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

[AlteredTundra]

Turning a corner, WEsley and Grant would evade the Archadian Guards. They didn't even know they were there; well not the ones that were still alive and roaming. It was getting near nighttime, so perhaps most of the other guards are either cowering around the main level of the the palace or just patrolling other areas. Regardless, Wesley and Grant aren't even on the main floor anymore. By the time the guards arrived on it, the duo had made their way to the fifth or sixth floor. Of course, killing guards as they would come, but that would only be if they found no other way out of it.

As they came to the seventh floor, Wesley had a feeling in his gut. There was something about this floor that felt...familiar. Something about it just made him think."I've seen the walls before, and the carpet — I've seen all of it somewhere before — but where?" Wesley mused aloud. He couldn't place it. Something about the way the room was decorated just brought a feeling of familiarity to Wesley. As he thought back, his mind went back to when he was being taken to the dungeons from Vincent's office. As he thought about that, he realizes it. "Of course. This is the same floor as Vincent's office." He said, "Grant, this is it. She's on this floor." Wesley stated, telling Grant that Emiri was on this floor...somewhere.

[Hero]

"She is on this floor, as is Vincent. Tread carefully." Grant warned him as he tried to think. The idea of running into Vincent wasn't one he wanted to really think about, but knowing his luck, the demon would pop up at any second. He racked his brain, trying to remember where the Penthouse Suite was. If they were where he thought they were, they should be close to Vincent's office, which meant the suite was...

"This way." He said, though as they walked, he lightly tried each door, seeing if they were open or not. "Her power won't help her if she's locked inside a room. She's also very cautious, if she hears someone trying to open the door but not enter, she'll try to see who it is." He explained.

[AlteredTundra]

The rescue mission would now be tricky. Not only did they have the constant worry of running into Archadian Soldiers and being found out by them, but as Grant had mentioned, Vincent was most likely on this floor, which meant they had to be extra careful when searching for Emiri. Wesley didn't doubt they wouldn't be able to do it, but he definitely knew that it would be a tad difficult to do it without resistance. Though, even with that being true, the duo will try their best to get through it with the least amount of interactions with enemy forces.

When they headed to the direction of the Emperor's office, Wesley followed Grants lead. It would take them about five minutes of turning corners, going straight, and some more corners until they seemed to arrive at where they needed to be at. However, that's where things got more complicated. As Grant and Wesley hid behind a wall, Wesley would peek over the wall just ever-so slightly until he saw what they were dealing with and oh by the gods, they were cursed. "Well this is not good." Wesley said, "it seems not only do we have several Archadian Soldiers to deal with, but it seems that we're also dealing several Archadian Mages, and if that wasn't bad enough, they're all facing every direction." Wesley said. He couldn't help but find humor in this dire situation. He didn't know why, but a light chuckle was released from his mouth.

Wesley would peek once more just to count up the numbers of the Archadian Soldiers and Mages. "one...three...five..." Wesley said, counting up the amount of enemy forces there are, "...seven...." Wesley said continuing counting, "...fifteen." He said completing it. "Well, shit; we have fifteen of each to deal with." Wesley cursed under his breath. He couldn't believe how many soldiers and mages they have. Thirty of them altogether. Wesley just cursed and cursed.

[Hero]

Grant stared at Wesley for a moment, his expression completely blank. Thirty soldiers. Thirty soldiers. Either Vincent was well prepared or overly paranoid. It somewhat made sense, however, as they covered every aspect of direction. If Emiri managed to get out of the room, they'd immediately alert the rest and take her down. Still, Grant was always one for a challenge, and he scratched his chin as he thought to himself.

"Alright, show time." Grant nodded, mostly to himself, and he motioned for Wesley to follow his lead. He peeked over the wall, aiming for the farthest soldiers. "Confuse." He whispered. In the manner of seconds, the soldiers began attacking their teammates. "Let's--" Grant started, but he was interrupted by the song of a spell.

In the middle of the group of soldiers a Blizzaga was set off, scattering the soldiers. This was followed by Vlyn dropping down from the ceiling, but before any soldier could reach him, he snapped his fingers. Several bolts of lightning sprang from above him, shooting down and electrocuting several of the mages. One soldier charged at him, though Aloa had jumped down on top of him.

"Be serious, will you?" Aloa told her partner, kicking a mage down.

"I AM serious! Do you not see there's like thirty of them here?!" Vlyn snapped back, though he clawed through one soldier's armor with his claws.

It looked like Grant's spell worked. He grinned at Wesley, though he ran out from behind the wall, gun ablaze.

