🔺 Ethys 🔻

Enough. Enough. Enough.

Ethys did not kneel down, and that cost him his sanity. Not wanting to succumb to the Garleans' ways, he refused to do anything they told him, trying his best to make sure he was the main target, and not his brother.

But the Garleans always had their ways of making people obey. There's a reason their Empire has revived itself, time and time again, and succeeded in getting people to work for them for whatever they needed. If he's not going to listen, then there could be only one thing left to do.

That, of course, being their own methods of torture.

Time started to lose its meaning after a while. Hours, days, weeks, months, years. Every minute of every day merged into one as Ethys was not capable of remembering anything anymore. Neo did his best to take care of him after the Garleans would leave for the day, but despite all of his attempts, things were just getting worse and worse. Doing what he could to keep himself together, Neo knew how much Ethys needed him, so he did all he could to keep himself together, understanding all of this would be the hardest for his little brother to live through. Hearing Ethys scream at the top of his lungs every night for hours from all the torture he had to endure for many long years, Neo could only curl up in a corner, waiting for the Garleans to return his brother to him... And so, he had to keep it together, for his brother. For himself. For both of them. They needed to get out of there.

● ● ●

Broken down, time and time and time again. The Garleans made sure to do anything and everything they could to abuse Ethys's skills and power. A few mishaps would happen of course, but the Garleans couldn't care less if some of their men died to a crazy Viera, as their beliefs were that the sacrifices will be worth the cause once he is finally on his knees.

Ethys will be their war machine.

Little by little, eventually, the man gave in. He was tired. Messing with his body, ruining his mind, his aether, it all was making him lose his sense of self and his grip on reality. The more time passed, the less he cared about anything else other than causing chaos and bloodshed wherever he could, which worked wonderfully in the Empire's favor. When they were done beating, insulting and breaking him for the day, Ethys would return to his brother, each time with more scars, breathless and barely being able to stand most of the time. He was reminded each night how bitterly cold the cells were. Even his own blood that was spilled felt so, so cold, and so... At some point, he started yearning for warmth, spilling the blood of all of those who were in his line of sight. The sudden warmth from the blood that touched his skin, it made him feel truly alive, and over time, this desire of his would be only exacerbated. Neo could only watch on the side for the longest time. It was a horrifyingly depressing sight.

However, for Ethys, this was almost comforting, in a way; Neo would be spared of any sort of awful mistreatment, and seeing his brother be safe and sound was the only thing in the world that mattered to him. Every battle, and every kill was worth the effort, knowing that when he came back he could see Neo unharmed, and so he never regretted his choice, even to this day.

● ● ●

During their imprisonment, Ethys had also been learning the way of the Machinist. Abusing his own aether to form bullets that would kill any man, through any armor - it cost him a lot, of course, but he never cared. Anything for the thrill of the battle, he said. The constant pulsing pain became more and more enjoyable over time. Now, a skillful Dragoon who's also capable of abusing his Aether as a Machinist? Truly, he was one of the scariest warriors and a nightmare for whoever was unfortunate enough to have to deal with him. Rumours started going around about him, how powerful he is, how lucky the Empire is that they have him in their grip. They looked at him as some sort of beast that had to be locked up in a cage, and even though Ethys was working for the Empire, those around him couldn't help but shiver, occasionally sending in a prayer, and counting their blessings that they're not his targets. The higher ups were aware of this, and would frequently express their fondness of him as their best fighter, but Ethys wasn't blind. Even in the state he was in at that point, he was aware of their backhanded compliments, their lies and trickery. Promising him things such as more freedom around the Empire, or maybe even a chance at a new life. Promises of freedom for both him and his brother, together - but, of course, all of that was a lie.. He knew and didn't even need his ability to tell, but he always responded with a smile. He was used to it by now. Even so, that ability would eventually start coming in handy as he tried to get more information for Neo, once the plan for their escape was set in motion.

The brothers barely had the time to talk, not to mention how hard it was for Ethys to even focus on anything other than fighting. But the little time they did have with each other, Neo used it to update Ethys on the situation and tell him the plan for their escape, that they have help from a white mage unknown to him. The stage was set, they just had to find the right moment. Neo had warned the mage about Ethys's situation - that he might break at any point - and asked him for his cooperation to help them finally get out of there, to which he gladly obliged. Ethys wasn't aware who this individual was, and frankly, he did not care much. All that mattered to him were Neo's words: "Wait."

