Hero

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As the two women were pulled off one another (literally), they struggled against the boys, shouting and screaming and flailing.

And then, silence.

Oh my gods he's kissing me.

The blonde haired girl was in complete shock, so to speak. He was kissing her. He made the first move! How dare he?! She wanted to be the one to do it, not the other way around! She was still mad, and then suddenly she wasn't so mad. It worked. She was calm.

Meanwhile, Emiri broke away from Jaakuna, just about to tell him off when she spotted Wesley and Nadeline. She gasped, frantically shaking him. "Lookatthemlookatthemlookatthem--" She frantically whispered, completely surprised. "ItoldyouItoldyouItoldyou--"

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

"She's an idiot!" Emiri huffed, clearly agitated as clenched her fists. She managed to catch herself, taking in deep breaths as she tried to calm herself down. "I'm just saying she's being stupid. Really stupid. Really, really stupid." She said, though failed to notice her own voice raising its volume as she continued to talk. "She's being the same spoiled brat she's always been. "

Nadeline opened her mouth to speak, only to stay quiet and listen to what her dear friend was saying. She looked over Wesley's shoulder at Emiri, yelling, "I heard that!"

Emiri looked over Jaakuna's shoulder. "Considering it was ABOUT YOU I really don't care!" She shouted back.

At this point Nadeline let out an irritated huff as she pushed past Wesley, raising a fist at Emiri. "Come over and say it to my face! Or better yet go ahead and run away like you always do! You damned cowardly doll!"

At that point, Emiri's expression dropped. For a moment, she actually looked hurt. But as soon as it came it went, and that sadness turned into pure, unadulterated fury. Now she was mad. She shoved Jaakuna aside and leapt at Nadeline, and the two began fighting. Hair pulling, smacking, cursing,and many other unladylike things as the two kept fighting one another.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

The two girls glared at one another, their argument ceasing as Jaakuna made his point. For a moment, there was silence.

It didn't last.

"We could probably take him on together." Emiri murmured.

"Truly that concussion of yours is starting to take the blood from your brain." Nadeline responded, crossing her arms.

"Well it's true! What makes you think he won't steal the next Esper like he did just now?"

"We are lucky he decided to leave when he did, lest he goes and pulls another fatal attack on one of us."

"That's...You're missing the point!"

"What point? The one where we foolishly go after that which we cannot defeat? Some of us value our lives!"

"Some of us aren't cowards!"

"Look who's talking!"

The two continued bickering, things starting to get heated. Nadeline couldn't believe how truly reckless Emiri had become. Was she crazy? Did she not hear Jaakuna? Once they were properly ready, then they could maybe fight him. She actually wanted to avoid fighting with that ruthless madman, but it couldn't be helped. Meanwhile Emiri couldn't believe the normally bold Nadeline was backing down from a challenge. Seriously, what was wrong with her? They needed to be realistic, the guy wasn't going to wait around for them, he was going to act, and they needed to take the initiative!

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

For once, the princess had to disagree with Wesley. As much as she really, really didn't want to, going after Ixion was just not a good idea. "Last time we encountered him, we barely escaped with our lives..." Nadeline reminded them, specifically looking at Jaakuna. He knew that she could not heal him, and she highly doubted Emiri would be able to repeat her trick. It was a foolish move, and she knew Wesley wanted revenge, but they didn't have the strength to face him. And yet, in the back of her mind, she didn't want to face him. The man was ruthless, who was to say he wouldn't kill Jaakuna or Emiri next time? Nearly killing your cousin and taking an innocent person hostage made Ixion very, very dangerous. She had a feeling he wouldn't hesitate to sick his new pet on them, either.

Emiri looked to where Ixion escaped. If he was going after the Espers as well, they were going to encounter him sooner or later. "And wait for him to come after us again? He knows of the Espers, this will not be the first or last time we will cross paths." She replied.

"So you would have us risk our lives? We cannot hope to beat him!"

"Better sooner then later!"

"That is entirely foolish! Need I remind you that Jaakuna nearly DIED last time?!"

"And what makes you think we'll be any more ready next time?"

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As the Esper was brought to the ground, the two kept looking around. Still, despite Emiri's idea didn't seem to be happening. No one came. Nadeline couldn't help but lower her guard, turning back to the battle. As Emiri was about to scold her, the two were surprised by Ixion's sudden arrival. He kicked Jaakuna over the edge, and in one fell swoop, impaled Adrammelech. The girls immediately ran forward. They were both in disbelief: how did Ixion know to come here? What was worse, he basically stole the Esper after all their efforts. Emiri quickly joined Wesley, heaving Jaakuna back up as Nadeline watched Ixion escape. She had half a mind to go after him, but as she remembered their last battle, she hesitated somewhat. There was nothing left to do, and no point in fighting.

"Are you alright?!" Emiri asked worriedly, afraid Ixion had attacked the two boys. Nadeline joined them shortly, casting a Cura to heal any minor wounds.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Emiri and Nadeline looked around, seeing if any more soldiers would appear. Emiri noted that Nadeline's spells were very effective, watching as the soldier snoozed like there was no tomorrow. But why would Archadian soldiers be here? Did they know the group was here, too? Or were they after the Esper? After a moment of reprieve, Nadeline watched the duo attack the Esper. It seemed they were doing relatively well, with the Esper being close to defeat. She then looked at Emiri, motioning to the boys. "Should we alert them about the soldiers?" She asked her, still wielding her weapon.

Emiri shook her head, still looking around as she switched back to her bow and sliding her dagger into her boot. "No, we should remain alert, I don't think they were the only ones around." She replied, looking around. "Once they realize this small squad hasn't returned, I am sure more will appear."