[AlteredTundra]

It was go time. Grant had just cast the spell of Confuse. The guards and magi were attacking each other. Wesley couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to sneak past them. Him and Grant were just about to do as such, but to their surprise, a sudden chilling explosion overtook the entire halls. As Wesley would peek over the wall that the duo were hiding behind, he saw two familiar faces. two fluffy white tails, and four fluffy, white ears. "Aloa and Vlyn? What on Ivalice are they doing here?" Wesley mused aloud, "and are they helping us or are they against us?" Wesley was just musing aloud.

As he did so, he was the only one actually thinking about this carefully. Grant had just went out going guns blazing. Wesley laughed at that. "Grant is more like Jaakuna than I thought he would be." Wesley laughed as he sheathed his Yagyu Darkblade and followed Grant. He would soon pass up the Rozarrian Prince as he shot him a smirk. "better go faster." He said as he would run along the wall for about five paces and as he would press off the wall with his left foot, Wesley was launched into the sky. Tucking his knees to his chest, he flipped three times, and as his body was horizontally airborne, he commanded magickal essences. "Holaga!" He shouted as his body would glisten with pure white particles and out from his shield and sword shot out beams of pure white magick. They would each shoot through the hearts of some of the soldiers and magi.

All of Wesley's attack happened in the span of five seconds and when he would land, WEsley would raise his arms up. "Now, if i do say so myself, that was pretty marvelous." He said, giving himself a compliment.However, his focus would come to the three soldiers coming at him. "I guess we're going to be doing this for a little while longer, now aren't we?" He said as he smiled to the three guards and charged to them.

[Hero]

Grant couldn't help but notice Wesley's rather flashy antics. Not that Grant wasn't one to normally try to out-flash most everyone. He scoffed lightly, though found himself close to Vlyn. Despite the fighting going on, he needed to make sure that they knew why they were here, By the looks of it, Vlyn was somewhat surprised to see Grant here as well.

"So what're you doing here?" Vlyn beat him to the punch, quite literally as he uppercut a nearby soldier.

Grant raised an eyebrow at him, tossing a bomb into the crowd of mages that had foolishly clumped together. In a few seconds, it went off, knocking them all off of their feet. "Didn't you hear? I'm to be executed tomorrow." He replied lightly, somewhat amused at the viera's question.

"Since you're here already, you may as well pass on my messages." Vlyn replied, taking two slips of paper out of his pocket. He was about to hand them to Grant when he was cut off by a Fire spell that whizzed by. The viera rolled his eyes, signaling for Grant to wait a moment. Once another spell came, Vlyn grabbed it out of the air--as in he took it his hands--and hurled it back to the caster. He sighed, handing the papers to Grant. "One is for the princess, the other for the damsel in distress."

Grant took them, looking at the door. Extending his hand, he mimicked his previous action, and the door was easily crushed. As he went to it, however, he was stopped by another Thunder spell. Grant glared at the mage before him, who held his staff, as if planning to attack him. He walked right up to the mage, the two standing still for a moment, and then Grant kicked him down easily, shaking his head. Vincent needed better men.

[AlteredTundra]

It was like such a casual thing, at least for Grant and the two Viera. Wesley was trying his hardest to at least not to get hit by any of the soldiers and magi. Whether it was blocking, casting reflect, or just doing whatever he could just to stay afloat. It wouldn't be long after that Wesley got rid of the enemies that were bothering him. As he would move his way over to Grant and the two Viera, which was only about ten paces away. Regardless, he was there, and Wesley did have a few questions for the two viera.

Wesley wanted to ask them why they were here, but the enemies were still coming along. Wesley had had enough of it. "You know what, this is getting boring." Wesley said, facing the remaining ten soldiers and magi. He took his sword, and raised it to the sky. The Mist would gather, and he would speak. "By this blade I am judgement, by this blade I am just, and by this blade I am law." Wesley's eyes closed as he said that almost in a chanting fashion, Wesley's blade glistened with a bright light and light from the heavens also came down. Every body part of Wesley's own were glowing. Opening his eyes, Wesley spoke. "Royal Judgement!" When he spoke, bolts gathered around him, and with a motion of his hand, so did the bolts follow, striking through any and every soldier and magi left breathing, including those that were knocked out. Wesley lowered his blade. "Their impurities were judged." He said sheathing the Yagyu Darkblade. "Guilty." He simply said as he would turn to the two viera and Grant.

Wesley cleared his breath. "Okay, as much as i would like to stay standing around, don't we have to rescue Emiri?" Wesley said to Grant.

