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Mcmolly"Jaakuna you--don't you remember?! Emiri exclaimed, somewhat alarmed. How did he not remember any of this? Aloa's words then hit her: this was what she meant by coaxing him out. She wasn't sure if it was that he had forgotten or if he was in denial. But this false paradise was just that: false. "Jaakuna, listen to me." She said very sternly, taking both his hands in hers. "This isn't...none of this is real. You're asleep on the Ifrit right now. Wesley, Nadeline, Savayna and I...we are all waiting for you to wake up. You need to remember what happened...how you told me your darkest secret...we--we aren't married, I haven't even..." I haven't even confessed to you yet. She bit her lip nervously.
Aloa listened to him carefully. The prince was troubled, clearly, and at a loss. "We all have our parts to play in this grand world named Ivalice. Things change. The gods are never satisfied with events being constant. They test us, berate us, put us down...but the question is not will you be able to get through these things, the question is, will you learn from your experiences, or will you just let them pass? Even this meeting between you and I was fated." She turned to the door. "I blame my age, I have had many years to find myself. You are still young. You will find it, that I am sure of. Rely on your allies and use your experiences: this would be my advice, the words of an old teacher."
She paused for a moment, and then turned to Nadeline, bowing to her. "Until next we meet, for we are not enemies, but simply two different sides of a conflict. I look forward to see if you will have grown." She nodded to both Savayna and Wesley, and made her way back to the teleporter.
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Honeymoon? Are we...married? If there was an emotion beyond shocked, Emiri was certainly feeling it. He admitted it so freely, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. So then, she was part of this dream? She half wondered if another version of her would pop up. They were married...she wondered if it was a big wedding. He seemed like the flashy type. As he led her to the cottage, she would plant her feet on the ground, pulling back. He was always stronger then she was, but at the very least, it would stop them for the moment. Her face contorted into one of more concern. She had to stay focused: she needed him to snap out of it. But as she saw his face, she was filled with regret.
"Jaakuna..." She spoke his name, at this point it almost seemed foreign to her. Why? "Don't you...Don't you remember what happened?" She asked him, trying to get him to remember. "You destroyed the Dawn Shard...and then you...you..." It choked her up to remember his lifeless body, and she found herself on the verge of tears as she spoke.
Aloa was intrigued by Wesley's observation. The prince was very observant, and in a way, he was right in some things, in others he was not. "Of course I can." She responded to his question quite simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "A crossroads...perhaps, were I younger, were I Hume, I might have agreed with you. But that is not how I work, you see." She crossed her arms and turned to him, giving him her full attention. "To you, I am an enemy. To you, I am a Rozarrian who wishes only to fulfill the orders of her Empress. Said orders are seen as questionable, evil even. However, if I asked any Rozarrian on the street, they would tell you this: their Empress is benevolent and seeks only to protect her people. She is seen as stern, yet fair. Her desire for power comes to defend her people from the evil that is Archadia."
She looked at both Savayna and Nadeline. The latter shifted in her seat, somewhat. "It is all a manner of perspective. Will I someday have to oppose my princess? Yes. Will I be able to when the time comes? Of course. The life of a soldier is of that, duty bound and one filled with those types of choices. This is not the first time this has happened, where I had to choose between my duty and my heart. And I doubt it will be the last: we Viera far outlive you Humes. My experiences have made me into the person I am today. The only thing I can hope to do is to guide my princess along the path, so that someday, when that choice is presented to her, she will do what is right. And when that time comes, she will know what to do--as will you."
Aloa then smiles, something rare. "I know my role in life. Do you know yours?"
"Jaakuna..." She spoke his name, at this point it almost seemed foreign to her. Why? "Don't you...Don't you remember what happened?" She asked him, trying to get him to remember. "You destroyed the Dawn Shard...and then you...you..." It choked her up to remember his lifeless body, and she found herself on the verge of tears as she spoke.
Aloa was intrigued by Wesley's observation. The prince was very observant, and in a way, he was right in some things, in others he was not. "Of course I can." She responded to his question quite simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "A crossroads...perhaps, were I younger, were I Hume, I might have agreed with you. But that is not how I work, you see." She crossed her arms and turned to him, giving him her full attention. "To you, I am an enemy. To you, I am a Rozarrian who wishes only to fulfill the orders of her Empress. Said orders are seen as questionable, evil even. However, if I asked any Rozarrian on the street, they would tell you this: their Empress is benevolent and seeks only to protect her people. She is seen as stern, yet fair. Her desire for power comes to defend her people from the evil that is Archadia."
