Several minutes and paces were spent scouting the ruined streets of Archades and all that Jaakuna was able to find out was that a heavy battle raged on about three hundred paces away from him. The amount of mist that surrounded it was so thick that, even as far away as Jaakuna was, he felt as if he was watching it from the front row. What two powerful warriors had to been fighting to create such a strong mist field?

[color=crimson][i]Exodus has been summoned.[/i][/color]

“[color=ed1c24]Yeah, I got that.[/color]”

[color=crimson][i]Then I’m sure you’re aware that Hamut is fighting someone with high enough mist that they would rival that Shion in pure force.[/i][/color]

That sent chills down Jaakuna’s spine. To think that someone within Archades that was strong enough to hold their own against not only one of the strongest warriors in all of Ivalice, but able to do so while Exodus was fighting beside Hamut...that was just unheard of. What kind of person was this?

Actually, that was exactly what Jaakuna was going to do. Of course, if it hadn’t been for a familiar voice suddenly speaking from behind him, he would have taken to a full sprint.

“[color=ed1c24]Says the woman with the injured arm.[/color]” Jaakuna snickered as he took notice to Shion’s hand and how it was blatantly obvious that she overexerted herself. Of course, even if he could tell that she wasn’t in the best of shape and if he asked, she wouldn’t confirm it. Knowing her like he did, Shion would brush past it, and move the topic onto more pressing matters.

And as much as Jaakuna would like to talk about what was going on with Shion’s poor attempt at covering up her arm, there was no time for that; not when there was a major battle raging on not far away from where they were standing.

After a moment of awkward silence had passed, Jaakuna would cough slightly, then his emerald eyes would look to Shion, who from where he stood, seemed awfully tense, as if something was bothering her. After all this time that Jaakuna had known her, he couldn’t help but sense that about her.

“[color=ed1c24]So, what’s wrong? I’ve seen that look on people’s faces before, so something is obviously troubling you. And, if I recall, you did say you had something to tell me when we met up in the dungeons.[/color]” Jaakuna said, catching Shion’s glance. “[color=ed1c24]Yeah, I know - I actually pay attention. Who would have thunk it?[/color]” Jaakuna found himself laughing at his own surprise. He was actually maturing somewhat. “[color=ed1c24]So, out with it, Shion![/color]”

[hr]

As the plan had been decided, Dominic pondered on what to do. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. He knew what he was going to do, but there was still the matter of all of the shit that was going on. He heard that loud boom a few minutes ago, which made him extra curious about who might’ve caused it and what exactly was going on. It put worry on his face when he noticed that it came from the direction that Shion had run off to, so that gave him extra incentive to go after her. If not for his own sake, then for the fact that he’s curious as all hell.

“[color=cb0015]You bet your ass I’m going with you.[/color]” Dominic slammed his fists together, grinning.

“[color=50c878]I suppose you have made up your mind, haven’t you, Dom?[/color]” Shinto mused, looking conflicted.

“[color=cb0015]Yes I have. Shion might need our help, so I’m going to do everything that I can to provide that help.[/color]”

“[color=50c878]I’m glad to hear it,[/color]” Shinto said, “[color=50c878]then I won’t feel as bad for choosing to accompany the Empress and Roman.[/color]”

“[color=cb0015]But Shinto —[/color]”

“[color=50c878]But nothing. You and I have different ideas of what we need to do in this mess. You have your path that you must take and I have mine. But don’t fret, my brother, we will meet again, as long as you don’t get too reckless, and die.[/color]” Shinto said with a snickering grin.

“[color=cb0015]How can I possibly die when I have my little sister waiting for me at home?[/color]” Dominic reminded Shinto.

“[color=50c878]Ah, yes, little Nila. Then, I suppose, you’ll have to be more careful than you usually are. Hopefully you can do that.[/color]”

Dominic scowled, then he turned to face Lorenzo. “[color=cb0015]Let’s go princey! Our friends aren’t going to save themselves.[/color]”

And with that, Dominic took off to one direction, leaving Lorenzo behind. Shinto shook his head, and looked to the Emperor and Empress. “[color=50c878]Well, shall we?[/color]”
[hr]

Wesley stood there. Frozen. His eyes staring at his own hands, obviously shaking from the thoughts going through his mind. The way the voice spoke to him, the way it reminded him of his brother was — well, it was uncanny. The tone, the way it had an identical Dalmascan Accent to [i]him[/i], the endearing way it spoke Wesley’s name — there was no doube in his mind that it was Sylvester’s voice.

...But how?

As Wesley tried to come to grips of that, he...just couldn’t find himself to stop shaking. The memories were coming back in full: his brother dying in his arms, his last words to him, how everything in those last moments shook him to his very core and how, regardless if it was a trick or it was actually his brother.