Jaakuna sighed, then he laughed. “[color=ed1c24]Well, my brother, I actually came here to see you.[/color]” Jaakuna said, “[color=ed1c24]you see, I had this rather revolutionary idea that I wanted to help our wonderful world for the great war with Zodiark that is definitely on its way. All of the squabbling that we seem to be doing with Dalmasca and Rozarria is childish. So, when we — my friends and myself, that is — were in Stigma, I had the idea to come here with Reia(Lorenzo came along as a bodyguard) to potentially sign a treaty between our two countries.[/color]” Jaakuna would continue, “but apparently grandfather had other ideas.” Jaakuna grimaced, “[color=ed1c24]I don’t know how, but through some stroke of bad luck, he somehow caught wind of what I was planning.[/color]”

“[color=mediumslateblue]But how?[/color]”

“[color=ed1c24]I just said I don’t know.[/color]” Jaakuna retorted back to Lannit, then turned his attention back to Roman. “[color=ed1c24]But what I am sure of is that, while Hamut has Reia, he has control of Archadia. And what’s even worse, that means Roman is in danger. I just don't know what the next course of action is: do we join the others in the rescue mission or do we take Roman to safety?[/color]” Jaakuna mused aloud as he seemed perplexed on the situation.

“[color=mediumslateblue]Well, Roman isn’t deaf, or incapable of making a decision,[/color]” Lannit stated rather obviously, “[color=mediumslateblue]so what say you former-Emperor! Do you want to fight - assuming you can - or do you want to flee? As they say: the choice is yours.[/color]”
[hr]

“[color=0076a3]War? Murder? Come now, Reia, you honestly don’t take me for a monster, do you?[/color]” There was no feigning here. Hamut had a genuine expression of bewilderment on his aged face as he couldn’t help but laugh afterwards, realizing the situation that he was in. The situation that Reia had just put him in and it only hit him like a ton of bricks to the fact at the very moment he heard her speak. “[color=0076a3]The rumors about you just don’t do you justice, Reia. Your beauty is only matched by that tendency to speak your mind. Yet another trait that allures a lot to you. If not romantically, then simply presenting their mutual respect for you.[/color]” 

As Hamut would open his palm, sienna-colored magick flared into his hand, taking the form of an orb. It was a rotating orb of mist that looked like a meteor, emitting sounds that only the one holding it could know what it was. To Hamut, it was the sound of a comet coming from the skies and crashing into the ground. It was the sound upon impact that he heard — and it calmed all nerves that might’ve agitated. For him to hear it was like a soothing melody that quelled even the worst of pains, physical or otherwise.

And when Hamut looked at Reia, seeing the obvious intrigue on her face, he curved his lips into a smirk. “[color=0076a3]Exodus did me a huge favor. He saw that I possessed an innate ability to tell whether someone was being deceitful or not. As such I unlocked what was known as The Truth-Seeking Seal. Do you know what that means, Reia?[/color]” Hamut knew that she knew his question was rhetorical. “[color=0076a3]It means, anyone that I engage in any conversation with, I can tell if they’re lying. Let’s take you for example. I know that underneath this front you have put up is simply that. A front. You are frightened by what I could do. And frankly, that is justified.[/color]”

 Hamut judged her expression. He couldn’t get a read on it, despite what he just claimed. “[color=0076a3]Still not convinced? Fine, allow me to mention another.[/color]” Hamut kept his curved smile, “[color=0076a3]my grandson, Jackson. He spoke to me before arriving here. Did you know that? He was calling Roman, but couldn’t reach him because - well, I think you know why. He didn’t tell me why he had to speak to him, only that it was urgent. Truth is, I know why. This Seal allowed me to know. And do you know what it is I figured out? It was that he made some agreement with you about to sign a nonaggression treaty with our countries.[/color]” Hamut said, dropping the bombshell on Reia. “[color=0076a3]yes, I am well aware of that. And while I commend my grandson for having the gall to actually attempt something like that, I just could not let it happen, not when Archadia is in the perfect position carpe diem Ivalice.[/color]” Hamut crossed his legs, humming sinisterly. 

