Sister? Shoot, she hoped that she wasn't a mind reader. Wesley may not like the fact that she thought his sister had been a whore. This girl was also loud. She looked nothing like Wesley; her hair and eyes were much brighter then his. She did mention that she was his half-sister, so that may explain the differences. The enthusiasm was also not what she was expecting. Nadeline looked at Ayane for a moment, though she did recompose herself and nod. "I...see you've heard of me. Good." She replied, trying to take charge, though she did remember at the very least to tone down her voice. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ayane."

---

The sound of something crashing and falling to the ground startled Grant. It sounded like...glass? He blinked a few times and realized that he had somehow been laying down on the couch. He must have fallen asleep. Emiri was no where to be found, either. Perhaps she had been the source of the noise, maybe she had dropped a glass. He stretched his arms above his head, and let out a low groan. He closed his eyes for a moment, tempted to keep on snoozing, but something made him open them. Perhaps it had been instinct. Luck? Whatever it was, he then saw the brunette at the doorway. He noticed how she was leaning on it, almost slouching. Her hair was somehow messier then it was before, one sleeve hanging off her shoulder, and she had taken off her boots.

The prince had started to sit up but to his surprise Emiri waltzed on over to him. She apparently didn't see the small table close to him and banged into it. She let out a slurred yelp of pain and fell on all fours, though she just stared at the floor. She then erupted into a giggle fit, and made her way to Grant. He raised an eyebrow at her, half worried and half curious about her behavior. Maybe she had finally cracked and lost her mind. How was he supposed to handle that? She looked up at him, letting out a large gasp, and before he could act, she climbed onto the couch. This would not have really been such an issue if he still hadn't been laying down on it. She climbed over him and plopped her body on top of his. He wanted to get up, but he found that despite her small stature, the woman weighed a lot more than she looked.

"Grant...Grant." She called out to him, and he suddenly realized what had happened.

"Emiri, have you--are you intoxicated?" He asked, the smell of rum from her mouth slightly overwhelming. "What did you do, down the entire bottle?"

"Oh. No...maybe." She giggled again, though she ended it with a sigh, resting her head on his chest. "I just, I just want...I want to not feel like this anymore, you know? You know I thought...I hate--I don't want to be alone." She kept hesitating between her words, making it slightly difficult to understand her.

"You're not alone, Emiri, Ii told you that." He said as he tried to sit up. Wow, she was heavy. No, wait, she was grabbing onto him. He looked down and met her mischievous eyes, and she erupted into a giggle fit again. "Emiri...I need to get up."

"No, stay with me, I don't--No, no, no no." She stubbornly refused, holding onto him tighter and simultaneously (and hopefully unintentionally) pressing her chest against him. "No, no please I promise--no!"

Should someone have walked in and saw them, this would not have been a good thing. He could hear Nadeline yelling at him already. Savayna would kill him. Jaakuna would kill him. He briefly wondered who would kill him first as Emiri looked up at him. Oh god that expression--Grant managed to sit up but arguably made their position worse, as she was pretty much now laying down between his legs. Dear gods what had he done to deserve this? "You need to get up, Emiri." He told her firmly, lightly trying to push her off. He was met with her smacking his hand away and hugging him tighter. She was not only heavier but also stronger then he had anticipated. All those years away from Rozarria had gone to physical training, it seemed. "Emiri, stop." He scolded her, a little more firm.

"If I let you go, you'll leave me too." She whispered so softly he almost missed it.

Silence again. How was he even supposed to respond to this? No, he couldn't take what she was saying or doing seriously, she was clearly drunk and unaware of her actions. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I don't believe you."

"Well too bad." He replied, managing to loosen her grip.

"NO!" She yelled, though for some reason instead of holding on tighter she let him go, she backed off and promptly headbutted him. Tiny little stars popped into his view, and he let out a groan of pain. Great, now his head hurt. Emiri whimpered, rubbing her forehead, tears forming at the corner of her eyes. "My head...ow..." She cried rather quietly. This girl was crazy. As he rubbed his own head, he noticed her looking at him again. He raised his hands somewhat defensively, though she just took his hands in hers. "I'm sorry." She mumbled.

He shook his head at her, letting out a sigh. "It's fine. You just need to relax, alright?" He told her.

She looked up at him again. "I hate him so much right now." She admitted rather tearfully. "I shouldn't but I do and I can't stop feeling like this no matter what I do. I'm supposed to--I should be supportive but all I can think about is that he's gone. He's gone...he's gone."

"He's going to come back." He assured her once more. "He will. Just believe in him." Emiri released his hands, though she never took her eyes off him. Something in Grant's head went off, like an alarm. He recognized that look. Savayna gave him that same look before she--no, no, THIS was what Nadeline was talking about. She closed her eyes for a moment, though when she opened them Grant had turned his head to look away. "You still love him. I love Savayna." He reminded her.

"You still love me too, right?"

That question stunned him to silence. That was the million gil question, wasn't it? Still, out of anyone to ask, why did it have to be Emiri of all people? He looked back at the brunette, though he found that this time he had an answer. "Of course. You were my first love. I'll always love you. But you aren't the woman I want to be with, the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, the one who I want to marry, nor the one I would like to be the mother to my children. You aren't any of those. And I'm not the guy you want to be with, either. You want Jaakuna, but you've let your emotions get the best of you." He got up at this point, stretching again. He looked up at the airship. "IRIS, is there any way you could find Jaakuna, or know where he could be headed?"

On the Ifrit, Grant would ask Iris if there was any way to find where Jaakuna was heading or where he might be. “Master Jaakuna did not leave behind any specific directions to where he was going.” IRIS responded, but even the AI could emulate the worry tone that Grant had in his voice. “I can look up recent flight records from Airships leaving from Archades. One moment please.” Sounds of beeps would be heard as IRIS was processing the data from the flight records and a loud ding would be heard. “According to the flight records of Arcades’ Aerodome, Master Jaakuna boarded a luxury airship to the Royal City of Rabanastre.” IRIS told Grant.

---

Why me? Oh why me?

Wesley was feeling so much embarrassment at the moment. He didn’t think that they would encounter his family so suddenly. He at least thought that he would have some time to warn Nadeline about how overbearing his family tended to be. However, as it turned out, that was neither here nor there. Ayane, his overly-enthusiastic younger half-sister was right there in front of him, in front of Savayna, and in front of Nadeline, talking to her, introducing herself. What’s even worse, the first impression was not something that of a good one. Nope, Wesley definitely didn’t get that from the way Nadeline acted initially.

Seeing Nadeline present herself with a more calm nature, Ayane raised an eyebrow. Surely this wasn’t the Wesley that her sister Cassandra has told her about. No, this couldn’t be the wild one that had captured her dear older brother’s heart. Ayane found it odd. Still, she smiled at her future sister-in-law. “Oh it is!” She shouted, as she removed herself from a stationary postion and dragged Nadeline by her right hand. “C’mon, the rest of the family’s waiting for you and my dear brother of course~” She happily sang as she would tug Nadeline and Wesley and Savayna followed.

“Oh no, it’s happening..” While he followed them, Wesley was having a mini-meltdown. He was sweating bullets and Savayna looked over to Wesley as she saw him looking all types of nervous. She laughed quite loudly as the two of followed Ayane and Nadeline.

---

After hearing the rather kind and helpful advice from The Gran-Chief, Jaakuna at least found a little of him. He had some hope and that was just enough reason for him to continue on this journey of his. It would lead him into what the Viera just simply call The Wood, but to the rest of Ivalice, it was simply known as The Gilmore Jungle. Jaakuna has came to the Gilmore Jungle a few times, but it was never to visit the Viera. He would pass over it on his Airship through to go other places, but this time was definitely different. Jaakuna knew that much.

Going through the Jungle, Jaakuna encountered enemies, most of them just Hellhounds, so it wasn’t anything major. He was lucky that the stronger enemies that were in the Gilmore Jungle were near the exits. Still, Jaakuna’s mental state was taking a damper on his fighting abilities. Even with his two swords, he found it slightly difficult to kill even the simpliest enemies. Despite that, he seemed to have found his way to where he needed to be. Jaakuna would be in front of darkness that led nowhere, but he knew where it led to. He touched the darkness in front of him and a glyph would appear. Jaakuna slightly frowned, but something odd and welcoming happened. Instead of the glyph staying up there and Jaakuna having to wait for a Viera to allow him to enter, the glyph made a sound and faded. Now, he saw green steps-like glyphs appear, much like in Giruvegan.

“This is odd, but good.” Jaakuna said to himself as he went down the path. Somehow he knew that the Viera knew he was in the neighborhood and they allowed him to enter and so he would.

"If you would, then take us to Rabanastre. We'll start our search there." Grant would request of IRIS. He then turned to Emiri, who had a somewhat confused expression on her face. "We're going to go find your boyfriend. Go gear up--actually go sober up first." He retracted his statement as he imagined her shooting him with an arrow. "Come on missy, get moving, we'll get there before you know it."

The brunette was in some disbelief, but she did stand. "Okay." She told him, though she did make her way out. She stopped for a moment, and then went back to Grant. To his surprise she hugged him again. "Thank you, really." She smiled, she then practically ran out. He heard a thump and shook his head; he would bet that she probably ran into the wall in her haste. He would find Jaakuna, otherwise he was pretty sure Emiri would either die of alcohol poisoning or from a blow to the head from smashing her head onto various surfaces. He then took his leave as well, deciding to prepare for the journey.

---

Well, Ayane was certainly enthusiastic, that much she had to admit. How in the world was this girl related to Wesley, again? Cassandra wasn't nearly as hyper as this one was. She was pretty much dragged along, and she could see Wesley sweating profusely. He did warn her that his family was somehow worse than hers, but for some reason she just found it hard to believe. Albeit she did have to wonder. Her father was always eccentric and while humiliating, she was somewhat used to his antics. Still, it was nice to finally get a chance to visit Balfonheim, so she couldn't complain. She just smiled assuringly at her fiance and tried to keep up with Ayane.

---

The viera all watched Jaakuna as he walked. They were silent and disinterested as always, but the ones that did stare were somewhat alerted by his presence. They would whisper to one another and even those that were maybe close would get a few paces away from him. As a race that was in tune with nature and Mist, it was as if Jaakuna had painted the word 'Zodiark' to his forehead. If they didn't want him here, however, they would have said so. A huntress clad in black eyed him carefully as he walked by, bow in hand. He would then see his path interrupted as the one he sought out had decided to meet him halfway.

"And so we meet again, Prince of Archadia.[b]" Aloa greeted him, sitting on a bench with a pair of viera. The one clad in red--Ryua--was braiding several flowers into her hair and paid little mind to Jaakuna, focusing more on the lady before her, whereas the viera clad in silver--Mtra--watched him with mild curiosity, as if she was looking at a strange animal of sorts.

"[b]He reeks of that Mist that doesn't belong to him." Ryua commented rather dryly.

