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

[Hero]

It would seem that Wesley's family shared Nadeline's opposing view of including Clyde on their trip. She managed not to flinch when they all began yelling, though she admitted it rightfully frightened her half to death. For a few seconds she had gone deaf as well much to her chagrin. When her hearing and will did return, Wesley then yelled, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. The man was hardly the type to raise his voice, but seeing how his family was, she should not have been surprised at all. Still, he had quieted down the room, though before they left, Wesley excused himself to speak to his mother in private. She watched him go, though she turned to Savayna and their new party member. If it was for the sake of her love, she would tolerate him. Erasing every ounce of negativity, Nadeline instead approached Clyde with an air of neutrality.

"Well then, I suppose we will be relying on you for travel. I hope we can also depend on another fighter." She would say rather simply.

[Hero]

Aloa would listen intently to Jaakuna's woes. As with most problems, it seemed to have originated and taken root in many years in the past. It was curious how much one's past could shape a person. Still, the life of a hume was rather short compared to that of a viera's, as thus they simply did not have enough time. This much they recognized, and thus would go about their daily lives in a rush. "It has become a habit, becoming so dependent on others, has it not?" She asked him. "Still...one of the first steps is recognizing this. By doing so you have done much more than most others have in your position. Understanding the reason is just another step in overcoming it." She continued.

[Hero]

The fight with the Ring Wyrm was not going well. If she could just use her power and actually see, it would probably go better. It took every ounce of willpower not to use it, which in turn made her unfocused. It was bigger than she was, her attacks were doing minimal damage, and she could not heal her wounds. Her shirt was torn, blood running down the side of her abdomen after the stupid thing managed to catch her off guard. Her knees were quaking from a close encounter with its dragon flames. Her vision was severely impacted by both the weather and her weariness. Her shoulder ached from its tail smacking her. Much time had passed and while she managed to hold her stance, she just did not know how much longer she would last.

Emiri was fighting a losing battle.

She was probably tired. She wouldn't know, her fingers were numb from gripping the blade so tightly. As the wyrm spewed its flames she ran, forcing her legs to keep going. At this point, even if she decided to use her powers, she was in no condition to use it. It would have been best to run, but she had no idea where she was and ran the risk of running into more monsters. Her thoughts were interrupted as she felt the heat of the flames getting closer. Looking back she threw up a Reflect, protecting herself from the heat, though she shot forward. As she held her blade above her head, only when it was too late did she notice its claw coming at her again.

Her body went limp and she landed face down in the sand. Her body ached in protest as she made the attempt to get up. What was the point? She wasn't going to beat it no matter what she did. Was she going to die here, alone, in the middle of nowhere? Had the same thing happened to Jaakuna? Was he lost out here too? That thought alone got her to her feet. No, she wasn't going to die here, she refused to. She needed to see him one more time, she needed him. Emiri looked at the Ring Wyrm, not even bothering with her sword.

What will you do? Chaos' voice asked her. At this point, you will die.

I won't. I refuse. I will survive. Jaakuna, I will find you, I swear it! That thought alone was enough for her. The winds stopped around them, the sand hanging in the air. Slowly but surely they began to move round and around, forming a cyclone around them. She refused to let it end here. She would not lose. Taking in a deep breath, she closed her eyes. She held her hands out in front of her, looking at the wyrm before her. It was all or nothing at this point, and she was determined not to lose. Slowly but surely, the Ring Wyrm froze in place. It then let out a roar of pain. It started with its claws and tails, and soon spread over its entire body. It aged considerably and showed it. The Ring Wyrm collapsed on the ground, and as it did several scales flaked off of it. Her arms trembled and she stopped, clearly out of breath. The sandstorm came to a halt and the sand and winds began to fall.

Foolish child. Chaos reprimanded her as she held her head. She writhed in pain, every cell in her body screaming out. She flickered in and out approximately twice and she dropped to her knees. She didn't want to, but it had been the only way, didn't he understand that? Now, now...you knew this would happen. Pain is physical, as is your body. You realize now that you can no longer rely on it, yet you use the power anyway. Still, it would be troublesome if you faded now with Zodiark on the loose. I would be free, of course, but that isn't what we want...Lie still, Scion of Time.

The sandstorm had died down completely at this point, and she spotted a familiar face approaching her. Jaakuna. It was him. Was she dreaming? She reached out for him and he approached her, dropping down next to her. "Emiri, what's wrong?!" He asked, clearly panicked.

She smiled weakly, placing both her hands on his face. "Jaakuna..." It was the only thing she could muster before her vision blurred in front of her, and she fell onto him.

As the unconscious brunette was held, it was not Jaakuna who she had seen. It was Grant and he didn't understand. Why had she called him Jaakuna? He looked at her, bruised and bloody, clearly exhausted from fighting. He looked at the deceased Ring Wyrm in front of him. Had she done this? He let out a whistle, and his chocobo wandered on over to him. The important thing was that he found her, but for some reason he was sure that whatever happened in the time they had been separated was not a good thing. He got on the chocobo, Emiri in tow, and they headed back to Rabanastre.

[AlteredTundra]

Hearing Nadeline state what was already known, but he let her finish. “Oh don’t you worry your pretty little head. I’m more capable than you think.” He said smiling and probably even reassuring her.

Wesley and Belle came back to the main living room where everyone was at and all eyes soon diverted to them as if they were the most important people in the room, but the truth of the matter was just that Wesley’s family were super nosey and they needed to know just about everything and anything that went on with anyone. Wesley annoyingly sighed and shrugged them off, despite how much they were asking him to tell them what he and his mother were talking about. He would not budge, however nor would Belle. She swore that it was between a mother and her son.

As Wesley came to Nadeline, Savayna, and Clyde he smiled. He then looked to his family, giving them a nod, specifically to Ayane, their mother, and her father. He turned to the others and they were off.

---

“But that’s the thing, I don’t think I can.” Jaakuna said, obviously having a hard time of overcoming his dependency.

