Hero

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

The Aerodome was much calmer than Lorenzo had anticipated. Soldiers ran past them without so much as a second glance--so much for the 'Rozarrian traitors' that Hamut spoke of. Still, as uneventful as the walk was, he couldn't help but notice the still-tense air around them. The group itself was relatively quiet, with the exception of a few comments and minor jabs at Keiran's expense, and once they had reached their destination, all was quiet once more. He motioned to Grant that he would be able to walk on his own, despite every aching bone in his body telling him otherwise. He joined Nadeline at the front of the group, though he would pat her head as an Archadian soldier approached them.

Nadeline ignored her father's gesture as she would decide to inquire, "I am Nadeline Lenore of Rozarria. I wish to speak with His Grace at once," Despite it being more of a plea, it came off more as an order.

"We have been expecting your arrival, Highness. Emperor Roman made it clear you would arrive, though..." He seemed hesitant at the size of the group. Lorenzo grinned at the soldier, who seemed to get the hint. "As we are currently in the process of evacuating the citizenry following the destruction of the Royal Palace, the Aerodome's VIP Lounge is serving as our Emperor's temporary place of operations. If you would follow me, then."

Aloa seemed to be listening in on the soldiers' passing conversations as they made their way to the lounge, her ear twitching slightly. Grant took notice, giving her a curious look. "Something troubles you?" He asked her.

"It would seem the soldiers search for Hamut," She stated. "Roman's orders. Despite his gentleness, he has a way with words. Archadia seems to be in a state of chaos...though he holds the reins well. Was this also Hamut's intent?"

"His intent was war," Lorenzo reminded Aloa. "He made that abundantly clear to us."

Emiri frowned, though the conversation seemed to be put on hold as they had arrived at a rather elegant looking door. Despite there being a desk for a receptionist, it was occupied instead by another Archadian soldier. As the doors opened, it was obvious that the lounge was meant for those who had the gil to pay for it. The walls were adorned with numerous photos of the world's best sightseeing, though of course the larger ones were of Archadian sights. A bar was off to the side, its walls filled to the brim with exotic liquors and around four different bartenders at the ready, though from the looks of things they had been preparing tea instead with several maids assisting them. Numerous seating with the finest cloths weaved into them littered the area, with a fair amount of plants adding some finer touches to the decorations. A few closed doors likely lead to bathrooms, although it seemed there was a small infirmary as well.

Even then, a separate area was roped off, with two more soldiers at guard before a makeshift curtain. Lorenzo couldn't help but snicker as they cast him confused looks--he, as well as Shinto and a few others still had their Archadian armor on, or at least what was left of it. "Emperor Roman is up ahead, he should be out shortly," The soldier stated. "Feel free to use the facilities as you please."

"Thank you," Nadeline replied, unfazed by the luxury as usual, though she would invite herself to have a seat on the couch, crossing her legs daintily. Lorenzo was her polar opposite, throwing himself down, limbs sprawled as he let himself sink into the comfort. "Have some dignity, won't you?" She asked him.

"My back is killing me! It's a toughie, keeping up with you kids," He whined.

Grant rolled his eyes, deciding to sit next to his brother, though of course he was more poised, putting Lorenzo to shame with his posture. "You're not even forty yet. What will you do in another twenty years?" He asked.

Lorenzo grinned again, sitting up. "Easy, ol' Watson will take care of me! That's what son-in-laws are for, anyway!"

Nadeline looked away in shame, her expression a troubled one. It was embarrassing to admit, but it was only then that Emiri realized Wesley was nowhere to be found. No wonder things had gotten so comical--Wesley was one of the few voices of reason. "Where is Wesley? Did he decide to stay in Dalmasca?" She couldn't help but ask, though she seemed to regret asking as she saw the expression on Nadeline's face.

Taking pity on her princess, Aloa would answer, "He stays in his castle, though not by choice. Seeing his brother again seemed to be a shock too great for him," She said.

This time Grant was surprised, though now he understood Zodiark's words. "Zodiark did mention something like that happening...though we don't know why," He said slowly.

Letting out a huff, Nadeline crossed her arms. "It was my fault, alright? I had heard about Sylvester from Isabella, though when I went to inquire about it, I was taken by some thugs into what looked to be one of the Brotherhood's strongholds. They brought Sylvester to me, and we tried to escape...though it seemed he was corrupted, or possessed? I don't know, it happened very quickly, and somehow Wesley found me, but when he realized who it was--he just..." Her words were scattered and unclear as she spoke, her haste glossing over details. "Wesley is in a coma and it's because of me. Satisfied?"