She looked at both Savayna and Nadeline. The latter shifted in her seat, somewhat. "It is all a manner of perspective. Will I someday have to oppose my princess? Yes. Will I be able to when the time comes? Of course. The life of a soldier is of that, duty bound and one filled with those types of choices. This is not the first time this has happened, where I had to choose between my duty and my heart. And I doubt it will be the last: we Viera far outlive you Humes. My experiences have made me into the person I am today. The only thing I can hope to do is to guide my princess along the path, so that someday, when that choice is presented to her, she will do what is right. And when that time comes, she will know what to do--as will you."
Aloa then smiles, something rare. "I know my role in life. Do you know yours?"
The viera looked down at Wesley (a natural thing, for she towered over most Hume men) with a rather blank expression. Like Nadeline, he too was lost. She felt some pity; Humes were so easily misguided. She closed her eyes, as if she was carefully choosing her words. "To do as you must, to be bound by duty, that is the life of a soldier. My allegiance lies solely to two things: the General to whom I was assigned to, and to the House of Roselia. In a cruel sense, my actions here were for the benefit of Nadeline only. And yet one can argue that I have let my emotions--however muted they may be--get in the way." She spoke slowly, though she did open her eyes."Helping the princess of Rozarria is my duty, nothing more, nothing less. Even now, once I leave I will return to said duty and fulfill my orders. But as of this moment, I did not help the princess of Rozarria, did I? Nadeline is not the one comatose. I did not lend my aid to any Rozarrian--I lent my aid to an Arcadian. You tell me, young prince, why do you think I did this?"
Jaakuna. It was Jaakuna. He was speaking, smiling, acting. He wasn't asleep, he was fully awake, even calling out to her. Emiri is in disbelief at this point, though she remembers Aloa's words as she makes her way to him. She wondered if this was Jaakuna's desire--a peaceful solitude. Not that she blamed him, after everything that had happened. And yet, even as she walked, she knew this peace was a false one. The skies never stayed clear, after all. Rain would always come to cover the blue sky, and yet in this place, it was not so. This was not reality. It struck her as odd that she had to remind herself of that. She needed to be careful, lest she, too, be drawn in by his subconscious.
As she reached him, she paused before him. He looked so happy, as if there was not a worry in the world. It was so hard to believe, really. Taking in a deep breath, she sat down next to him, pressing her dress down as she made it smooth. Emiri looked at him, though found herself at a loss for words. She then decided she may as well ask the obvious question. "Where am I?"
Jaakuna. It was Jaakuna. He was speaking, smiling, acting. He wasn't asleep, he was fully awake, even calling out to her. Emiri is in disbelief at this point, though she remembers Aloa's words as she makes her way to him. She wondered if this was Jaakuna's desire--a peaceful solitude. Not that she blamed him, after everything that had happened. And yet, even as she walked, she knew this peace was a false one. The skies never stayed clear, after all. Rain would always come to cover the blue sky, and yet in this place, it was not so. This was not reality. It struck her as odd that she had to remind herself of that. She needed to be careful, lest she, too, be drawn in by his subconscious.
As she reached him, she paused before him. He looked so happy, as if there was not a worry in the world. It was so hard to believe, really. Taking in a deep breath, she sat down next to him, pressing her dress down as she made it smooth. Emiri looked at him, though found herself at a loss for words. She then decided she may as well ask the obvious question. "Where am I?"
Emiri watched Jaakuna, afraid to take her eyes off of him, as if he'd suddenly leave if she stopped looking at him. It was odd, really. He looked so peaceful, so quiet--it was a look that did not fit him, she decided. She wanted him to open his eyes, to yell and shout, to say stupid things, to fight with everyone--anything. Anything was better then this sleep, this step away from death. She hated it so much. She gingerly took his hand in hers. Perhaps she should have been happy to touch him, but it was like touching the air. The Mist was strong, it reminded her of the Dawn Shard itself. She hated the feeling, and it betrayed her, as if the person before her was someone else entirely.
So much that when Aloa walked in, her shock was a weak one.
The viera promptly ignored all of the reactions at her arrival; after all, it's completely understandable for an enemy to suddenly appear. She raised her hand, signaling silence. She walked through to the comatose Jaakuna, though she noticed Emiri's look at her. "As Rozarria and Archadia have come to a truce, as have I and the princess." She spoke, putting her arm down. "He cannot feel your touch. No amount of hand holding will bring him back."
She probably would have cried at that point, but she was more preoccupied with what the hell she was doing here. "Aloa can help Jaakuna." Nadeline piped up from behind rather cheerfully. Now Emiri was in disbelief, and slightly confused at this point. "Betrayal simply isn't my style, Savayna, I simply do whatever it takes to help my friends. And Aloa is my friend." She brightly batted her eyes at the general, waving her words away. "Now hush and let the woman work her magic."