Jaakuna wanted to overcome it. In every fiber of his being, he wanted to, but he just wasn’t sure how he could? Was it simply a matter of just remembering back to a time where he was independent and did stuff on his free will? Or was it realizing that he was indeed dependent of people and accepting while making the choice to freely move on from it? Jaakuna didn’t know and the more he thought about it, the more he found it impossible. “I was bred to always be the right prince, but I disobeyed those orders. So, I guess that was my first independent choice, but was it really such a good thing? That choice was running away and not facing my crimes of killing my father. I’m..I ‘m just..”

Jaakuna didn’t know. It tore him inside to think that he couldn’t get past the things he didn’t do to make himself his own man. Sure, he got the forgiveness from his father and the apology from his brother, but was that enough? Could Jaakuna really just accept that and move on? He found himself asking the same questions over and over again, but still he felt the same; lost and feeling unworthy of everything he was given.

“I’m not worthy of any of this..” Jaakuna was starting to break down, his hands repeatedly punching the ground, causing them to crack open and bleed. His hands were covered in blood, knuckled cracked open that the viera would see the white bone and all the while, Jaakuna was screaming out, crying out, shouting out in such sadness and despair. His eyes bleeding tears and those very drops of liquid were landing everywhere within the circle of Jaakuna’s radius. He was just expressing how he really thought he wasn’t worthy of any of this.

[AlteredTundra]

Hearing Nadeline state what was already known, but he let her finish. “Oh don’t you worry your pretty little head. I’m more capable than you think.” He said smiling and probably even reassuring her.

Wesley and Belle came back to the main living room where everyone was at and all eyes soon diverted to them as if they were the most important people in the room, but the truth of the matter was just that Wesley’s family were super nosey and they needed to know just about everything and anything that went on with anyone. Wesley annoyingly sighed and shrugged them off, despite how much they were asking him to tell them what he and his mother were talking about. He would not budge, however nor would Belle. She swore that it was between a mother and her son.

As Wesley came to Nadeline, Savayna, and Clyde he smiled. He then looked to his family, giving them a nod, specifically to Ayane, their mother, and her father. He turned to the others and they were off.

---

“But that’s the thing, I don’t think I can.” Jaakuna said, obviously having a hard time of overcoming his dependency.

Jaakuna wanted to overcome it. In every fiber of his being, he wanted to, but he just wasn’t sure how he could? Was it simply a matter of just remembering back to a time where he was independent and did stuff on his free will? Or was it realizing that he was indeed dependent of people and accepting while making the choice to freely move on from it? Jaakuna didn’t know and the more he thought about it, the more he found it impossible. “I was bred to always be the right prince, but I disobeyed those orders. So, I guess that was my first independent choice, but was it really such a good thing? That choice was running away and not facing my crimes of killing my father. I’m..I ‘m just..”

Jaakuna didn’t know. It tore him inside to think that he couldn’t get past the things he didn’t do to make himself his own man. Sure, he got the forgiveness from his father and the apology from his brother, but was that enough? Could Jaakuna really just accept that and move on? He found himself asking the same questions over and over again, but still he felt the same; lost and feeling unworthy of everything he was given.

“I’m not worthy of any of this..” Jaakuna was starting to break down, his hands repeatedly punching the ground, causing them to crack open and bleed. His hands were covered in blood, knuckled cracked open that the viera would see the white bone and all the while, Jaakuna was screaming out, crying out, shouting out in such sadness and despair. His eyes bleeding tears and those very drops of liquid were landing everywhere within the circle of Jaakuna’s radius. He was just expressing how he really thought he wasn’t worthy of any of this.

[AlteredTundra]

Hearing Nadeline state what was already known, but he let her finish. “Oh don’t you worry your pretty little head. I’m more capable than you think.” He said smiling and probably even reassuring her.

Wesley and Belle came back to the main living room where everyone was at and all eyes soon diverted to them as if they were the most important people in the room, but the truth of the matter was just that Wesley’s family were super nosey and they needed to know just about everything and anything that went on with anyone. Wesley annoyingly sighed and shrugged them off, despite how much they were asking him to tell them what he and his mother were talking about. He would not budge, however nor would Belle. She swore that it was between a mother and her son.

As Wesley came to Nadeline, Savayna, and Clyde he smiled. He then looked to his family, giving them a nod, specifically to Ayane, their mother, and her father. He turned to the others and they were off.

---

“But that’s the thing, I don’t think I can.” Jaakuna said, obviously having a hard time of overcoming his dependency.

Jaakuna wanted to overcome it. In every fiber of his being, he wanted to, but he just wasn’t sure how he could? Was it simply a matter of just remembering back to a time where he was independent and did stuff on his free will? Or was it realizing that he was indeed dependent of people and accepting while making the choice to freely move on from it? Jaakuna didn’t know and the more he thought about it, the more he found it impossible. “I was bred to always be the right prince, but I disobeyed those orders. So, I guess that was my first independent choice, but was it really such a good thing? That choice was running away and not facing my crimes of killing my father. I’m..I ‘m just..”

Jaakuna didn’t know. It tore him inside to think that he couldn’t get past the things he didn’t do to make himself his own man. Sure, he got the forgiveness from his father and the apology from his brother, but was that enough? Could Jaakuna really just accept that and move on? He found himself asking the same questions over and over again, but still he felt the same; lost and feeling unworthy of everything he was given.

“I’m not worthy of any of this..” Jaakuna was starting to break down, his hands repeatedly punching the ground, causing them to crack open and bleed. His hands were covered in blood, knuckled cracked open that the viera would see the white bone and all the while, Jaakuna was screaming out, crying out, shouting out in such sadness and despair. His eyes bleeding tears and those very drops of liquid were landing everywhere within the circle of Jaakuna’s radius. He was just expressing how he really thought he wasn’t worthy of any of this.