"Such is the nature of humes. They yearn for power that does not belong to them. It has been, is, and always will be that way." Mtra shrugged at the other viera. "What folly, one only needs to search within themselves. Patience has never been a strong suit of humes. Such impatient beings, they are."

"Not all of them. That is how she got her power."

"Ah, yes...her. You have met her, it seems." Mtra smirked lightly, crossing her legs. "Your Mist has traces of her magic. It looks like she tried to get rid of that evil within you. That woman knows what strength truly is."

Aloa raised her hand, bringing the pair to silence. "It would do the two of you well to listen to the entire story. Even our eyes only see what is in front of us, they cannot tell the entire story. Do tell, prince of Archadia. We are listening, and by doing so we may be able to properly offer aid to your tortured soul."

“Right away, Master Grant.” Iris said as the ship would depart from the Aerodome of Archades. No doubt Emiri and Grant heard the sound of the ship taking flight and jetting off into the skies. “Arrival estimated in twenty minutes.” IRIS said.

---

Wesley knew exactly what was coming. Even with Nadeline’s reassuring smile, Wesley didn’t feel any better. She didn’t know how worse his mother’s side of his family was as compared to Nadeline’s parents. Ayane was just a small fraction of how bad Wesley knew his mother could get, just the fact that Nadeline acted the way that she did to his little sister made it worse for Wesley — at least in his mind that was playing the worst scenario movie — of what Nadeline would react to his mother, especially his mother.

“Well, we’re here!~” Ayane cheerfully sang.

As they would arrive at Wesley’s mother’s house, the door would open, and the sight of a half-naked, big-breasted, blonde woman. “MY SON!!!” She said she then ran very eagerly, and tackled Wesley, smothering him in her white skin, boobs pressing against his face. That would bring him about five feet away from where he was previously. Wesley was trying for dear life to get the woman off and after about three minutes of him yelling out and her refusing to let him go, he got her off and she sat on the stone floor in front of Wesley sobbing. “My youngest son doesn’t love me! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW!?” She dramatically sobbed.

Wesley sighed quite loudly and got up, but not before his mother would get up too and hug him. “Mother please! This is not appropriate!” He shouted. “And what is that you’re wearing?!” He asked her in loud tone.

She broke away from the hug. “Oh this? Your stepfather picked it out. He said it makes me look ten years younger. Don’t you agree?” She said.

Wesley shook his head. “Oh mother..” He just kept on shaking his head. “Mother, there’s someone you should meet.” Wesley said as he guided her to Nadeline. “Mother, I would for you to meet Nadeline, my fiance and your future daughter-in-law.”

“WHAT!?” She shouted and asked, gasping rather dramatically. “HOW CAN THIS BE!? YOU’RE BARELY FIFTEEN!”
“I’m twenty-two mother.”
“WHAT!? BUT YOU LOOK SO YOUNG AND FIT!”
“Not appropriate, mother.”

The annoyance was building and it was obvious on Wesley’s face.

Wesley’s mother looked at Nadeline, examining her, circling her. She would lift up Nadeline’s skirt, examining her butt, she would then firmly grasp Nadeline’s butt. “Hmm, very firm. Good, good.” She nodded in approval. She would then appear in front of Nadeline once more, and squeezed the princesses boobs. “Ah, very soft and supple.” She then clapped and nodded. “You will make a fine wife for my Wesley.” She said smiling. “Oh, by the way, so you don’t call me Ma’am or Misses, my name is Isabella, but people around here just call me Belle.”

Wesley just couldn’t believe what his mother just did. Fondling his fiance and invading her privacy like that. THIS was exactly why Wesley didn’t want to bring Nadeline to his mother without notice beforehand. It was just a total disaster for him the moment she tackled him.

---

As Jaakuna would walk more down the path that led to the Viera Village of Eruyt, he saw the eyes of the Viera all look at him. He somehow knew that they sensed that he had some of Zodiark’s bad juju left inside of him. There was one Viera specifically that was dressed in black attire that eyed him much caution and bow ready in her hand, as if to prepare herself for the event that Jaakuna would attack. Jaakuna tried to pay no mind to them or at least let their looks of worry get to him.

As he was about halfway down the pathway, he was met by three Viera. One was in a red dress, braiding flowers into her hair, the other in silver, and eyed Jaakuna with curiosity. The other, Jaakuna knew all too well. It was Aloa, the one who has helped him out before. It was as if Aloa was Jaakuna’s own personal healer or something. Still, Jaakuna looked at her and heard her speak about how Humes yearn to gain power upon power. She would state that Humes were impatient, but one of the Viera would say that one was not impatient and then the Viera in the silver would mention how Jaakuna’s mist still had traces of her mist.

Her? Oh they must mean… Jaakuna knew they must be referring to Shion. It was with that, that Jaakuna instantly looked down, as if shameful of what has become of him. Still, he would hear Aloa silence the other two Viera and to listen to Jaakuna and see what the story behind him having Zodiark’s power in him was.

Looking at them, specifically Aloa, Jaakuna looked lost still. “They’re right.” Jaakuna admitted. “They’re right about how I don’t know what true strength is. Shion defeated me, and by some miracle, purified most of Zodiark’s power within me.” Jaakuna continued, “I don’t even know what I can say to explain why I accepted him. “ He said, “I guess the only thing I can say is that I was greedy, I was desperate, and much like most of men like me, I was foolish.” Jaakuna said. “I thought that I could control Zodiark and use it as I pleased. That was not the case. I--” Jaakuna stopped himself briefly.”--I was distorted. Transformed. Changed into a monster that I barely recognized. I had a terrible nightmare last night about it. I saw my reflection of who I was when I dropped my will to him. I saw what I became and now..” Jaakuna said, shame covering his face and tears forming. “I am just someone that I used to know — a shell and a husk of who I once was.” Jaakuna said as he finished.

As he looked to Aloa, Jaakuna didn’t know if she would help him, but he would ounce out one final sentence. “I was referred here by the Gran-Chief of the Garif. I just don’t know if you’re willing to help me once more.” Jaakuna found himself laughing at that. Aloa has helped him more times than he could count.

Wesley's family's home was lovely. It definitely seemed like it belonged on the seaside port. As Ayane announced their arrival, another scantily clad woman came out of the house and tackled Wesley to the ground. Proper clothing was not something his family knew about, it seemed. Still, even that couldn't distract her from how stunning his mother was. She could see where Cassandra and Wesley got their looks from. She looked way too young, though, and she couldn't help but secretly wonder if she was a witch or something. Her antics reminded her greatly of her own father, and she couldn't help but smile a bit.

She has to say, though, her father definitely did not grope Wesley when he met him.

Nadeline let out a small gasp as her skirt was lifted, but as she attempted to pull it down she would grab her butt. And not just some quick little thing, it was full and lingering. When she thought the worst was over, however, she surprised her once again. She felt her breasts, lightly fondling them, and now Nadeline felt just a pang of regret. This must be how Emiri had felt anytime Nadeline felt particularly frisky. As Wesley's mother would give her approval, Nadeline felt somewhat violated. "A...pleasure." She replied, as if afraid her response would warrant another frisk.

---

The trio listened, and once Jaakuna had finished, Mtra would speak. "Let me tell you a little story or a tragic life, much like yours. Once there was a little girl who did not know her purpose in life. For most creatures, this thought does not come around until a much later age. One incident changed this: the destruction and utter obliteration of a small town called Senpal. You may or may not recognize the name. Despite its size, it was home to many a magicite mine. It was actually occupied by Archadia for many years despite being in Nabradia. One day, however, the people of Senpal decided to declare its independence from Archadia. How did the Emperor respond? By wiping it off the map."

Ryua would chime in at this point. "The people that had not fallen with their homes scattered themselves, though one thing was common: fear of the Empire. Out of a population of around eight thousand, only ten were confirmed survivors: five because they happened to have left to visit a neighboring village quite a distance away. The little girl was found underneath whatever remained of her house, comatose. It had been a miracle that she had survived. She was shipped off to Archadia, the very thing that she feared, for the only family she had left lived there. As the days went by, her fear turned into a seething hatred. She wanted revenge for her fallen mother father, she wanted to see the Empire burn to the ground in payment for her dead brother and sister."

"Like every other hume, she sought out power. Unlike every other hume, she realized that it was not enough. Nothing could be enough. No amount of power would bring her dead family back. But as the years rolled by, she realized that she was not alone. There were others like her, those who had lost everything. She gathered them with her, and sought to protect them from the rest of life's horrors. She did realize, however, that she was wrong in protecting them. They did not need to ask for an easier life, they needed the strength to endure a harder one. And so once again, she sought out power. She reached to the gods themselves, and to them proved her worth. They offered her power, and she declined it."

"She would discard her previous life and create her own army of sorts. She had connections in every country. Despite having such a large group they managed to stay discreet and would have sub divisions claiming to be different groups. They even managed to reach the royal families; each country would think they had their own group but the reality was that she was the one in charge of them all. That girl was now a powerful woman whose power was widely known and yet kept under traps. The stories have made her notorious--the Blue Rose, Shion of Nabradia."

"The fact that you faced her and lived is no small feat." Aloa concluded the storytelling session. "Like Shion, you have faced tragedy. Like Shion, you have realized that the power you sought is not what you need. What you need is true strength, the kind that no outside influence can give. She has yet to show her own power; in your battle she used outside resources."

"It may seem contradictory, but it isn't." Ryua said. "There's a difference between relying on something else's power and using an outside power. Once you get the difference, then you can know what strength and power are."

"But first, you must get rid of that poison in you." Mtra wrinkled her nose at him. "Zodiark's Mist is truly disgusting..."

Ryua finished Aloa's braid and the viera stood up. "So then tell me, what is it that you wish to do?"

When his mother was done doing what she always does when Wesley brings home a girl, Wesley eyed his mother as if wanting to properly warn Nadeline before she does something like that again. Wesley knew that Nadeline couldn’t have liked Belle fondling her like she did just a moment ago. Wesley knew that much just by seeing how surprised his fiancé was. Though, he did hear Savayna laugh it up as she was doing that. Wesley would pay no mind to the blonde to the right of him.

Belle looked at Wesley and heard the blonde in the blue dress. She eyed that one and smiled. She was pretty, but her Wesley had eyes for the princess Nadeline and that’s all she cared about at the moment. “Come all, let’s go meet the rest of the family~” She cheerfully sang as Ayane would follow.

As they went into the house, over twenty people, all with hair color across the board — blonde, black, brown, red, blue, green, tie-dye — just everyone had such colorful hair. Wesley waved to everyone and as if on cue, all of them shouted “WESLEY!”, which nearly deafened him, Nadeline, and Savayna. Wesley’s embarrassment at the moment was on an all-time high with no chance of clearing.

