[IC] Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

[AlteredTundra]

As they all decided on going to the Garamsythe Waterway, they continued to the other entrance. There are two entrances. There’s one that’s available through Lowtown, but Jaakuna closed that one in. The other one is near the aerodome, and Jaakuna was a little worried that by them going there. He would had thought there would be some kind of guard patrol or something of the like, but there was none of that sort, none of Dalmasca or Archadia. This was truly odd.

They came to the entrance of the Garamsythe Waterway and first went in Emiri, then Jaakuna and then finally Nadeline. Jaakuna most certainly didn’t miss the godawful smell of the Waterway. There was nothing but a rotting sewage smell all around. Though Jaakuna could endure it, he didn’t have to like it, not one bit.

As he finally stood up after crawling through the entrance, Jaakuna looked around and there seemed to be less water than he remembered. “Well, the name of this place is misleading. It’s supposed to be the Garamsythe Waterway, but there’s no water. It probably should be called The Garamsythe Way.” Jaakuna said a she laughed at his own joke.

[Hero]

Emiri temporarily ignored Jaakuna (and his bad joke) as she looked around, though Nadeline did let out a slight chuckle. A chill went up her spine, a very familiar one, but she couldn't quite place it. Perhaps the enemy was lurking around the corner. "Follow me." She said, running to the stairs. The Waterway was a maze now, as the lowered water levels meant that there were more possible routes. Perhaps the place went deeper; she didn't want to find out, and getting to the castle was much more important. The trio walked through the paths, but Emiri found it particularly odd that there weren't any soldiers. She wanted to take it that they were too busy fighting among themselves, but she chalked it up as either one (Dalmascan or Archadian) waiting for them at the castle.

Nadeline very well gagged and nearly vomited. The stench was dreadful! At least Jaakuna made some sort of reaction, she could hardly believe Emiri simply walked through with no problem. Oh, she would need a very good scrubbing after this, perhaps multiple baths. Oh and the smell...she'd have to get rid of her clothes. And undergarments. And her shoes; no telling what she was stepping on. True, she was glad that there was no water, but just thinking of all the germs and filth made her skin crawl. Yes, once everything was said and done and settled, a bath was in order. For all of them.

Emiri paused before a set of stairs. This one was different then the rest, mirroring the one that lead up to Lowtown. "This is it. Be ready for anything." She told her companions, sword at the ready as she ascended the stairs. Nadeline took out her rapier, climbing the steps with some uncertainty. She prayed there wouldn't be a fight; monsters were one thing but soldiers? She couldn't bear the thought of having to harm people.

[AlteredTundra]

Jaakuna heard Nadeline sort of laugh at his joke. At least someone found the humor in it. That’s all Jaakuna cares about, well at least as far as the joke is concerned. As they did continue, Jaakuna just thought about where all the soldiers were. Surely they would have been guarding the entrances. Of course, Jaakuna also thought about the fact that the city was under attack, but still. He had to wonder about these things.

As he continued to think about such things, Jaakuna almost didn’t realize that they were already at the secret entrance to the palace. It was pretty fast, but then again the lack of water allowed for such fast travel. When they arrived at the stairs, Jaakuna knew that there just had to be soldiers in the palace. So, as he drew his Demonsbane, Jaakuna followed Emiri’s lead as the three of them arrived into the Palace, and what Jaakuna saw was both confusing as fuck and stunning.

“Blood…Blood everywhere.” Jaakuna said as he saw the bodies laid in front of him and the two ladies. Down every hall way, bodies of the Dalmascian soldiers and knights. They all were brutally slaughtered, but by who? Perhaps this is why the water was already gone in the Waterway, and this could also be the reason why there were no soldiers guarding the place. But still, Jaakuna still wondered about who could have done this.

---

Deep within the Royal Palace of Rabanastre, there was a blonde man working his way through the halls of the palace, successfully and effortlessly killing every single guard that came his way. He was using his lightning magic and cutting them down one by one. Then he came to the Throne Room where the royal king himself, Jonathan Rufus Dalmasca

“Who goes there!?” Jonathan shouted as he heard someone.

