Ah, he was trying to get under her skin. Considering all the shit the Council had put her through, Hamut was going to have to do better than that. How many times had she been deemed worthless and nothing more than a spare until Grant or Nadeline would decide to take the throne? His words meant nothing, although he unintentionally alerted her to something as a thought crossed his mind. Did he not want Jaakuna to ascend the throne? He was responsible for doing…[i]something[/i] to take Roman out of the picture, but why put Roman there in the first place? “[color=turquoise]Dead as he may be, he was an heir. Those born of royalty all have their chances at the throne…and Roland chose to murder his way, though as you said, he was caught, put to death, and the only thing he left behind was a bitter memory and a brief mention in the history books as a power-hungry idiot,[/color]” Reia replied cooly, showing Hamut she didn’t care for Roland. Not anymore. “[color=turquoise]The only one who truly suffered was Grant, who is young and did not understand his brother’s lust for power. He hadn’t the chance to see the world for what it truly was…until your grandson, Vincent, showed him just how cruel people were.[/color]” “[color=turquoise]That being said, I don’t think I could compare Roland to Jackson. He may be hotheaded, but he has good intentions, even if they go astray,[/color]” Reia’s expression was stony—it was clear that she had enough of the game. “[color=turquoise]I don’t understand what your intentions are, nor do I know what you want with me. Do you wish to end the Roselia bloodline? Incite war? Or a show of power now that the great Bahamut is rumored to have weakened? What is it that you want from me, Hamut?[/color]” [hr] As if reading Savayna’s thoughts, Vlyn couldn’t help but chuckle as he would eat. He chewed rather thoughtfully, as if trying to choose his words carefully. “[color=thistle]Lady Karolina is handling things in Stigma well, but something happened that was out of her control. The Blue Rose had come to meet with Aloa to discuss Zodiark, but then…no, it’s best to start from the top.[/color]” His words weren’t too muffled as he chewed rather quickly, though he would stop eating long enough to let out a sigh. “[color=thistle]Andre…he was on the brink of death. I think Emiri knew it too, somehow, though I have no idea how she got past the guards. She healed him completely, and Karolina was too late to stop her.[/color] “[color=Thistle]However, once Shion had arrived, Aloa requested her assistance in completing the seal Nadeline had attempted to put on Emiri—to block out the dark influence that had a grip on her. But…that boy…Some kid got to her first, and they were about to leave Stigma when we managed to catch up,[/color]” Vlyn said, frowning. Grant’s eyes widened, though he contained himself. What boy? How would a mere boy get to Emiri? No, he needed to hear the whole story first, although… “[color=purple]That boy…did you take care of him?[/color]” Grant asked. It was then Vlyn’s expression turned into a rather serious one. “[color=thistle]We don’t know who or what that boy is, but when we caught Emiri, Shion engaged her in battle.[/color]” What?! “[color=purple]Are you telling me Shion killed her?![/color]” He didn’t mean to sound so alarmed, nor to jump to conclusions, but Vlyn was far too serious, and he couldn’t read his expression. “[color=thistle]Actually…it was the other way around. I remember fighting Emiri, and I had no idea she was capable of such power. But that power…her Mist was drenched in dark magicks as she attacked, and whatever power it was, it enabled her to go toe-to-toe with Shion. Aloa and I could do nothing…if it wasn’t for Lady Karolina’s interference, we would have perished.[/color]” Grant narrowed his eyes, trying to think. What in the world was going on? [hr] “[color=deepskyblue]Honestly, if you were going to do that in the first place, there was no point in you hanging back, you lazy crap,[/color]” She couldn’t help but snap at Dominic’s rather clumsy rescue. Her entire demeanor changed, however, when she spotted Shinto. “[color=deepskyblue]Ah, Shinto…how do you do?