Belle would spin around and point out the family from left to right. “Okay, so here’s who everyone is, starting with the cousins.” She said as she would point to the black-haired folks, “We have Mel, Al, Stu, Nick, Bran, and Elaine.” She said as she went to the brunettes and redheads, “Here we have Uncle Lester, Aunt Simone, Uncle Ken, Aunt Alison, Uncle Damon, Aunt Angie, Uncle Fred, and Aunt Sue.” She said proceeding to the rest, who were the blondes and other assortment of hair colored people. “Grandma Winny, Grandpa Olaf, Peter, Maddie, and Selena.” She said as she finally came to a stop in front of a rather bulky, and medium-height man. He had orange hair that was spiked, loads of facial hair, and muscles that would make a bodybuilder look bad. He wore dark red pants and a white tank top. “This is my fabulous husband, Nigel.”

“Nigel.” Wesley said as he gave the man a nod.

“AHAHA! Wesley m’boy, get over here!” He said as Wesley would and Nigel gave him a noogie. Wesley would put on a rather irritated face as his hair was all messed up, but then as Nigel would release him, he would see all of his family.

“So uh, hey guys..” Wesley would timidly speak.

Everyone eyed Wesley, but then the attention went to Nadeline. It was like the eyes of prairie cats moving to one person to another. They all looked at the blonde princess and it took wacky Uncle Lester to step forward. Uncle Lester was fat, had blue hair and green eyes. He wore a suit that was of same colors. “You are Nadeline. We welcome you to our clan!” He said, voice odd and up there in the bizarre.

---

Jaakuna listened as the Viera in the silver assortment of clothing would tell Jaakuna a story about Shion, and how her life was also tragic. He would hear the Viera tell him that she came from a city in the now lost kingdom of Nabradia called Sempal, which was acquired by Archadia. Jaakuna really didn’t know what to think of the story. It was definitely tragic and when she would tell him that after Senpal declared independence from Archadia, they wiped it off the map and Shion was forced to reside in Archades. Jaakuna felt his stomach turn. He couldn’t’ believe that his father would do such a thing. Actually, he could, as his father at the time was under the watchful eye and manipulation of Hamut.

Jaakuna would listen in on the parts about how Shion demanded payment for her deceased brother and sister. To which Jaakuna would begin to understand why the comparisons between himself and Shion were made. They both sought power, but unlike Jaakuna, she got it from outside resources instead of borrowing it from someone else. Jaakuna knew that was the gigantic different between the two of them, even when the silver-dress wearing Viera would state that Shion proved herself to the gods and in that they offered her their strength, to which she denied. Jaakuna was now in more understanding about Shion and in the process, Jaakuna began to understand himself. Perhaps this was what The Gran-Chief was meaning by how the Viera could help him. Even when Aloa would speak about how him surviving his fight with Shion was no small feat. Even more so, Aloa would state that Shion has yet to show her true power. The Viera in the red dress would add that Shion using Ultima’s light was different from Jaakuna giving into Zodiark’s darkness. She would then state that when Jaakuna figured out the difference, true strength would be granted to him.

Jaakuna had so many things to address, and think about. However, the Viera in the silver dress would tell Jaakuna that he would need to rid himself of Zodiark’s mist. An empty look became Jaakuna. “I don’t know how I can though.” Jaakuna said, “I thought if I visited the Garif, they could do it, but the Gran-Chief guided me here to the Viera — to you lot.” Jaakuna was so unsure of what to do as in regards to rid himself of Zodiark.

That’s when he thought about what Aloa said about what he wished to do. He didn’t know. No, that was false. He did know. Jaakuna knew what he wanted to do, but could he still? Perhaps he could, but the real question was will they have him back. “I wish to protect those closest to me and to not let any harm come to them no matter the kind. “Jaakuna spoke as if his reason to continue on was starting to come back. “I want to rid myself of this shame that I feel deep within my heart. No, I need to rid myself of it.” JAakuna’s voice was just getting louder and louder and thriving with passion and confidence. “I want and need to prevent her from ever fading away.” And there it was. Jaakuna found his reason. Or maybe he just admitted what he wished. Yes, he did admit it. He admitted that he wanted to prevent Emiri from ever fading away from him from her cursed power.

Before he knew it, the pair of Grant and Emiri were in Rabanastre. It had been some time since he had visited, though the heat was not something he missed. He understood why Emiri chose to change into something lighter, and once again her hair was neat and in its usual ponytail. Physically she seemed better, no longer sad or depressed or upset, though she was a little distant, like her mind was somewhere else. He didn't blame her, but as they walked through the streets he found himself often guiding her or preventing her from bumping into someone more than once or twice. A familiar face caught Grant's attention as they reached the Bazaar. He almost couldn't believe it. "Harris!" He called out.

The blonde haired man looked up, having just spoken with a viera. He waved as she left, watching her flip her hair before wandering over to him. "Highness, what are you doing here?" He asked with a slight frown.

"I should be asking you that." Grant replied. "Things aren't well in Stigma, I would have thought that you'd be with my sister."

"Her Majesty and the Council have reached a truce. She is in safe hands--more importantly, I have been looking for Aloa." He mentioned, scratching his chin. "The viera have been mighty helpful when it comes to Mist. Because of Zodiark some of the palaces' mechanisms have gone...haywire. Vlyn has done well to prevent any of them from breaking, but Aloa has that touch of hers...you know." He nodded, though he couldn't help but stare at Emiri for a moment. "Is she alright?" He asked him quietly.

Grant looked at Emiri, who was staring at something a distance away. "She's...going through some things." He explained. "We're actually on the lookout for someone. I don't suppose you would have seen a blonde man with green eyes and a red hoodie, would you?"

Harris scratched his chin again, thinking. "Well, I've only been here for a short while, but that does sound like someone I saw. I think they were headed out towards the Westersand."

The Westersand? Grant couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that. What could possibly be out there for Jaakuna? Perhaps he had found his answers out there. Still, at least someone had seen him, so that was good news, right? "Thank you, Harris. We'll head out that way, then." He said, taking Emiri's arm.

"If you'l allow me, my lord, let me join you." He said, motioning for them to start walking. "Rumor has it a rather vicious Wyrm is out there. I don't doubt your swordsmanship, but..." He trailed off, eyeing Emiri.

"Of course. I could use the extra hand." Grant agreed, and the trio began to walk. "I can't help but ask, though, where have you been all this time?"

"Everywhere." Harris replied with a simple grin. Grant followed him through the streets and to the Chocobo Stables. "For speed. Shall we?"

---

Well, this side of Wesley's family was...eccentric.

There were so many people, the term 'clan' was entirely accurate. Nadeline made a mental note of every name, or at the very least she did her very best to. She had been somewhat trained to learn the many names and faces of the members of royalty that would often attend royal parties, as such this was not something too difficult for her. They were certainly boisterous for sure, but she actually found it somewhat endearing. It must be nice to have so much family. She had grown up an only child and Emiri was her only cousin, so to see so many cousins and aunts and uncles was thrilling. She found herself trying to see who was who's child, and her thoughts actually wandered over to how many children Wesley and her would have. Two? Three? Seven?

"Why, I thank you dearly." Nadeline replied, somewhat giddy. Their enthusiasm was infectious!

---

Ryua and Mtra looked at one another, somewhat alarmed by Jaakuna's words. Aloa's own expression was somewhat grim as well. A silence followed, as if what he had spoken of was something rather forbidden. Mtra opened her mouth to speak, but found no words to say. Ryua coughed lightly, having a more optimistic expression. "Cleansing yourself properly is something you can do." She assured him somewhat, though she looked at Mtra. "Such a...noble cause. Truly, love does conquer all, doesn't it? You should know, that...that the cleansing process is not for the faint of heart. The Espers' magicks are ancient and have reached back in time farther than any of our mortal races. Of course that does not mean there isn't a way!"

"Ah, yes, she speaks the truth." Mtra hastily agreed. "We have Dream Powder...all that is needed is determination, really. Strength of heart and all that. Your love will...prove to be...useful..." She stopped, looking at Jaakuna. Her shoulders slumped and she fiddled with her fingers. "Although...perhaps it would for the best...The girl of time...were she not to exist, it would be a great benefit to all of Ivalice. The Wood tells us her existence comes in and out of Ivalice..."

Both Ryua and Aloa shot Mtra a look, and the viera shut up. "What she means is, what she is trying to say, prince of Archadia..." Ryua started slowly, trying to find the words. "You cannot falter at all to cleanse yourself. You must disconnect yourself entirely from everything in your heart. Only then will you obtain your strength."

About twenty minutes went by. All the cousins would get to know Nadeline. Or at the very least, get used to her and get their high energy out of the way. Once they got comfortable around her and Savayna, the energy was more relaxed, but loud bursts were heard from time to time. Wesley was sitting next to Nadeline and his mother Belle, half-sister Ayane, and step-father Nigel. Savayna was between Cousins Mel and Al, both eyeing the Ice Queen flirtatiously. Savayna was about to punch them, but Nigel would stand up.

Clearing his throat and taking his glass up, he had all of the family’s attention. “It’s not every day that Wesley comes to visit us. I wish it was more often, but I cherish the moments I have with my stepson when he’s here. Unlike before, this is different. He has brought with him the newest addition to our family. Even though we might not be recognized by the royal family of Dalmasca, we are still HIS family.” Nigel said. “So, in celebration of his bride-to-be, I raise my glass to the Princess of Rozarria, Nadeline Lenore Roselia Dalmasca. You are as bit of family as my sailor buddies from my youth.” He said raising his glass.

All the cousins, uncles, aunts, and guests would all say, at the same time “HERE HERE!”

Wesley downed his drink, armed around Nadeline. After he got used to his family again, Wesley was smiling, laughing, and even crying, though they were tears of joy and just being happy to be around his family.

---

Jaakuna heard the Viera speak about what he said to them, about his determination to protect not only his friends, but to prevent Emiri from ever fading away again. That’s when one of the Viera would say that cleansing one’s self was not an easy task and that one with a faint heart could not do it, but a mention about Jaakuna’s love caused him to not only raise an eyebrow, but smile in the process. A brief mention of how the Espers’ magicks go back into ancient times, probably even more ancient than that of King Raithwall. Still, the viera would assure Jaakuna that there was a way.

As Jaakuna listened further, the one in the red dress would state that they have Dream Powder. Jaakuna raised both brows as he has heard of such stuff. It was rare, even for him. Jaakuna never once in his three years of being a sky pirate even got close to finding one vile of Dream Powder. He shouldn’t be surprised. The Viera are mysterious and have access to mysterious items. Jaakuna’s positive surprise quickly turned into negative anger, the kind of anger that could only be brought to the surface by suggesting something that the viera talking did. What she suggested was that Emiri shouldn’t exist. His nostrils flared up, eyebrows sinking lower, and teeth grinding. Jaakuna was mere seconds away from tearing that Viera in half, but Aloa and the other viera stopped the one in the silver dress. This caused Jaakuna to stop his anger, at least the part that wanted to kill the bunny.