[Hero]

Grant had taken Emiri back to the Ifrit, seeing as how it was probably for the best. If Jaakuna were to come back, he would go through Rabanastre. Hopefully. Maybe. He did inform an attendant if he tried to take a flight, so for now they would wait. Emiri had not been hurt too badly, nothing an X-Potion couldn't fix, but he noticed that she would not wake up. Sure, it had been a short time, but he was more than sure that the potion would heal and awaken her. He watched her, her body completely still. She was barely breathing as it was.

He covered her with a blanket; her clothes had been torn in various places, and he was not going to undress her (no way) though he did take her sword and bag, as well as a souvenir from her conquest. Letting out a sigh, he left the Medic Bay. Now if Jaakuna came back, he would see Emiri in her state and he'd definitely get blamed. Damn it, Nadeline was going to kill him for sure now. He found himself in his room and let out a long sigh. Damn it all.

The prince would close his eyes, and when he opened them a familiar sight would be before him. His own Esper, Zeromus was right in front of him. "This troubles you deeply." He stated rather obviously.

"Of course it does. Everyone trusted me and I failed. Emiri was hurt." Grant replied. "I shouldn't have trusted Lola. If I hadn't..."

"The girl will be alright. Chaos has seen to it." Zeromus informed him. "It would be quite an issue if Chaos lost the most compatible host in Ivalice...who better than the inheritor of his power, really?"

It sounded too good to be true. There had to be a catch. "Is this true, Great Condemner? How could you be sure?"

"Give her time. She will awaken. You will see."

Grant closed his eyes and opened them again, looking at the ceiling. The only thing he could do now was wait. He closed his eyes again, attempting to get some rest as well.

---

The viera watched Jaakuna's frustration. She had slightly hoped that he would realize what he needed to do, but as expected (and previously mentioned) this was probably the biggest obstacle. His anger was justified, as were his words and actions. Still, time was of the essence. She reached out and stopped one of his hands, managing to grab his attention, if only for a moment. The green lights shook around them, symbolizing his wavering will. "I will repeat myself once more, Jaakuna: it is not a question of can or cannot, it is a question of will or won't." She would remind him, her dark eyes starung right into his green ones. "You have the will. You have your motivation. You have the tools needed to continue. The only thing you have left to do is to move forward. Will you or won't you?"

[AlteredTundra]

When the four of them would head out of Belle’s house, they would make their way through the streets of Balfonheim Port, going through little turns. Of course they would wave to people who passed by. They would stop and talk to them, but only because Wesley and Clyde were addressed by the residents of the Port. Eventually, they would make their way to Clyde’s house, though it definitely wasn’t like any other houses that Wesley has been in. Then again, he grew up in a castle.

As they approached it, Clyde was brimming with pride. “Well this is my home. It’s not much, but we’re only going to be here for a short while. Just need to gather supplies. Feel free to make yourself at home.” Clyde said as they would enter his house. To their surprise and not to Clyde’s smile, they were met by a male and a female. The male had green hair and same colored eyes and the woman was blonde with blue eyes. “Lannit, Wendy — glad you could make it.” Clyde happily said.

Lannit and Wendy smiled and they noticed Savayna. “Well, ain’t it ol’ Savayna.!” Lannit said chuckling.

“Lannit..” She said acknowledging him, but gave him a look that suggested if he tried to tackle hug her that he would find himself on the floor. Lannit instantly froze up. He was going to tackle-hug her, but that look that she gave him told him to do otherwise.

Wesley(and probably Nadeline) were confused as all hell. “Uncle Clyde, who are these two?” WEsley asked confused.

Clyde turned his head as if surprised. “Oh, these are good friends of mine and they’re the current leaders of Arch Flag.”

“Wait, you don’t mean?”

“Yup, that’s right. They’re the co-leaders of the most notorious Pirate Gang in all of Ivalice and Lannit here is what you would call the leader of Balfonheim.”Wesley was a little dumbfounded. He didn’t even know that Arch Flag had their hands on Balfonheim. “But, how do you know them Savayna? “He asked her.

Savayna sighed and shrugged. “Oh, we’re old pals. Well, at least old pals of golden boy.” She said referring to Jaakuna.

Wesley was even more dumbfounded, but he soon realized that based off of the information gathered, it made a lot of sense. Jaakuna was a sky pirate and his oldest friends are sea pirates. “I guess it makes sense. That still doesn’t explain why they’re here.” Wesley said, diverting his eyes to Clyde, as if asking him.

Clyde smiled. “They’re helping us.”

“By help, you mean..”

“They’re coming too.”

Wesley sighed and looked to Nadeline, as if looking for her approval.

---

She made it seem like it was that easy. Jaakuna knew it wasn’t and even as he would fight it within himself, he knew that she was right. It just came down to one simple question: Will he or won’t he? As she has stated, Jaakuna has all the tools he needs to move along, but it’s whether or not if he wants to that has him at a stalemate.

Jaakuna remained still, looking at his hands covered in blood. He saw how his anger hurts him and it dawned on him. That was the whole lesson. His anger hurts others and himself. He did out of anger cause he couldn’t protect anyone. He killed his father(at the time) cause he was angry at the words he said, he left Archades cause he was angry at himself for what he had done. Jaakuna was angry at himself emotionally and that was why he couldn’t get close to any woman. Even when he gave into Zodiark, he was angry that he couldn’t protect Emiri, even though it was a nightmare. He was angry, damn it Jaakuna finally realized it.

“I know now.” Jaakuna smiled, and he began to laugh slightly. “I know what led me down the path. I was angry, furious, and above all else, flat out fucking pissed, but not at anyone. No, that wasn’t it. I was pissed at myself for not being able to do anything. I was so pissed that I rejected everything and it’s what eventually led me down the dark path to Zodiark. In turn, I now know that it was my anger that drove me to lose my own free will and my independence.” Jaakuna was smiling and for some reason it felt good for him to just laugh and laugh, he even laid back. The coldness of the wood felt nice and Jaakuna was crying as he laughed, but this was all in a positive way. He felt so relieved. After about three minutes of crying-laughing, Jaakuna sat up in an up-right position and he looked at Aloa. “I choose to move forward. I have to or else my anger will consume me like it did my grandfather. I can’t be like them — I WON’T be like them.” Jaakuna said with the most vindication he ever has shown ever before in his life.