"I'm--I'm sorry, I didn't know anything like that happened," Emiri apologized. "Things are still...kind of fuzzy, I don't remember everything as clear as I should."

"None of us knew what happened. I was the one that brought him up," Lorenzo said, giving Nadeline a more serious look. "If you're going to get mad at someone, make sure it's the right person."

"I am angry with the right person. It's my own fault it happened!" Nadeline said, refusing to look any of them in the eye as she stared down at her own legs. "I had unlocked my Seal at the Westersand, I thought I could handle anything that came my way. My arrogance cost me my fiance's sanity."

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

"I just got here, how would I know that?" Grant couldn't help but defend himself against Shinto's claim, though once Savayna found her footing, he would turn his own attention back to his unconscious brother. He knelt down, shaking his shoulder. "Lorenzo, get up. Time to go."

Lorenzo let out a whine. "Everything huuuuuuurts..." He whimpered, his eyes still closed. "Do your bro a solid and carry me, please."

"No."

"Nadeline, help your father, he's getting old and can't really seem to move right now!" Lorenzo called for his daughter. Shion shook her head, walking over to Lorenzo. Holding her foot back, he let out a yelp as she gave him a swift kick. He leaped up, fuming. "HEY! THAT ACTUALLY HURT--oh I can stand. Thanks Sharon!"

Nadeline let out a sigh, shaking her head. "Her name is Shion, Father. Out with one problem, in with the rest of them...I do hope His Eminence is gracious enough to...let us stay...somewhere..." He voice trailed off as she was reminded of the destruction around them. Clapping her hands together, she regained her cheerfulness. "Well then! Aloa, Vlyn, if you would accompany me, I do think I could go for some tea, and Roman knows just which one I like."

---

Oh yeah, that was Zodiark alright. Emiri bit her lip, catching Keiran's equally nervous look. Was he sweating? He was. Not that she blamed him, but if the pressure wasn't on before, it certainly was now. The black haired man looked like he was about to cry, though as he caught Emiri's eye, he quickly looked away. "Ah...in theory you shouldbe able to pinpoint Jaakuna's Mist trail...though it would help if you had some sort of point to return to...like some kind of magicks you had cast," He muttered, clearly unable to hide his shaking. "Well, at least if you fail, I'm hoping my death will be swift. It'll probably be excrutiating, though."

Okay, after this she was going to beat both of them up. Seriously, as if she didn't have enough pressure on her. She turned her gaze to her beloved, forcing a smile. "If by things you mean me punching you in the face repeatedly, then yes, darling, now let me focus." Her voice was sickeningly sweet as she threatened Jaakuna. As she concentrated, her own magicks began to spin around them as she tried to think. It was easy enough to follow Jaakuna's fiery trail, she had already guessed it would be back to Archades.

The floor around them darkened, and it was as if the floor itself had given way. Emiri let out a shout as the three of them would fall, eclipsed by darkness.

---

Grant nearly fell over as Lorenzo leaned on him though he would unwittingly end up helping Lorenzo walk anyway. Shion looked back towards the horizon, squinting at something in the distance. What was that strange Mist? The darkness on her arm seemed to spike out, alarming the nearby Grant and Lorenzo, the latter of which actually shouted out in alarm. Shion looked at her arm curiously, though she held it out, and to everyone's surprise, it lifted itself from her skin, returning it to its usual paleness. It formed a circle above her, to which she rather quickly stepped away from, only to find three bodies rain down from it. First fell Jaakuna, then Keiran, then Emiri, who would land on top of her new pet.

"Goodness, you're a lot heavier than you look," Keiran mumbled as he lay on his stomach, Emiri having landed on his back.

"This is all muscle!" She retorted, slightly embarassed.

"Nah...it's all clearly on that fat bottom--AH!" Clearly annoyed, she grabbed his hair and started pulling it. "AH! STOP! STOP!"

Nadeline was incredulous, her hands over her mouth. "Is...is that you, Emiri? And Jaakuna--I thought Zodiark took you--YOU!" Her eyes landed on Keiran, and she quickly brandished her rapier, furious.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Was it truly their future? Were their efforts truly all for nothing? Everyone's sacrifices, their pain, their suffering, it was all just a precursor for the things to come. Nadeline tried to deny it, truly she did, but remembering Stigma how it was now--broken--Zodiark's vision wasn't quite that far off. She found herself shaking unwillingly, clutching her own arms as she tried to shake off the feeling of dread. No, regret? She didn't know what it was, but it made her feel horrible. It was only worse when she looked to Grant, who seemed to mirror her image.

"Pathetic."