When the red dress-wearing Viera told Jaakuna what the other one meant, his heart sank. Jaakuna was in disbelief that he had to disconnect himself from anything in his heart. That would mean the love he had for his friends, the love for his family, and probably most important, the love he had for Emiri. In such disbelief, Jaakuna began to walk backwards, but he stopped himself, grabbing his head, shaking it, uttering “no,” repeatedly. The more he repeated it, the more it got louder. After a minute of doing that and probably defeaning the Viera in front of him, Jaakuna shook his head once more.

“Do you even hear yourself? You’re saying that to obtain my strength, I have to rid myself of the one thing that GIVES me my strength.” Jaakuna spoke as if trying to convince THEM. “I know you three are ancient Viera and you probably know all about magick and the mist and that’s cool, but you’re fucking stupid if you think I’m going to buy any of this!” JAakuna’s voice was loud as fuck. “To think that I have to give away everything that has made me strong, even the parts that are not really that good, is not only unheard of, but it’s completely preposterous.” He was on a warpath. “I came to the Garif, who sent me here, to find myself, to find the reason that I lost. I poured my heart and soul out to you three — two of you who are strangers to me — and you say that to find MY strength, I have to give up everything in my heart!?”

JAakuna was pacing back and forth and then he was right up close and personal to the Viera who suggested it. “Let me ask you this, oh great Viera, have you ever wondered what the touch of someone who you would die for does to you? Or how about finding out that after three years of thinking you killed your own father and it turned out it wasn’t him? “ Jaakuna’s emotion was so high at this point that his voice was cracking, almost as if he was about to angrily cry. “I bet you can’t.” He said, “You say that us Humes are greedy, selfish, and above all else, seek strength upon strength. Well, you’re goddamn right about all of that. We’re selfish cause we don’t want to feel the pain of loss and we’re greedy cause if we lose what we have, it’s gone from us for good and we’re left as empty shells, just as I was — am — just as I am.” Jaakuna turned around, back facing their fronts. His head looking down, he saw the darkness below him.

“If getting my so-called strength means giving up everything that makes me who I am, then to hell with it. To hell with cleansing myself of Zodiark, and to hell with you all!” Jaakuna’s head turned around, his eyes showing his resolve, and for a second a flash of white and red was seen. No doubt the Viera saw it. Jaakuna would look directly at Aloa. “I can’t believe you would surround yourself with such fools.“ He said, eyes looking directly at Aloa and only her and his words had to sting a bit. “Nadeline would be sick to her stomach with you.” Jaakuna said turning his head, about to walk away, but he wouldn’t take a step as he wanted to hear what excuse they could bring up such cringe-worthy words.

Grant hadn't been chocobo riding in years. He remembered it well, however. The speed of the giant bird, the wind in his hair, the rush and thrill of riding. The one thing he loved especially had to the riding against a clear sky.

The Westersand decided that clear skies were simply not in the forecast this day.

Harris had graciously paid for a pair of chocobos, and so he rode on one while Grant and Emiri rode the second. The brunette sat behind him, arms around his waist, head bowed down as the winds whipped sand from all directions. Their vision was probably only a few feet ahead of them, though by some miracle they had yet to run into any monsters, though he was sure the chocobo would give some warning. Harris himself stuck close to Grant, though as he squinted through the sands, he couldn't help but feel that perhaps this had been a lost cause.

Grant was thinking the same thing, one hand on the reins and the other trying to shield his eyes. This was completely hopeless. He had only kept going in the hopes that maybe Jaakuna would head back to Rabanastre for shelter. He let out a huff only to have a bunch of sand get placed into his mouth. He spat and sputtered for a moment, looking at Harris. "Perhaps we should turn back!" He yelled, hoping his voice would carry over the wind.

At that moment the blonde haired man said something, but Grant didn't quite catch it. As he was about to ask about it, Grant's chocobo began screeching at something. It then flailed its wings, rearing backwards somewhat. Grant nearly fell off, hanging onto the reins for dear life, and to his horror the stupid bird charged forward. Most chocobos ran from monsters; his decided to fight them. The sound of a rather horrid screech informed him that an Urstix was the victim of his vicious chocobo's attack. The monster attacked (obviously) and Grant was thrown off. He landed in the sand, though he scrambled to his feet as best as he could. He took out his gun, shooting at the monster, only to find that the sandstorm made his accuracy horrid.

Luckily for him, a familiar sword would help to arrive. Harris swung at the Urstix, cleanly slaying it. He petted Grant's chocobo, calming it as his own chocobo approached them somewhat nervously. "Are you alright?" Harris asked (shouted). Grant nodded, trying to dust himself off. Gods how he hated sand. Harris looked at him, a funny expression on his face. "My lord...where is the lady that was riding with you?" He asked him.(shouted again). Grant whipped around, expecting Emiri to have been right behind him. Oh no, she must have fallen off when his chocobo went berserk. He looked around, and to his absolute horror the brunette was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh fuck."

---

Nadeline was clearly giddy with excitement at this point. So many faces and personalities, every bit as genuine and loving as the next. They laughed, shouted, fought and more. She absolutely loved the toast, eager to drink and be merry with all of them. Why exactly was Wesley hiding them from her? She grinned at her fiance, happily clinking her glass with his before downing it. She watched the younger ones, and after a moment would scoot in real close to Wesley. She would put her lips to his ear. "I think having such a big family is wonderful." She half told, half shouted over the many conversations going on.

---

Ryua and Mtra's jaws dropped, something quite uncharacteristic for most Viera. Never had they been so insulted! After Jaakuna's little rant had ended, the two first looked at one another, closing their mouths, then they would turn their icy glares at Jaakuna. Clearly the two were not pleased that he had the gall after asking them for help that he would promptly explode at them like this. Truly humes were every bit as foolish as ever. Aloa lazily waved her hand for the two, a placid expression on her face, almost amused by Jaakuna's outburst. Mtra clucked her tongue, though she and Ryua would stand. They shot Jaakuna another look and turned on their heels, disappearing into the deeper parts of the village.

Aloa lightly clapped her hands together. "Now that we have no more distractions." She stated, as if what had just happened hadn't bothered her at all--for the record, it did not. "You come to me for help and ask a question, I give you an answer. I admit you had every reason for your anger at Mtra's rather idiotic suggestion. I fail to see why, however, you would direct the rest of that answer to the ones who would attempt to assist you. I was not the one that chose to dip myself in the pool of darkness that is the Keeper of Precepts." She stated rather curtly, her own voice raising slightly, though she would then stop to calm herself. "I will be completely straight with you, Jaakuna of Archadia. Leave now and your shame and guilt will prevent you from returning to the one you want to protect, effectively sealing her fate."

Mtra and Ryua would return at this point, no doubt not looking too pleased. They effectively ignored Jaakuna and would present Aloa two things: a staff and a small orange vial. Jaakuna would see that the two were also armed with bows and quivers filled with arrows. Aloa lightly bowed her head and the two would nod. She turned back to Jaakuna. "Now then, if you are willing to hold that tongue of yours, we have work to do. You can either follow us and go through with it, or walk away. It's your choice." She signaled the two to follow, though she did stop after a few steps. She looked back at Jaakuna. "Just so you and I are clear, were Nadeline in your shoes, she would not hesitate to do as I instruct. She would be severely disappointed in you." She stated, then continued to walk.

Back still turned, Jaakuna still looked at the Viera and the two aside Aloa shot him dirty looks. Jaakuna understood why they did. He pretty much insulted them and called them fools. Perhaps he was just mad at the suggestion that he should give up all love in his heart and perhaps he was just angry at himself for just everything that happened. Jaakuna didn’t know what it was, but he would turn to face them just as they shot him one more look before disappearing into the deeper regions of the village.

As he was left alone with Aloa, she would let him have it. She would mention that she was failing to see why Jaakuna would aim his anger towards the ones that actually were trying to be helpful to him. By now, and as he should be, Jaakuna was feeling even worse than he did when he initially came to the Viera. He knew that everything of what Aloa said was true, even the fact that she took a low blow at him about how he was the one to dig into, as she said, the pool of Zodiark’s darkness. And that’s what reminded Jaakuna why he came to the viera in the first place. Aloa continued speaking, stating that should he leave, both his shame and guilt will stay with him and Emiri’s fate sealed. That opened Jaakuna’s eyes to the truth. He truly was foolish. Maybe he did overreact just a bit. He had a tendency to do that.

As Jaakuna’s full attention was to Aloa, he saw the two Viera that left on Aloa’s cue return, bows in hand and handing her a staff of blue and brown and gold and an orange vile. Jaakuna could only assume that the vile was the Dream Powder, but then Jaakuna’s thoughts went to what Aloa mentioned beforehand. He thought about how she said that he would need to drop all connections to his heart to heal himself of Zodiark. Even after all of what he said, it truly was the only way. That was when the two Viera would leave, Aloa about to follow them only to state that it was Jaakuna’s choice. That was something that Jaakuna was afraid of. Even more so, he perked up slightly about how Nadeline would be disappointed in Jaakuna and not the other way around to Aloa.

Jaakuna was pondering on what he could do. He saw Aloa look at him, as if waiting for him to make his decision. Jaakuna didn’t know what the right thing was that he could do. If he didn’t go, he sealed any chance of Emiri possibly getting free of her curse, but then on the flipside, he would have to give up connections to his heart. It was a losing situation no matter which way he sliced it. As he looked at Aloa, Jaakuna thought he was seeing things. His mind was definitely playing tricks on him cause he saw Belias right in front of him. That’s when Jaakuna seemed to be transported to pure white void, much like the time he initially got Belias.

Belias stood in front of Jaakuna, and shook his head. “You are the one who defeated me, I pledged my life to you. I swore to fight for you with my life and you repay my loyalty by accepting the Lost King into your body.” Belias’ voice was full of disappointment.

Jaakuna was at a loss, but maybe Belias knew of everything that had happened. “I have no words that express my regret for doing that, but he left me no choice. I had no alternative. If I didn’t, I wou--” He was cut off.

“Jaakuna, all you needed was to trust my power. My strength would have gave you true purpose, but instead you went to the one that could wipe my brothers and sisters out.” Belias still spoke with much displeasure.

Jaakuna didn’t know that Belias felt so strongly about the actions of Jaakuna. “I-I didn’t know..” That’s all he had to say.

“You can make it right.”
“How?”
“Follow the Viera, cleanse yourself and give away your heart.”
“But if I do that, everyone will be lost to me…”
“Trust in yourself. You are the Chosen One, Jaakuna. You felt it, no?”
“You mean?”
“Yes, that flash. It was the seed being planted from my fire.”
“What does that mean?”

It was with that, much to Jaakuna’s confusion, he was brought back to the sight of Aloa and the other two Viera. Jaakuna shook whatever just happened off and with much curiosity from Belias’ words, Jaakuna followed. He uttered no words as he was lost in his thoughts, but merely wondering what exactly what the seed that Belias spoke of was.

