Aatrox hates his life, his self and wants to die. I mean even at the end of his story it says that hopefully he'll find the means to end his life.
Rhaast on the other hand just wants to go out and kill stuff. Idk if its because we havnt expanded on Rhaast's lore but while playing him it seems that he genuinely enjoys having a body again. But i know aatrox has been released way longer so maybe that has something to do with it?
I think you're on to something with the "genuinely enjoys having a body again" part. As far as we know, Kayn is Rhaast's first host. Even a degrading body that only sort of looks like Rhaast's original form has got to feel way better than being stuck as a mostly inanimate object.
So while Aatrox has had multiple hosts and plenty of time to realize their downsides, Rhaast just got some sort of mobile body back and he's too exuberant about that to really give it more thought.
Having a body is new and exciting for Rhaast. Aatrox was probably just as upbeat when he first found a mortal host... CENTURIES ago... :-P
It's like starting a new job - you're super excited and going above and beyond. Then compare to the guy who's been in the same job for 40 years, can't get promoted, blacklisted by every other company in town, etc etc.
It's probably because of Aatrox's pride
Rhaast is happy cause he finally got a body and is free to move on his own and all
While Aatrox wants his real body back, wants freedom, not these hosts that make a replica of his true and probably physically better self
It's because Rhaast was based off of old lore while Aatrox is based off of new lore.
Aatrox roams "free" on Runeterra by far longer than Varus or Rhaast. He knows that a human body can't keep the transformation forever, no matter what he does, he never reach his true form again. Rhaast finally gets his first body - he still doesn't know the downside of this. He probably thinks if he kills enough, he can sustain himself forever. But that doesn't work like this.
Assuming thy started off human (which they did) and that they have 2 seperate personalities...
I'd say Rhaast either loves his life or is honestly just awaiting his chance. He is most likely taking everything in stride. You can tell how all of the other Ascended that were in attendance had differing mindsets.
But yeah. Rhaast most likely doesn't mind his new body since he just received it (or is trying to take hold of it) Right now, he just finds the situation amusing if not a bit trivial.
Well they have two different personalities.
Rhaast was probably one of those ascended, then darking, who truly reveled in war. In real life too, in times of war, there are those who see the conflict as a means to an end, and others who just "enjoy the moment"; aside from the majority who just wants it to end as soon as possible, of course.
Also, Rhaast possibily had fewer hosts than Aatrox (I'm quite sure that it's stated that Kayn isn't really the first one to touch the scythe since forever). He's still in a phase where he can't yet see what sort of "life" he's going to face. Aatrox on the other hand has "seen it all". He's been stuck in this "grab host, decay, get locked, find another host" cycle for longer, and no longer wants to go through it. Also, he probably has a stronger sense of pride and dignity than Rhaast.
Or maybe Rhaast wants to end it all, as much as Aatrox does, but has his own twisted sense of humor. Who knows.
"Ascended - Protectors of Shurima"
You read any of Rhaast quotes now knowing this, dude's insane. He was worthy enough to be given Ascension. How?