[Hero]

Vlyn let out a low whistle, clearly impressed by Wesley's power. Once he finished, he even started clapping. Aloa gave him a look, and he stopped, offering only an apologetic shrug. Grant crossed his arms, clearly displeased. "Showoff." He muttered under his breath, though he did approach the door. As he was about to open it, the door was kicked down and it landed on top of Grant. Emiri stepped out, apparently prepared to fight, but as she was greeted by the sight of Wesley and the two Viera, she looked confused.

"Our job is done here." Aloa instructed Vlyn, and she began to walk away.

Emiri looked at Wesley. "What in the world is going on?"

Grant let out a groan, crawling out from underneath the door. "This would be your rescue party." He grumbled as he stood up, clearly annoyed.

"Grant?"

"I suggest you all skidaddle out of here." Vlyn suggested, turning to leave, though he stopped. "I'll be in touch. Be a good boy and deliver those messages once you're out." He waved at the trio and then took off after Aloa.

Emiri watched him leave and turned back to Wesley and Grant. She let out a sigh, not being able to comprehend the situation. Well, it actually looked like they were on the same side, which was weird. What was weirder was Jaakuna and Nadeline's absence. Before she could ask however, Grant stepped forward. "Best to be on our way, we've accomplished our mission." He told the two.

[Hero]

Vlyn let out a low whistle, clearly impressed by Wesley's power. Once he finished, he even started clapping. Aloa gave him a look, and he stopped, offering only an apologetic shrug. Grant crossed his arms, clearly displeased. "Showoff." He muttered under his breath, though he did approach the door. As he was about to open it, the door was kicked down and it landed on top of Grant. Emiri stepped out, apparently prepared to fight, but as she was greeted by the sight of Wesley and the two Viera, she looked confused.

"Our job is done here." Aloa instructed Vlyn, and she began to walk away.

Emiri looked at Wesley. "What in the world is going on?"

Grant let out a groan, crawling out from underneath the door. "This would be your rescue party." He grumbled as he stood up, clearly annoyed.

"Grant?"

"I suggest you all skidaddle out of here." Vlyn suggested, turning to leave, though he stopped. "I'll be in touch. Be a good boy and deliver those messages once you're out." He waved at the trio and then took off after Aloa.

Emiri watched him leave and turned back to Wesley and Grant. She let out a sigh, not being able to comprehend the situation. Well, it actually looked like they were on the same side, which was weird. What was weirder was Jaakuna and Nadeline's absence. Before she could ask however, Grant stepped forward. "Best to be on our way, we've accomplished our mission." He told the two.

[AlteredTundra]

For the most part, it was a very successful rescue mission that Wesley and Grant had set on to complete. From getting new weapons to getting to the seventh floor with minimal resistance from the Archadian forces and not a single scratch they got...until now. Wesley couldn't help but crack a laugh as Emiri kicked the door down and it landed on Grant, who was on the ground at this point and she was on top of the door. She was prepared to fight. Though, to her surprise, she would see Wesley, Vlyn, and Aloa. Her surprise would even be bigger as Grant would pop from below the door as he would answer her question about what exactly was going on.

Wesley laughed even some more, but he would contain it as he would be inclined to agree with Vlyn about how they should get going. Grant would also suggest the same thing. So, without even a moment's notice, Wesley would tug Emiri along to come with them. As they would walk, Wesley would start to explain the situation. "It's a very long story, but this is how it would go.."

And thus began Wesley telling Emiri the story of how they would get to this point. Wesley would begin at the very start where they found out that Vincent had kidnapped her and Jaakuna's very distraught disbelief. Wesley would tell Emiri how Jaakuna nearly lost it, crying, pounding anything he could, and being lost in himself. He would tell her that he was so distant in the fear of never seeing her ever again or just the fear of what Vincent would do to her. Wesley would tell her all of it, even how Jaakuna would go to such drastic measures as to go to his grandfather, Judge Brandon Hamut Darcone, and ask for his help. Wesley would tell Emiri how Jaakuna agreed to get arrested just for the slim chance that he'd be able to save her. He would tell her how everything he did was swept away from his own brother as Vincent had beat Jaakuna to near death and how they were forced to work with Grant. "..do you understand now? Jaakuna was the one who started all of this. He did this for you Emiri. He even..." Wesley couldn't bring himself to say it. No, it wasn't that he couldn't, it just wasn't his place to do so. "I am not the one who should tell you."

As Wesley told Emiri all of that, the time would pass on by to when they were on the main floor and just in time too. They went to the same spot where Nadeline and Jaakuna were waiting for them. "Grant, can you do your thing?"