---

The laughter and all the yelling(happy yelling) just gave Wesley a headache and it made him happy. This was the only time that Wesley felt happy around his family. He heard Nadeline say that it was wonderful to have such a big family. Wesley smiled and agreed, but for some reason he found himself sad over this. No, sad wasn’t the right word. It was more he was angry. Was he perhaps angry at his mother for abandoning him and his father. Or was it his father he was angry at for letting his mother desert them? Wesley didn’t know, but he wouldn’t fret on those thoughts. He did, however, have the company of his love and his family, so what was there to really be sad about? Nothing, that’s what.!

“I agree and I am thankful that a certain uncle of mine isn’t here. He always makes things…uncomfortable.” He said in a high tone, as he had to at least make sure Nadeline heard him.

As everyone was laughing and shouting in enjoyment of each other’s company, the door slammed open and there was a man in sight. Everyone looked and Wesley instantly stood up as if in anger. “Well, it looks like everyone is here.” The man spoke smiling.

Angry, Wesley stepped forward. “Uncle Clyde! What are you doing here?!” Wesley shouted.

“Wesley, is that you?” Clyde asked, inspecting Wesley. “Well damn, it is you. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming. I would have brought Lianna too.” Clyde said laughing loudly.

Wesley’s teeth were grinding against each other. “You son of a bitch! That’s not funny! You know she is bed-ridden. How you were able to convince her to take you back is beyond me.” Wesley said taking a step forward. “Now, tell me what are you doing here!?” Wesley repeated his earlier question, but in louder volume.

Clyde smirked. “A little birdy told me that you’re here looking for Hashmaal.” He smirked still.

Gasps were heard through the entire house. Wesley’s family were shocked. “Wesley, is that true?” His mother said.

“Oh, mother, I..” Wesley said, “Yes, it is.”

“But that would mean..”

“That’s right!” Clyde intervened. “He’s going to need MY help!” He was laughing.

Wesley was just so beside himself right now. He gritted his teeth in anger and just didn’t want to resort to ask for help from the one person that the family hates more than anything in the world.

Grant could not believe what had just happened. Even after he had remounted his chocobo and began backtracking and retracing his footsteps, he just could not believe it. How the hell did he manage to lose Emiri? The group was going to kill him for sure. Nadeline spoke about doing something idiotic: this was it. This was definitely fucking it. How the fuck did he lose a five foot three brunette in a sandstorm?! Nadeline was going to kill him. Savayna was going to kill him after laughing hysterically. Jaakuna would find him and kill him. Wesley was probably just going to watch as the others killed him and be disappointed in him. How the hell could he have let this happen?!

The desert seemed somewhat endless, and soon Grant was not sure where they were headed. Harris sensed the prince's desperation, though even he had to admit that trekking through sandstorms was not one of his strengths. Come on, Emiri, I need a sign, anything. Dear gods please don't let anything happen to her... He thought, feeling desperate. "Damn it, Jaakuna!" He yelled out in frustration.

"Jaakuna? The sky pirate?" Harris asked, somewhat confused.

"Yes, Jaakuna...the entire reason we had come out here was to find him." Grant informed him. Harris became somewhat silent, though he did avoid Grant's gaze. He raised an eyebrow, and a realization came over him. "You did see Jaakuna, right?"

"You asked for a man matching a description." Harris replied rather reluctantly. "I had no idea he was the one you were searching for..."

Grant almost fell off his chocobo.

---

The arrival of this so called uncle of Wesley's seemed to halt the festivities. As Wesley jumped up, Nadeline turned to watch their interaction. Truly the mood following Clyde's entrance had turned things sour. He seemed very full of himself, and what was more, Wesley seemed uncharacteristically upset and angry towards him. Upon revealing the intention behind Wesley's visit--Hashmaal--his family seemed surprised. Of course this Clyde person was also the one that knew of his location. Great. As their conversation continued Wesley made it clear that he was not happy with Clyde at all.

As the very smug Clyde was enjoying Wesley's discomfort, Nadeline found herself standing up as well. She didn't appreciate Clyde's attitude towards her fiance. She also stepped forward, finding herself summoning every ounce of royal blood in her as she stepped in front of Wesley, effectively getting between the two men. "The reality is that I will be the one requiring your assistance." She stated quite curtly. "The Espers are something of great importance that need to be found immediately. I can tell you aren't the type to give away information for free, so have at it. Jewels? Treasure? Gil? What do you want?"

---

The trio walked out of Eruyt in silence. They would lead Jaakuna through the jungle, Ryua and Mtra easily felling whatever Malboro and Coerul would cross their paths. They would reach another seemingly barren dead end. Ryua would step forward with her hand raised. It was as if she had pressed her hand against a wall, for magicks would spring up and reveal a door. With some creaking and groaning it would part open, revealing a path to what looked like the inside of a small tree. It was very dark, only a few specs of sunlight peeking through. As they would walk in the doors would close behind them, effectively sealing all the light out. The viera would continue on walking, and when Jaakuna would step forward several white lights would flutter down the path.

Once they all reached the center, Aloa would hand the vial over to Ryua and the staff to Mtra. She and Mtra would place their bows on the ground, motioning for Jaakuna to lay down his weapons as well. A sense of calmness would soothe Jaakuna as the little lights would glow around them. Aloa would motion for Jaakuna to join her on the ground sitting. Once he was seated, Aloa nodded at the viera pair. The two nodded, and Ryua would take the top off the vial of Dream Power. The substance would glow, and Mtra would put the staff over the bottle. She then stepped back, the staff glowing and the powder would start coming out in small puffs. They would solidify, appearing much like the little white lights, and as Mtra walked they followed her. She circled the room, Jaakuna now being surrounded by orange and white lights.

"I will not bore you with unneeded information." Aloa told Jaakuna as she sat across from him. "We will be going through seven steps, cleansing each one. When we are finished, you will not only become detached from the darkness, we will be unlocking whatever it is that truly lies in your heart." She looked at the white lights. "The lights will tell us when you have gotten to each step. We will begin now." The dream power would shimmer, and the white lights would surround Jaakuna, landing on the ground and glowing dimly. "The first step we will be facing will be your hesitation. As intelligent beings, our minds dictate our actions. So much that we put ourselves above the animals and monsters, yet we forget that we too, have our own instincts. You need to shut out what you know and rely on your instincts. To overcome your hesitation, you must remember your potential."

When Clyde had arrived to the house and the surprise that not only he brought, but his exchanging of words with Wesley overtook the house and the eyes of the family were all on the two of them. Though, that was when Nadeline stood up and stepped between Wesley and Clyde. Wesley definitely had a look of surprise on his face and the rest of the family would look on as Nadeline explained it to Clyde that she was the only one that required his assistance and would state clearly that Clyde probably was one that didn’t give out such information out for free.

Wesley was impressed with Nadeline at this point, but Clyde just smiled. “Honey, just roll it back.” He said sighing. “I have no interest in your Rozarrian money. If I did, don’t you think I really would be here in front of the princess and not go straight for your dear Aunt Reia?” He smugly told her as he would motion her to the side. “My business has to do with my nephew.” He said as he and Wesley were right in front of each other once more and their height was almost identical as Wesley just came about four inches shorter to him.

As Wesley and Clyde were facing each other, everyone in the room, including Savayna, were watching them intently. The family knew how Clyde got when he was in a mood to bother everyone and in the two years that it was since Wesley visited them, the two of them always got into some heated exchanges, so of course they were all worried.

Clyde laughed, “I’m not interested in fighting you Wesley. Actually, I’m here to help you free of charge, regardless what your little blonde girlfriend thinks.” Clyde said. Wesley was surprised and as was the entire family, but they were relieved as they all let out a sigh of relief. “Let’s do this in private.” Clyde said as he would leave, motioning Wesley and Nadeline to follow, but of course, Savayna would follow.

As they were outside and a few good dozen feet away from the house, Wesley would eye his uncle as he spoke. “So, why don’t you tell me why you’re looking for Hashmaal?“ Clyde asked Wesley.

Wesley looked at his uncle, then to Nadeline as if wanting to get an idea of what he should tell him. He then sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sure you’re aware of what’s been going down around Ivalice. Well, it’s the cause of the King of all Espers, Zodiark. He was released and if we don’t get the remaining espers to our side, we fear that the end of Ivalice is imminent.” Wesley told him.

Clyde nodded, releasing sounds of understanding. “Okay, that’s all fine and dandy, but don’t you remember about what happened with Hashmaal and..” Clyde was cut off

“Yes, I remember, how could I not! Father was almost killed when he tried to..”

“And what makes you think you can?”

“I’m different from him and Hashamaal..”

“Hashmaal what?” Clyde asked raising an eyebrow.

Wesley looked to his uncle and took his Sword of Order out. “He gave me this, the Sword of Order.” Wesley said.

Clyde couldn’t’ believe it. No, he knew what the sword was, but he didn’t understand that Wesley was one of them “I see. Well, you’re right, Wesley.” Clyde said closing his eyes and smiling.

“About what?” Wesley asked with a raised eyebrow.

“You’re different from your father.” He said looking at Wesley. “You are one of the Chosen Ones.” Clyde said chuckling as he didn’t think that of all Raithwall’s descendents, Wesley would be the one. He was for sure that he or even his father would have been the one, and yet, here they were, discussing that Wesley was the one.

---

Quietly being led by the Viera, Jaakuna saw that they were heading deeper and deeper into the jungle as he felt the magicks getting somewhat thicker around him. They would easily kill beasts that would cross their paths or halt their advancement. The walk would come a stop as they seemed to be at a deadend. Jaakuna was about to say something, but Ryua would place her hand out and magicks would spring out. Jaakuna saw that a door was revealed and as it opened, the cracking and squeaking of it entered his ears, as they did into the tree that the door belonged to.

As they would walk into the tree, the doors closed behind them, thus eliminating any added light from the Jungle. That was when lights lit up the path and they would head to the center. As they reached it, Mtra and Ryua would motion Jaakuna to place his weapons on the ground. He nodded and did as they told him to do. He then joined Aloa in a sitting position. Jaakuna instantly felt something overtake him. It was a good feeling. This was something that was so soothing, as if being in a hot spring or being licked by White Rabbits. Just for some reason, Jaakuna felt utterly relaxed.

As Jaakuna let his center become relaxed in every sense of the word, he would notice a glow from the vile of Dream Powder and how the staff was being placed over it. He then noticed that the Dream Powder was coming out in puff-like bits, and causing the staff itself to glow. The puffs themselves would solidify in time and would appear as if they were circles of white lights. Jaakuna couldn’t help but gaze in wander. Just the atmosphere the tree had and how the lights added a nice glow to the darkness of the room made Jaakuna even more relaxed.

Jaakuna noticed the lights were following Mtra and eventually the lights would surround in orange and white. Noticing that, Jaakuna heard Aloa starting to speak. She said that the process of cleansing himself of Zodiark would take seven steps, the first in which would be hesitation. Jaakuna raised an eyebrow, but then heard her speak that Jaakuna must not rely on what he knows, but rather go on his basic instincts and remember his potential.