All of a sudden, through the doors, the personal guard of the king himself went flying in, sent with awesome fury and the shocking power of lightning coursing through him. The King stood up from his throne and was shocked at what he saw, then he looked up and couldn’t believe it.

“J-J-Judge Ixion! What are you doing here?” Jonathan said in complete surprise.

Ixion smiled. “I am here for the Dusk Shard. Hand it over or lose your life, King Jonathan!” Ixion demanded.

Jonathan was stunned and he didn’t know what to do. The Dusk Shard was Dalmasca’s only leverage to remain within the war that’s brewing. “I refuse. I’d rather die than hand it over to scum lik--” Before he could finish, Ixion went forth.

Using the lightning magic to amplify his speed, Ixion sped forward, impaling the king where he stood. The blade of his sword went straight through the king’s heart, and the king died on his throne, legs spread apart and mouth open as that was his last expression before he lost his last breath. “What irony?” He said as he pulled his sword and sheathed it. “Long live the King, I guess.” He said as he smirked at his comment.

[Hero]

Emiri looked around, feeling her heart sinking. This wasn't an attack, it was pure slaughter. They struggled, they suffered, and they perished. Who, or rather what, could have such power? She had seen this kind of thing happen before with monsters, but she was certain that a Hume had caused this. Somehow. Whoever was waiting ahead had great power, though they weren't one for stealth as they left a trail right to them. She vaguely recalled a story from her childhood about a thief who always left tracks because no one could stop him. Was it the same here? Gripping her sword tighter, Emiri began walking down said path, following the trail of bodies. There was a difficult fight coming, she was sure of it.

Nadeline covered both hands with her mouth, nearly dropping her weapon. The entire scene was foreign and terrifying. So many bodies, so many lives just gone. They weren't even her own people, and she felt as if she could weep for them. Reclaiming her rapier with shaking hands, she couldn't stop looking at them as she followed Emiri. "A massacre." She finally spoke, though she couldn't control the shaking of her voice. "This...this was not a normal battle. This was done by a single person...one person managed to do all this." The thought was scary enough, but to think they were going to confront said power? Could they really do it? She didn't doubt their strength, but perhaps this time, this was out of their league. The sound of doors being forcefully open was heard, alerting the three. "They're near...oh gods..."

[AlteredTundra]

Perhaps it was cause Jaakuna had seen much worse or whatever, but he seemed to not be too bothered by the trail of blood or the amount of blood that he saw. Perhaps it just takes something much worse to get to him like the current display of violence is getting to the girls. Emiri seems a bit more well-composed, but as Jaakuna glanced over to Nadeline, she was down right terrified, horrified. Jaakuna could understand why she was feeling such a way. Maybe if he hadn’t been around violence for the majority of his adult life, he would react the same. However, that was not the case, so he doesn’t react as such.

Jaakuna just looked on as he heard what Emiri saying and he agreed. A single person did this and Jaakuna thought about it. To him, he thought about what kind of person would have the strength to do such a thing, but at the moment he was drawing a blank. Certainly someone should come to mind, but Jaakuna can’t think up of anyone. Suddenly, the three of them heard a door open with tremendous force. “Maybe we should go in that direction? Could fill in some blanks.” Jaakuna said as he suggested going over to the sound of the door being forcefully opened.

[Hero]

"We can take them together. Just like the Gigas." Emiri spoke as she walked, not bothering to look back.

The castle was eerily quiet as it masked the sounds of battle on its streets. The brunette made sure to be aware s she walked, but was more then certain they would not encounter anyone. The trail led up a great staircase, and as she reached the top, she was shown an open door. She walked slowly, though the scene before her easily wrapped up the events of the castle. A blonde man stood before the throne, and she swore she felt a spark of electricity through the air. Nadeline gasped as he revealed what was in front of him: she recognized him as the King of Dalmasca, having been impaled with the sword of the man before them.