Nadeline lifted her head, eyes wide as she caught Shion's glare. The princess actually winced--her look was absolutely scathing. "Wh-what?" She asked meekly, half afraid to even respond to Shion.

"I said pathetic. Do not ask me to repeat myself again," Her voice was unnaturally sharp, only matching the equally cold look she gave. "Must you succumb to his mind tricks right towards the end? An animal grows more dangerous towards the end of its life...and clearly, he sees you enough of a threat to throw such a half-assed attempt at breaking you."

Grant actually let out a chuckle, much to Nadeline's surprise. "That department isn't exactly my strength," He admitted outright, letting out a sigh and nudging Nadeline. "You're supposed to be the optimist, remember?"

"Nonsense, I've always been both the realist and the voice of reason!" She snapped back at him, though as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized what he meant. "Even if the world should crumble, I would advise against underestimating humanity. We Humes are fickle in our ways--and we won't stop until we've won." She warned Zodiark, seemingly picking up back where she left off. "This is our truth--we will prevail. I suggest you prepare yourself accordingly."

---

Keiran noticed Jaakuna's rather frighteneing look, though he let out a sigh of annoyance. "Didn't you hear what I said? My powers are an extension of my master's powers. Zodiark isn't my master anymore, Emiri is," He reminded Jaakuna, slightly exasperated. "Get that gunk out of your ear and listen for once, will you?"

Biting her lower lip, Emiri thought long and hard about Keiran's words. If that was the case, were those dark magicks of his truly her own? Deciding to test it out, she took a few steps back, squeezing her eyes shut as she concentrated. She would snap her fingers, letting out a small yelp of surprise as her clothes dissolved, though they would reform as a simple little dress. She practically squealed in excitement, taking a good look at herself. "I did it! Wait, I still have dark magicks...?" Her excitement was quickly exterminated as she realized the implications. "Wait, I thought..."

"Like I said, if I could do it, it means you could do it. Allegiance to dark lords optional," He sighed. "You two were made for each other, I swear, making me say the same thing over and over..."

"Sit down and shut up," She snapped, not even bothering to look at him as he obeyed. "What do you think, Jaakuna? Should we give it a try?"

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

She could feel her blood boiling, but she remained calm. Well, mostly calm. Nadeline knew not to expect too much from these so called 'truths', but everything she had been told gave her nothing. Having Jaakuna and Emiri fight would certainly give him an advantage should one or the other manage to actually kill--but Jaakuna would never be able to do it. Not intentionally...no, she shouldn't be thinking like that. She was sure he was trying to snap her out of whatever it was that Keiran had done, but at the same time, Emiri killing Jaakuna was just as possible, provided how crazed she was back in the Westersand.

Grant wasn't amused at all by Zodiark's so called 'charity'. Though his last statement actually worried him. History would repeat himself...why did that part bother him so much? He looked over at Nadeline, who had an equally grim expression, and despite not being able to read her mind, the pair probably had the same thought:

The Espers rebelled and lost.

"How admirable," Shion stated, cutting the tension as her voice practically dripped with sarcasm. "There was never any hope of getting a clear answer, was there?"

"No matter how vague, the truth is just that," Aloa reminded her, though it was clear she was equally displeased. "Choose the next one carefully, Highness, though know you may not get what you ask for."

Letting out a sigh, Nadeline would place her rapier on her belt, crossing her arms. So be it, then. She wasn'r going to get a clear answer, but a hint was better than nothing. "Every being--mortal or not, Hume or other, will perish at one point or another. Tell me, how will your own demise come?"

---

"Because it was never my power to begin with," Keiran corrected Jaakuna immediately, literally waving away his concern. "I was literally born out of Zodiark's power, and I then 'borrowed' Emiri and used her power as I saw fit...I have nothing." He stared at Jaakuna, exasperated. "Feeling sympathy for the devil, are we? Didn't your mother teach you better? We demons aren't to be trifled with--and as far as I could tell, you never defeated Emiri in battle. You used your little fire-juju-mojo crap, that doesn't count."

Emiri looked at Keiran, curious. "You did say a contract was formed, didn't you?" She asked. When he nodded, she sported a mischievous grin. "So...do a dance for me."

Much to his horror, Keiran started dancing. "W-W-Wait a sec, that's cheating!" He shouted, clearly alarmed.

"Hit your head with that wall, please." She asked sweetly.

Without hesitation, Keiran would turn around to face the wall, immediately bashing his head against it. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" He asked as he turned back around.

"Considering all the crap you made me do, it's about time justice was served!" She cackled, and as she opened her mouth, she stopped. "Speaking of...if you said you got that power from me, does that mean I can do all that dark stuff, too?"