Jaakuna closed his eyes, breathing in slowly and deeply. He held that breath for a few seconds, composing himself, and he let it out slowly and in controlled breath. “Don’t think, just react..” He murmured to himself as he remembered something that happened a while back. It was the time he was with Emiri. “There were a lot of them..” Jaakuna’s almost sleeptalking-like words came out. He was remembering, but not thinking. He was feeling the memories, the emotions that he had in moments with Emiri. “Her touch, her heart..” Every second that passed, Jaakuna was drawing closer and closer to the memory he wanted to access. “It was…on the Ifrit.” Remembering the multiple times him and Emiri felt each other’s heart, Jaakuna went back. There was one time specifically that he had a firm grasp on. “It was…yes that’s it.” Jaakuna found it and now he would take hold of that memory.

It was morning, Jaakuna and Emiri were in his room. He woke up first and saw her sleeping. His emerald circles looked into her near-amethyst ones. She was still soundly sleeping, so he held her close to him, whispering her name as he felt her heart. She woke up, slowly opening her eyes. She saw him and gasped loudly, startled by him watching her sleep. Jaakuna smiled as he was pushed away from her. They talked and she would suggest a shower together. He was shocked, but happy. He agreed and they stripped nude. A shower together embracing each other closer. Each movement they made, each stroke they did — it was all mutual.

Jaakuna opened his eyes, as he remembered it. The potential he had, the hesitation that he didn’t have back then — it was realized. As Jaakuna had opened his eyes, he looked at Aloa.

Grant just couldn't believe it. Not only had he lost Emiri, he had also been sent on a wild goose chase. What fucking luck. Gods he was just so angry and in such disbelief. How could he have let this happen, really? Still, something was off about this whole situation, really. He stopped his chocobo and dismounted, watching Harris do the same. The blonde general looked at him curiously. "My lord?" He asked him.

"Something bothers me, Harris." He told him as the wind whipped the sane around them. "You said you have been everywhere. Last I heard you had gone to Eruyt to rescue Reia from the viera. Now you're in Rabanastre looking for Aloa. That would mean that either Aloa had left Eruyt at some point to go back to Stigma...so why would you need to look for her?" He raised his gun at Harris. "Tell me, what was your true purpose for leading me here? Does my sister still want me dead? Is Emiri's disappearance your doing?"

The two men stared at one another, though Grant did not put down his gun. Harris stepped forward so that even with the weather, Grant could still shoot right through him. "Grant...I suppose..." He stopped for a moment and then looked away. "How many years have I dedicated myself to Rozarria? How am I supposed to react when my Majesty orders the death of her brother and niece? I thought about it for a long time. I traveled to Jahara in order to find wisdom. The Garif are very wise...suggested that I confront my Empress with my hesitation. Little did I know that upon my return to Stigma and inform my Empress she would become very displeased with this news. And so instead she hired an assassin. To protect you, I challenged this assassin."

Grant's eyes widened in disbelief. "No..."

A rush of sand blew in front of Harris, and the man no matter stood in front of him. Instead a woman took his place. "He lost.' Lola stated as the wind continued to pick up around them.

---

How utterly rude. Nadeline would cross her arms, clearly displeased with this riffraff in front of her. There always was one bad apple in the bunch, it seemed. Still, she found herself rather surprised when he would let them know there was no price for the information. They would speak, obviously hinting at some sort of connection between Wesley's father and Hashmaal. The Sword of Order was of great interest to Clyde, it seemed. Still, she found herself raising an eyebrow at a term he used. A Chosen One? Chosen for what? "Care to clarify?" She asked him.

---

Aloa nodded at him, and Jaakuna would see that the white lights were now a deep red. "The next step is facing your solitude. No man is an island, no matter how much we try to shut out others. Friends, lovers...we are all connected to one another, we are all beings under the shadow of the sun." Aloa explained to him. "No matter how much you believe you need to be alone, you must know that the relationships you have had over the years--those of family, those of friends, those of lovers--every single one of those creates the delicate lines that connect yourself to people. To overcome your solitude, you must remember your bonds with people."

As if demanding it of him, Clyde would gladly answer Nadeline. “You sure are bossy, aren’t you?” Clyde said laughing, though he did notice Savayna chuckle his remark. “Rumor has it that all of the espers each, on their own choosing, grant an extra bit of power to whoever controls them. Or rather, who has beaten them in battle and they deem worthy of their strength. The rumor has it that King Raithwall had three Espers — Belias, The Gagas, Famfrit, The Darkening Cloud, and Hashmaal, Bringer of Order.” Clyde said, “Hashmaal has already chosen Wesley, as the Sword of Order is proof of that. “ Clyde said.

As Wesley listening to his uncle, he couldn’t help but wonder what exactly the espers endgame was for doing that? If they truly were doing it for a reason, then Wesley wanted to know what that reason was. He knew that Hashmaal told him about the Sword of Order and he even gave him the Lion Seal. Wesley just didn’t know what it all really meant. As Wesley thought about that, Savayna was a little shocked and angry. She has an esper of her own, but she hasn’t gotten any additional confrontation from Mateus aside the initial acknowledgement that she got from him when she beat him back at the Stilshrine of Miriam. “So, just wait a damn minute. If the Espers are the ones who choose their owners/masters/whatever, then how come I haven’t gotten any notice of this?” Savayna said as she lifted her right forearm and the glyph of Mateus flashed.

Clyde smiled and chuckled. “Maybe Mateus doesn’t think you’re ready.” He said rubbing his neck. “I don’t know. I’m only speaking of the rumor.” Clyde said sighing and then he looked to Nadeline. “That clear enough for ya, princess?”

---

As one of the little lights became deep red, Jaakuna heard Aloa speak about the second step of tackling his solitude. Oh this was something that Jaakuna not only didn’t want to think about, but he didn’t think would come up so soon. Him leaving all of his friends and Emiri to go soul-searching was something he felt he needed to do. When he heard Aloa explain what he needed to tackle, he realized that was everything he didn’t remember. He thought that if he went on it alone, it would be for the best. Everything that Jaakuna thought was the right thing to do actually was the wrong way to go about it.

“I thought it was the right thing, with me leaving them and doing it on my own. I just thought that if I left them out of it, if I just didn’t include them in it, then perhaps it would all just be better.” Jaakuna knew that he was wrong. He needed his friends, his family, and he needed Emiri. He didn’t know it at the time, but when he is forced to sit down and think of all the wrong choices he made because he thought were the right ones, Jaakuna was able to evaluate the decisions he made in his life.

As he looked at Aloa, he smiled. Jaakuna wasn’t necessarily smiling at her, but rather smiling at the fact that he was wrong and it took him this long to realize it. No, he’s not just thinking about this day and how he left everyone. No, he definitely wasn’t thinking about that, but rather, Jaakuna was smiling as he thought about three years ago and leaving Savayna and his brother. Sure, when he left, it was out of fear that he thought he killed his father, but perhaps it was just Jaakuna wanting to be alone. It didn’t help that the airship that he chose to take was one he could be alone in. It took him three years on the run to gain companions. It was first Emiri, but then Nadeline came along. It made Jaakuna happy to have friends aboard his ship. It seemed even better that Wesley and Savayna also came along. Everything that happened even opened up forgiveness from Jaakuna to Grant and vice-versa. Yes, Jaakuna remembered that he became stronger and happier when he had friends he could surround himself with and a woman he could cherish and protect.

“I understand now.” Jaakuna said. “Being alone only causes grief and shame and it is with those two things that darkness crawls in. My bonds are my strength. I realize that now.” Jaakuna said smiling to himself.

Grant stared at Lola in clear disbelief. She had slain Harris and had taken his place all this time? No, it couldn't be. As if reading his thoughts, Lola raised her left arm, and a brief flash of light revealed Cúchulainn's symbol on it. "You didn't kill him. There's no way a man of that calibur lost to someone like you."

"You could always go and visit his grave in Stigma." She chided him lightly, withdrawing her wakizashi. "I'm not here for you. I have one boss that is no Empress, and her orders are to eliminate Emiri." She informed him. "Didn't think you would lose her in a sandstorm, though."

She was bluffing. He refused to believe she had taken down one of the strongest men he knew. Still, this wasn't a good situation. Emiri was nowhere to be found and this nutcase was after her. He wanted to think it was a good thing that Lola was before him, but as she had proved before this could easily be a duplicate. He glared at her, though he knew exactly what he needed to do. On cue, Lola lunged forward, and Grant copied, shooting several times at her.

---

Nadeline huffed at Clyde's remark. Of course she was bossy, she was groomed and raised to become the future ruler of a country. What did Clyde expect? Still, she held her tongue for the sake of not wanting to make things more difficult. She listened carefully as Clyde would explain that the Espers would pretty much bond with their wielders that bested them. She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows at this. Everyone in the group had their Espers, it seemed she was the only exception. Savayna would mention that her Esper, Mateus, hadn't reached out to her. She found that odd; who better for the Ice Esper then the Ice Queen herself? As Clyde concluded his lecture and would address her, she raised her nose at him.

"It was satisfactory at best." She scoffed. "Now are you going to tell us where Hashmaal is or not? Time is of the essence."

---

Things were proceeding well. The lights turned orange, signaling that the cleansing was going well. Still, they had just started. "The next step is facing your fears. Regardless of who we are, we are all mortals who fear one thing or another. Sometimes we live in denial or ignorance of these fears, but they do exist. It is difficult, even strenuous, but overcoming these fears takes strength. Even I have my own things that I am afraid of, things in my own personal darkness." She would admit to him. "Such is the nature of mortal beings...we fear that which we do not understand. To overcome your fears, you must remember the determination you once had."

---

Emiri opened her eyes slowly, only to nearly get blinded. She sat up sputtering and trying to shield her face, though she noticed she was nearly buried in the sand. What happened? Where was she? She blinked a few times trying to see. Where had Grant gone? The last thing she remembered was falling off the chocobo. That's right, they ran into a monster...but where had Grant gone? He just left her? She struggled for a moment as she wrenched herself from the sand, and a sharp snap was heard followed by a hit to her back. She let out a cry of surprise mostly, though she knew exactly what it was. She pulled out her bow from underneath her. Not only had the string broke, but the shaft had snapped under her weight.

Getting to her feet, she left it where it was and saw that her quiver was gone as well. Great. By whatever miracle she at the very least still had her Diamond Sword, though. Her hair was all over her face, and she brushed it back with much annoyance. Why the hell was her hair so wild, anyway? The realization came over her, and both her hands shot up to the back of her head. It was gone. Her clover hair tie was gone. "No...no, no, no." She repeated, immediately dropping to her knees and running her hands through the sand. No, it just couldn't be gone, she has had that scrunchie for as long as she could remember, there was no way she could lose it like this. No, it wasn't gone, it was too important for her to lose, no, no, no!