“[color=0076a3]So yes, to answer your question, I aim to incite war. But you asked me if I wanted to end the Roselia bloodline. Why stop there? Why should I limit myself to just one? Empress Reia, what I aim to achieve - what I am going to achieve - is to not only end your bloodline, but the Alexanders and any who will oppose my reign. And you walking into my hands has made a third of that easy for me. All I must do is —[/color]”
[hr]

Okay, so this was certainly a development. Or so Savayna thought so as she dug into the rabbit leg that had been cooked over the open fire. Delicious as always, it had been sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon and some other spices she wasn’t knowledgeable of. This region wasn’t exactly familar to her. 

But that wasn’t the only thing that had happened. Apparently Emiri got a new friend too, and not a very nice friend. Someone worse than Jaakuna. Well, Savayna couldn’t really dismiss what Jaakuna had done for the girl. To her knowledge, Emiri was a runner. Obviously she was because she ran away from home, and now she’s with the new bad boy in town. 

“[color=lightblue]Fuck me,[/color]” Savayna muttered. That was really all she had to say about it. “[color=lightblue]What is it with that bitch running off with someone interesting? First it was Jaakie, now it’s whoever this fuckboy is. On top of it all, she has turned to the dark side? Just like Jaakuna did that one time.[/color]” Savayna took another bite of her rabbit, swallowing before continuing. “[color=lightblue]Quite frankly, I’m disappointed, ya male bunny. You and Aloa, despite what most might think, are actually quite strong. And Shion is too. Lord knows she gave us a few rounds for our gil. Yet, somehow, you couldn’t defeat the selfish, little brat who —[/color]” Savayna would have continued speaking, but she felt the nudgings from Mateus, begging her to shut up. Not only that, but she might’ve caught the look on Grant’s face. “[color=lightblue]Well, you know what I mean. She’s strong, but she’s still just a girl who I could wipe the floor with without the use of my magick.[/color]”

[color=7ea7d8][i]Cocky aren’t you.[/i][/color] Mateus sassed her. She scowled.

“[color=lightblue]So, tell me, Vlyn, how was it that two of the most-skilled Viera and one of the strongest, bit-tittied bitches I have ever seen fight, couldn’t defeat our little Emiri and her new friend?[/color]” 

During Savayna’s rant, Vlyn would answer her question with the mention of dark magicks. Savayna raised her eyebrow in a suspicious way, huffing as if knowing that she shouldn’t have welcomed silence before speaking, because she looked at Grant. She could only guess what was going through his mind. She wanted to say something, but no words came out when she opened her mouth.

[hr]

ALong the way, Dominic spent his time divided between pouting about how he has yet to prove himself worthy of Shion’s love, scowling at Shinto for what he said about not being worthy of Shion’s love, and Shion nonverbally telling him for certain that he wasn’t worthy of her. Or rather, because she found one that was, who apparently was the Golden Wolf of Archadia. Dominic couldn’t believe he lost out ot Francis. Of call people, he lost out to the one person he never thought would love again after what happened to his wife  - and mother of Michel - passed away years ago. There was nothing Dominic could do aside from shoving the thought of them two out from his mind, and focus on the mission.

And with Shino with them, there was no way that they could lose.

As they would make their way through the dungeons, dodging and evading any signs of guards as they came. Some they surpirsed and fought, some they avoided fighting with altogether, but eventually, through several turns, a few flight of stairs going up and down, they were able to make it to the surface. Not only were they out of the dungeons, but the band of a prince, a famed assassin, and two criminals were in the Emperor’s Tower.  Though, unlucky for them they were on the first floor.

“[color=cb0015]So, now that we’re here, what’s the next course of action?[/color]” DOminic asked the group as lowly as he possibly could due to the simple fact that there were soldiers at all possible corners.

“[color=50c878]Isn’t it obvious? We get to the top floor where the Emperor’s Office is, and rescue the Empress Reia. Though,[/color]” Shinto bit his thumb thoughtfully, “[color=50c878]we are wanted criminals, Dominic. Then, there's the matter of Lorenzo.[/color]” Shinto turned his gaze onto the prince, “[color=50c878]apologies Lorenzo, but the rumors of your reputation don’t do any justice for the actual man.[/color]” Shinto coughed, going back to what he was saying. “[color=50c878]If we are to have any chance of blending in and not alerting any soldier, a visit to the armory, or —[/color]” Just as Shinto was going to finish what he was going to say, he caught sight of four Archadian soldiers coming down the hallway. One was female with admirable bust, two were lean and of similar height, and one was a bit bulky. “[color=50c878]How convenient.[/color]” Shinto curved a smirk, then looked to the others. “[color=50c878]It seems as though the armory has come to us.[/color]” He chuckled, “[color=50c878]Shion, when I give the signal, can you used a sleeping spell on them.[/color]”

“[color=cb0015]How will she know what the signal is?[/color]” Asked Dominic.