"His influence was cleansed from you, but a majority of the magicks I displayed are your own abilities. Albeit, they're from Chaos." He explained, wagging a finger at her.

That made sense--after all, Chaos' bindings seemed to be formed with her own magicks. She wondered if her Esper was still chained, though he didn't say a word--she preferred it that way. As she spotted Keiran's sour expression, she glared at him. "Do I need to make you hurt yourself again? You should take what Jaakuna said into consideration." She threatened.

He immediately shook his head frantically. "No! N-No, that's...not needed...I swear," He pleaded, though he crossed his arms once more. "So...I supposed I should ask...how you plan to leave, now." He said hesitantly. "Not sure if you two noticed, but this is essentially Zodiark's base of operations. And his generals are probably roaming the halls. And they probably heard the battle."

Without skipping a beat, Emiri smiled. "We can leave the way Jaakuna came! He did come to save me, after all," She cheerfully replied. Keiran actually paled in expression. "...what?"

"Jaakuna...was kidnapped. Same as you."

Emiri's jaw dropped, and she immediately grabbed Jaakuna's arm, shaking him. "Is this true?!" She asked, panicked.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

"To think the same tome we used to help us would be hinder us in the future," Grant murmured, clearly unamused.

Nadeline silently cursed herself. She should have been more specific than that--what she wanted to know was how Zodiark got his hands on it, although the possibility of numerous copies was low. He was picking his words carefully as well. He spoke the truth alright, but it lead to more questions than anything. No, wait, that was her mistake. She was treating this as some sort of question and answer column. Still, she was satisfied with the answer she got, even if it wasn't as complete as she had wanted to be.

"Surely you know how much of a threat Jaakuna and Emiri are to you--and I couldn't fathom you somehow not knowing that they alone could possibly match you in power," She chose to continue, narrowing her eyes. "And yet you have those under your legion--Keiran, Levi...and...Sylvester...rather than kill them outright, you chose instead to whisk them away. What is it that you're really planning? I can't imagine you having all that power for simple domination. There has to be more to it."

---

Keiran smirked once more, though he would close his eyes. "What kind of question is that? A reason not to kill me? There isn't one, I couldn't even think of one even if I tried. Though...I suppose I have a reason for you to go ahead--you're not going to quite get the same satisfaction if you wait too long," He stated, lifting his hand for Jaakuna to see. The skin around his hand was starting to get worn and flake-like. "He'll come to get rid of me soon. So if you decide to finish me off now, you'd be doing me a favor."

Emiri's eyes widened, though she didn't seem to agree with Keiran. "Running away again, are we?" She asked him, a sad look on her face. "That's..."

"Pitiful. Is that what you mean?"

She couldn't quite word her response right. "No. It's just sad. As much as it pains me to say, you're basically what I would have become had I never met Jaakuna--just going through the motions and wanting nothing more than to hide from everything." She said quietly. "Even if given a chance...you wouldn't think to reconsider?"

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

The first thing that came to mind had to be 'why would you give us this chance in the first place', however, if what he said was true, then this was a chance that couldn't go to waste. Nadeline remained stoic, though her mind seemed to go full power. Grant had lowered his weapon, though remained alert, understanding Nadeline's turmoil. Vlyn and Aloa were a bit more relaxed, though Aloa watched Zodiark carefully. He was confident, that much she knew, but his thought process was enigmatic. No, he knew what he was doing--he simply had that much confidence in his own abilities. He knew that if he should so decide, he could wipe them all out here and now. This was all just a game to him. They were his playpieces, with him pulling the strings.

And that was a terrifying thought.

Everyone was silent for a moment, though Shion would shift her weight onto her other foot, eyeing Nadeline. "Go on. You earned it," She prompted the princess.

Grant looked at Shion. "Any three truths...it could mean the answers to a lot of things," He pointed out. "It's...quite the predicament."

"Is that what we're calling it?" Vlyn asked wearily.

"She doesn't want to waste them. But there is one particular question that comes to mind. Isn't that right, Your Highness?" Aloa would dispel all curiousities with her point.

Nadeline remained silent. What she wanted to know--or rather, what she selfishly wanted--was to know if Wesley would be alright. She wanted to know if he would recover, she wanted to know why Sylvester came back from the dead. But all of it was her own desire, and she couldn't bring herself to do it, no matter how much she wanted to know.

"That tome of yours...how is it able to get so much knowledge about things it shouldn't know?" Nadeline decided to get one question out of the way. "It knows events that you couldn't possibly be present for...even recognizing emotions. Even magicked books have their limit, but that one does not."