After a few minutes of frantic searching, Emiri very bitterly accepted that it was gone. Her precious hair tie was gone, Grant was gone, the love of her life was gone...everything she cherished in her life was just gone. Perhaps it was because of her missing Jaakuna, but the girl felt entirely hopeless. What had she done to deserve this? Why was she now losing everything she held dear? She looked around at her surroundings, or at least as far as she could see. She had no idea where she was, nor which way would lead back to Rabanastre.

A roar informed her that she was not alone. Getting to her feet, Emiri held her Diamond Sword, peering through the wind to try to see what monster she had the luck of running into. Her eyes widened as a rather large shadow appeared before her, and as it got closer it revealed itself as a wyrm. Not just any wyrm, of course, but one of the more notorious Ring Wyrms. Every hunter and resident of Rabanastre knew of them; every now and then they would appear, causing a vicious sandstorm to appear in the Westersand. Normally the royal family would dispatch soldiers to take care of them or a bill would be posted, but it would seem this one had yet to be slain. Someone did try; she spotted a sword imbedded into the Wyrm's back.

It let out another vicious roar, and Emiri held one hand out to it. "Stop!" She cast her spell. The Ring Wyrm stopped for all of three seconds before flapping its wings at her. The wind was no problem but of course she didn't want to get sand in her eyes. She shielded herself with her arms, though when she put them down she saw that the Ring Wyrm decided to swing its tail. She was sent flying, and apparently it saw this as an opportunity to try to roast her. "Reflect!" She called out, erecting a light barrier, and its flames bounced off it. She managed to land on her feet, and she ran forward, striking its head. It roared and swung its claws, to which she jumped back. She hadn't even scratched it. Still, she raised her blade as it eyed her.

“You sure are in a hurry, aren’t you?” Clyde smiled and laughed. He shrugged though and would speak once more. “Rumor around Balfonheim is that Hashmaal is sealed within the Pharos of Ridorana.” Clyde revealed.

“The Pharos huh? “ Wesley asked as he thought aloud. “Then I guess we’re going to have to find some way to get there, either by boat or something.” Wesley said.

Clyde smiled. “Fortunately for you, I can help you.” He chuckled.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh come on Wesley. You didn’t think that my information was going to be totally free, now did you?”

“Don’t tell me…”

“That’s right. I’m coming with you three.”

And there it was. Wesley couldn’t say that he was entirely thrilled about the idea. He knew that his Uncle was a bit of a handful and even more so on adventures. However, Wesley was really worried about Nadeline. Already he has made a bad impression on her and prolonged exposure to him may cause harm to Nadeline’s rationality. Wesley was now foresaw yelling with a chance physical harm. “Gods help us all.”

---

Jaakuna noticed the second of the lights began to glow. This one would glow a rich orange color. Jaakuna would smile as it hinted at the fact that he was progressing smoothly. Though, he would have little time to enjoy that he had already conquered two steps as Aloa began to explain the third step. She would do so by explaining that now Jaakuna must overcome his fear, as in doing so, Jaakuna would have to confront those things that were placed in his heart that caused him to back away. She would state that he must regain that confidence and determination that he had once before.

Overcoming hesitation and solitude was easier for Jaakuna. He knew where he stood on both and he knew that both weren’t going to be good for him. Fear, however, was something of a whole different magnitude. It wasn’t even in the same neighborhood that hesitation and solitude were in. Even as he sat there thinking about it, Jaakuna just didn’t know where he would begin to evaluate exactly what he was afraid of. No, that wasn’t correct. He knew what he was afraid of. It was confronting that fear that had him at a stalemate.

“Fear..” Jaakuna murmured. He stared blankly above him as he leaned slightly back, arms firmly against the ground, supporting his up-right position. For some reason, the hollowed walls of the tree that they were all in gave Jaakuna peace. Gazing up into it gave him the chance to think about it all.

He closed his eyes as he would drift off into a relaxed state. he aspect of fear took his thoughts to a different direction. He found himself remembering his nightmare. It always was synced into his mind and always he would remember it. That was the first time that he actually felt real fear and helplessness. It was, after all, his best hopes came crashing down into oblivion where his worst fears came to life. It was indeed something he never wanted to see. His family and friends dead and the love of his life gone from him. And then that’s where Jaakuna never came back. Before that, he was brimming with all the determination and confidence in the world, but as soon a she let Zodiark into his heart, he lost himself. It wasn’t all at once, but Jaakuna did and just remembering it made him realize how far he had fallen.

“The fear I felt then just grew..” Jaakuna said, as he still remembered seeing his entire family and all of his friends dead, his love gone from him, and Zodiark in him. “It grew into despair and I lost myself. I didn’t think it would happen, but it did. I didn’t trust myself. I feared that I would harm those I loved.” Jaakuna said still eyes closed

Still looking up, and eyes closed, Jaakuna would roll back the memories in his mind, stopping at the exact moment he was confident in himself. The exact memory that Jaakuna was remembering was when he broke back into Archades before he and his friends were cleared of al charges. He was remembering the time that he led Wesley and Nadeline through the Sochen Cave Palace and to Archades and his mission to free Emiri from Vincent’s grasp. This memory was him remembering the determination he felt leading a rescue mission, and in his heart, the confidence he had to successfully pull off such a risky mission.

As he opened his eyes, Jaakuna smiled. It came to him. It was the moments of knowing his fears, but not letting them control him that led Jaakuna to the answer. “I don’t think fear is something that holds us back. No, that’s entirely wrong.” Jaakuna said looking at Aloa. “Fear tells us where the weakness lies and fear tells us what we need to work on. “ He said, “I know now that fear will always exist as long as there is hope, determination, and confidence, but it’s what a person can do to prevent the fears from taking over. I did and it led me to dark corners of my soul.” Jaakuna said, remembering that fear is good as a motivator to improve. “I realize that fear is good as long as I remember that too much of it will ruin my soul.” Jaakuna finished.

Grant and Lola clashed several times, with Grant shooting at her, though it was a lost cause. The wind and sand kept messing up his shots, otherwise Lola would have had six bullets between her eyes by now. She was also very, very fast. Still, he noticed that often she would end up slipping in the sand at some points, though she recovered quickly. She was like an annoying wasp he wanted to smack but just could not and it was getting annoying. Lola dug her blade in the sand and lifted it, effectively spraying Grant with sand. He instinctively raised his arm to block, though he realized this was her intention.

She charged, intending to stab him and he shot at her. The bullet grazed her cheek and he couldn't help but curse. That would make seven bullets that should have been between her eyes. Still, it did make her flinch slightly, so it did accomplish something. He raised his fist and punched her, sending her back. She looked like she was about to retaliate, but a flock of feathers intervened. Grant's jaw dropped as his chocobo attacked Lola. He was almost afraid that she would attack it. Still, Lola ended up falling backwards and down a cliff.

"Good boy..." Grant murmured as the chocobo came back, nuzzling him. He mounted and decided to keep going, looking for Emiri.

---

Nadeline's eyebrow raised rather dangerously when Clyde mentioned that the information was not free. What exactly did he want, anyway? He was getting on her nerves--no, he was already on them and she just wanted to finish and be done with him. He was so not invited to the wedding, though she predicted he would show up anyway, the asshole. She placed her hands on her hips, awaiting his words. As he mentioned that what he wanted was to go with him, the first thing she did was look at Wesley. Why the hell was she going to put up with him? No way. "You can go yourself on your own time. We have a way to get there." She snapped quite curtly, though she couldn't help but throw a glare at Wesley for simply accepting this. She knew the type of person Clyde was. "I would rather only worry about the enemies in front of me and not have to constantly look over my shoulder for the knife to stab me."

---

The lights then turned yellow. Aloa nodded in approval. Things were going well. They would surely finish soon. "The next step is facing your rejection. What I mean by this is your rejection to things or events that have happened that you did not understand or could not accept. We tend to reject ideas, reject our own emotions...but by doing so we shut out the very thing that we need: compassion. To overcome your rejection, you must remember the passion and unconditional love you feel inside."

As Nadeline straight-out refused to let Clyde come with them, Wesley knew and understood why she would flat-out refuse, but Wesley also knew that they needed his uncle to come along. As much as Clyde gets on his nerves — and boy does he ever — Wesley needed him as Clyde knew the ins and outs of Ridorana. That’s when Wesley would pull Nadeline to the side, about five feet away from Savayna and Clyde. “I know how you feel about him and gods know how I do, but we don’t have a way to get to the Pharos right away. It’ll take an hour at the very least for the Ifrit to get here and we don’t even have that kind of time to spare.” Wesley said, “besides, he has a certain prowess that is key getting through the Pharos.” Wesley said, pretty much urging Nadeline to change her mind on things.

Meanwhile, Savayna was examining Clyde. She couldn’t really place it, but something about this guy looked oddly familiar. It was his eyes. Savayna and him had similar colored eyes. It was also the way he looked at her as he knew her too, but he didn’t say anything. Still, she just felt something familiar about this guy. “Say Clyde, we haven’t met have we?”

Clyde looked at Savayna, hearing her question. He smiled. “Yeah, we’ve met before.” He simply said.

Savayna looked annoyed. “Are you going to tell me.” She asked as she puffed up slightly.

He smiled still. “Not yet., it’s more fun this way.”

---

Sitting there, Jaakuna saw a yellow glow take over one of the dimly-lighted lights. It first flashed, but then it would stay yellow. Jaakuna then faced Aloa, looking at her and she would then tell him about the forth step, which dealt with rejection. Jaakuna found it odd, but he listened nonetheless. She would speak of the rejection one would feel to certain things or events that they did not understand or want to accept. She would also tell him that for Jaakuna to feel the compassion, he must remember the unconditional love within his heart; to get past the rejection he felt, he must recover the passion that he had.

“But to do that..” Jaakuna was not even sure where he needed to begin. From everything that has happened in his life, there were several things that were the object of rejection. First and foremost, being rejected from his home for seemingly killing his father. That was one thing that Jaakuna felt the worst about and because he never had the chance to prove his innocence before just a few days ago, Jaakuna felt rejected from his own family. That was, however, something he was able to get past. It was through the forgiveness of his father that he found the passion in that. Still, that left two other things.

The second thing that Jaakuna felt he had the most rejection in was ever getting close to anyone. Every time he would come into a town or a campsite or just anywhere he would meet a new woman, Jaakuna never stayed with the same woman for more than one night. He would never stay the night with them. Jaakuna was a player through and through. The truth of the matter was that cause of the guilt he felt leaving Savayna alone in Archades and the sorrow he felt about knowing(then) that he killed his father, Jaakuna didn’t trust himself to get close and thus he rejected his own emotions and the notion to ever get close to anyone, but that all changed when he met Emiri. He found that she would change his perspective on a lot of things, especially showing that he could love and that he should trust himself. It was her love that awakened his compassion.