Shinto grinned, then he held one arm up, the other near his legs. Both were jerking to the opposite wall, then suddenly the four archadian soldiers were jerked that way as well effortlessly. And when they would pass the group, Shinto said, “Shion now!”

[hr]
Just as Hamut had finished speaking, he heard a series of frantic knocks on the door to the Emperor’s Office, followed by “First Judge Magister Darcone! First Judge Magister Darcone!”

“[color=0076a3]You may enter,[/color]” Hamut said.

The door would open and a man named Wyatt would enter. He was the apprentice of Hamut. A general of equal respect of Savayna. He had olive-colored skin and kinky dark hair. Eyes were of light jade. He bore a deep green and dark yellow armor. He took the knee, head bowed. “First Judge Magister, I come bearing horrible news!”

“[color=0076a3]Yes, Wyatt, what is it?[/color]”

“It seems as though Shinto Glacie, Master of Technicks, has been broken out of his high security cell.”

“[color=0076a3]Is that all? Simply you do not think a lowly Glacie is worth interrupting my very important meeting with our esteemed guest, do you?[/color]” Hamut said, clearly irritated and a little insulted.

“N-no, but there is something else.” He hesitated.

“[color=0076a3]Speak or forever remain silent.[/color]”

“It’s about Emperor—I mean, Former Emperor Roman.”

Hamut arched his eyebrow curiously.

“It seems he too was broken out of his cell in the same wing.”

Upon hearing that, Hamut’s face twitched. His eyebrows scrunched, fists tightened, and he grimaced. It lasted for over two moments, then he regained control. “[color=0076a3]Very well. I thank you for telling me, Wyatt. Please leave us.[/color]”

Wyatt left, and closed the door behind him. As he would, Hamut looked to Reia. She must’ve been enjoying this immensely.

[hr]
When Nadeline said what Ultima told her, Sylvester would nod, and move towards the center pathway. The walls looked smooth, almost like granite or mable. The entire length of the passageway was overflowing with hues of blue: cyan, cornflower, sky, azure, sapphire, cerulean - all shades of the monotonous spectrum of blue flew around, dancing in sparks of mist. It was riveting. There was a certain order that one felt as they would walk through it.

It would last all the way until Sylvester and Nadeline got to a door with blue gemstones engraved into its steel foundation. When Sylvester pushed on it, the door lit up with the strongest light blue glow that one could ever dream of. It danced through the lines of the pattern of the door. Each time it passed a gemstone, the glow would coincide with that specific stone: default blue, azure, navy, midnight, icy blue, light blue, cornflower, sky, deep sky, and then back to azure. Once it came back to azure, the door would show signs of it fracturing, then it crystallized. Crumbling into thin air, sucked into a vacuum of time-space, and thus revealing the end of the pathway to them: a flight of stairs leading up.

“[color=mediumseagreen]I guess Ultima does know what she’s doing after all. Do tell her a lowly Hume give her his thanks.[/color]” Sylvester feigned appreciation, scoffing towards Ultima herself.

And then he stepped forward, gesturing Nadeline to follow him after she had time to talk to Ultima. The stairs would seem endless, but eventually they came to an end. When they reached the last step, and would get off the flight of stairs, they came to yet another fork in the road with the same choice of three options with the same colors, only the left was jade, the center was crimson, and the right was azure.

 “[color=mediumseagreen]Again?![/color]” Sylvester groaned, seemingly displeased with it. He turned to Nadeline, gripping her by the shoulders. “[color=mediumseagreen]Hey, Ultima! I thought you said this was the way to go, huh? Don’t tell me this is your way of a practical joke![/color]” As he spoke, Sylvester’s tone got loud and his expression seemed twisted, based in a deep-rooted anger.