---

For just a moment, everything seemed right. She didn't have anything clouding her mind, she was fully aware of everything around her. She was in control of her own body, her own thoughts, and as she felt Jaakuna's warm body, she knew she was fully back. It felt like it had been so long since she was able to do as she pleased, but more importantly, it had been so long since she felt like herself. But right now, in their little bubble, things were finally right.

For just a moment, anyway.

"Why would you continue in a world that constantly rejects you?"

Lightly pushing herself away from Jaakuna, she let out a sigh, bringing herself to stand and turn towards Keiran. She was surprised--he seemed wholly intact, casually leaning against the wall behind him with his arms crossed and a frown on his face. He looked tired, a likely result from Jaakuna severing their connection. But the question was a genuine one with no malice behind it. He let out a sigh, tilting his head slightly to the side as he stared at the pair.

Emiri placed her hands on her hips, seemingly annoyed. "Still here, are you?" She couldn't help but ask. "Thought I suppose if you must ask, life carries on whether we want to or not. You just have to deal with it."

"Just...deal with it," He didn't seem satisfied at all.

"I learned that from this one," Emiri jabbed a finger towards Jaakuna.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Nadeline didn't have the slightest clue what was going on, but from the looks of things, the cavalry had arrived. She couldn't help but lament the loss of the opportunity, but it was too late to go back. She had to prioritize her own escape first--but how? Physical attacks did nothing, and casting magicks ran the risk of her own life force being drained faster. Biting her lower lip, she watched the walls closing in. Despite not being claustrophobic, she definitely felt the need to be out in the open once more. At this point, she had to get out. Deciding to take action once more, she closed her eyes, putting her rapier down as she would get on her knees. Clasping her hands together, she would pray.

Meanwhile, Shion paid no heed to Zodiark's words--he could claim to be honorable all he wanted, but she knew better. Instead, she mimicked her previous attack, her strike clashing with the Darkga, resulting in an explosion when the white magick and the dark magicks made contact. Vlyn let out a curse as he realized the spell was area of effect, barely managing to dodge it as he turned back to Grant, still motionless. "Your Highness!" He called out.

"Gonna stay useless, are you?!" Lorenzo shouted, a fiery Mist around him as he shot forward. He skidded to a halt in front of Grant and the still unconscious Savayna, punching the ground. Once his fist made contact, and explosion of Mist occurred, wrapping the three. Panting heavily, he dropped down on one knee, having used the last of his own Mist reserves. "I can't believe you...sitting there feeling sorry for yourself...when we're all busting our asses putting our own lives on the line! What kind of message are you trying to send?!" He seemed angry as he scolded Grant, his back still to him.

Grant finally managed to look up at Lorenzo, the reality only just hitting him. "Lorenzo..."

"You think you're the first person to be going through this shit?! You think you're so goddamned special?! Get the fuck up Grant! You're one of them--one of them chosen with the Espers, right?! Then fucking DO something already!" Lorenzo managed to shout, though immediately as he finished his last word, he collapsed to the ground.

"Lorenzo!" Grant seemed to snap out of it, scrambling over to his older brother.

"You better do something...otherwise I'm going to make you look stupid in front of your girlfriend...no, sorry, your fiance..." He muttered, clearly struggling even just to talk. "I have to admit though...knowing Roland wasn't entirely guilty...it was...comforting...save her...save Nadeline..." His voice trailed off as he fainted.

Inhaling sharply, Grant wasn't able to hold back the tears he unwittingly held back. He nodded as he would stand, though he felt something oddly familiar in the air. As he turned towards the battle, he could feel Nadeline in there, doing...something. He knew what she was trying to do. Somehow. Her magicks sing for you. Will you answer? Zeromus asked him.

Without replying, Grant would once again get on his knees, though it was no longer a position of submission. He closed his eyes, concentrating, feeling everything and everyone around him. I'm an idiot. Sorry, He thought back to Zeromus.

No apologies. Only actions now.

Things would come to a halt, the Mist in the air around them almost freezing into place. After a few seconds, they would begin to segregate, sorting themselves. Little by little, both Nadeline and Grant would become surrounded by pure White and Black Mist respectively. As Grant opened his eyes, they illuminated his golden eyes moreso than usual, and he would stand. Raising his gun, he aimed for Nadeline's prison, to which she too had picked up her weapon. Three, two, one--! He fired off a single shot just as she had stabbed into the prison's magicks, and everything went still. Then, as if a dam had broken, the Mist all around them would become crazed.

"Now there's something I haven't seen in some time." Shion mused, the Mist blowing her hair back as the prison would erupt.

