Two in One

heartofephinea:

Lambda listened attentively, his attention gathered by the spirit’s words far more than most conversations might hold. The being is intrigued by his existence, by what task he performs, what role he fullfills, all these things that Lambda does not know for himself. Perhaps learning about him would help Lambda see his own purpose, but then what did the being know of purpose. His entire life had been spent running from those that hunted him, then simply fulfilling a promise to his partner. For what reason did he have years beyond the span of others?
There was some modicum of respect to hear how this spirit lived. The monsters that humans so easily dismissed, that were hunted and hated for simply what they were had one who existed to care for them, and oversee their creation, their existence… it was a kinder place then the one he knew.
“Interesting,” Lambda finally spoke, a faint smile curling at his lips, the only betrayal of the respect slowly growing for the other. That he spoke candidly of putting certain troublesome monsters out of their misery only helped his case. He did not sugarcoat the truth and it was a rare thing to find one who did not do so. But then this boy was not human, Lambda was the fool expecting him to adhere to his own notions of humanity. "A difficult task I imagine, monsters in the greatest amount of pain fight the hardest to live.“
"With monsters? Or have you also made friends with humans?” Lambda queried. “I can bend certain monsters to my will, but I do not share your gift for hearing their words. I suppose I have met a few humans in my time that I might consider friend. But that was many years ago now."

Emil grew quiet, only nodding to show his attention still rested upon the red-haired individual. Every fight was difficult. For those strongest monsters who were stubborn as well refused his help at first until proven he could truly be an asset. The humans .. He had known quite a few, Emil even knew their off-spring, their children, people who he dearly cared for, even as they grew and grew, and he had to slowly disappear from their lives for fear of their shouts and pointing.

For Emil knew why they did as such, and did not blame
them for their excitement. Yet he would prefer not to be
a reminder of how ‘young’ he still looked.

“Both… m-monsters live quite a bit longer than humans, I’m sure you realize, when they are w-well taken care of.” His hand made a slow motion before a pause and then a silent nod and he placed a thumb and forefinger between his lips. A sharp whistle, a call, a bounding bark, deep and loud echoed, stamping of feet and there stood a giant hound. Much taller than the blonde by this point, large enough one may consider simply riding it instead of walking along side it. “I have n-no need to control monsters. Though I’m afraid … Orion h-here won’t live for another decade or so. “ Indeed, green fur was turning white, long mane of hair speckled with grey all around his muzzle and eyes as Emil gently ran his fingers through his old friends fur.

“The humans I’ve made touch w-with … I make friends with, when I can. Yet most of th-the original friends I have made … are, as you say, many years ago by now.”

Not even Richter or Genis was alive by this point in time. A handful of his friends had forgotten him, old age cleansing their memories, or making them become so fuzzy they believed Emil to be a grandson or child of himself. It had been hard, visiting them, smiling at them as they commented about himself, as-if he wouldn’t know. Yet he had played along … the only one who ever seemed to fully remember him being —

“It’s qu-quite difficult to remember some of my friends, however sad it is. I’ve lived far over ten thousand y-years by this point. But … half of my time w-was sleeping due to my world b-breaking in two, and before that … “ His eyes grew darker, a silence flowing with inward frustration, red rimming his eyes as teeth grit. “Things … were not peaceful, and I was lead t-to believe I could help.” His voice shifted with the statements, forcing back the noise in his throat as Orion made a small whine, much unfitting for something as large as he.

These things lead to betrayal. Nightmares of the day he called out to what he thought was his friend. Hand outstretched, begging for him to realize what this power would do, the ripping apart of something so sacred, something that was his. Yet his power was taken anyway, and with a scream … A smile was quickly made, pulling back a breath in, then slowly letting it out. “It’s a cycle and a ch-chance, if you continue making friends with people who will d-die before you, but … “ He glanced up, smile brighter than before, seeming to have gotten himself under control from the earlier mention.