[Hero]

Clyde's home was very interesting. It belonged to an interesting man, had interesting people in it (it was also interesting that Savayna knew them) and he also gave them some very interesting news. What Nadeline did not understand was why all these interesting little things kept happening in succession. That and when she said 'interesting', she didn't really mean interesting in the sense that it interested her. No, not at all. She crossed her arms, managing to keep a rather neutral expression, though when she looked at Wesley he would perfectly understand exactly what she wanted to tell him without actually. Her expression read as such: my patience is not only wearing thin but I do not truly understand exactly why we are entrusting our lives to more people we do not know. Her expression also added: We are now evenly matched and if things happen to go downhill for whatever reason we are now in great risk.

"What fun." She would state with a shrug.

---

Aloa would then stare at Jaakuna for a moment, though her eyes would turn to the lights. They were calm once more, though they still wavered. Luckily for Jaakuna, they were also a blue color now. Jaakuna would also notice some of them would occasionally flicker white. The process had continued--it struggled somewhat, but it continued. She would nod in approval. "The next step is facing your lies. Time and time again we steer away from what is whether we want to admit it or not. The reality in front of us has a tendency to be overwhelmingly cruel...but we must face it. We cannot hide from it, we must confront it or risk simply living out lies for the rest of our lives." She paused for a moment. "To overcome your lies, you must remember the truth."

[AlteredTundra]

As Nadeline gave him a rather hesitant, approving nod, Wesley nodded as well and looked back to the others. It seemed that it was a full house going into The Pharos of the Ridorana Cataract. Three pirates, a prince, a princess, and a former general. Yup, it definitely was a diverse group, but then again, Wesley surrounds himself with diverse people on a daily basis. Clyde would depart for a few minutes as he would go get some supplies. In the time he was gone, Lannit looked at Wesley and smiled. The Dalmascan prince raised an eyebrow. He didn’t know why Lannit was smiling at him and looking at him with such a inquisitive look. If Wesley had done something warrant such a look from Lannit, then he would ask why, but to his knowledge, Wesley did nothing, so he was confused.

“Something I can help you with, Lannit?” Wesley asked him.

Lannit chuckled. “Oh, it’s nothing, but I swear, you look so much like a friend of mine.” Lannit admitted.

“Oh? Mind expanding on that.” Wesley said, now curious as fuck.

Lannis chuckled again. “It’s just I had this friend named Sylvester and you just striking resemblance to him.” Lannit admitted as he shrugged.

Wesley, eyes opened, couldn’t believe it. He had to make sure though. “This Sylvester, he wasn’t a silver-haired male per chance?” Wesley asked.

“Actually, yes he was and he was a bit older than I. He was probably ten years my senior, but he and I chatted it up like chldhood friends.”

“Okay, and this man, how do you know him?”

“He would come by Balfonheim a lot and each time, we would chit-chat and he would go on about a little brother he had and that he would always protect. Oh what was his name..”

“Wesley?”

“Oh yes, that was it”

And it hit Lannit. The Wesley in front of him was the same Wesley that his dear friend would go on about. “Holy shit! You’re Sylly’s kid brother!” Lannit said loudly, as if it just hit him in his mind somewhere.

Wesley felt like he was going to fall to the ground at how thick-headed this guy was. He now could see why he and Jaakuna were childhood friends. “Yes, that’s me.”

‘Shit, and here I was just a day ago talking to him--”

“Wait what!?”

“Sylvester--I was speaking to him just the other day, I thou--”

‘HE’S ALIVE!?!?!”

Wesley’s voice was at maximum register. His voice was so loud, that the animals in the sea heard it, the people on the beach heard it, who would yell at Clyde’s house to shut the hell up. Lannit could have sworn that he blew an ear drum, Wendy too. Actually, just about everyone probably thought that. Lannit looked at Wesley. “Yes, I thought you knew that?”

“Why would I? My brother, to my knowledge has been dead for six years now. How could he be alive?”

“I would assume by breathing..” Lannit said in a smart-alecky way.

Wesley was not in the mood to play games. He rushed over to Lannit, grabbed the man by his jacket and he proceed to hold him against the wall, prompting surprising gasps all around. Wesley would not let the man go as he had his right arm bent, forearm placed firmly against the pirate’s neck. Wendy and Savayna(and most likely Nadeline) would go over try to get Wesley off of Lannit, but he wouldn’t budge. Wesley would actually use some of his magick to add to the force so that he would not be moved.

“You’re going to tell me EVERYTHING about Sylvester. How he is alive, where he has been all this time — EVERYTHING, or by the gods that let me live, I will kill you right where you stand. Do you understand me?” Wesley was in full commando mode right now.

“Geez, calm dow--” Wesley’s grip on the man’s neck tightened as gasps for air became of Lannit. “Okay, okay. I’ll tell you, just let me go!”

Meanwhile, in came Clyde eating a hotdog. “Damn, I’m gone three minutes and you lot are already trying to kill each other.” Clyde comedically shook his head.

---

Jaakuna noticed the tint of blue overcame one of the lights, signaling that he had passed the step of overcoming his dependence. Jaakuna felt relieved, and as he would enable his magick around his hands, curaja would heal the wounds, making the knuckles seem less injured than what they were. Though, Jaakuna would notice that his hands were already fully-healed. Perhaps the room had healing properties. He didn’t know, but he would just shrug at it as he didn’t really want to worry much about it.

As Aloa would speak about the next step, Jaakuna didn’t know how he was going to tackle this one. He had to face the truth, no matter how much it would hurt. He had lied time in and time out. Of course it was out of the better for everyone else, but still he lied. Oh how he lied and even though he thought it was for the better, Jaakuna knew that the lies would only hurt those closest to him and they did. He witnessed that with all of his friends and just about everyone that was around him. Jaakuna couldn’t face that, not this soon, not after he left her.