[AlteredTundra]

Emiri was sure of herself that they could take whoever was the one who did all of this. Jaakuna admired her confidence, but he did have doubts. Sure, against the Gigas it was difficult, but that was done with full energy. Sure, maybe if they tried, they could get him, but Jaakuna still had doubts. Nonetheless, Jaakuna went along with Emiri’s confidence and he went with her and Nadeline to the direction of the sound of which the door originated from.

As they came into the room, the first thing that Jaakuna saw was King Jonathan. “Is that?” Jaakuna asked, then he saw. “And is he?” Jaakuna asked as he definitely saw a sword in the king’s heart. “Yup it is and he is.” Jaakuna said as he was sure of the death of the king.

Jaakuna saw the man who was near the throne, and he couldn’t believe it. This was a different feeling of disbelief. It was full of fear. Jaakuna stepped back. “He’s the one!” Jaakuna said, taking a few steps back.

The blonde man known as Ixion took a look at the three. “Oh visitors?” Ixion said glancing at the three with a smile. He eyed the blonde woman first. “Ah, such a pretty one you are.” He said as he eyed the brunette. “Another pretty one.” He kept on going until he saw Jaakuna. “Oh, my prince. I didn’t know you would be here.” Ixion said.

Jaakuna had an angered expression his face. “Go eat a dick, Ixion.” He said, revealing his name.

“Oh dear, dear prince, is that any way to speak to your cousin?” Ixion said.

Jaakuna was still angry, but he held his ground. “Like I said, go eat a dick.”

Ixion smiled at Jaakuna’s comment. “So, what do I owe the pleasure of my cousin and his two wenches?”

[Hero]

More of Jaakuna's family, it seemed. Emiri stood steady as she eyed the man, her sword at the ready. By the tone of their voices, they weren't friendly. She lightly mused that Jaakuna really didn't get along with any of his family. Still, if he was the cause of the massacre, they needed to bring him down. "Ixion the Lightning Falcon, Judge Magister of Archadia. Attacking the capital of Dalmasca...have you no shame in acting against a country that has done nothing wrong?!" Nadeline responded angrily, stepping forward. "The people of Rabanastre have done nothing to deserve your wrath, how dare you enact such senseless violence on them! Your actions have proven to be absolutely loathsome, your country will pay for your insolence!" She shouted, clearly riled up. He stood there before them, as if everything were fine and dandy. How dare he!

[AlteredTundra]

Ixion just smiled at the pure fact that the blonde here seemed to know quite a bit about his name, title, and even what occupation he holds within the Archadian Empire. He was definitely curious as to who this woman was. She definitely seemed familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it. “You seem well-informed about who I am and my role within the Archadian Empire. Pray tell, what is your name? You do seem awfully familiar.” Ixion said just walking down the five steps from the throne to the floor.

Jaakuna was frozen. He knew of Ixion’s power and he couldn’t do nothing about It. Sure he could try, but he just couldn’t shake the fear that he had in his mind. It might be cause he knows how deathly his cousin can be. It’s just foreign to him. For the first time, Jaakuna Tunick Hinoko-Darcone, is frozen with fear.

[Hero]

This wasn't a good situation at all. Emiri never took her eyes off this Ixion, but as he advanced towards them, her eyes briefly flickered to her companions. She didn't know if she was going crazy or what, but she could actually see fear in Jaakuna's eyes. He was actually afraid? She had already figured that he was strong, but now she felt her previous statement of the three together being able to take them on was suddenly sounding very hollow and false. Should they flee? No, he would surely catch them. She wasn't sure if she could get both Nadeline and Jaakuna out in time; the former being on one of her tempers and the second frozen in place.

Against her better judgment, Emiri took a page right out of Jaakuna's book and decided to attack.

No time powers to rely on, I have to be careful. She grimly noted, already regretting her rather brash decision, but it was too late to turn back. Gripping her sword with both hands she went in for a swing.