Landing on her feet, Nadeline flipped her hair back as Grant would join her. "Sorry I'm late," He apologized sincerely.

"You made me nervous for a bit," She admitted quietly, though she smiled. "Together, then? It seems the deal is no more."

"So be it." Grant agreed, the pair standing back to back, weapons poised.

---

It was as if her very soul was on fire.

Why? Why was he trying so hard to change things? Didn't he understand?

Maybe he did. Maybe that's just no way to live life.

But it would always be painful. Wait, no, that's not right. There were good times, too...right?

Things she had never thought once of before, now flooding her mind. Things she had clung on to, suddenly gone with the wind.

Was it his magicks? Or...was it that same feeling anytime he was near?

I think...it's time to end this.

Taking his hands in hers, holding them tightly, her eyes closed as she would. And then...?

---

"I won't run away! Never again!" Emiri shouted back at him, grabbing his arm with both hands as she struggled to free herself. "If someone as weak as I can understand that, surely you can as well?" The wall behind them brightened, though Keiran would release her unwillingly as the flames seared through them both. Gods, she was going to punch Jaakuna, his magicks seemed to be burning her up from the inside. She managed to get on all fours, dragging her sword as she would crawl over to Keiran, who was more affected than she was. "It's funny...you've made me feel so angry...but really...it's not anger that I have..." She said as she raised her sword. “I was just…”

---

The flames would die out, whether unwillingly or not, though a glyph formed underneath the pair. It dissolved, lifting the darkness up and around them, exploding into what looked like glitter as it fell around them. As if on cue, Emiri opened her violet eyes, staring back at Jaakuna. At first, she remained completely silent. But after a moment, the tears came, a small smile on her face.

"I really caused you trouble this time, didn't I?" She asked him tearfully.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

"Ah--!" Nadeline gasped as her attacks came to a halt. Before she could understand what happened, she was pulled towards Zodiark. She raised her arms over herself, half expecting to get stabbed, but that attack never came. Instead, she was nearly blinded by a million colors surrounding her, and it only took a few seconds to realize what had happened. She attacked the light only to find her rapier practically bounce off of it, as if she had attacked a stone wall. He would tell her that he decided to end the fight, and the next thing she knew, her surroundings were closing in on her. She continued to attack the walls around her in an attempt to escape, her attacks become more frantic.

She was clearly panicking at this point.

Shion narrowed her eyes at Nadeline's prison. Shinto had a point, and unfortunately, losing Nadeline would put quite a hamper on things. I suppose at this point I should step in, She thought grimly, contemplating her next course of action. She looked over at the rightfully horrified Lorenzo, then at Grant, who was staring right at the ground. She looked at Shinto as she would stand, her own chains dissolving as she would shrug. As she concentrated on her weapon, she would slash the air in front of her before stabbing the ground, effectively wiping out the chains from the group. The hand pulsed in return, though she would pay no mind to it, instead holding out her arm as Lorenzo made an attempt to run forward.

"He wouldn't so much as bat an eye at disposing you," She said to him, instead looking at Aloa and Vlyn.

"You want us to go, don't you?" Vlyn asked, clearly exasperated. Aloa nodded at Shion, the pair having a mutual understanding at the next move to take. "Mind filling me in? No? We're winging it? Ah, I will just follow you, then, I suppose..." He muttered, following Aloa away from the area.

Shion let out a sigh, walking over to Grant, who still sat on the floor. She knelt down so she could look at him eye-to-eye. "Will you stay? Nadeline's life hangs in the balance. She showed no hesitation on saving your life--will you return the favor?" She asked him quietly.

Grant knew she was right. He could hear Nadeline's constant attacks against her prison, her desperate struggle to get out. She probably felt like she had let everyone down again. Didn't she realize how proud of her he was? How proud Lorenzo was? And here he was, still feeling sorry for himself. But he felt so defeated, so broken. He felt like he couldn't even stand. He closed his eyes, knowing deep in his heart that Shion had every point. But...

"Nadeline!" Lorenzo shouted, clearly alarmed.

Both Shion and Grant would realize that it got quiet. Nadeline was no longer attacking her prison. Shion stood up, stance at the ready. "Make your decision with haste. Or don't," She said, charging forward.

Aloa followed Shion's movements, and she and Vlyn would split up. Aloa, Vlyn, and Shion all approached Zodiark at their own paces. As she approached him, Shion noticed Nadeline on her knees, using her rapier to hold herself steady. She hadn't succumbed yet, but as always, time was of the essence. Coming to a halt as her blade would glow, she made a single vertical strike, a seemingly harmless thing, though as it traveled it seemed to pick up power, not relying on any element as her rose petals would scatter around her. Vlyn charged up his own magicks as Aloa would go in on the offensive.

