I shake my head, dropping the stick and standing up from the ground.

"Then help me understand." She emphasized and grabbed my wrist to prevent me from walking. "Do you not see that we'd carry on without our memories or free will for eternity?"

"If it means that you're safe, I don't care about leaving!" I exclaim and her eyes widen slightly. "I just wish that if we do leave, I would still remember you. Including all the good and bad moments we all spent together."

"Like...the heartbreak Sprite mentioned?" She softly asked and I grimly look down. "Elyus, talk to me. All I want is to understand."

"Isn't it obvious? I wasn't just upset at you choosing to stay with Ikaris. I was upset because he easily swept you off of your feet and I couldn't do anything because I was too much of a coward to admit that I was in love with you, Sersi."

Her grip loosens at the revelation and I wanted nothing more for the ground to swallow me up.

"How come you never talked to me about it?" She quietly asked.

"I wanted to." I scoff. "Even made a stupid necklace but it was pointless."

Her eyes widen in realization for a moment before she digs something out of her pocket. "So this emerald-shaped flower was...for me?"

She holds out the rough emerald-shaped flower for me to see and instantly memories of that night flooded in my thoughts. So that's where it went.

"How did you—"

"You dropped it right after you left to do a perimeter check for deviants. I wanted to give it back to you but...we never got the chance to hang out again. I stopped trying since things felt different after that night." Sersi weakly smiled. "When you were going to tell me the truth."

"Thank god I didn't." I mutter, reaching to grab the necklace from her hand but she moved it from my reach. "Sersi—"

"You still should have told me. You could have at least tried! It's never pointless to--"

"Because as soon as you rambled on and on about how happy he made you and when I saw you in his arms, I knew I was too late. That why I pushed you away. I..." I trail off, feeling my heart practically hammer against my chest as I word-vomitted centuries worth of everything I wanted to say. "We're getting off-topic. Despite everything that happened, if you truly think that we have a chance against Arishem, fine. All I want is to go back to California right after this and we could forget this ever happened."

Before I could step around her, she interlaces my hands with hers and pulls me to step closer to her.

My pulse quickens in anticipation at the minimal distance between us but I keep still as she cups the side of my face. I instinctively shut my eyes, practically relaxing under her touch as she brushed her thumb across my cheekbone. "Don't."

"I'm so sorry that I hurt you. " She whispered. "It made me realize how lost I felt when you weren't around and...a day never went by where I didn't think about you. Seeing you at Dane's party made me realize the mistake I made. I think the reason Ikaris didn't tell me why he got up and left me behind is because he already knew I should've chose you."

I open my eyes in surprise, "And now?"

"Like what you said before. Things changed over time, maybe for the better." She shrugged.

I grimly nod. "Before we get back to the others--" Suddenly her hand pulls away from mine and her feet briefly rise from the ground as a small circle glows from her chest. "Sersi!"

She stumbles a bit with a gasp but I quickly grab her arms to stabilize her balance. "It's started." She panted.

I nod. "Grab on."

She wraps her arms around my waist and I swirl my hands around us, causing a tornado to form under out feet and quickly flew us to the Domo.

I carefully land us to the entrance and we continue to sprint through the halls, earning a look of concern from Ikaris as Sersi ran past him.

"Sersi!" He called out but he grabs my arm before I could run past him as well. "What's wrong with Sersi?"

"The emergence started so we're going to see if Phastos finished. Come on." I say, tugging my arm away from his grip. I expected him to follow but seeing as he didn't run beside me, I skid to a stop. He stayed in his spot with an unreadable expression. "Are you okay? Sersi needs us."

"Yeah I'm just..." He gave a small smile before he glanced behind them. "I think Sprite's still outside so I'll go get her."

"Alright...I'll let them know." I trail before I continue walking to Phastos's laboratory.

Once I entered the room, the sounds of an alarm blaring from his projector of the Earth that had several red patches of light causes my brows to furrow.  "Phastos, I'm scared to ask if you figured out the UniMind yet."

He reluctantly shook his head. "I haven't figured out a way to connect us, but I'm close." He nervously rambled. "I'm very, very close."

"How much longer?" Sersi worriedly asked.

"I don't know, Sersi!" He exclaimed in frustration before pulling out a circular device he used to detect the Domo and handed it to Makkari. "Find the point of emergence."

She quickly nods before speeding out of the room, causing Phastos to stumble.

My eyes trail behind, seeing as Sprite sitting near the pile of books and I tilt my head to the side in confusion. "I thought you were still outside?"

"I came inside with Makkari a while back." She commented. "Why do you ask?"

"Ikaris just went outside to look for you."

"I'll go get him." Sersi offered before exiting the room as well while Phastos continued to work on the device.

"I see you're doing better." I turn, Kingo and Karun approaching from behind with a small smile.

"Finally let go some of the weight I forced myself to hold." I shrug. "I'm sorry that I didn't try to contact you at least once. You were my friend."

He dismissively waved his hand. "Ah, don't worry about it. Everyone needed some time away from each other." He playfully bumped my shoulder. "And we're a family, I'll have you know."

"Right, right. Sorry." I bump his shoulder back before I look to Karun, seeing as he had his camera recording us. "Seriously?"

"We needed some more emotional shots of you, miss!"

"Time and place, Karun." Kingo sighed, wrapping his arm around the man, urging him to walk away from me. "Time and place."

I walk over to Thena, seeing that she stared at the painting that was hung on the wall. It was a picture of a figure standing on a cliff, almost as if it was admiring the cloudy blue skies.

While she didn't visibly show she was upset, I knew her mind is filled with rage over Gilgamesh's demise.

"I may not know where your mind is truly at," I begin to say. "But this picture doesn't represent you. You're not alone and you will never be alone, okay? So this rage that you're feeling--or well, might be feeling, I know how it feels. Don't push us--"

"That Deviant is still tracking us." Thena interrupted, keeping her eyes on the painting.

"Revenge won't bring peace for you, Thena." I firmly state. "It won't bring back Gil."

"Killing it might." She muttered before she turned away from the painting, exiting the room without another word.

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A/N:

Three more chapters left! We're reaching the end!

By the wayyyy, I (along with a couple of amazing creators) have an announcement coming sooooon on the gollygeesociety  page so keep a look out on that! Definitely don't want to miss it!!

I hope you all have/had an amazing day! Bye!

~Cimbello