After that, there was no further conversation about this between the brothers, and Neo stopped trying to calm Ethys down, as he knew that Ethys had been waiting for the moment to strike. One annoyance after another, he endured and endured and endured and endured. He didn't feel anything anymore. The realization of being tortured escaped his mind as he was too busy planning all the ways he would entertain himself once he had his way with them. Once he was finally free. Just a little bit longer, just a bit longer....

And then it was all ripped to shreds. All of their plans. There wasn't even a plan anymore. Not in Ethys's eyes, at least. None of it mattered anymore after what had happened to Neo, which left Ethys's body to ache for so long.

● ● ●

While Ethys killed so many for the Empire, they still didn't have the ability to fully control him, even after so many years of imprisonment. Despite everything, he was still far more resilient than they would like him to be. No one could make him do more than kill an assigned target. He was always open about his deep hatred towards everyone there, and despite all of the pain he had endured, he never kneeled. Not even once. Not willingly, at least. Through all these agonizing sessions of torture, the only time they would have him kneel is when the last bit of his strength was spent, and even then he would be disrespectful and show no sign of fear or change, and that made the Garleans furious, and so, they orchestrated a different way to make him listen.

On that fateful night, Neo became a part of their conversations, and Ethys did not take kindly to that whatsoever. Suddenly, he was visibly more aggressive, which immediately gave them a hint that this could perhaps be something they could use to their advantage. But Ethys was anything but cooperative. In fact, all it did was make him break out and attack them, almost killing one of the people who were in charge that night, only to be captured again right before he could do anything to them. Easily breaking things around him, they realized that he was far stronger than he let on. And so, they their torture became more gruesome that night, significantly so; a fitting punishment for his disobedience.

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Neo heard all of it, and it made his entire body shake. Something felt different. Ethys was tortured regularly, but Neo could sense that tonight is different. Something was very, very wrong.

First notable difference was the sheer amount of time they spent with him in that chamber. It felt as if they were going to be there until sunrise.

Finally, they threw Ethys back to his cell, their faces distorted with victorious grins, reminding Neo of the consequences should Ethys not listen. Should he continue his little game, there would be consequences for both of them. But Neo barely heard a word they said, as he was staring at the lifeless body in front of him; his precious brother, his eyes visibly open, but he was not moving. He could barely breathe, even.

This cannot be. This simply cannot be. He can't be -

Words escaped Neo as he continued to stare. They were here for years, why did everything suddenly... change? What prompted them to-

...

Tears were already falling from his face. His entire body was shaking as he tried to stop himself from sobbing, keeping it as quiet as possible. All of it was just too much to bear. He had been doing everything in his power up to this point to not cry, to not show any weakness, for Ethys's sake, but seeing him be in this state only reminded him of all the years they spent hurting him to the point of driving him insane, and suddenly all of his repressed emotions, all of his misery, his regrets and his feelings of failure as an older brother manifested into something... New. Something he understood.

Sorrow. 

Ethys is Sorrow itself, and Neo loved him. He loved him so much. His anger, his tenacity, his boldness and his ability, nay, his pure nature of being unafraid of anything, including his own mind, his own feelings, and most of all, his compassion and selfless love for him, the bond that they share. He loved all of it, for he was the only one who fueled his fire, and kept him sane. Even in his darkest moments, all Ethys was ever thinking of was Neo. Neo. Neo, and he knew. He knew, because this was something they shared. This deep connection that was so special between them, their care for each other was unquestionable. 

Ethys never hid his emotions no matter how much they hurt him, and he realized that this was something worth protecting. Something that had to continue living. No one in this entire world could have convinced him that he cannot be saved. Their bond is unbreakable, and that could never change. It would never change.

A feeling that escaped him for the longest time, yet it was always there when he looked at Ethys. The one thing he could not hide no matter how much he tried to deceive others, and even himself. But he saw it now. It's so painfully raw, and before he did anything else, he lifted his brother's body, and hugged him as tightly as he possibly could in that moment, still fighting back his tears. He held him for what felt like an eternity, but were only mere moments.

As the older brother, his duty was to protect Ethys, and so he would do just that. His own sacrifice, manifested from the white magic he learned as a way to heal him when they would bring him back from the torture chambers each night. A spell that he felt was only right, for no sacrifice was too great to see his brother live.

He will not suffer it to be otherwise.

● ● ●

Some time later, Ethys managed to wake up. He wasn't really sure how much time had passed, or how he was alive for that matter, but he was back in his cell. He took a moment to look around to see if Neo was there, and noticed there was a pillow next to him. Even after all this time, Neo still did so many acts of kindness like this, each time they would return him to the cell. Something Ethys was always grateful for, but never had the words or the strength to say it, often due to being too exhausted from being Garleans' plaything, but he always appreciated it more than he could ever say. The comforting words, the hugs that always reminded him that he had his brother. His home was right there with him and so everything was okay, so long as they had each other.