[Hero]

Emiri listened very carefully to Wesley as he caught her up on anything. Grant followed in silence, though he did look around and make sure they weren't followed. As they walked, he couldn't help but wonder what Vlyn's messages were. He always had a weird thing for writing things down rather than verbal messages. He supposed having things in writing was more reliable, but still, Vlyn made it weird. Seriously.

Once the trio reached the lobby, Nadeline looked up from Jaakuna. Her magic had healed most of his external injuries, so he wasn't so bad to look at anymore. His arm still needed work as she had focused more on keeping him alive, though she did secretly applaud herself for making his face more tolerable to look at. As the trio approached her, Grant placed his hand on Emiri's shoulder.

"Don't...just, brace youself." He warned her, though he took his hand off his shoulder and held up three fingers. "Three...two...one...and there we go."

As soon as Grant finished talking, his Vanishga wore off, revealing both Nadeline and the still unconscious Jaakuna. Emiri nearly lost it, placing her hands over her mouth, clearly horrified at Jaakuna's injuries. Grant had to hand it to Nadeline, despite claiming that she didn't have enough time, he looked a hell of a lot better than he did before. The brunette dropped down to her knees, placing one hand on Jaakuna's head and the other over his heart. Slowly, his injuries began to disappear, and soon his pretty face and body were back to normal.

As Emiri stood up, Nadeline did the same, though she quickly jumped on top of Emiri, hugging her tightly. She was so glad she was okay, hell she was happy they were all okay. The gods had heard her prayers, they were fine, they were okay, she was just so grateful. Emiri was happy to see her too, though she noticed Savayna wasn't around. Before she could ask, Grant found himself having to break things up.

"We should get going." He said, crossing his arms.

[AlteredTundra]

The area around him dark, the area within him dark. Nothing to be seen but darkness and the blonde man knows this. He is surrounded by his own darkness, his own turmoil and he is presented with nothing but and empty void. He walks around for countless hours — or at least that how it seems to him. He would go left, he would go right, but nothing changed. Everywhere he would walk, the darkness would be ever-so present and it would seem to not waver, not even for the slightest second or even millisecond. The man in the red jacket questions why he’s here? Why is he forced through this torment? Is he being tested? Or is this to be his fate? Everything from the littlest wander to the most of severe panic, the man just wondered aimlessly.

He continues to search through the darkness. Just when he thought all seemed lost, just when he saw no hope of escaping, the darkness faded. It would fade and fade into a white void. Now it was the opposite in which he found himself in beforehand. Now nothing was seen but white void, but this was different. The man noticed a figure standing before him. This figure stands tall — taller than the blonde man — and he wears a black cloak. It covers his body head to toe; nothing is seen. That is until the figure would show his eyes. They are as empty as the void in which the two — the cloaked figure and the blonde man — find themselves in. When the man stares into the figure’s eyes, he sees nothing, and then the figure’s hood drops.

When the hood dropped, a skull is in place of a head. The figure would reveal itself to the man and the man looks at him puzzled. “Who are you?” The man said.

The figure stood there doing nothing.

The man gets angry. His eyes flaring with annoyance. “I asked you a question! Who are you!?” The man asked once more.

The figure would repeat its previous action.

The man now furious, charged to the figure. He would have no weapons but his fists. The figure places one arm up, all bone by the way, and the man would come to a stop.

“Death…” The figure said with a very eerie voice.

The figure would lower his arm and thus the control of the man did waver.

Staring at the figure, the blonde-haired man wondered who exactly this thing was and why exactly it said Death. As the man continues to question that, he soon finds himself questioning himself. Who was he? Is he even alive? As the man continues to wonder that, the figure disappears as it faded into black bits. The man didn’t know why that even happened, but he doesn’t know why anything around him is happening the way it is. He doesn’t even know where he is or who he is. When the man would wonder more into the void, he would stumble upon another figure. This person looked like the blonde-haired man. He looked the exact same, but everything was inverted — the eyes, the clothes, skins — everything was just inverted. As the blonde-haired man looked to his complete opposite, he couldn’t help but feel wary that this was going to be bad.

As the man looked to his inverted self, he would tilt his head to the side. He didn’t know why, but something about this man felt off, like it was something to be feared. “Are you…me?” The blonde-haired man asked his inverted self.

The inverted self of the man stared at him with pink eyes. The inverted man would walk towards the blonde-haired man and touch his heart with his hand. “Life…’ He said simply.

The blonde-haired man was confused. What was this all about? Did any of this mean anything? The blonde-haired man didn’t know what at all was going on. First the boned cloaked figure said something about death and now his inverted self saying something about life. As the blonde-haired man would question everything, he started hearing one word that would repeat over and over again, but the people saying it would be different each time.