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Emiri fired off a single arrow, readying another one before hearing a 'halt'. That was odd, it sounded a lot like an order. Nadeline turned around and her rapier met another blade. These were Archadian soldiers. Her eyes widened as she shoved the soldier back. As Emiri looked back, she narrowly avoided meeting with a sword herself. Putting away her bow, she withdrew her blade, parrying an attack and blocking another. There were three of them apparently, but she didn't doubt more would be around.

"Now, now, three against two isn't fair." Nadeline chided, holding her hand out. "Sleepga!" A Green Glyph appeared beneath the soldiers, and several violet bubbles appeared around him. Two of them managed to get out of the way, leaving one behind. Before he could react, he fell onto the floor, asleep. As the second soldier came after Nadeline as she prepared another spell, Emiri intercepted his attack, pushing him back. "Blind!" She yelled out, a dark cloud hovering over his eyes. He swung wildly, and greatly overestimated his strength, slipping off the ledge and falling. With only one soldier left, both Emiri and Nadeline drew their weapons at him. He charged, and the two looked at one another. As he came closer, the two struck at the same time, sending him flying. He hit a stalagmite and sunk to the ground, clearly knocked out.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Emiri shook her head at her companions. It looked like she was the only one enjoying herself; maybe the entire thing was just an adventure to her. She quite enjoyed exploring new places. Walking on the sand reminded her of traveling through the desert. The caverns opened to many paths ahead of them. Which to take? Letting her hunter side take over, Emiri simply began walking to the closest. It looked like the caverns ran much deeper then they imagined. The way Emiri had taken revealed almost the entirety of the many paths. The walkways were thin, the threat of falling into a seemingly endless abyss was high.

Nadeline looked around, wrinkling her nose somewhat. "The Esper could be anywhere in any of these paths. Who knows how long it will take to find it?" She asked, warily looking below. The brunette grinned, putting a finger to her lips as she signified silence. Nadeline listened hard, but she really didn't hear anything. Monsters, probably, and the wind. Actually, the wind was what took up most of the noise. She raised an eyebrow at Emiri, who only winked as she began to walk. Nadeline looked at Wesley. "I fail to understand what she is trying to say."

"Hush and follow me." Emiri replied.

She led them down several paths, and Nadeline noted the sound of the wind getting louder. Eventually, it almost sounded as if they were reaching the source of the wind. Emiri looked back as she withdrew her bow, pointing ahead. "When you're tracking down a hunt, they always stick out amongst the usual wildlife."

Nadeline gasped as she saw what Emiri was pointing to: a tornado. That certainly did stick out! As she peered closer, she swore she saw something in its center. Before she could ask, however, lightning erupted from within the tornado, and it dissipated into simpler winds.With this, the Esper Aldrammelech was revealed: a great being that flew before them, somewhat resembling an ancient horse-like creature. It sent out several waves of lightning, displaying its power, and Nadeline was briefly reminded of Ixion for a moment.

"Try not to fall." Emiri chided, readying an arrow.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Nadeline didn't appreciate being brushed off, but had little choice but to drop it. She made a mental note to properly discuss the subject when she could catch Emiri alone. As Jaakuna asked for the location of the caverns, she looked around. "It should be near...although I admit geography is not my forte." She confessed, putting away her cloak and straining her hair. "“A great cavern complex stretching along the length of the inland sea between Ordalia and Kerwon. Its passages twist and turn, winding their way from the Jagd Yensa to Dalmasca, and even Bancour. Labyrinthine and dark, the caverns provide an excellent place for criminals and bandits to hide from the authorities. The reaches near the Great Yensan Sandsea are known for their frequent deadly subterranean sand drifts, and the fierce wyrms that make their home there. Nearer to the Bancour, the smell of brine grows stronger, and many of the cavern mouths open out onto cliffs overlooking the sea...except I haven't a clue where Ozmone's entrance is."

Emiri wandered ahead, nearly walking right off a cliff. Upon closer inspection, however, she noticed that it wasn't an ordinary cliff. The path dipped somewhat, leading down into some sort of cave. She whistled to the group, beckoning them to come on over."Here's our entrance. Just remember to be careful, and watch out for quicksand." She said, hopping down and walking to the cavern.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Emiri held her sword at the ready, watching the Zaghnal's charge. Holding out her free hand, she intended to cast a Haste spell. Once again, however, it failed. She blinked in surprise, though a Protect spell erupted over her, courtesy of Nadeline, and it blocked its attack. Without any time to think, however, Emiri spun around, gathering momentum, and as she neared the monster once more she sent her blade into it. It howled as she dragged her sword through it, and with a might pull she slashed through it, and it landed in two halves. Emiri wiped her hair off her forehead, looking at her sword. That strike should have been a clean cut. She must have used up too much energy, otherwise her Haste would have activated and her strike would have been executed perfectly. She sheathed her sword, turning to the group.

"Well, I think with this group the next Esper should be a breeze." She stated, placing both hands on her hips.

Nadeline raised an eyebrow at her, though she sheathed her weapon as well. Once again, she acted in a way that would have gotten her killed: she was lucky that she had cast that Protect spell beforehand. "Your confidence is going to get you killed." Nadeline stated, crossing her arms. "Honestly, what was that back there?"

I don't know. Emiri wanted to say, but they were already halfway there. She feigned a smile, winking at Nadeline. "As long as we fight together, I will be fine. Let's get going!" She turned on her heel and began walking to Ozmone Plain.