The viera held out one finger, tracing something in the air. Mist emanated from her hands, and it went from in front of her to surround Jaakuna. A sort of barrier formed around his body, made entirely of Mist--it reminded Emiri of the Barheim Passage for a moment. It glowed an ethereal red, but it slowly dissipated until only a small orb floated above him. Aloa placed her hand on her chin, clearly intrigued. "To pull him out of this state, someone close to his heart needs to coax him out, so to speak." Aloa explained. "The Mist has overwhelmed him. It was foolish to approach the Dawn Shard so recklessly."
"What do you mean, 'coax'?" Emiri asked cautiously.
"Ultimately, it is up to him to return. But at this state, he is not aware that he is asleep. Someone needs to bring him back to reality." She let out a sigh, approaching Emiri and taking her hand. "You will have to do. I can only guide you to him, but it will be up to you to find him and...convince him to come back." Emiri bit her lip nervously, looking up at the viera. This didn't sound like some simple task at all. "Are you ready?"
She looked at Jaakuna, and let out a sigh of her own. She didn't like this at all, but she did think that she would do anything to bring him back. Emiri nodded, looking up at the viera. "Of course."
"Brace yourself." Aloa warned her, and she let go of Emiri's hand. With one finger, she directed the little Mist orb to her finger She then lightly poked Emiri's forehead. As the brunette opened her mouth to ask what she had done, her vision erupted into many colors. She recognized it as Mist, and it overwhelmed her. She felt like she was drowning in it, and soon everything around her had disappeared. It was so hard to move, like she was in a thick muck or water or something. It was hard to describe, but as things got brighter, she closed her eyes. Once she opened them, she had found herself in a completely different place. Was she successful in getting into his subconscious? She assumed so; this place was definitely not the airship. All around here was a red streaked sky, reminiscent of a sunset. The ground beneath her seemed stable enough, but where should she go?
Picking a direction, Emiri began to walk.
On the outside, after Aloa had poked Emiri, she simply closed her eyes, appearing to be asleep as well. Aloa then turned to Nadeline. "It has been done. There is nothing more I can do." She stated, flipping her hair. "I will take my leave now. I suggest that in the future, you handle that sword with care. I would have expected better from a descendant of the Dynast King himself." She stated, looking at Wesley at this point.
So much that when Aloa walked in, her shock was a weak one.
The viera promptly ignored all of the reactions at her arrival; after all, it's completely understandable for an enemy to suddenly appear. She raised her hand, signaling silence. She walked through to the comatose Jaakuna, though she noticed Emiri's look at her. "As Rozarria and Archadia have come to a truce, as have I and the princess." She spoke, putting her arm down. "He cannot feel your touch. No amount of hand holding will bring him back."
She probably would have cried at that point, but she was more preoccupied with what the hell she was doing here. "Aloa can help Jaakuna." Nadeline piped up from behind rather cheerfully. Now Emiri was in disbelief, and slightly confused at this point. "Betrayal simply isn't my style, Savayna, I simply do whatever it takes to help my friends. And Aloa is my friend." She brightly batted her eyes at the general, waving her words away. "Now hush and let the woman work her magic."
The viera held out one finger, tracing something in the air. Mist emanated from her hands, and it went from in front of her to surround Jaakuna. A sort of barrier formed around his body, made entirely of Mist--it reminded Emiri of the Barheim Passage for a moment. It glowed an ethereal red, but it slowly dissipated until only a small orb floated above him. Aloa placed her hand on her chin, clearly intrigued. "To pull him out of this state, someone close to his heart needs to coax him out, so to speak." Aloa explained. "The Mist has overwhelmed him. It was foolish to approach the Dawn Shard so recklessly."
"What do you mean, 'coax'?" Emiri asked cautiously.
"Ultimately, it is up to him to return. But at this state, he is not aware that he is asleep. Someone needs to bring him back to reality." She let out a sigh, approaching Emiri and taking her hand. "You will have to do. I can only guide you to him, but it will be up to you to find him and...convince him to come back." Emiri bit her lip nervously, looking up at the viera. This didn't sound like some simple task at all. "Are you ready?"
She looked at Jaakuna, and let out a sigh of her own. She didn't like this at all, but she did think that she would do anything to bring him back. Emiri nodded, looking up at the viera. "Of course."
"Brace yourself." Aloa warned her, and she let go of Emiri's hand. With one finger, she directed the little Mist orb to her finger She then lightly poked Emiri's forehead. As the brunette opened her mouth to ask what she had done, her vision erupted into many colors. She recognized it as Mist, and it overwhelmed her. She felt like she was drowning in it, and soon everything around her had disappeared. It was so hard to move, like she was in a thick muck or water or something. It was hard to describe, but as things got brighter, she closed her eyes. Once she opened them, she had found herself in a completely different place. Was she successful in getting into his subconscious? She assumed so; this place was definitely not the airship. All around here was a red streaked sky, reminiscent of a sunset. The ground beneath her seemed stable enough, but where should she go?