“I can’t…no, I won’t.” Jaakuna just shook his head. “The truth only hurts the people that I love and lying is the only way I know how to protect them. It was for their protection…right?”

Jaakuna was now sounding unsure. He lied last night to everyone’s face about how he would let them help him deal with Zodiark. He told them just yes, but that was a lie. Jaakuna always lied and him saying that the truth hurt everyone was him lying to himself, but what else was Jaakuna supposed to feel? Every time he told the truth, it would, only way or another, hurt those closest to him. Sure they would get past it, but would they ever forgive him for it.

“I’d rather give a lie and remain where I am than have to tell the truth and be set back a few hundred steps. What good possibly could come out of the truth, Aloa? What possible light could be shed on a darkness if the truth makes things worse than a lie? I’m just not sure if it’s even worth any of it. I know what the truth does to a person. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and to put myself through that again — I don’t think I can.”

[Hero]

Wesley's brother was alive? Nadeline couldn't believe it. Wesley had confided in her that his brother had passed in the destruction of Nabudis. How could this be? As she tried to think of a solution, her fiance would basically attack Lannit. "Wesley! Stop!" The princess cried, tugging at Wesley's arms to no avail. She cursed herself for being so physically weak. At that point Clyde would walk in rather casually and snark at the situation, not even caring. Oh boy did that make her blood boil. "Oh for the love of--Wesley, let him go now!" Nadeline ordered, clearly losing her patience.

---

As Jaakuna would finish speaking, Aloa would stare at him, as always. He seemed to be deep in denial, not believing lies did more harm then good. She couldn't help but shake her head in slight disappointment. When she opened her mouth to speak, however, Ryua would let out a rather loud gasp. The three viera would shudder, almost in unison. Something in the air had changed, though none could say if it was for the better or the worse. A short silence followed as the three would collect themselves. "Forgive my intrusion...the Mists have shifted." Ryua mumbled, bowing deeply to Aloa and Jaakuna. "I could not contain myself...my humblest apologies..." Aloa would simply nod at Ryua, who would hand the empty vial to Mtra. She would bow once more, and she would exit the place in a hurry.

Aloa would return her attention to Jaakuna. She knew exactly what had happened, but she needed Ryua to confirm it before informing Jaakuna. She also gave him a look telling him that she was not going to tell him what had just happened. "Shrouding yourself in lies...while you do, the rest of Ivalice goes on around you. It is one reason why I left my village rather than live in isolation." She informed him. "You can lie to yourself all you want, if you so wish it. No one can stop you, can they?" She would ask rhetorically, though she would place her hands on her knees, resembling a rather meditative position."Even now...we are secluded from the rest of the world. If you so wished it you could remain here."

[AlteredTundra]

As he had Lannit pinned against the wall, Wesley could feel the tugging and pulling and yelling from all three ladies. They pleaded for him to let Lannit go in their own ways. Wendy pleaded for her husband’s life and told Wesley that he had children, Savayna would spur out obscenities and curse words towards Wesley, but still telling him the same thing that Nadeline would, but her words would be different. She would voice her authority and order Wesley to let her go. He turned his head to her, slightly loosening the grip on Lannit. It was enough for him to get free, but not before Lannit would start coughing for air.

“I’m…I’m sorry, I just don’t know what came over myself.” Wesley said as he looked to the angry Nadeline and then to the coughing-for-dear-like Lannit.

“Damn man, if you hadn’t gone all macho man on me, you would..” Lannit coughed, “know that your brother spoke of you often, saying that he hated that he couldn’t be around to see you grow up, but he had his reasons.” Lannit said.

“Do you know what they were?” Wesley asked.

Lannit just shook his head implying that he did not know why Sylvester didn’t reveal that he was alive. “All I know is that he regretted everything.” He would finish.

Wesley was about to say something, but Clyde clapped his hands. “Okay, enough of this squabble. We have a journey to make.” Clyde said as he would guide everyone through the door.

As they would head out of the house, they would make their way around the cliff that the house was on, and down a few flight of stairs. Eventually, they would come to an underground lair of sorts that had several wooden platforms and the entire area that which wasn’t with wood platforms was all water. Resting in the water was a series of hover boards, floating in the water. “I would like to welcome you to my Secret Lair! BWA HAHA HAHA!” Clyde would laugh comically, but evilly. Wesley would proceed to whack him over the head with an irritated grin. Lannit, Wendy, and Savayna had an annoyed look on their faces.

---

As Jaakuna was waiting to hear Aloa respond, Jaakuna would take notice that the three Viera would shutter, but Ryua would let out a gasp. She would then apologize and that’s when Aloa would nod to her and would then speak to Jaakuna about how when one covers themselves in lies, the world outside of that veil of lies continues to move on. She would then tell him that was exactly why she left her village in the first place. She would then point out that no one can really stop anyone from ,living in their lies and in the isolation that said lies create. She would even, at least to how Jaakuna perceived it, offer him to live in seclusion, away from the truth. Jaakuna’s eyes blinked as if surprised.

As he blankly stared at her, he really did consider that as an option. He could really just live away from the Viera, but what of his friends? What of his family? What of Emiri? Could he really just let go of it all and live alone? No, he couldn’t and that’s exactly what Aloa was trying to say. He could live in hiding, away from the truths of the world. No matter how hard the truth might be, Jaakuna knew that he had to face it head-on, no matter how bad it would be. Yes, he knew that.

“No, I can’t do that. I want to and boy is it tempting, but I gave into temptation before and look where that got me.” Jaakuna said, “No more hiding, no more running away. I’m through with it. I’m going to face any truth that comes my way and I’ll do it for my friends, I’ll do it for my family, I’ll do it for Emiri, and most importantly, I’ll do it for me.” Jaakuna said as he now realized that all the times he lived in his lies or lied to others it was just hurting them. Truths hurt, but lies are worse.

