He doesn't flinch, physically. But his aether tells a different story, threadbare and barely held together. Elidibus is a person who barely has an identity at all, a soul who has dipped in and out of the aetherial sea too many times.

You say, "I remember your name, Elidibus. We were friends, once - not you and Azem, but you and I. I know what you have given up for your duty, and I am not asking you to put it down. I'm asking you to let me help."

Which is true at least so far as the Final Days go. But you can get to kicking his ass back and forth along the border between worlds later.

Elidibus stares, then takes a tiny step back. And then there's the twist of space, and he vanishes.

You look at the aethernet shard as though it has any opinions to offer, and sigh. "I knew he had a predisposition to cut and run, but honestly..."

Well. Back to it, then.