“Jaakuna!” [b]The Voice of Grant Said

[b]“Jaakuna!” The Voice of Savayna said.

“Jaakuna!” The Voice of Nadeline said.

“Jaakuna!” The Voice of Wesley said.

“Jaakuna!” The voice of Emiri said

“WHAT IS GOING ON!?!?!

Everything went silent. For the few moments that it did, the man was at peace. There was no sound to confuse him, no words to confuse him, and no repetition of some word to confuse him. Then, just as the darkness to the void had done, the whiteness of his surroundings warped within seconds. It would switch from darkness to white void to faces of the voices and repeat the cycle. This would happen several times and each time that it did, the blonde-haired man just saw it get faster and faster until they were ultra-fast frames.

Sitting up ultra fast, Jaakuna looks around. He sees his friends, he sees the people who mean the most to him. Everything around him is as it should be. He sees Wesley, he sees Nadeline, he sees Emiri. Just for a moment, Jaakuna is not aware of what was happening, but his memories came back to him. And that dream..that dream Jaakuna didn’t know whether that was a dream or a vision. He didn’t know if what he saw was actually his subconscious telling him something or if it was something to(not) look forward to. Jaakuna didn’t know, but right now, in this moment, he didn’t care.

“What happened?” Jaakuna asked, blankly staring at everyone.

Wesley was about to answer Jaakuna and then the blonde man saw him. The man that caused Emiri so much grief. “YOU!” Jaakuna stood up. “What are you doing here? Trying to hurt Emiri again?” [/b] Jaakuna was about to lose it. Wesley would prevent him from going any further.

“Jaakuna calm yourself!” Wesley shouted.

“Wesley! What are you doing? Grant is going to take Emiri again! We need to stop him.” Jaakuna was pleading with him.

“You dumbass!” Wesley punched Jaakuna, and Jaakuna would stagger back a few paces. “If it wasn’t for Grant, you nor Emiri would be with us right now. He’s the sole reason we’re all still alive. Or do you not remember your brother almost killing you.” Wesley said coldly.

Jaakuna was just about to say something, but then he remembered everything. He was starting to remember what he had promised his grandfather and the whole reason they came here and he’s even remembering what Vincent did to him. “That’s right..” His voice was low and defeated. “I’m sorry.” He said, apologizing.

Wesley patted Jaakuna on the shoulder. “It’s okay, but we should really go now. Don’t want to get caught now do we?” Wesley said. Jaakuna would return a smile as he would follow on.

[Hero]

As the party ran out of the building, Emiri looked around. It was somewhat weird to see the night sky. For some reason, she never thought she would see it again. Still, now that they were out, where would they go? Both Nadeline and Grant had the same thought, but as they both began speaking, they looked at one another. Emiri coughed to cover a laugh she wanted to let out, it seemed some things never changed.

"What now?" Nadeline asked.

[AlteredTundra]

It only took a few minute before they would get out of the palace and onto the streets of Archades. As Nadeline, Emiri, and Grant would look to the night sky, Wesley and Jaakuna would look at each other, then to the trio, and then back to each other. They would just look to the sky as well. Wesley didn't think of it that much, but Jaakuna however, he looked and felt differently about it. Jaakuna just stared at the stars, the clouds lightly covering some of the stars, and the full moon. Jaakuna forgot how peaceful his hometown was. Perhaps just being able to look at the sky would make Jaakuna feel at peace. Though, as he would look to the sky, Jaakuna would find his gaze to Emiri. He knew now wouldn't be the time, but he knew before this night would end, he would address the....stipulation that his grandfather told him to do before he accepted to help Jaakuna.

As Nadeline would ask what they should do next, Wesley was drawing a blank. Jaakuna, still looking at the sky. "Oh that's easy. We just walk on by." Jaakuna said so casually. Wesley looked at him like he was stupid. Jaakuna looked to everyone who, at this point, were looking at him the same way that Wesley was. "What? I'm serious. We go through Old Archades, then to the Sohen Cave Palace, and then we're home free in the Tchita Uplands." Jaakuna said as if he were a pro. "And don't worry, I'm sure somewhere in the sky, Iris and the Ifrit are following us. I mean, the SOS was sent out and that's IRIS's mothermode button — she follows me like a mother would her child." Jaakuna laughed at how corny that was, but it was the truth, that is how he programmed her, after all.