[AlteredTundra]

Not even getting a reply, Ixion just shrugged it off. He would get an answer regardless. Still, the three of them were getting in his way of getting the Dusk Shard, so they must be dealt with. Looking at the three, he smiled. Jaakuna seemed to be frozen with some kind of fear emotion and then there was the other blonde. Ixion didn’t know her name, but he could have sworn he saw her somewhere. On the flip side of things, the brunette chick seemed to charge forth to him.

Ixion smiled as she came in for a horizontal swing with her sword. At this point, Ixion had deflected her attack with his own sword as he had sheathed it. His sword, known as the Static Predator, was vertical. His sword was just erupting with static electricity. The two swords met and Ixion’s own won the advantage as the girl’s sword was brushed to the side, and Ixion proceeded with a lightnaga spell, which extended from his now straightened hand. Out shot it, and it was going to go through Emiri’s body, but Ixion didn’t see him come. Jaakuna had somehow broke out of his frozen state, and he had used his Demonsbane to block the spell, since that sword was one that absorbed magickal energy.

“Though I was a goner, didn’t you?” Jaakuna said as he landed on the floor, with his sword full of lightning magick. He then took his sword and swung it at Ixion, who blocked it. The exchange went on for a few rounds, but Ixion was eventually pushed back.

Ixion smiled. “Not bad older cousin, but you’re still rusty.” He said just admiring how his older cousin was still a little rusty on fighting. “Then again, I’ve always been stronger than you, haven’t I?”

[Hero]

The way she was brushed aside so easily made her remember the first time she held a sword. Had nothing changed since then? The thought crossed her mind for a brief moment, and as she was nearly knocked off her feet she saw the lightning erupt from his hands. Well, this was what she got for rushing in so recklessly. But then what? Was it better to run and hide? Even if the odds are against them, they had to try, right? Her answer came as Jaakuna appeared before her, blocking the attack. She was surprised; when did he come? She thanked her lucky stars, though as they clashed, she noticed it was slightly harder to move. Apparently his blade conducted lightning, and she could feel the sparks slightly paralyzing her fingers as she forced them to open and close.

Nadeline shook her head, holding out her hand as a glyph appeared beneath her. The same glyph appeared beneath Jaakuna and Emiri, a rain of purple light falling over them: Regen. She then brandished her rapier, giving Emiri a look. The brunette nodded, and the two girls went in. Their movements matched one another as they both darted to Ixion. Nadeline's rapier went first as a jab, Emiri's sword following. Then, at the same time, the two attacked, but as soon as that attack made contact, the two withdrew and attacked once more.

[AlteredTundra]

As Jaakuna had deflected the lightning spell, he nor Emiri were out of the woods just yet. He knew that Ixion was only getting started and that he would try whatever he could to get Jaakuna and his friends down for the count. As he would prepare for anything, Jaakuna felt a healing sensation go through his body. He didn't know what it could be until he saw that it was the healing spell known as Regen. Jaakuna looked back at Nadeline and saw that she was the one who had done that. He nodded towards her as she would soon come in, as Emiri would follow her lead, for a stab. Jaakuna would join them as he would go as well with a stab. He would follow their lead and for Ixion, he had three people attacking him.

Ixion saw and he smiled. He was actually quite happy that the three of them would attack all together. The first round of attacks were easy to deflect, but the second round actually took him by surprise. He actually seemed to be on the defensive. He would hold his sword in a defensive position, but he would soon find out that with three people attacking him, it was harder to defend. He then gathered lightning magick all around his blade, coating it to make it stronger and sturdier. As he did that, he was able to wave his sword, sending needles of lightning magick, colored gold, at the three of them.

Jaakuna would get hit in the shoulder, spinning a few feet back. The way he spun was that he was above the girls and his body spiraled and he would land five feet behind them. Whether the other two would get hit would just be a matter of their timing of dodging.