Picking a direction, Emiri began to walk.
On the outside, after Aloa had poked Emiri, she simply closed her eyes, appearing to be asleep as well. Aloa then turned to Nadeline. "It has been done. There is nothing more I can do." She stated, flipping her hair. "I will take my leave now. I suggest that in the future, you handle that sword with care. I would have expected better from a descendant of the Dynast King himself." She stated, looking at Wesley at this point.
Emiri looked crestfallen at Savayna's words. Was it really hopeless? As she pondered as such, her blonde friend would uncross her arms and begin to walk out. "Naddie? Where are you going?" She asked her.
"The only thing to do now is research. Last time I needed help, I found the answers I wanted. Perhaps the same can happen this time." Nadeline said, walking out of the room. "I will return shortly." The blonde made her way to the place where she could get teleported down. Once the ship arrived to Dalmasca, she beamed down, arriving in the Aerodome. She began to walk out and down the stairs into Lowtown. Yes, the last time she needed help--when Reia expressed interest in Emiri's abilities--she had found the solution here, in Rabanastre. And yet as she walked, she couldn't combat her thoughts and feelings.
In truth, Nadeline bore a terrible guilt. She didn't understand it at all, either. No matter how high her position was, the truth of the matter was she could not stop Grant from hurting Emiri, nor could she help Jaakuna awaken from his state. It infuriated her, a frustration so great she could not control it. Time and time again would prove that no matter what she thought before, she was truly powerless. She thought she had overcome this on the Ark, but it seemed she was wrong. Seeing Aloa had proven that; if it weren't for the viera deciding not to stop her, they would have most likely been caught. How she cursed herself so! The gods were cruel, making her believe that she could actually make a difference when the reality was that she could do no more for anyone then the next person could.
The blonde haired girl stopped as her rage took over once more. Unable to contain it, she turned to the nearest building and punched it. To her surprise, this was met with a chuckle. She looked to see the silver haired tutor of hers approach her, one hand on her hip as she stood. "You never could contain that dreadful temper of yours, Highness." She commented airily.
"What are you doing here? Are you not with Grant?" The blonde raised an eyebrow at the viera, though she did cast a Cure over her hand.
The viera shook her head, taking her injured hand and casting a Cure of her own. It healed it much faster than Nadeline's, and the bruises and cuts all disappeared, leaving it as it was. "There was a time where your White Magicks greatly exceeded my own. Pray tell, what has happened?" Nadeline clutched her hand as she formed it into a fist. She was right. She was gifted in that department. She was so happy the day she found out...If it meant being able to help people, then she was more then glad not being able to cast any other magicks. And yet now she stood before her teacher, being told that she had gotten worse. "You have let your mind be clouded by your anger. Your frustration has taken its grip on you, pulling at your strength. Your fear disrupts your functions. This is not the Nadeline I know." Aloa explained to her, gently patting her head.
She looked up at Aloa with her blue eyes. "I...I cannot say. I don't know what has come over me." She admitted rather guiltily. "My friends rely on me, and yet I am powerless to help them. No amount of knowledge I have can aid them, as much as I will it."
"Do you desire power, then?" The viera asked.
"Of course I do! Without power you cannot do anything!"
"Much like the Empress, your words echo hers."
Nadeline hesitated, realizing what she had just said. How could she have been so foolish? How could she have forgotten? The entire reason she left was to prevent a war! And now, to hear Aloa compare her to Reia, it hit her hard. She clutched her hand tightly, looking down. She was no better then Reia. She desired power, and for what? What power would help Emiri or Jaakuna? Power is what had gotten them hurt in the first place. She let out a laugh, shaking her head. "I've been such a fool. It's a shame, you did not teach me to be one." She said quietly.
Aloa lifted Nadeline's chin up as she looked at her sternly. "The world is a cruel place, filled with people that have cruel hearts. They let their desires get the best of them, always. This is the Humes' flaw, for they let their desires blind them to the ones around them. You mustn't forget this, princess, for even the best intentions can lead you astray."
She nodded. "Yes...you are right."
"It also does not hurt to rely on your allies for help." Aloa stated, and once more Nadeline felt a pang of guilt. "Tell me, what troubles you?"
"We destroyed the Dawn Shard...and now one of my friends is now comatose."
"The Sword of Kings is the natural enemy of the deifacted nethicite. Your haste cost you. And now he will sleep for all eternity."
Nadeline's eyes widened in shock. "Say it isn't so! There must be a way to wake him!"