[/color]” Shion greeted him back rather politely, completely throwing Lorenzo off and outright ignoring Dominic’s outburst. It was almost as if the two were on good terms! He made a mental note to ask the man how to stay on Shion’s good side, though the one thing Lorenzo was sure of was that her expression soured anytime Dominic so much as spoke. He missed a majority of the conversation, but perked up as Shinto addressed him. Ohhhh, so this guy was Savanna’s older brother! No wonder he looked familiar. No, Lorenzo was lying to himself, he didn’t remind him of Savanna at all. Though they shared light hair, that was where the similarities ended. This guy was a lot nicer and tanned, while Savanna was ruder and pale. Not that he minded, he liked her spunk, but it was kinda weird to find him here of all places. “[color=darkorange]The idiot’s right![/color]” Lorenzo proclaimed, gladly taking Shinto’s hand. “[color=darkorange]I’d rather find my baby sister alive then dead, though I sure am glad you’re on our side![/color]” “[color=deepskyblue]How quick you change your tone,[/color]” Shion rolled her eyes, her sword on her shoulder. “[color=deepskyblue]Onwards, then, Shinto can make up for some of Dominic’s uselessness.[/color]” [hr] Nadeline couldn’t quite hide her disappointment, but she would take Sylvester’s offer gladly. She followed him willingly, glad that she wasn’t traversing the halls alone. Still, the twists and turns made her uneasy, and it felt like an eternity would pass before they would come to a stop. Before she could question it, she realized that there were multiple passageways to take. It was then Sylvester would kindly suggest that Ultima help, though she got his bitterness. She could already feel Ultima’s annoyance hanging over her, though direct help was not what the Esper of Light offered. [i][color=coral]Please cooperate, it wouldn’t do if I died here, would it?[/color][/i] Nadeline pleaded. [i]I suppose it would be troublesome…though which way you choose to define ‘safest’.[/i] Ultima replied dryly. [i][color=coral]Then show me the path which you consider safest![/color][/i] [i]As you wish,[/i] Ultima chided, and Nadeline hated to admit that she didn’t like how she said that at all. “[color=coral]She says ‘center’,[/color]” Nadeline said, clearly annoyed at Ultima. [hr] “[color=indianred]My word, that was…exhilarating,[/color]” Roman replied, showing some of the Darcone sarcasm as he would fix his hair. Once every hair was in place, he would adjust his collar, and once that was done, he would dust his clothes. Honestly, the dungeons were much too filthy for his likening, though it would give him second thoughts next time he would sentence someone. He actually frowned as he looked at Jaakuna. “[color=indianred]I fear you didn’t quite answer my question, my brother. How did you know I was here? I understand Isaiah tipped you off for my location, but what are you doing in Archadia once more?[/color]” [hr] [i]Emiri struggled to slide herself through the bars of the cage she was in. She had somehow managed to squeeze her bust through, but was having more trouble at her hips. How long had she been trying this? How much time had passed? Her prison had no concept of either thing, but all she knew was that she needed to get out before Keiran came back. With a final pop, she let out a gasp as she fell to the ground. She did it? Holy shit she did it! Letting out a sigh of relief, she rubbed her sore thighs as she looked around. The cavern looked so sad, so devoid of life now. It was her own fault for giving in to her darker thoughts, but there wasn’t any time to mope around. She picked a direction and began to run, though she felt something calling her. It was not of Zodiark, nor was it something of her own mind, it was definitely foreign. And yet, as she headed in that very direction, she knew exactly what it was. The hallway led to another open, though this time, it was a room literally filled with chains, and her eyes widened as she would see Chaos as a prisoner in the center. The once mighty Esper was bound, his eyes closed as she approached him. Her hand reached out, though she hesitated as he would open his eyes. “[color=Olive]So you’ve escaped. For how long, I wonder, until the Seed notices?[/color]” He spoke, as condescending as ever. “[color=olive]Your weakness has cost us our free will, your body controlled by the Dark Esper’s minion. I gave you power, and yet you wasted it.[/color]” “[color=pink]I didn’t ask for any of this![/color]” Emiri burst out. “[color=pink]I didn’t know any of this was going to happen! You call me weak, yet I am not the one in chains! You’re as foolish as ever, Chaos![/color]” “[color=olive]Perhaps,[/color]” He replied thoughtfully. “[color=olive]I reset you in an attempt to save your existence…and now, you doom us all to an eternity of darkness. It may indeed have been a mercy were the Blue Rose to have slain you…[/color]” How she hated him. Of course it was his fault! He was the one who had given her the power in the first place! Why? Why was all this happening? And yet, as much as she wanted to, she could not blame him. It really was her fault, wasn’t it? She was weak…as the thought crossed her mind, the chains around Chaos loosened somewhat. She was surprised—had Keiran used Emiri’s own power to seal him? “[color=olive]And now…I will take responsibility.