[Hero]

Their attacks were countered: Emiri and Nadeline needed to move in a manner of a few seconds. The two girls at this point were completely in sync, as another glyph appeared underneath Nadeline in that instant. Catching on her cue, Emiri sidestepped, effectively hiding behind the blonde haired girl as several rays of light enveloped them both and circled around them. The lightning struck, and the rays extended and handled the lightning, letting it spazz out as it disappeared with a few flickers of light. The attack was effectively neutralized, Emiri noted that Nadeline's White Magick was quite powerful for her Shell to match Ixion's lightning. As soon as the attack had passed, however, Emiri leapt over Nadeline, and brought her sword down on Ixion from overhead.

[AlteredTundra]

As Jaakuna was slowly getting back up, he could feel a tingling sensation through his right shoulder. It hurt like a mother! He couldn’t really do anything in his condition and he knew that. Perhaps he was done or maybe he just needed to buy his time until he could finally get up and rejoin the fight.

On the other side of things, Ixion had just got done using his counterattack and it would seem that for the most part it was successful, as seen by Jaakuna being down and out. However, he saw the blonde lady using the spell shell, which fended off the needles of lightning until they faded off into flickering bits of light. When that happened, Ixion barely even saw the brunette come in for an overhead slash, but thankfully for him, he caught onto her attack just in time.

Sidestepping the girl, she would fall off-balance as she came into contact with the ground and in a single motion, Ixion punched her in the back, and took her and wrapped his free arm around her neck, pulling her back against his front. He placed his sword near her neck as well. She was actually somewhat being lifted off of the ground. “Now, it seems I got your little friend.” Ixion said smiled. “What will you do now?”

Jaakuna saw, and something in him arose. He didn’t know if it was the addreniline of him seeing Emiri in trouble or if it was his feelings for her overtaking him, but he popped up, and he was going to attack, but Ixion held his sword to her neck even more.

“One more step and she’s dead.”

[Hero]

Emiri's swing was much too forecful and wild. Had she made contact, it surely would have done some damage, the ground breaking beneath her blade certainly showed as much. Alas, that was not the case, and as he avoided the attack, she felt a hit to her back. The force of it was brutal, to say the least, and she felt her sword slip from her hands. Before she could even react, however, Ixion had grabbed her by her neck and brought her to him. Nadeline had jumped back when Emiri missed, intending to do a counterattack, but froze in place as he grabbed the brunette. Emiri let out a cry of mixed pain and shock as he pulled her to him, and the cold touch of his blade near her neck made her realize what he had been trying to accomplish.

As Jaakuna advanced and Ixion further pressed his blade onto her skin, she struggled against his grip. Nadeline's eyes widened, and she looked at Jaakuna, extending her arm. "Stop!" The blonde haired girl yelled out, trying to warn him lest he do anything foolish in his haste to protect Emiri. Ixion was much too dangerous and bloodthirsty, no doubt he wouldn't hesitate to kill the brunette if he so desired. The fact that he would even think to take one of them hostage just proved how loathsome the man was.

[AlteredTundra]

Jaakuna didn’t know what to do. He wanted to pummel his cousin for even threatening to kill Emiri, but he knew if he took another step forward, that would surely be the death of her. He didn’t know what to do. Even, it seemed that Nadeline didn’t know what to do. She was probably just equally as shocked and angered at Ixion for taking Emiri in such a way.

Ixion looked at his cousin and the blonde. He just smiled. ‘So, now it seems I have your attention.” He said turning his gaze to the brunette in arm then turning back to two staring at him with anger. “Now, would you two do me the kind favor of telling me where I can find the Dusk Shard?” He asked with a rather genuine smile on his face.

Jaakuna looked towards Nadeline, and then he reached into his pocket and he still had the Dawn Shard. Dusk Shard? Could that be another Defected Nethecite? Jaakuna couldn’t make sense of it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about! I never heard of such a thing. And besides, I wouldn’t tell you even if I did.” Jaakuna said snapping at his cousin.