At this point, Aloa hesitated somewhat. She looked around before beckoning the princess to follow her. She was lead to an alley free of eyes and ears, and she knelt down to her. "Mist works in many ways, princess. It can be used to procure magicks, it can be held inside nethicite, it can grant people abilities they thought was not possible." She explained. "What keeps us from drowning in it is our consciousness. Without it, our souls are lost. Vlyn and I sensed the Dawn Shard's destruction, but the Mist did not disappear. Instead it went to your friend, overtaking his consciousness, and this is why he slumbers, much against his own will. To awaken him, someone close to his heart must bring him back."
"But...but how?"
"My people are skilled in spirits." She hesitated once more, letting out a sigh. "...I can be of assistance. Would you take me to him?" Now it was Nadeline's turn to hesitate. She trusted Aloa more then anything, but was showing her the Ifrit a good idea? She didn't want to think she would betray her, but still. The viera sensed Nadeline's hesitation, smiling. "You are wise to doubt me. However, there is little choice in the manner. I will assist you in this, and once I am done, I will leave, and we will be on opposite sides once more."
"Aloa...thank you." Nadeline nodded, leading Aloa back up through Lowtown and into the Aerodome. Going back to the same spot, the two were beamed back up to the Ifrit. Aloa showed no surprise and followed Nadeline to the medic bay, where she saw Jaakuna.
"The only thing to do now is research. Last time I needed help, I found the answers I wanted. Perhaps the same can happen this time." Nadeline said, walking out of the room. "I will return shortly." The blonde made her way to the place where she could get teleported down. Once the ship arrived to Dalmasca, she beamed down, arriving in the Aerodome. She began to walk out and down the stairs into Lowtown. Yes, the last time she needed help--when Reia expressed interest in Emiri's abilities--she had found the solution here, in Rabanastre. And yet as she walked, she couldn't combat her thoughts and feelings.
In truth, Nadeline bore a terrible guilt. She didn't understand it at all, either. No matter how high her position was, the truth of the matter was she could not stop Grant from hurting Emiri, nor could she help Jaakuna awaken from his state. It infuriated her, a frustration so great she could not control it. Time and time again would prove that no matter what she thought before, she was truly powerless. She thought she had overcome this on the Ark, but it seemed she was wrong. Seeing Aloa had proven that; if it weren't for the viera deciding not to stop her, they would have most likely been caught. How she cursed herself so! The gods were cruel, making her believe that she could actually make a difference when the reality was that she could do no more for anyone then the next person could.
The blonde haired girl stopped as her rage took over once more. Unable to contain it, she turned to the nearest building and punched it. To her surprise, this was met with a chuckle. She looked to see the silver haired tutor of hers approach her, one hand on her hip as she stood. "You never could contain that dreadful temper of yours, Highness." She commented airily.
"What are you doing here? Are you not with Grant?" The blonde raised an eyebrow at the viera, though she did cast a Cure over her hand.
The viera shook her head, taking her injured hand and casting a Cure of her own. It healed it much faster than Nadeline's, and the bruises and cuts all disappeared, leaving it as it was. "There was a time where your White Magicks greatly exceeded my own. Pray tell, what has happened?" Nadeline clutched her hand as she formed it into a fist. She was right. She was gifted in that department. She was so happy the day she found out...If it meant being able to help people, then she was more then glad not being able to cast any other magicks. And yet now she stood before her teacher, being told that she had gotten worse. "You have let your mind be clouded by your anger. Your frustration has taken its grip on you, pulling at your strength. Your fear disrupts your functions. This is not the Nadeline I know." Aloa explained to her, gently patting her head.
She looked up at Aloa with her blue eyes. "I...I cannot say. I don't know what has come over me." She admitted rather guiltily. "My friends rely on me, and yet I am powerless to help them. No amount of knowledge I have can aid them, as much as I will it."
"Do you desire power, then?" The viera asked.
"Of course I do! Without power you cannot do anything!"
"Much like the Empress, your words echo hers."
Nadeline hesitated, realizing what she had just said. How could she have been so foolish? How could she have forgotten? The entire reason she left was to prevent a war! And now, to hear Aloa compare her to Reia, it hit her hard. She clutched her hand tightly, looking down. She was no better then Reia. She desired power, and for what? What power would help Emiri or Jaakuna? Power is what had gotten them hurt in the first place. She let out a laugh, shaking her head. "I've been such a fool. It's a shame, you did not teach me to be one." She said quietly.
Aloa lifted Nadeline's chin up as she looked at her sternly. "The world is a cruel place, filled with people that have cruel hearts. They let their desires get the best of them, always. This is the Humes' flaw, for they let their desires blind them to the ones around them. You mustn't forget this, princess, for even the best intentions can lead you astray."