[Hero]

As Jaakuna suggested that they merely walk out, the group looked at him incredulously. Grant had a look of pure disbelief on his face, Emiri pondered if Vincent had given him a concussion, and Nadeline thought maybe he had finally cracked. Luckily, he did follow it up with a proper plan, though Nadeline found herself unsure about going through the Sochen Cave Palace. She had read about it somewhere, that much she recalled, but she knew the place would be crawling with monsters.

The stark difference between Archades and Old Archades was staggering. Nadeline could hardly believe it was the same place--the buildings weren't nearly as glorious, and several drunkards and beggars littered the streets. No wonder the place was called 'Old', it certainly looked the part. The place seemed to be falling apart, the streets somewhat barren. It was actually somewhat depressing. As the group followed Jaakuna, she wondered how much farther this Sochen Cave Palace was.

Emiri jogged slightly to catch up to Jaakuna, carefully lacing her fingers in-between his. "This isn't the time, but I apologize." She told him quietly, squeezing his hand. "Wesley informed me of what happened with your...brother. But this...this is what I was worried about. You got hurt again because of me."

Meanwhile Nadeline traveled to the back of the group, situating herself between Grant and Wesley. She grinned at Grant, who had been watching Emiri, though he quirked an eyebrow at his niece. "I'm elated that you're with us, not against us." She told him cheerfully.

His gaze went from Jaakuna, to Wesley, then his eyes landed on Nadeline. "You say that assuming I'll be accepted so easily." He replied, though his gaze briefly returned to Wesley. "Which reminds me, what exactly is happening between you and the prince?" He asked her suspiciously.

Her grin faltered slightly as she let out a somewhat nervous laugh, though she did hook her arm with Wesley's. "He owes me dinner." She informed Grant, happily leaning towards Wesley.

Grant's face was one with clear concern. Nadeline was much like her aunt, always the flirtatious type, though he hoped that, for Wesley's sake mostly, she would be taking him seriously. Still, something about actually meeting one of Nadeline's conquests/boyfriends/boy toys/whatever made him somewhat uneasy for some reason. Well, at the very least he wasn't a disgraced-prince-turned-sky-pirate, and his view briefly flickered to Emiri before he looked back at Nadeline. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but he closed it.

He let of a huff of annoyance, though he pointed at her. "That little kiss that happened--never again. Not in front of me. Not in private either." He mumbled, crossing his arms like a kid that just got his toys taken away, though there was the slightest hint of embarrassment as he thought about what he had just said. Lorenzo wouldn't be too happy to find his precious daughter dating anyone--despite his lack of parenting the man was convinced that no man in Ivalice was good enough for his baby girl. And maybe Grant felt slightly protective. Not that he would admit it.

Nadeline giggled, hugging Wesley's arm. "Look, he approves of you~"

Grant shot her a look. "I never said that."

[AlteredTundra]

They certainly did look at him like he was the personification of stupidity, but once Jaakuna explained to them, the entire group would, for the most part, lose their 'are you fucking stupid or what?' looks. Once that had happened, the only choice was to get a move on so that they wouldn't get caught and all of it to be for nothing. As they would do as such, Jaakuna was just thinking about the whole day and he just realized he was without a weapon. Hell, even Emiri and NAdeline are without Weapons. It would seem the only ones with weapons were Wesley and Grant. Not that JAakuna wouldn't mind all that much relying on them for protection, Jaakuna would much like to have a weapon for him and his two favorite ladies. "Oh well, we'll come to them when that time comes." Jaakuna said as he mused aloud.

The total time of five or ten minutes would elapse and the group would eventually make their way into Old Archades. Jaakuna couldn't help but find some humor in how long it had been since Jaakuna stepped foot into Old Archades. It definitely had been a while, and that was the real reason Jaakuna would just laugh at the sight of Old Archades. As he would do that, he wouldn't even sense Emiri coming up to catch up with him as she locked in her fingers with his. She would say that she had to apologize. Jaakuna disagreed, but as she said that, she could feel her grip of his left hand tighten. She would say that Wesley informed her of what happened with Vincent. Did he not mention all of it? Jaakuna didn't know how much of what Wesley had told her, but it matter not.

"It's not your fault. I did this all voluntarily." Jaakuna said as he kept on walking and turned his gaze to the sky for a moment and then looked to Emiri. "I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. I'd do anything for you." He said as he would slightly tighten s of his grip to Emiri's hand. Jaakuna would, however, speak more. "How much did Wesley tell you?" Jaakuna asked, as his voice was definitely having bits of nervousness in it.