---

"Do I look like an idiot to you?"

Grabbing his hand, it was Emiri's turn to slam him into the ground. Her grip was abnormally strong, a tranquil fury around her. She made sure to pin him to the ground, not even bothering with her powers. She seemed angry, eyebrows knit together as she glared at him. Keiran couldn't help but smile--Jaakuna's gentleness had actually gotten him worried for a moment. But alas, it seemed to have gone in the complete opposite direction. Still, she didn't seem like she was attacking, though her entire weight was on him, making sure he wouldn't get out from underneath her.

"The future we talked about...the future 'we' wanted? The future you wanted!" Her voice somehow remained calm as she spoke, her hands gripping his shoulders as she would bring him up then slam him back down. "How am I supposed to believe you about anything?! How can you tell me one thing and then completely turn around and do something completely different?! You don't know what you're talking about...how can you lie to my face like this! You said we were free, and then agree to get married on your grandfather's request! You said you denied your country, and then suddenly you're going to take back the throne! You said you'd never leave...you promised...and then you left when I needed you!"

---

"Do you truly hate yourself so much you would go through such pain?" She asked him, a realization dawning upon her. "You said Zodiark's will was your own--is this what you wanted? Is death the only true release you seek?"

Keiran's eyes widened, though he would seem to disagree. "Don't go speaking of things you know nothing about!"

"I'm right, aren't I?!" She argued. "You don't care about Zodiark or me or anything! You just want an escape! You want meaning to your life!"

Unfortunately for her, that seemed to anger him, and he rushed forward. She grabbed one of her swords, managing to lock blades as he attempted to attack her. "Why?! Why won't you yield?!" He shouted, pushing back. "You know nothing! You understand nothing!"

"You're wrong! I do understand! I know what it feels like to be trapped, to have nowhere to go, no one to turn to!" She said. "The whole world pushes at you, those with more power constantly controlling you--we're the same, whether you want to admit it or not! But dying isn't a solution! It's running away!"

Keiran managed to push back harder, though Emiri's arms gave way as he struck her. He would then slam her against the wall, ignoring his burning arms as he would tighten his grip on her. "Says the Queen of runaways! Who are you to judge me?!"

---

Keiran grimaced, a hand to his head. No, he was still in control. He still had her. No, no, she was struggling back, but why?! He watched Jaakuna, whose flames had all but gone. How? How was he doing this? Emiri held him steady, though her hands were now around Jaakuna's neck. "Why did you have to show up now? I was satisfied with dying...I was alright with bringing this damned world to an end! This world that insisted on tormenting me, constantly robbing me of whatever happiness I managed to cling to!"

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

It worked? It worked! Still, Nadeline knew that a few hits weren't enough to take him down. He admitted that she finally had his attention, though for a moment, she had a bad feeling. Watching as he would transform, her eyes would widen as he would reveal his face. Whether intentional or not, he very much resembled Keiran--or rather, it may have been the other way around given his true nature. She gripped her weapon tightly, bracing herself as he informed her that they would 'begin'.

She blinked, her surroundings changing as she would open her eyes. What happened? As her body collided with the building, it suddenly hit her what had happened. Crap, he was a lot faster than she had anticipated--and it seemed he was forging the magical route. Letting out a gasp as he charged at her, she would bring her rapier at the ready, snapping her fingers on her free hand. She lunged forward as he would form into a shadow, only for him to go right through her. Oh no. The burst of magic sent her flying upwards, a measly and unprepared Shell attempting to mitigate some of the damage.

Are you stupid? Are you just going to let him toss you around like this?! Ultima practically yelled at her.

Does it LOOK like I'm letting him?! She snapped back internally, though she would correct her body position, letting gravity run its course as she would summon more glyphs at her side. Taking a page from her old friend's book, each glyph would get absorbed into her weapon, and she would use her fall for her next strike. Without waiting to see if the first attack landed, her glyph appeared beneath her, and magicks would assist each of her physical attacks as she swung--a combination of both spells and steel.

---

As Emiri moved to attack once more, Jaakuna would begin to speak. She stopped in place, still alert, though she found herself listening. Keiran watched the pair, amused. Trying to talk the monster down, was he? Or was he simply too afraid to hurt her? No, it had something to do with his fire, didn't it? Was it possible it was still working? It couldn't have been in full force. Narrowing his eyes, he contemplated his next course of action, though he watched them carefully, gauging Emiri's reaction as Jaakuna would speak. He was appealing to their past. How sweet.