She nodded. "Yes...you are right."
"It also does not hurt to rely on your allies for help." Aloa stated, and once more Nadeline felt a pang of guilt. "Tell me, what troubles you?"
"We destroyed the Dawn Shard...and now one of my friends is now comatose."
"The Sword of Kings is the natural enemy of the deifacted nethicite. Your haste cost you. And now he will sleep for all eternity."
Nadeline's eyes widened in shock. "Say it isn't so! There must be a way to wake him!"
At this point, Aloa hesitated somewhat. She looked around before beckoning the princess to follow her. She was lead to an alley free of eyes and ears, and she knelt down to her. "Mist works in many ways, princess. It can be used to procure magicks, it can be held inside nethicite, it can grant people abilities they thought was not possible." She explained. "What keeps us from drowning in it is our consciousness. Without it, our souls are lost. Vlyn and I sensed the Dawn Shard's destruction, but the Mist did not disappear. Instead it went to your friend, overtaking his consciousness, and this is why he slumbers, much against his own will. To awaken him, someone close to his heart must bring him back."
"But...but how?"
"My people are skilled in spirits." She hesitated once more, letting out a sigh. "...I can be of assistance. Would you take me to him?" Now it was Nadeline's turn to hesitate. She trusted Aloa more then anything, but was showing her the Ifrit a good idea? She didn't want to think she would betray her, but still. The viera sensed Nadeline's hesitation, smiling. "You are wise to doubt me. However, there is little choice in the manner. I will assist you in this, and once I am done, I will leave, and we will be on opposite sides once more."
"Aloa...thank you." Nadeline nodded, leading Aloa back up through Lowtown and into the Aerodome. Going back to the same spot, the two were beamed back up to the Ifrit. Aloa showed no surprise and followed Nadeline to the medic bay, where she saw Jaakuna.
Now what?
Honestly, Emiri was glad to be safe--for the moment, anyway. Still, the situation had left them at a stalemate of sorts. The enemy was active now more then ever, but the party had come to a halt. Her previous optimism seemed to have gone down the drain. They may have escaped, but Jaakuna wasn't any better, nor were they any closer to getting him to wake up. She felt tired of all of this: why couldn't anything just go right? Then again, if things had stayed on their course, they would still have been in Grant's grasp. Savayna's presence wasn't making things any easier in all honesty--Nadeline was just as hostile to her and Emiri pondered what her motives were, and whether they could trust her. Not that there was any choice, really, but still.
"We need to discuss our options now." Nadeline stated once Jaakuna was under Iris' monitoring, crossing her arms. "And what we plan to do next. We've gone from the frying pan to the freezer--we may be safe for now, but who says Archadia and Rozarria won't come after us again? Then there's still the matter of the Espers, as well as that Artificial Intelligence Wesley and Jaakuna uncovered in the Ark. The Midlight Shard is also still out there...somewhere, and we cannot risk destroying it or the Dusk Shard, lest we...." She avoided the obvious elephant in the room--Jaakuna--as it was obvious he was another problem piled on.
Emiri let out a sigh. She didn't want to admit it, but Nadeline was right. She racked her head for any ideas. "Maybe...the Dusk Shard can fix him?" She asked, a somewhat hopeful tone in her voice. "Doesn't nethicite absorb Mist?"
Honestly, Emiri was glad to be safe--for the moment, anyway. Still, the situation had left them at a stalemate of sorts. The enemy was active now more then ever, but the party had come to a halt. Her previous optimism seemed to have gone down the drain. They may have escaped, but Jaakuna wasn't any better, nor were they any closer to getting him to wake up. She felt tired of all of this: why couldn't anything just go right? Then again, if things had stayed on their course, they would still have been in Grant's grasp. Savayna's presence wasn't making things any easier in all honesty--Nadeline was just as hostile to her and Emiri pondered what her motives were, and whether they could trust her. Not that there was any choice, really, but still.
"We need to discuss our options now." Nadeline stated once Jaakuna was under Iris' monitoring, crossing her arms. "And what we plan to do next. We've gone from the frying pan to the freezer--we may be safe for now, but who says Archadia and Rozarria won't come after us again? Then there's still the matter of the Espers, as well as that Artificial Intelligence Wesley and Jaakuna uncovered in the Ark. The Midlight Shard is also still out there...somewhere, and we cannot risk destroying it or the Dusk Shard, lest we...." She avoided the obvious elephant in the room--Jaakuna--as it was obvious he was another problem piled on.
Emiri let out a sigh. She didn't want to admit it, but Nadeline was right. She racked her head for any ideas. "Maybe...the Dusk Shard can fix him?" She asked, a somewhat hopeful tone in her voice. "Doesn't nethicite absorb Mist?"