[Hero]

Honestly, Nadeline couldn't believe any of them. Her fiance for acting in such a manner, Lannit for not being clear, and Clyde for being an overall asshole. Yeah, she thought it. She wasn't going to say it, but she definitely thought it. She huffed in clear annoyance, shooting a look at Wesley that let him know that she was less happy about this entire situation now. She was less pleased upon spying to hover boards. "This is...our transportation?" She asked quite uncertainly. She instantly remembered Nabudis' Nightmare. "Surely you jest..."

---

A moment of silence followed Jaakuna's resolution. The lights would begin to change color to a darker blue, and the once white lights turned different colors instead. "We are nearly done." She would state rather obviously, the different colors bouncing off the walls around them. The room would obviously get brighter and somewhat warmer. "This is the final step--at this point there is no going back. To do so would be to forfeit everything you have learned and possibly opening yourself up more to darkness. The death of the physical body: to detach oneself from the world and recognize your inner wisdom. There is no way for me to tell you how to overcome this. You must use what you have learned to achieve it, and once you do, you will unlock your true strength."

---

Letting out a small groan of tiredness, Grant let out a proper yawn. Boy was that nap good for him. He wondered how much time had passed. He sat up, his elbow on his knee as he let the rest of his body wake up. After a moment of just humming lightly he scratched his head. Eventually he did get up, walking out of his room to hear some tinkling from the kitchen. Has Emiri awakened? He sure hoped so, otherwise that would mean there was an intruder on the ship. As he walked over to the kitchen, he spotted the girl looking through the cabinets. "Feeling better?" Grant asked. His voice surprised her, causing the brunette to jump and turn around in shock. "Oh, my apologies, I hadn't meant to startle you." He chuckled lightly. Emiri would stare at him for a moment. "Do you feel alright?" He asked her.

For a moment she thought about his question, lightly rubbing her arm. "I am fine." She murmured somewhat, her head down.

"Does your head hurt?" He asked curiously. She shook her head, though not without hesitating first. "Does anything hurt?"

"No."

"No pain?"

"Not at all."

"Any injuries?"

"None that need any concern."

Grant couldn't help but feel as if something was a little off about Emiri. He couldn't quite place it, but the way she just looked nervous definitely set off some bells. Perhaps she just didn't want to worry him. Still, it was a close call, losing her in the desert like that. For a moment he was almost tempted to think that this wasn't even the real Emiri, but he was sure that the Ring Wyrm's decaying corpse was proof enough, really. Maybe she knew that he thought he was in trouble and just didn't want to make it a big deal. As he was about to dismiss it, he recalled how she called him Jaakuna. "Do you remember what happened before you fainted?"

She thought about it for a moment and replied slowly, "Not particularly."

"You called me Jaakuna." He informed her.

"Did I?" She asked, though she seemed more confused than surprised.

Maybe it was nothing after all. "Well...don't worry too much about it then, the heat may have gotten to you. Just relax, alright?" He told her. She would nod and leave the kitchen, the two looking at one another. What was wrong and why didn't she tell him?

[AlteredTundra]

As they would enter Clyde’s underground lair — or as he called it, his secret lair — everyone would react differently. Wesley knew that his uncle had a secret place where he could easily escape to. He just didn’t have no idea that it was an underground lair with computers and everything. Still, it didn’t surprise Wesley all that much. Though, he was slightly surprised by the fact that their form of transportation could quite possibly be the assortment of hoverboards that he saw in the water, floating above it.

Lannit and Wendy smiled, and nudged Clyde. “Damn man, why didn’t you tell us that you had such a hook-up?” Lannit asked Clyde.

“And let you and your gang of pirates get your grubby little paws on it? Yeah, like I was going to let that happen.” Clyde responded.

“Okay, okay, I guess I deserved that, but seriously! Those hoverboards are sweet bro!” Lannit was fangasming the hell out. He loved him some hoverboards.

Clyde laughed proudly. “Yeah, they’re my pride and joy. Got all of these off of some blonde guy in the Phon Coast.” Clyde said, “Damn, what was his name? Isimal? No, that wasn’t it.”

Wesley heard Clyde. “Isaiah?”

“Yes that was it.”

“Uncle Clyde that’s Judge Isaiah Ixion Darcone.”

“Well, how about that. A judge who likes hoverboards. Who knew?”

As Clyde and Wesley made that exchange, Nadeline would chime into the conversation about the hoverboards by asking if Clyde was serious. He looked at her, acknowledging her question. He laughed. “I sure don’t. This is how we’re going to get to The Pharos.” Clyde revealed, though he looked to Nadeline. “I would think that with your father’s hobby of fixing machines — yes, I know of Prince Lorenzo’s side-hobby of building stuff — you would know about Hoverboards. Unless, I’m mistaken.” Clyde mockingly said.

---

As Jaakuna would notice the room starting to get brighter as the lights would swirl around the room, Aloa would reveal to him the final step. She would state that to go on this final step, Jaakuna must give death to his physical body and detach himself from the world and forget everything he knew. Instantly, Jaakuna was remembering back to what Mtra said about removing himself from his heart. He instantly thought that he couldn’t do that. There was no way in hell that he could. Forget everything that he knows and in return forget everything that ended up making him who he was. No, Jaakuna couldn’t even possibly consider doing that, not now.

“I can’t do that, no, I won’t do that.” Jaakuna was straight-out refusing; or rather having trouble accepting it. “To remove myself from any of the world’s attachments means that I have forsake myself from all the love I have gathered over the course of my life, then it’s not worth it.” Jaakuna stated and then he looked to Mtra. “You told me the story of Shion and how she faced great tragedy and that she obtained true strength. Is this how? Did she too forsake herself of her worldly attachments just to gain her so-called true strength?” Jaakuna asked, but he probably knew the answer.