He noticed that a lot of his wounds were healed. Neo must be exhausted from that, he thought, especially after being convinced that he was mere moments away from death's embrace. He was lost in thought for a little while.

He never enjoyed having his brother look at him like this and having to spend so much of his strength patching him up all the time. He wanted to wreak havoc, but Neo always said to save his strength, that he had a plan, and so he listened each time, and trusted his judgement. He took his words to heart, and when it would all be too much to bear, he would return to him, covered in blood and scars, and lean on him, as it would give him comfort, and in turn, when ever he noticed Neo falter, he would hold him, and be there for him without fail.

Shortly after, he snapped out of it, and spotted Neo on the other side of the cell, passed out on the ground. Even though he was still visibly hurt, Ethys paid it no mind as he quickly got up to go towards his brother, only to be welcomed with a sight that, for the first time ever in his entire life, made him start shivering and then, violently shaking. This wasn't because he was not fully healed. No, this was different. Far worse than anything he had lived through as a prisoner of Garlemald for almost 20 years.

Ethys was brought to his knees, overwhelmed by all the emotions that were suddenly spiraling like a storm:

"No.. No no no no NO NO NO NO!!"

Those were the only words Ethys could say. He quickly grabbed Neo and held him tightly, but right before he could even do anything, the Garleans were already there, summoned by his cries of desperation, ready to take Ethys in and make his life hell again, but this time it was far, far worse. Now they are actively doing what they can to harm both of them.

Neo... Hurt? His precious older brother.. Missing an arm? An unimaginable scenario, yet it was right in front of him, in the flesh. The words "failure" were ringing so loudly inside, he felt as if his entire body was paralyzed from the shock.

As they were dragging him away, he let out a cry so loud, louder than any of the screams he had let out when they tortured him for all these years. No amount of agony he felt was worse than in that moment. He cried out his brother's name, again and again and again. Each time he said his name louder and louder, as he would slowly piece the puzzle on what exactly happened to him.

At first he thought it was the Garleans' doing, but Neo's arm was nowhere to be found, and he was well aware of the capabilities of his brother's magic, as much as he was kicking and screaming, he blamed it all on himself.

It was his fault that he acted out due to his rage, it was his fault that Neo was brought to a position where he had to do this, it was his fault for-

How happy it would make him if he could just break these chains off right now. But it would be too soon. Neo said to wait.

Neo said to wait.

He knows his brother is still alive, he was breathing, but Ethys had nothing left to hold him back now. Dragged back to the torture chamber, he gazed at all the people who laughed, who dragged him back, and those who were a mere passerby. Everyone. And he would remember each and every one of their faces and masks. Every single thing. One last moment, he waited while they took him away, to ensure that Neo would be far away before Ethys did anything. He cannot falter now. Finally, they locked him up in a special cage built to prevent anyone from exiting, slowly preparing something that felt far worse than what he experienced last night.

● ● ●

Time passed, while nothing happened. The anticipation of torture made him more tired than anything. No more. No more... He is exhausted. He wants to be free. He wants to leave this place. And... The guard in front of him looks like such an easy target right now. He started getting impatient and the imagery of torturing all of them made him visibly smile.

"Hah...Ahahahahaha..."

Not even a sharp chirp, so uncommon in these parts, made his soft giggling stop as the guard watched over him. "Should've listened when we told ya to kneel, ya stubborn fool," the guard responded, only to be greeted with something that could have only been described as death itself mere moments later. Nay, even death would have been more welcoming than this, more gentle than this.

When Ethys was finally done laughing, he let out one last deep sigh. He looked at the guard with a frightening expression, his white eyes emitting a strange glow that nobody had ever seen before. The intensity of it was unmistakable. He was like a ticking time bomb, the glow only getting stronger and stronger.

And in that moment, Neo shouted the words he waited to hear for years now.

The cage he was in, the shackles that held him, suddenly looked like they were mere toys - Ethys broke out of them with such strength and ease, his rage carrying him effortlessly, and suddenly... The guard was already dead, but Ethys did not stop. He repeatedly stomped, stabbed, clawed the guard's skin and flesh out, disembodying him as if he was taking out parts of a plastic doll, a puddle of blood surrounding him, and splashing all over his face and body. Bloodlust. It is there. He gives into it, the idea of making blood pour like the rain that falls gently on your cheeks, and...

He lets himself go. No more of this. Neo said to wait, but the waiting's over.

It's time to hunt.