izunia lucis callout

[founderinglight]

you will pry twinzunia from my cold dead hands let's do this

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[scourgingstars]

I'm so glad you think this is funny-! Is this some manner of joke to you? Tell me, did anyone actually care enough to know the difference between us or was I simply that easy to replace?!

You- [His voice cracked again, strained against something other than Starscourge that burned hot and furious behind his eyes.]

...I hate you. I hate you, and I've not stopped hating you for-...for all these centuries.

[founderinglight]

[And then - nope they're back to yelling.]

You think it was easy? Not all of us have your gift with illusions, Ardyn. I never did manage to convince that damn bird of yours.

[Never convinced her, but did grow fond of her, in some ways. Painful, to think that in the end, the only one who still treated him as Izunia was a chocobo.]

You think I did it on a whim? Rebuilt my entire life to match yours because I wanted to replace you?

[His voice, only slightly raised, falls in volume until it's almost hard to hear.]

I did it because Izunia was an idiot and a fratricide who didn't deserve to be remembered as the Founding King.

[scourgingstars]

Shut up. You think I...you think I want to hear any of what you have to say--

[Ardyn abruptly turned on his heel, hearing his own voice shake and uncertain of what expression he might even be wearing.]

You erased me. You stole my entire life and redacted any trace of a second brother from all record. Am I meant to be grateful for that?

[founderinglight]

I erased myself, you grand fucking fool. You were the one who deserved to be remembered, the one who...

[A shaky breath.]

The one who deserved to have everything. Even if I couldn't make it right among the living, at least I could ensure that history would give you the credit you deserved.

[scourgingstars]

Did I not just tell you to stop talking?! I'm sure that's what helped you sleep at night whilst I was locked in Angelgard, but it's little comfort right now!

[founderinglight]

[Another breath. Ardyn can't see, but Izunia shakes his head.]

No. I'll not stop. Hate me if you will and I'll not blame you a bit, but I will not allow you to go tromping around with some belief that you were not loved.

[scourgingstars]

It's a little fucking late for that.

[founderinglight]

It's the first time in two thousand years that we've spoken, I am doing the best I fucking can here.

[He steps up closer behind Ardyn's back. Somehow his own hands have curled into shaking fists.

He doesn't know yet what he's going to do with them, if he does anything at all.]

I wed and had children and went to my pyre under your name in the hopes that you would know that you were not forgotten, the least you could do is acknowledge that I tried.

[You absolute chocobo's arse. :l]

[scourgingstars]

...

[Ardyn didn't say anything; he opened his mouth to talk, and found a thousand different things simply stuck in his throat.]

[Then, finally:]

I loved you. I would have died a thousand times over for you if that was what was needed. But never would I have expected my downfall would be at the hands of the person I cared for more than all of Solheim.

I'll acknowledge that you tried. And more than that I'll acknowledge that you wouldn't have had to if you'd not made the mistake in the first place.

[founderinglight]

[It's as though a tension holding him upright has been cut. Izunia sags, full-body, his fists loosening and his knees bending threateningly beneath him.

It is nothing like forgiveness or absolution. But, as already acknowledged, he doesn't deserve those.]

I'm sorry. For all that time you spent living with my mistakes, and all the time that my love didn't reach you, I am sorry.

[scourgingstars]

You're not about to hear an apology from me, even with all that I've done. The whole damned line, the Crystals, the Astrals--my only regret is not being able to burn it all down any sooner.

...I've been dead for far too long to care about any of it anymore.

[founderinglight]

I'd not ask for one. Leave that to those who were harmed by you instead of their own foolishness.

[Instead he steps up beside Ardyn and... hesitantly, puts an arm over his brother's shoulders.]

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn flinched under the touch; not out of alarm, but as if he'd not had any significant human contact in two millennia. Probably because he hadn't.]

[Before he could think it through or stop himself, Ardyn turned to wrap his arms around Izunia tightly, not allowing any chance to pull away. Muffled against his twin's shoulder, he spoke in a strained voice.]

I hate you. I'm utterly and endlessly furious, and I'm never going to be able to forgive what you did.

...But you're still my brother.

[founderinglight]

[Oh, thank the gods. He honestly gave that an even shot of getting him punched.

Izunia doesn't hesitate at all to curl his arms around Ardyn properly, now, leaning against him.]

And I am never going to stop regretting that moment and everything after, but I'll take my turn at two thousand years a daemon before I let anything else take you away from me.

[scourgingstars]

I can scarcely believe you're still this stupid. As though I would ever allow that.

[founderinglight]

[Izunia isn't sure which part he means, and doesn't think it matters. Neither of them is letting go, after all.

There will be plenty of time for facts, for figuring out exactly what went wrong, for exactly how the gods destroyed this, later. For right now, he has his brother back, and for all of eternity, that's all he ever wanted.]

As though I'll ever allow you to get hurt because of me again. Let me protect you for once, you idiot.

[scourgingstars]

I need not your protection, stupid brat. You’re lucky I don’t punch you, you realize.

[founderinglight]

Oh, I'm sure. You're positively rolling in weapons by comparison, for one thing.

[Downsides of being the very mortal Founder King - all the cool weapons come after you.]

And I'm rather amazed you haven't yet, actually.

[scourgingstars]

...I’m tired, Izunia. I’m just...tired of being so angry for so long.

[founderinglight]

Then rest, you great fool. And if you've forgotten how to take care of yourself, let me help.

[scourgingstars]

Do forgive me if I’m hesitant to trust you again, after that.

[founderinglight]

I'm not like to stab you again unless that's the face you wear every morning, dear brother.

...And if it is, I'll force myself to get used to it.

[scourgingstars]

You’ll not be seeing the Accursed any longer, brother. That much I can assure you.

[founderinglight]

Then I can't imagine we'll have a problem.

[Not secretly at all, he's relieved.]

[scourgingstars]

...And you aren’t allowed to leave my side. You and Gilgamesh both. For all you’ done, your sentence is to suffer the company of your would-be king for all eternity.