[Hero]

The fact that the hover boards had come from Jaakuna's cousin was a surprise, but she just could not focus on that. Nadeline shot Clyde a look as he mocked her. She wished her loving fiance would pick up on her hesitation, but obviously that wasn't happening. The water glimmered back at her; she couldn't stand to even look at it. All she kept remembering was being weighed down and sinking, sinking, sinking...In short the idea of even floating above the water and the possibility of falling off completely terrified her. "Please, I've ridden more of my father's incomplete gizmos more times than I could recount." She scoffed, though she did let out a somewhat defeated sigh. "Let's get going then..."

---

Mtra and Aloa would look at one another, clearly expecting Jaakuna's hesitation. Why would he ask a question he already knew the answer to? Aloa remained staring at him, though she too quirked an interested eyebrow. "Of course." Mtra replied rather simply. "What did you think, she came here and only went partway? When one dedicates themselves to something they must go through with it completely. Albeit I will admit...even Shion did not get through the steps as quickly as you did. Unlike her, however, she did not hesitate to detach herself."

"Sometimes in order to go forward, we must make sacrifices." Aloa would tell him simply. "Shion understood this. You understand it as well. And yet you hesitate." Aloa would stand up at this point. "I have led you this far, have I not? Will you not trust me?" She asked, extended her hand out to him. "You know what you must do."

[AlteredTundra]

After Nadeline would eventually give in and would suggest they go, Clyde smirked and he would motion everyone to take their pick at a hoverboard. Wesley saw the ones that were able to be taken and he was drawn to the blue one. It just called his name, so he took it. Wendy, Lannit, Clyde, and Savayna would all respectively take the orange, green, red/black, and icy-blue ones. Each felt that it fit them perfectly.

---

Jaakuna was hearing everything that Mrta and Aloa said. Even though they were right, he didn’t want to do this. was just finding it so hard to accept that he had to detach himself from the physical realm. Sure, he would gain his inner-wisdom, but Jaakuna wouldn’t do it, not if it meant losing the one thing he has left in the world: his heart. No, he won’t do it.

“I can’t. I don’t believe that true strength comes from forsaking oneself.” Jaakuna felt like talking, so he would talk away. “I think — no, I know that true strength comes from what’s inside one’s heart. I know that everything one does to protect the ones that they love or achieve a personal goal. Yes, that is what true strength is to me.” JAakuna was just on a roll, and he stood up, not breaking eye contact with Aloa.“I appreciate everything you did to help me, I really do.” Jaakuna said genuinely smiling. “I know that for some, detaching themselves from everything brings strength for them, but I’m not like them. My true strength comes from my friends, from my family, from Emiri. I might not be able to cleanse myself of Zodiark fully, but that’s something I’ll have to deal with on my own.” He said, “I set out from everyone to find myself again. I was lost and after this strenuous experience of self-reflection and addressing all of my issues, I’m found again and I have the viera to thank for that.” Jaakuna said as he got bowed to Mtra. He then turned to Aloa, and he looked at her. She would see the resolve in Jaakuna’s eyes as he was one-thousand percent behind his decision.

[Hero]

Grant had decided to make himself some coffee after Emiri had left. Adding onto that he went along with some crackers. With both in hand he went back to the dining room, only to find Emiri there. She had been staring at her own hands, it seemed. She did look up as he took his seat, having a curious expression on her face. After having some coffee he offered her a cracker to which she gladly accepted. They sat in silence for a moment, though once again something told Grant that Emiri was still off. He cleared his throat, catching her attention. "I have to admit I'm surprise, I would have thought that you would have tied your hair up by now." He spoke outloud.

Her hand went to the back of her head and she bore a small frown. "Oh..."

After a few seconds of thinking, he realized that she must have lost her clover hair tie. It made sense; he remembered when he had found her, she didn't have it on either. "I apologize, I didn't notice until now." He said as she lowered her hand. She closed her eyes, tilting her head. "Something wrong? Is it Jaakuna?"

"Jaakuna." She repeated his name, thinking about it for a moment. "I hear a voice calling out to me. It hasn't stopped talking to me...it says that I need to go somewhere." She told him, opening her eyes. "I must go to...Eruyt. Yes, Eruyt."

Grant couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. Now Emiri was hearing voices. Last time something like that happened the entire fiasco with Jaakuna accepting Zodiark happened. Then again, Eruyt Village was a well known location. Perhaps maybe it was even Aloa calling out to her? "Then we'll go." He stated. "IRIS, take us to the Golmore Jungle if you would."

---

Nadeline only stared as the rest of the group rather quickly delegated themselves to the deathtraps. Well, were they on land she may not have considered them as such. Still, she found herself very reluctantly following. She recalled her father making one of these, though his was much smaller and more streamlined--for more speed. Of course he also ended up crashing into a wall since he hadn't thought about controlling said speed. Gods she hoped she wouldn't fall off. She let out a rather long breath as she got on one, and stared down at the water. It was just there, moving, mocking her. She let out a sigh.

---

As Jaakuna would finish his bows, Ryua would reenter the room. She was somewhat surprised to see the place darken once more. Had he failed? She didn't seem to think so, but from the look on Mtra and Aloa's faces, instead it seemed that he quit. Her face fell, but she would walk past him and to Aloa. "It is as we suspected. Chaos has done...something. I am not sure what. But she is coming here." She informed her. Normally her voice would be hushed, but instead she spoke clearly, no doubt Jaakuna would hear. "The Scion of Time has answered to our calls. She will arrive soon on a ship that sails the sky."

Aloa's eyes briefly flickered from Ryua's onto Jaakuna. "And what of the Espers?"

"This change Chaos has made as made them grow more in their efforts to free themselves. Everyone in the village sensed it as well. What does this mean?" She asked somewhat worriedly.

Aloa would simply walk past her and to Jaakuna. "There is something I would have you see. Come back to Eruyt with us, it will be quick." She instructed, motioning to Mtra and Ryua. "It is of the utmost importance."

[AlteredTundra]

When everyone was on their hoverboards, one of the walls of the underground lair would raise up and once it fully was up, Clyde acted on impulse, and pressed against his hoverboard and he was off. Lannit and Wendy followed them in succession. Wesley would then go as well, no doubt Nadeline would be right behind them. They would appear from the port and to The Pharos they went.