[Hero]

The Dawn Shard, the Dusk Shard, and the Midlight Shard--the only recorded artifacts of true deifacted nethicite. If Archadia was after them, it wasn't any good news at all. How much did they know about them? Were they aware of the other pieces as well? Nadeline looked back at Jaakuna. She hoped he got the message she sent: Do not hand over the Dawn Shard no matter what. Despite the situation, if they got their hands on two pieces of nethicite, the grander scheme of things would turn dire. Still, she wasn't sure what to do. Obviously the Dusk Shard was here, but she was at a loss as to exactly WHERE it was in the castle. Her mind scrambled to find a way out of this but she was afraid that she simply didn't know a way out of this. She looked to Ixion, speaking slowly, "The Dusk Shard is proof of the Dalmascan lineage. Only the members of royalty would know where it is, though I would wager it would be somewhere here in the palace." She looked briefly at the fallen king.

[AlteredTundra]

Jaakuna didn’t know what to do. Even hearing Nadeline speak wasn’t doing him any good. Just seeing the situation he is in gets him even more angry, but what is he to do? There was literally nothing he could do. There was no loophole he could figure out to get Emiri out of this mess. Jaakuna would either have to let Emiri die and live with that his entire life or give up the Dawn Shard in hoping it would get her out of harms way. Then, it hit him. He had an idea.

Jaakuna stepping forward, Ixion still had his blade to Emiri’s neck. “Okay, I have it here." Jaakuna reached into his pocket. Ixion smiled.

“Good, bring it here.” He said.

Jaakuna walked forward, standing about three feet in front of Ixion. Ixion would let her go, as Jaakuna started to pull out the Dawn Shard, not the Dusk Shard. Then at the slightest moment, Jaakuna rushed forward in one leap. He pressed his right hand on Ixion’s sword arm , gripping the blade itself. Even though his hand was cut, he would allow Emiri to get away, but not at a great cost. Ixion would shove his hand through Jaakuna’s right left shoulder, and an electrical charge would be induced into his shoulder, sending so many watts of electricity into it. Jaakuna screamed in agony and pain. When he fell to the ground, shaking from the feeling of being paralyzed, he saw Emiri was able to get away and she was right behind Nadeline. The feeling of relief overtook him.

“You good-for-nothing shit!” Ixion said and then he got a call from his headpiece.

---

The forces of Archadia and Dalmasca were at each other’s heads, neither of them wavering. When one of their ships would be defeated, the other would lose one. It was a back and forth battle. From the Dreadnought Odin and the Royal Warship Valefor each in command of their respective empires, it would seem that neither side would even bust an inch. However, that was until one special ship came in to save the day.

In the sky, the legendary ship Ifrit had came in to save the day. Shooting off very powerful beams of plasma and magick, it would seem that the Archadian forces were being pushed back. Within the Valefor, Wesley couldn’t believe his eyes, but then again, Jaakuan did promise he would help. Wesley was surprised though. He thought that Jaakuna would have taken the chance to flee, but maybe he was wrong about that guy.

“Okay men, don’t let up. Back up the Ifrit.” He ordered.

The orders were met with absolute unison and loyalty. The fleet of the Royal Army was pushing forward and the Archadian Empire, especially Savayna were getting nervous.

Aboard the Odin, Savayna was incredibly nervous. She was so nervous that she was pacing around. She couldn’t believe that the Ifrit was actually coming to save the day for Dalmasca. To think that one of their best ships that was in Archadia’s control was being used against them. This truly was a bad situation for the empire to be in.

“Dammit, what are we going to do? Judge Ixion will surely have my head for this.” Savayna said as she stood in the cockpit, just watching as half of their fleet was being taken down.

The Ifrit was the sole reason that Dalmasca was able to have a fighting chance. The ship itself was firing and firing, moving at speeds that no ship could ever hope to reach. And yet, when Wesley would see, he had a funny feeling.

“Patch me through to the Ifirit.” Wesley ordered one of his men in the cockpit of the Valefor.

“Yes sir!” The man replied as a comm link was patched through.

“Jaakuna are you there?” Wesley asked.

Jaakuna was not there, but Iris was. “Master Jaakuna is busy at the moment.” Iris responded.