If looks could kill, Savayna would be on the floor with that pretty smirk of hers wiped off her face. Nadeline crossed her arms, clearly both irritated and displeased at the general, but by whatever mysterious forced she managed to keep her mouth shut. As she watched Wesley carry Jaakuna, she shot Savayna a seething glare, though she said nothing. Now was not the time to be fighting (and she didn't dare to repeat the same mistake twice in front of Wesley) and she wanted to get the hell out of the place while they still had the chance.
Emiri shared Nadeline's desire to leave, and thus made sure to take the lead with sword in hand. No matter what it took, she would make sure they got out. Once they were close to the exit, however, she felt something odd. As the group continued she stopped in her tracks, looking the other way. What was this feeling she had? It almost felt like an Esper's power. But that wasn't possible, was it? Savayna had claimed Mateus, so they had already taken care of the Esper here. And yet, she could not deny this feeling: it was the same as the Garamsythe Waterway. But as soon as it came, it was gone.
Shaking her head, she dismissed it. Whatever it was, it was gone. There wasn't any time to waste, either, as she did not fancy a meeting with Grant or his men. She returned to the group as they reached the exit, and sure enough the Ifrit was revealed to them. "Let's go." Nadeline said.
And thus Zeromus fell.
Grant was surprised, to say the least. No sign of the little group, nor were there any of the general. Aloa and Vlyn had reported their escape, and yet they were not found. The soldiers scoured the place, but it would seem that a certain pathway had not been available to them. Nonetheless he had found a consolation prize of sorts--an Esper for him to command. The symbol glowed on his hand, and he examined it curiously as the viera pair approached him. He turned to them, already knowing what they would say to him, but he did not interrupt.
"There is no sign of any of them, Highness." Aloa reported. somewhat disheartened.
"It's weird, it's almost like they were never here." Vlyn commented, scratching his head. "The Mist explosion we mentioned before also seems to have lessened, but it too has gone, as well as the girl."
Emelia had managed to slip through his fingers. He was impressed, to say the least. He did not think she had what it took to run again, but he credited his niece and her allies for that much: he blamed himself for not being more attentive. Still, the chance to gain an Esper was too good to pass up, and so he didn't bother going after them. There were only so many places rats could hide after all. He couldn't say he was surprised by the general's betrayal, either--fools always made sure to stick to other fools, after all, especially ones that have no idea what the enemy was capable of.
"We'll have to send word to the Emperor about his general's little trick." He sighed to the two, raising an eyebrow. "We will run into them again, and I'll make sure to bring back both Nadeline and my doll. Send word to Harris about the Esper, I know my sister has him tracking them down."
Yes, they would meet again. And next time, he would be ready for them.
Emiri shared Nadeline's desire to leave, and thus made sure to take the lead with sword in hand. No matter what it took, she would make sure they got out. Once they were close to the exit, however, she felt something odd. As the group continued she stopped in her tracks, looking the other way. What was this feeling she had? It almost felt like an Esper's power. But that wasn't possible, was it? Savayna had claimed Mateus, so they had already taken care of the Esper here. And yet, she could not deny this feeling: it was the same as the Garamsythe Waterway. But as soon as it came, it was gone.
Shaking her head, she dismissed it. Whatever it was, it was gone. There wasn't any time to waste, either, as she did not fancy a meeting with Grant or his men. She returned to the group as they reached the exit, and sure enough the Ifrit was revealed to them. "Let's go." Nadeline said.
And thus Zeromus fell.
Grant was surprised, to say the least. No sign of the little group, nor were there any of the general. Aloa and Vlyn had reported their escape, and yet they were not found. The soldiers scoured the place, but it would seem that a certain pathway had not been available to them. Nonetheless he had found a consolation prize of sorts--an Esper for him to command. The symbol glowed on his hand, and he examined it curiously as the viera pair approached him. He turned to them, already knowing what they would say to him, but he did not interrupt.
"There is no sign of any of them, Highness." Aloa reported. somewhat disheartened.
"It's weird, it's almost like they were never here." Vlyn commented, scratching his head. "The Mist explosion we mentioned before also seems to have lessened, but it too has gone, as well as the girl."
Emelia had managed to slip through his fingers. He was impressed, to say the least. He did not think she had what it took to run again, but he credited his niece and her allies for that much: he blamed himself for not being more attentive. Still, the chance to gain an Esper was too good to pass up, and so he didn't bother going after them. There were only so many places rats could hide after all. He couldn't say he was surprised by the general's betrayal, either--fools always made sure to stick to other fools, after all, especially ones that have no idea what the enemy was capable of.
"We'll have to send word to the Emperor about his general's little trick." He sighed to the two, raising an eyebrow. "We will run into them again, and I'll make sure to bring back both Nadeline and my doll. Send word to Harris about the Esper, I know my sister has him tracking them down."