---

As accordance with Jaakuna, it seemed the lights had gone away. Jaakuna knew that, but he was at peace with his decision. He did set out on this journey to find himself on a spiritual level. He did believe that he might have been stronger going forsaking himself from everyone and everything, as seen from Shion, but if he were to do that, everything he has done up until now would have been in vain. Plus, he just couldn’t bring himself to let go of Emiri.

As Jaakuna would see Aloa just look at him, Ryua came in as if worried about something. Jaakuna thought about it and maybe it was about that chill that the viera had a while back. Jaakuna would listen to what Ryua was telling Aloa and at the mention of Chaos, Jaakuna’s eyes opened widely. He would further hear the mention of the Scion of Time. Jaakuna has heard that name refer to Emiri, which instantly got his attention. It was by the time that Ryua had finished speaking that Aloa would then approach Jaakuna and request that he come with them back to Eruyt. Jaakuna didn’t know what this really was about, but it had his full attention.

Jaakuna would pick up his twin short swords, strap them around both sides of his waist, and looked at Aloa. “Lead the way.” He simply said.

[Hero]

Aloa nodded to Jaakuna, signaling them to follow. Ryua would take the empty bottle as Mtra ushered the Dream Powder back to its bottle. It would be filled up again, though some of it was obviously expended. As they left, the viera clad in red definitely looked more worried then Aloa and Mtra did. She would lag behind the other two, lightly pulling Jaakuna back with him as well. She could not tell him exactly what had happened, but he needed to be warned. At least, that was how she saw it. "Please know that no matter what has occurred, you are not to blame." Ryua whispered to Jaakuna. "It had to be done." Before he would be able to ask what she was speaking of she would quickly hasten her pace, catching up with the other two.

The walk back to Eruyt would be one of silence between the three. Aloa downright just refused to speak as Mtra would find out. Ryua would actively avoid Jaakuna as well, not wanting him to know what had happened just yet. Soon the entrance to the village would be just ahead, but something else distracted the viera. Both Ryua and Mtra would step forward, pulling the strings of their bows back. A pair of humes would approach them, and as they got closer, their bows would be lowered. Aloa would then step forward, crossing her arms. "Your Highness."

Grant was more than surprised to see Aloa out and about. He wasn't exactly an expert on viera customs, but he knew Aloa seldom would just leave the village. Ryua and Mtra would nod at him, though of course everyone's attention was not on him, but the brunette next to him. "It's good to see you all again." He would state, though his eyes did widen. "Jaakuna? What...is that really you?" He asked, rather surprised. "What is going on?"

Aloa raised a hand, signaling everyone to stay quiet for a moment. "You have come. It would seem that your previous instability has been fixed." She would announce to both Grant and Jaakuna. "This would have been the work of Chaos. Albeit it seems even he couldn't completely fix the issue without something going wrong." The prince was shocked to hear this. So Emiri was all better? But then what was Aloa talking about? Before he could ask, Aloa would turn to Emiri. "Tell me, do you know where you are?" She asked. The brunette would shake her head, looking down at being addressed. Grant stared at her. How could she not know where she was? She was the one that said they needed to get to Eruyt!

"Emiri, you can't be serious." Grant would state, looking at her. She didn't even look at him. "Emiri." He said, wanting him to look at her. "...Emiri?"

Ryua looked at Jaakuna rather guiltily. It became very obvious what had gone wrong. "Does...does she not know her own name?" Mtra asked reluctantly, somewhat missing it.

"In order to save her physical body, Chaos has used her power to reverse her time to a point where she would become stable and not in danger of fading away. She is no longer in danger." Aloa noted. "However, it seemed that for the moment, she has been wiped clean of her memories."

If Nadeline wasn't going to kill him before, she was definitely going to kill him now.

[AlteredTundra]

As Jaakuna and the three Viera would walk their way to Eruyt, Ryua would tug Jaakuna back telling him that no matter what that he wasn’t the one to blame and she would express that it had to be done What isn’t my fault? What had to be done? Jaakuna didn’t even know what she was talking about, but before he could ask, Ryua hastened her pace and caught up to Aloa and Mtra. Jaakuna would as well, as he wanted to know what exactly it was that Ryua was referring to.

After a few minutes of fast walking, the four of them arrived to Eruyt and they would go inside. To his surprise, he saw Emiri and Grant. A big smile came over Jaakuna. Grant would ask if that was really Jaakuna and ask him what he was doing in Eruyt. Jaakuna was about to answer Grant, but that’s when Aloa would raise her hand, signaling everyone to shut up. Jaakuna did and so did Grant. Aloa would then state that Emiri’s previous instability was fixed. Jaakuna quickly smiled even bigger, but he was equally as surprised.

“That’s great new--” JAakuna was cut off as he heard what Aloa really meant. Emiri’s esper Chaos fixed her, but not without complications.

Grant would worryingly call out Emiri’s name, asking her if she was alright, but she didn’t respond. Jaakuna instantly became alarmed at this, as if too being worried for Emiri, more so than Grant was. That was when Aloa revealed that to save her physical body, Chaos had to revert her to a time where her powers wouldn’t fail her and that she wouldn’t be lost in time. That’s when Jaakuna nearly lost it on the mention that her memories were gone.

“No, no..” Jaakuna murmured, voice barely audible. “You’re lying…” Jaakuna said, voice slightly more audible. He looked at Aloa, eyes dripping with tears, full of despair. “You have to be.” His voice was now fully heard, volume at normal levels.

In what could only be described as pure grief and denial driving his actions, Jaakuna did the unthinkable and he took his hands and tackled Aloa to the ground, him on top of her, and hands gripping around her throat tightly. “YOU’RE GOING TO FIX THIS!” He yelled. His voice got louder and louder and the louder it got the tighter it seemed his grip was getting tighter and tighter.