Azem...

He bites his lip, recalling the flashes of them that he glimpsed in Felih once upon a time. Not quite the same, but also very much so. It doesn't matter to him since they are and always will be one of his oldest loves.

Glancing up towards his shade, he stares into its cold, hard eyes, stares at a face he barely remembers after losing his original body. Is that really him? Had that been him? He takes a shuddering breath and gently disentangles himself from Felih enough to get to his feet, pulling them up after him.

"I gave much of myself to Zodiark," he mutters, lacing his fingers with Felih's. "No more. No, I've lived long enough."

He starts walking towards the back of the cave, forcing himself to look only at the way ahead and not the bodies piled against the walls nor the haphazard limbs threatening to trip his feet, ignoring the body of his friend on the altar though tears well in his eyes as they go past.

The phantom doesn't hinder him. Only stares at his back and judges his worth.

"...So be it," they say.

When he looks back over his shoulder, the scene is gone.