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“I don’t…understand…” Xina said through gritted teeth.
Emet-Selch stood before her, eyes cold and dull compared to the stars that surrounded them. He had shown the Scions the Final Days. He had shown them his home both as he remembered it in its prime, and as it had fallen. Buildings that kissed the sky fell before them, creatures of corrupted magic attacked them, the world had ultimately ended.
“Of course you don't,” Emet-Selch said monotonously. “Why would I even begin to believe you would? Honestly, ‘twas foolish to think you and yours would comprehend our goals even when presented with the reason on a silver platter.”
“No…” Xina grunted, unsheathing her rapier, her stance wavering as the Light threatened to consume her. “I understand that; I have never pretended to not understand why someone would want to bring back the home they loved so much.” She huffed, narrowing her eyes at him. “What I don’t understand…is why would you go so far as to make yourself suffer to show us what you lost only to kill us right after?”
Emet-Selch tilted his head, his posture straightening. Honestly, Xina could almost hear his back cracking from where she stood.
“Mayhap the Convocation wanted this,” Xina continued. “To bring about the Rejoining to bring your brethren back. I will not discount your plights. Places such as Amaurot could only exist in one’s dreams. To lose one’s home and loved ones is a pain I would not wish on my own worst enemy. I can only imagine the pain and suffering you have gone through!
“But I want you to look me in the eye and tell me…” She took a step forward, holding his gaze, her eyes hard and determined.
“Would Hythlodaeus really want this?”
She could see Emet-Selch’s muscles tense, his jaw clench, his eyes narrowing and glaring right back at her.
“What would you know?” He questioned. “How would you even begin to comprehend what he wanted? What you spoke to was no more than a shade!”
“The only shade with free will,” Xina added. “He could have easily ignored me. He could have left me to suffer in pain, and yet he didn’t.”
“‘Twas a moment of weakness on my part,” Emet-Selch sighed.
“He told me of the pain you had suffered.”
Emet-Selch fell silent.
“For someone that is no more than a shade, he sounded genuinely concerned for you. So tell me, Emet-Selch; do you honestly think that he would have wanted this?”
“Why would I care what he wanted when he didn’t even care what he wanted?” Emet-Selch snapped. “He was a people pleaser until the very end!”
“He was also your best friend!”
“And that is how I have ever remembered him!”
The two held each other’s gaze, never faltering, and Xina could have sworn she saw Emet-Selch’s eyes glisten with tears.
“And I will bring him back!” Emet-Selch finally said, his voice wavering. “I will bring all of them back! And nothing you say or do will convince me otherwise!”