"Freedom? No one in this life is free," Keiran couldn't help but chime in, giving Jaakuna a wink. "Flying the skies...even that time is limited. You're the prince of a nation--what, you're going to forgo all that?" He asked.

To both their surprises, Emiri eyes looked to the ground. "I just wanted to stay with you. It didn't matter where, I just...wanted to be with you," She stated quietly. "I..."

---

Emiri winced as Keiran's sword managed to nick her, though she drove him back as he attempted to continue. She had always pegged him as weak, but he managed to keep up with every strike, and had her on the defensive. She swung with both swords, though he parried, sending his own wave of darkness. It was a direct hit, and she went flying, colliding with the crystal wall. Letting out a cough, she would stand, swords at the ready as he would approach her.

"You had to go and complicate things, didn't you?" Keiran asked her with a sigh. "I don't know who's more annoying, you or your boyfriend over there."

She glared at him, gripping her weapons. Even with Jaakuna's magicks, she was still struggling. Why? What did Keiran do so that she was still so weak? As if on cue, the pair would become affected by Jaakuna's flames. Emiri dropped her weapons, clutching her arms as a painful burn seemed to sear her. As she looked up, she was surprised to see Keiran suffering from the same wound. 'It will take more than a spell or incantation to be truly free from his grasp.' Chaos' words rung in her head as she forced herself to stand. This must have been what he meant--the two were intertwined to the point of both being affected, even if it was negative.

If that was the case, she knew how he felt, too.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

She had half-hoped her spell would have done something, but she knew better than that. Taking in a breath, she prepared herself as her spell would finish. You're becoming predictable. The first minute has passed. Ultima informed her. Things will only continue to worsen from here on. Feel the Mist around you, differentiate those of light, and those of darkness. You and I are now connected--make the discerntion and react accordingly. The advice was appreciated, for once, but it was also easier said than done. Just as she had given Zodiark a slew of her magicks, he still had yet to reveal himself. She glanced at her father, who nodded back at her. I'm glad one of us believes, She couldn't help but think grimly, eyeing Zodiark as he would prepare his next spell.

She readied herself to deflect the orb, only for it to disappear, instead resulting in a spell. It seemed the entire area was covered, a Graviga. Nadeline raised her rapier, but in the next moment, she felt a weight completely crushing her. She almost fell over entirely--the spell hadn't even gone off yet! How was this possible? But that was the least of her worries, as a series of reactions alerted her that she was not the sole target this time. It took everything she had to remain standing, though she knew that the full force of the spell would happen at any second.

"HOLY CRAP WHAT IS THIS?!" Lorenzo shouted, clearly having been knocked down and unable to get back up. "I'M TOO YOUNG TO NEED HELP GETTING UP!"

Grant had managed to stay sitting, considering his own magicks were also Arcane-based, though he had to admit this was on a far larger scale than any he had done. "It's coming, Nadeline!" He managed to shout out a warning.

Oh sure, tell her what to do, it wasn't like she already knew things were bad! Planting her feet on the ground, she struggled to raise her weapon, its tip glowing. Her crown would let off a similar shine, the light spreading. She knelt down, and would appear to push back up against the spell itself as she would slowly stand. She could feel every muscle in her body screaming as she struggled, but this was just getting started. A reflective barrier seemed to form the more she pushed, and as she finally stood straight, the light from her rapier shined. A Reflect had been cast, dissolving the Graviga, though to say it was victory wasn't quite right yet.

"My turn!" She called, her voice resonating with Ultima's as about a dozen glyphs would appear around her. Each one spun, colored a different element, and each one seemed to fire its own magick--separated, yet attacking in unison, one of every element.

---

These magicks were beyond Jaakuna, they were even beyond her. She couldn't believe what was happened, he seemed to know precisely what it was that he was doing. How was he doing this? Had he surpassed the Blue Rose? No, he lost to her. She had defeated her. If she had defeated her, then why was he having the upper hand right now?! Frustration seemed to build up along the burning, though Emiri wasn't sure how much longer she could take it. The way he spoke so gently, it made her angry. Did he think he was better than she was?! Did he think she was going down after one hit?!

Pushing back against him, Emiri struggled, though she had a crazed look as she looked at him. "This...this is nothing compared to the pain I've felt!" She shouted, a second wind reinvigorating her as she would push back against him, though she would stop, instead choosing to bring him in closer, promptly headbutting him hard. She wrenched free from his grip, extending her free hand as she would charge up her own attack. She couldn't quite ignore the flames she felt, but she was determined to push through it. She would strike him with an open palm, the initial hit not being anything special, though it would then explode a second later.