Wesley was intrigued, but very confused. “Ah okay, and pray tell, who is it I am currently speaking to?” Wesley asked.

Iris responded. “I am Iris, the ship Ifrit’s AI.”

An AI huh? That’s truly wondrous. Wesley truly was astonished that such a thing existed in the world. Archadia might be the spawn of the devil, but they truly are visionaries in technology. “I see, and where would Jaakuna be now?” He asked.

“Master Jaakuna, Lady Emiri, and Lady Nadeline are currently in the Royal Palace.” Iris responded.

Wesley’s eyes widened. He didn’t know what to think, but he knew his business couldn’t be dealt with here. He had to go to the palace. So, without a moments notice, he rushed to the beaming station where it would automatically take him to a beaming station over in the royal palace. Within seconds he was teleported into the palce and he was just a few minutes away from the throne room. He heard voices, so he crept up and listened in.

---

As Jaakuna laid flat on the ground, static electricity showing all around his body, Even worse, blood seemed to be pouring out of the deep gash in his shoulder. Jaakuna was not in a good shape, not at all.

Meanwhile, Ixion got a call. “Yes, what is it?”

“Judge Ixion, you have to leave! We are losing and if we don’t get you real soon, I’m afraid you will be left behind!” Savayna said.

“I understand. I will be there shortly” He said closing out of the call.

He looked down at Jaakuna and then to the two ladies. “It’s a shame that we couldn’t continue this, but I must depart. We will meet again.” He said as in a flash, he disappeared.

When the Judge left, the prince came in , hearing almost everything, but he still didn’t know what happened. He walked in and from across the room, he saw his father dead on the throne. “FATHER!!!” His yell would come to a surprise to the three in the room. Wesley dropped to his knees as he would start to sob.

[Hero]

As Jaakuna leapt forward, Nadeline knew what he was doing. He was a fool after all, but she supposed that's what people did for those they cared about. When she got her chance she grabbed Emiri, pulling her behind her and backing away. As Jaakuna was literally electrocuted, Nadeline had to hold Emiri back as she screamed, "JAAKUNA!" and the pair watched as he fell to the ground, sparks of electricity around his body. Nadeline pushed Emiri back behind her, grasping her sword as she thought for sure that Ixion would come after them next. Somehow, the gods felt merciful, as apparently, he was called back. As soon as he left, Wesley came through the door. Nadeline felt a pang of guilt as he went to his father, clearly distraught.

"Jaakuna!" Emiri cried as she dropped down to him, but as she reached out to touch him, she was zapped by static shock. Why, oh why did he do that? Why did he always have to go and play the hero? She gently brushed some of his hair off his face, lamenting her uselessness. Nadeline joined the pair as she knelt down on the other side of Jaakuna, immediately extending her hands over his wound. Her magicks weaved in and out, skin being put back together and Nadeline pushed her magic to go faster. For some reason, her Curaja couldn't keep up with the injury; it was as if Ixion had literally blown a hole into him. Emiri caught wind of this, taking his hand in both of hers.

Please, please let me save him. I swear it can disappear after this, but please, I need to save him! She prayed hard, clutching his hand tightly. As soon as the wound had been healed, Emiri felt something stir deep inside her. She let out a small gasp, clutching her heart. What in the world was that? Nadeline stopped, watching as the wound reclosed itself. She was in shock, so to speak, and looked up at Emiri. Once the wound was fully healed, she gingerly touched the area. It was as if he was never injured--but how? Her magic was good, but not THAT good. She looked up at Emiri, wondering if she was the one behind it. Still, the wound may have been gone, but he was still badly hurt.

Conjuring up another Curaja, she let it spread over Jaakuna's body and then stood up. She walked over to the distraught prince, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. Taking in a deep breath, she closed her eyes for just a moment. Right now, he surely needed someone to be strong for him. "Forgive us, we arrived too late." She apologized softly, looking first at the king, then to Jaakuna, and lastly to Wesley. Their lives were spared, but at what cost?