Meanwhile, Wesley, Nadeline, and Grant hung back.Though, the topic of conversation would not be a fun one; at least not for Wesley. Grant seemed to be curious as to what exactly was going on between Nadeline and Wesley. A slightly worried look would come across his face, but Wesley wouldn't let it show that much. However, his red face would soon be apparent when NAdeline would hug around his arm and simply state that he owes her dinner. Did she have to say it like that? Though it was indeed true, Wesley didn't like being in this position, but who was he to turn down this now? Obviously he wouldn't be himself if he did.

When Grant would bring up the kiss that Wesley gave to Nadeline earlier on, red cheeks blossomed like a Rogue Tomato. Wesley didn't know what to even say, but when Nadeline would make a slight joking remark about how Grant approved of him, Wesley's instant thought was When did we get to a place for him to even consider approving me? Wesley didn't even know what to say. He really was dumbfounded. However, he somehow got the nerves to speak out some kind of coherent words. Wesley looked to Grant, and he spoke. "Grant, you have my word that no harm will come to your niece. I care for her deeply for her." Wesley said, turning his gaze to Nadeline and smiling at her.

[Hero]

The fact that Jaakuna said he would do it again was precisely what Emiri was afraid of. Didn't he remember their conversation from before? As he squeezed her hand she looked at him for a moment before looking ahead. She knew she had a bad feeling about Vincent, but she didn't expect him to be so cruel. He made Grant look like a saint compared to him--which also brought up another issue in her mind. She'd tolerate him for now--she was well aware of how pleased Nadeline was to have him around. Still, before she could accept him, she needed to talk to him first. Of course, that would wait until they were in the clear. Right now he and Wesley were the only ones armed.

When Jaakuna asked her how much Wesley had told her, she looked at him. Why would he ask that? Anytime something like that was asked, it meant that there was something that was left out. She had half a mind to confront Wesley, though she tried to study Jaakuna's nervous expression to see if she could guess what it was. She doubted she could, though, she never was very good at reading people, even if it was her boyfriend. She did stare at him for a moment before responding, "He told me you were upset when you learned Vincent had me, how you resorted to asking your grandfather for help. He said that you had to feign arrest, and that was when Vincent did what he did to you. He also mentioned how we have Grant to thank for his services." She told him, though she narrowed her eyes. "Am I missing anything?" She asked, making it clear that if he had anything to say he had better spit it out.

Grant looked at Wesley quite plainly as he smiled at Nadeline, whose grin couldn't be any brighter. Great, they were like a couple of teenagers. Nadeline looked back at him for a moment, sticking out her tongue at him. He shot her another look and she giggled, looking back at Wesley. Grant let out a groan, clearly displeased but unable to do anything about it. She was a difficult one, and he found himself mentally wishing Wesley good fortune; he was going to need it. "Of course no harm will come to her, you and I will be defending the group." He stated, crossing his arms.

Nadeline glared at him. "That isn't what he meant." She told him lowly.

"What? But we are the only ones with weapons." He said, completely missing the point.

"He means that no matter what the situation he will protect me." She informed him.

"Oh." Grant finally understood, though he did nod in approval. "Of course." He better make good on that promise, or he would personally see to it that Wesley would pay dearly for his mistake. He did decide to drop the subject--for now anyway.

[AlteredTundra]

Just as he thought. Jaakuna knew by Emiri's surprisingly neutral demeanor that Wesley must have not dropped the bomb about the promise that Jaakuna had to make to his grandfather for Hamut to even agree to this all. Even though that Jaakuna is happy that Wesley didn't say anything, now he had to be the one to say it and for some reason he felt a bit stressed having to say it. Jaakuna wasn't sure if Emiri would react in a way that would be positive. Even thinking about that, Jaakuna laughed about it as he could just imagine how she'll react.

When Emiri would ask him whether or not if she was missing anything, Jaakuna, inside of his mind, felt like a ton of bricks were pounding up top of him. His face got instantly red and embarrassment would be the main feeling he had. He didn't want to say it right now. He wanted to wait until they were in the clear, he wanted to wait until they were alone. Or at the very least, he just wanted to wait until he could find the words to say to her that wouldn't make him look bad, but how was he going to do that? Jaakuna was racking it up in his brain, but he just couldn't think of what possible sequence of words that would make it seem good.

Wesley actually happy to hear that Grant finally understood what he had promised to do. Though, Wesley would find it just slightly comical that Grant took so long to catch on. That's something he had in common with his niece. Of course, Wesley wouldn't admit that aloud, but he would just chuckle at it. Looking at Nadeline and Grant, he could tell their relationship, though rocky from his experiences, seemed to be very tight-nit. Wesley would just smile at that. He knew what it was like to be close to one's family, and he's glad that Grant had turned his ways around. Nadeline needs someone from her family to be with her along with all of this shit going down.