[/color]” One of Chaos’ swords ripped through its bindings, and before she could react, he sent it right through her. Her violet eyes widened, though not even a cry of pain would escape her. Not before his other blades would strike.[/i] Emiri let out a scream of pain, writhing in her bed. The pain was completely unbearable, but as she opened her eyes, she was no longer in her mind, but back in Zodiark’s castle. She sat up, gasping desperately for air as she clutched her chest. It seared through her chest, every sword’s wound burning through her, and she let out a cry of frustration and anger. She dragged herself out of her bed, using the wall to support herself as she would make her way to the door. This could be the work of none other than Chaos, that damned Esper! As she reached her door, she practically shoved it open, still breathing heavily, though she could hear a melody not far off. [i][color=ivory]The sigh of the shifting sea…The kiss of the salt-sweet breeze…The white of her silken dress, stained in red…[/color][/i] The voice was so beautiful, so pure, yet so melancholy. It felt…strangely familiar to her, too. [i][color=ivory]A memory fading fast…Her mother sits, eyes downcast…A torn uniform in hand, farewells unsaid…[/color][/i] [i][color=ivory]That once a certainty, lost in grief…A daughter’s desperate cries, unheard pleas…Forsaken, beaten, tried, on her knees….A prayer passes from her lips—Into her soul the Goddess whispers…[/color][/i] Emiri hadn’t even noticed she had began to walk towards the source, completely entranced by the song. It was tragic, now that she was really listening to it, though she was shocked further to see a woman sitting by what looked like a waterfall. The water itself was clear, though the scene looked entirely out of place. She recognized the flowers around the woman—mountain laurels, though she was also aware that they were poisonous, but she would then look at the woman before her. [url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CyjGTAQUoAEFUBw.jpg]She was unlike any other person Emiri had ever seen.[/url] Her skin was painted entirely a shade of dark gray and had something of a shine to it. Her long, white locks easily touched the bench she sat on, a tousle of a ponytail managing to hold them all up. A crown sat on her head, adorned with rubies and colored gold, her clothing leaving very little to the imagination. But Emiri couldn’t deny that she was an otherworldly beauty, though she admitted she was surprised to find herself completely enamored by this woman, this creature. She opened her eyes, her dark-colored gaze never leaving Emiri’s. “[color=ivory]I hope I did not wake you with my little song, I beg your forgiveness if I did.[/color]” “[color=palevioletred]No…forgive my intrusion,[/color]” She apologized, embarrassed to be caught off guard. “[color=palevioletred]Your song…it’s beautiful.[/color]” The woman smiled very gently, motioning for Emiri to sit before her. She sat in front of the woman, her eyes wide. “[color=ivory]Would you like to hear the rest?[/color]”She asked, chuckling when Emiri nodded enthusiastically. “[i][color=ivory]A heartbeat without harmony is moonlight without dark. The heart seeketh equilibrium—with Balance will your worry part…So still this broken melody and therewith shoulder thee. One last step only leaving—an empty hearth down by the sea…An empty hearth down by the sea.[/color][/i]” She looked pleased when Emiri would clap. “[color=ivory]Did you like it? Truly?[/color]” “[color=palevioletred]Yes![/color]” Emiri paused. “[color=palevioletred]It did seem a little sad, though…and it sounds like I’ve heard it somewhere before.[/color]” She smiled once more. “[color=ivory]Of course it did. It was about you, my child,[/color]” She told her, her voice sweet. “[color=ivory]I have seen your heart…your sorrow…but know that only you can bring equilibrium.[/color]” Emiri’s eyes widened, though she practically scrambled to her feet as the woman would speak. “[color=palevioletred]Oh, I…I’m sorry, I haven’t introduced myself—but…you know who I am,[/color]” She couldn’t quite hide her blush—why was a woman getting her so flustered? She wasn’t even attracted to women! But she was so beautiful… “[color=palevioletred]May I ask your name?[/color]” The woman looked at her curiously. “[color=ivory]You want to know my name? Truly?[/color]” She paused for a moment. “[color=ivory]Sophia Chintamani. Shall I sing you another tune?[/color]”