The final thing and probably the worst of them all was when Jaakuna let Zodiark into his body and lost himself. Even now as he was almost halfway through the steps to get cleansed of that monster, Jaakuna remembered how he made Emiri feel. She yelled and cried. Even his friends would react in similar manners. Grant would hold him within arm’s length, prompting him to not do anything that included battles and then there was Wesley who seemed to loathe him, but only now does Jaakuna realize that he was scared for Jaakuna — he was scared that Jaakuna would do something to hurt himself and those he cared about. It was just everything that made Jaakuna reject the possibility that he could be forgiven, which was why he left in the first place. Instead of staying, he rejected their help and in turn, Jaakuna found himself here. Even still, he almost rejected Aloa’s help when he knew he was wrong. He knew he was wrong then and he knows it now.

“I have rejected so many people and things in my short lifespan. I’ve hurt women by not letting them in, I hurt my family for not facing my past sins and I’ve hurt my friends by not letting them help me. I’m not even sure if I deserve your help, Aloa, but here you are, helping me even when I even rejected you.” Jaakuna said, “You have all the power in the world and yet you still help me. I don’t understand it at all, but maybe that’s for the best. “ He said, “perhaps instead of questioning it, I need to accept it, cause as you said, we reject our emotions and things that people do or things that we don’t understand.” Jaakuna said echoing Aloa. “Perhaps I need to take a leap of faith and believe in what others will guide me to, I now understand that.” Jaakuna said smiling and a single tear would drop from his eye and he didn’t notice it.

The lights then turned green. Aloa nodded knew that now the more difficult parts had to come. Jaakuna was determined, that much was clear. He could do this, she believed in him. Not that she would ever admit that little piece of information. "It is never a matter of whether someone deserves it or not. It is merely a question of will or won't...albeit I will admit everything is subjective. Power is also subjective. You can compare myself to Empress Reia, as we are both people with power. Some will say that as a person, Reia is more powerful than I; a woman with an army is much more powerful than a former leader. Yet she herself could not last in a fight."

She would then take a deep breath, continuing the process. "The next step is facing your dependancy. This is probably the most crucial part for you, as right now, it is your biggest problem. You depended on Zodiark's power and gave into the temptation. What you fail to realize is that you are strong, whether you recognize it or not. To overcome your dependency, you must remember the your independence and your own will." She stopped, watching him. "This step is quite the bump from the rest, as it is probably the sole factor in your being here. Tell me, what exactly was it that caused you to go down this path?"

---

Nadeline gave Wesley a very displeased look. She really, really, really wanted to have nothing to do with Clyde, much less actually rely on him for...well, anything. She could already see it; they rely on him for this one thing, and then he would force it over their heads that they owed him. She really wanted Wesley to take her side, but she knew deep down that if there was really another way Wesley would not even bother with this man. After a few seconds she pouted at Wesley, as if she had to show him another sign that she was displeased with this situation. "For you." She informed him with a small smile, giving him a very quick peck on the lips. "However I will make it my personal mission to make him pay if he so much as steps a toe out of line." She warned, pointing at Wesley.

Jaakuna noticed that the next of the lights would glow, this one would be of a grass-green color. In some ways, Jaakuna was starting to feel a little better. Maybe it was the relaxed feeling he had or maybe some of Zodiark was already starting to be removed from his body. Regardless of what it was, Jaakuna would listen to Aloa about what exactly it was that the next step would have to deal with. However, before she would explain the next step, she would remind him that having something happen to oneself, be it good or bad, was not a matter of deserving it, but rather it was a question of the will that everyone has within themselves. She would then set an example about power and comparing herself to Reia. She would state that both of them had power in their own way. Jaakuna at least knew that much. Both women were strong, but Reia was politically strong and had power over her people, where Aloa was strong with the wood and how she could heal people. Plus, if the two of the fought, Aloa would win without lifting anything more then one of her legs.

As she finished up her example/lesson, she would reveal to Jaakuna the next step and it was something that he feared he would have to tackle, but he just didn’t think that it would be so soon. She told him that it was dealing with his dependency. She would bring up that it was the reason that Jaakuna came to the Jungle in the first place, it was the reason he abandoned Emiri and everyone else, and it was the reason Jaakuna felt so lost. He had gave into the temptation of Zodiark and cause of that, he lost his own free will, he lost what originally made him a great guy to be around. It was cause he gave into Zodiark that he lost the true light that was his strength. Jaakuna knew that and even when Aloa would say similar things to his face, it just proved it more and more.

As Jaakuna thought about it all, Aloa would ask him what was it that made him go down this path and become so lost. Jaakuna looked down, then up. He didn’t know exactly. He knew that so many things have happened that caused this. “I..don’t know.” No, he’s lying. Jaakuna knew exactly what led him down this path and he just didn’t want to admit it. “No, that’s false. I do know.” Jaakuna’s fists clenched up, his arms shaking, but he tried to control it as much as he could. “I think it all started when I started hearing Zodiark-as-my-dad’s voice calling to me. It was the first time that Zodiark ever lured me into his web. It was then that I followed it into Giruvegan, and the closer I got, the louder the voice got. When I went to him, he appeared as my father, as I’m sure you know.” Of course Aloa knew; she’s connected to The Wood more than anyone. “I let him into my body and eventually he was revived, but that wasn’t before something changed inside me. I felt his influence growing inside me, it was only then in Nabudis that it finally took front and center. It was then that I fully gave myself to him.”

Jaakuna knew all of what he said was the truth, but did he really answer her question? No, he didn’t. He just told her what she already knew. Jaakuna didn’t answer her question of what brought him down this path. “I guess, in all of it, the reason I went down this path in the first place, the reason that I’m so far gone is—” Jaakuna paused, looking at his hands as they shook vigorously(not his choice). “ —is just that I’m afraid that I won’t be able to protect anyone, but most of all that I won’t be able to protect myself.” Jaakuna found himself looking at the ceiling once more as he did before. “I was told to uphold certain images and never show weakness. Hamut told me this in hopes that he would be able to control me. Even when my father was still the emperor, he pulled the strings from behind the scenes and he was grooming my brother and I to be tools for his usage.” Jaakuna admitted. “I was nine when it started, and for thirteen years, I was obedient to him, until I killed my uncle.”

---

He could feel it from her eyes and then he heard her words that pretty much told him that if Clyde did anything to warrant suspicion or betrayal, she would cut him down where he stood at the point of said betrayal. Wesley just smiled, nodded, hugged, and kissed his fiance. That was when they would rejoin Savayna and Clyde who seemed to be in a heated exchange. Wesley arched an eyebrow, but decided against asking what it was about.

“Okay, Uncle Clyde, you can come, but don’t do anything to make any of regret it.” Wesley firmly informed his uncle about the terms and conditions of him coming with them.

“Yeah, yeah. I gotcha’.”[/b] He said as if not really caring, but he did care and understood wholeheartedly.

Wesley sighed and he would just motion everyone back into the house, to which only took then about three minutes to get back to. As they would walk in, everyone instantly shot Clyde a dirty look. They didn’t trust the Black Sheep of the family, especially considering his reputation among them. However, Wesley would offer them a smile and they would all sigh at the same time

“Mother, Ayane, Nigel — everyone — I’m going to the Pharos and Clyde is coming with.” As soon as Wesley said that, everyone in the family started yelling out curse words and just yelling at him for making such a foolish decision as if protesting completely against it. Wesley would start to get irritated at his family. He knew that they would go against it, but he had no choice. His uncle was the only one who could get them to Pharos and in times like this, he couldn’t afford to be picky. “WILL ALL YOU JUST SHUT UP!” Wesley yelled out and gasps were heard. “I know you don’t approve, but Uncle Clyde is the only one that can lead us to The Pharos without anyone — or anything — detecting us.”

As the family heard Wesley, they knew he was right. As much as they didn’t trust Clyde — and who would with a name like Clyde — they trusted him. Isabelle would stand up and walk up to Wesley. She proceeded to hug him. “Be safe.” Belle said as she released her son from her hug. Wesley would just give a determined nod to her.

Though Wesley wanted to leave right away, he needed to do something. “Mother, can I speak to you in private for a moment?” Wesley asked her.

“Of course.” She said

Wesley would lead his mother to another room in her house, away from the family and away from..well pretty much everybody. As the door closed, Wesley took in a deep breath and he exhaled and spoke. “Okay, so it’s like this. I proposed to Nadeline, as you probably already know. Well, I did so without a ring — it was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing, but it wasn’t like I wasn’t thinking about it at the time — and that’s why I asked you to speak with me in private.” Wesley said, “I would like to give Nadeline the ring that father gave to you, if you still have it.” Wesley asked.

Hearing him speak about how he proposed to Nadeline, Belle instantly thought that it wasn’t the most romantic thing he could do. At least, not in the way he was explaining it, but she could tell that he really loved her. Though, she was caught off-guard by his request for the ring that his father gave to her when he first proposed. “Oh, Jonathan..” She said as if remembering her late ex-husband. “Your father was one hell of a man — honest, noble, brave, virtuous, and above all else, passionate. Oh I still remember the way he fu--”

“Mother please!”

“Oh right, sorry.” Belle laughed. She then looked at her son with a serious expression and she ran a hand through her light blonde hair. “As my only remaining son, you are definitely entitled to the ring, but..”

“But?”

“It was stolen.”

Wesley’s jaw dropped and he couldn’t believe it. “What do you mean it was stolen?” He asked half-curiously, half-shocked.

Belle sighed, [b]“Just as I said, it was stolen. It happened about a few weeks ago. Nigel and I were out on our date and when we came back, I wanted to make sure the ring was still there and all, but it wasn’t.” She told him.

“Did you report it missing or anything?” Wesley asked her.

Belle sighed again. “There isn’t any real government around here. It’s a pirate port, so anything that is stolen and reported is just responded by a ‘tough luck’.” Belle annoyingly told Wesley.

Wesley was just dumbfounded by the lack of laws in Balfonheim, but he knew that pirates wouldn’t uphold decency laws around the port. Even still, Wesley was vastly disappointed. He wanted to give Nadeline that specific ring. Sure, Wesley could go to any jeweler and buy a ring and give it to her, but it was so much more than that. The ring that his father gave to his mother was passed down since Raithwall. Raithwall himself crafted the ring from non-harmful magicite, which added to the beauty and overall value for the ring. If someone truly has stolen it, they could retire with the gil that they would get from it.

“Mother, do you have any idea who would want to steal it? Like anyone that you might have made an enemy out of or might hold a grudge against you? Or even anyone who might hold a grudge against our family?” Wesley asked his mother.

Belle thought about it and while there were several people who had a grudge against her and had reasons to hate not only her side of the family, but Jonathan’s side as well. “To just say one name would be a waste of time. There are countless people who are angry with both sides of the family and I don’t even know where to begin on that list of people.” She regrettably admitted.

Wesley angrily sighed. “Okay then, I guess I’ll just have to do it the hard way.” Wesley said, “I will find the ring after we come back from The Pharos of Ridorana Cataract. “Wesley informed her. She just smiled and walked out and joined the others, as did Wesley. This bothered him immensely and he would get to the bottom of it one way or another.