Yes, they would meet again. And next time, he would be ready for them.
As the trio returned to Savayna, they bore good news. Things were starting to look up--perhaps this would actually go smoothly. Said blonde haired general seemed somewhat impatient. She didn't blame her too much, as she too was anxious to leave. She was somewhat saddened, however. She was half expecting Jaakuna to greet her as she had returned, but there he was, motionless as before. She almost cried at that point, but she forced herself to hold back her tears. He wasn't dead. She could still help him. The sooner they were out of here, the sooner they could help Jaakuna.
"Do yell louder, I too wish to be found." Nadeline told Savayna with a raised eyebrow, clearly not sharing her enthusiasm.
Wanting to avoid yet another argument between Nadeline and Savayna (for the moment, anyway; she knew their arguing had only just begun) Emiri quickly interjected, asking Savayna, "Will you be able to move him like this?" as she pointed to Jaakuna. "If so, let us be on our way, the Ifrit will surely be awaiting us."
"Do yell louder, I too wish to be found." Nadeline told Savayna with a raised eyebrow, clearly not sharing her enthusiasm.
Wanting to avoid yet another argument between Nadeline and Savayna (for the moment, anyway; she knew their arguing had only just begun) Emiri quickly interjected, asking Savayna, "Will you be able to move him like this?" as she pointed to Jaakuna. "If so, let us be on our way, the Ifrit will surely be awaiting us."
As Wesley struck the Golem with his magically enhanced blade, Emiri waited for her chance. It appeared when the Golem collapsed to the ground. At the same time, Nadeline prepared another spell: "Bravery!" She called. As the magic sang through the air, it wrapped itself around Emiri's sword. She waved it back at Nadeline as a form of thanks, then turned to the nearly defeated monster before them. She ran at the beast, and right before it spun around, gaining momentum. With a might strike, her sword--previously defeated by its shell--now pierced right through it, and with her slash, the monster fell to her blade.
Emiri let out a sigh of relief, though held her sword up in victory. It was certainly durable; she was sure her Longsword would have broken under the stress, but the Diamon Sword in her hand still glimmered, as if acknowledging her thoughts. She turned to her comrades, a grin bearing on her face as she sheathed her weapon. "Let's return to Savayna now." She said brightly, placing her hands on her hips. "By the time she comes with Jaakuna, I'm sure the Ifrit will be awaiting us."
Nadeline sheathed her weapon as well, letting out a small sigh of relief. As she looked to the exit, she hoped it would be that simple.
Emiri let out a sigh of relief, though held her sword up in victory. It was certainly durable; she was sure her Longsword would have broken under the stress, but the Diamon Sword in her hand still glimmered, as if acknowledging her thoughts. She turned to her comrades, a grin bearing on her face as she sheathed her weapon. "Let's return to Savayna now." She said brightly, placing her hands on her hips. "By the time she comes with Jaakuna, I'm sure the Ifrit will be awaiting us."
Nadeline sheathed her weapon as well, letting out a small sigh of relief. As she looked to the exit, she hoped it would be that simple.
"The gods enjoy toying with us today, it seems--shifting our fates from being cruel to being merciful." Nadeline noted, quirking an eyebrow at the opportunity before them. "We must make haste with this beast."
Emiri nodded in agreement, though she didn't get her hopes up yet. There was still the manner of actually beating it. While she didn't think it would be too much of an issue to take it down, she didn't want to alert the soldiers to their location. Still, it was a chance she was willing to take--and so, after beckoning the other two, Emiri went in for the attack. She went straight for one of the legs, slicing her sword horizontally, only to be met with some resistance. A lot of resistance. It was like striking a giant boulder! Her body shook a bit in an almost comical way, and her hands slightly hurt after that. Magic will probably be more effective. She mentally chided herself.
Nadeline seemed to have picked up her hint, holding her free hand out. A green glyph appeared beneath Wesley. "Faith!" She cast her spell, enchancing his magical power.
Emiri nodded in agreement, though she didn't get her hopes up yet. There was still the manner of actually beating it. While she didn't think it would be too much of an issue to take it down, she didn't want to alert the soldiers to their location. Still, it was a chance she was willing to take--and so, after beckoning the other two, Emiri went in for the attack. She went straight for one of the legs, slicing her sword horizontally, only to be met with some resistance. A lot of resistance. It was like striking a giant boulder! Her body shook a bit in an almost comical way, and her hands slightly hurt after that. Magic will probably be more effective. She mentally chided herself.
Nadeline seemed to have picked up her hint, holding her free hand out. A green glyph appeared beneath Wesley. "Faith!" She cast her spell, enchancing his magical power.
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