Ardbert didn't permanently merge with our soul - he lend us his aid to defeat Hades as symbolized by the Ax of Light, but when we returned to the Source his soul stayed on the First and joined back into its Lifestream to be reunited by his teammates. Maybe he left some aether merged, but my WoL isn't any denser than any other living native person on the Source minus G'raha. Anyways, that soul density has no bearing on actual physical or magical prowess or lifespan, as evidenced by everyone on the First -or historical figures like Shattoto- not being at all shorter-lived or less power than people in the Eighth Astral Era. My personal feelings and idea of what sort of hero I want the WoL to be resonated with Zero's disdain for and avoidance of consuming other voidsent by diluting that sense of self, and why the idea of rejoinign with other Azem shards is the most abhorrent plot speculation. There's a point where the Power Fantasy of a Chosen One tips into distasteful for me, and the more our WoL is equated to Azem and this idea of an immortal overpowered being with reality warping powers and unchecked government position, the worse it gets.

Any cutscene or dialogue choice that pretended that my feelings towards Emet-Selch ever grew beyond disdainful loathing and painful tolerance - I wasn't going to overlook that he was directly responsible for at least three disgusting empires, his hypocrisy needed to have been called out way more often than it was, and his dreadful, unentertaining personality was excruciating to be around, nor was Hythodaeus much better. And as Amaurot held less appeal than Eulmore under Vauthry, especially visually, his goal was always going to be as much an emotional non-starter as it was in feasible practicality. The worst thing that Hydaelyn did was ensuring that his soul will be eventually reborn on the same Shard as my WoL- ideally they could be left behind in Ultima Thule to get reborn on some non-Etheirys star like Zenos. Emet and Hyth were Azem's friends, but my WoL wants them to stay permanently far away

The penultimate cutscene to Euphrosene when my WoL is standing next to Snoegeim watching Deryk, we both leaned over and agreed with each other that Deryk is probably Oschon. Bets involving drinks at the Seventh Heaven are involved.