Just as Jaakuna was about to tell Emiri, it would seem the gods provided them with the perfect distraction as they would come to the entrance/exit of the Sochen Cave Palace as they came to stairs. "Well, we're here." Jaakuna said as he stopped, waiting for the other three to catch up.

---

The night was going according to plan. Vincent was just minutes away from getting Emiri to heal that one person that he brought her to Archadia to do so. He would depart from his office and head just down a few turns to go retrieve her and as he turned to the corner of her room, he would see something that lit his face up with such anger. He couldn't even believe what had happened. Bodies of the Archadian Soldiers and Magi were laid out. Some of them with limbs cut off, armor completely burned off, and some of them just a bloody mess. Vincent would rush over to the room and he saw that the door had been kicked down, but from the inside, this just made him yell out in disbelief.

"My plans...my prisioner....ALL GONE!!!!" Vincent screamed out.

Vincent, in a rush, hurried to his office, and instantly, he would go press the button on his desk. "EMIRI HAS ESCAPED! THE PRISONERS HAVE ESCAPED! FIND THEM AND KILL THEM ALL! YOU HEAR ME!?!?" Vincent yelled out.

On the opposite end of that bitch fit was someone who could be considered their worst enemy. On the other end of that bitch fit was someone who would gladly kill anyone and especially those that would interfere with her plans. "Yes sir." Levi, The Third Judge Magister, said. Levi knew where they would go. She knew this, because she would go the same way if she were them. "To the Sochen Cave Palace it is then." Levi said departing from her home.

[Hero]

Jaakuna was silent. Emiri did not take it well, especially when he announced that they had arrived. She knew now wasn't the time to ask, but she didn't like it that he didn't say anything. Still, she bit her tongue on the subject, so she would not press it--for now. "This discussion is tabled, but not over." She informed Jaakuna quietly, looking to the makeshift entrance before them. Once they were in private she would make sure that he told her everything. She didn't even know why it bothered her so much, but for the moment she was going to push all her feelings to the back of her mind. The place was probably crawling with monsters, and the last thing she wanted was to lose focus and get chomped on whatever was down there, especially when they were so close to getting to the Ifrit.

Nadeline released Wesley, lightly pushing him and Grant forward. "Showtime, boys, you take the lead." She informed them cheerfully, clapping her hands lightly.

Grant raised an eyebrow at her, though he did have his gun at the ready. He took out his hand bomb, tossing it to her. "Just in case." He said as he began to walk into the Palace.

Nadeline looked at the hand bomb curiously, holding it up to inspect it. She had seen one before, but she had yet to actually use it. Emiri rolled her eyes, though she did reach into her boot, sliding her dagger out. She grinned at Nadeline with an 'Told you it would come in handy' look on her face, though she did hold out her other hand. "I believe I have more experience with that then you do. Let me take care of that, you and Jaakuna hang back." She said as Nadeline gave her the hand bomb. Her powers were back, the bombs would be better used in her hands. Her dagger also gave her some reassurance, though she figured they were bound to find weapons from the corpses of those who never made it through the palace. An unpleasant thought, that.

[AlteredTundra]

Oh she was not happy, not in the slightest; Jaakuna knew that much. He pretty much dropped the subject and she would make her displeasure in that known, but not in loud bursts. It was just the way her voice was when she told him the conversation was not over. That sent chills down Jaakuna's spine. However, he was not mad or anything of the sort. He wanted to tell her, but at the moment, it wasn't the time or place to do so. Regardless, the group would go into the entrance.

Entering the Sochen Cave Palace, everybody just looked around no doubt having their own opinions about it. While Jaakuna shrugged about it, Wesley looked around and couldn't help but get a weird feeling about it. He remembers reading about it and how there is said to be a Wyrm of great power and strength that it was given the name of Hell Wyrm. Though part of him wants to get to see this beast, Wesley knows the smart thing would to be evade that very beast. Though, there's still the aspect of the other monsters crawling through the Cave Palace. As Wesley would place his under his chin and think about it, he would hear Grant, Nadeline, and Emiri just converse about who would get which weapons, also who would hang back and let the others protect the ones hanging back. WEsley would enter this.

"Well, seeing how Grant and myself are the only ones with real weapons, we will head the way. At least until we stumble upon more weapons for the rest of you." Wesley said thinking. He does remember that there's a rare batch of weapons somewhere within the Cave Palace. "In any case, shall we be off? Freedom awaits us." He said as he, along with Grant, would head the pack to freedom.