It was an interesting night for the trio. After an extensive conversation about the Espers and their seals and everything that comes with it — mostly Savayna asking both Vlyn and Mateus about it — they got moving onto the road as soon as they could. When daybreak came, they gathered their supplies, and quickly made the final trek to Archades. 

It would have taken them a full day’s worth of walking to get to Archades — especially from where they were, but due to the vehicles they had with them, it cut that entire journey by over half of the time it would had taken them otherwise. Before high noon, they had already left the Sochen Cave Palace and made their way into Old Archadia.

And to what they saw was enough to render anyone speechless: fire and smoke looming in the distance, bodies of the sick and poor everywhere. Whatever had happened, whatever was happening in this great city, there was one thing that they knew.

“[color=lightblue]We need to get to the bottom of this.[/color]” Savayna stated the obvious.  She was unsure exactly what had happened, but she knew that the answer was at the core of the smoke and fire in the distance.[sub][sub][hr][/sub][/sub]
There were smiles on Jaakuna’s face as well as the faces of his friends. Happy to see that Hamut was finally put down like he rabid dog that he was. Relieved that they didn’t have to deal with his bothersome presence any longer. It was if that they could finally rest easy knowing that the great dragon of Archades was slain and by LAnnit of all people.

Jaakuna had approached his friend, aiming to bring him into a tight bro-hug. It had been too long where he could just do that to his friend and actually do it with genuine relief. Just as his arms were about to wrap around his friend, he felt something poke him about half of an inch into his stonach. It was cold, yet there was an odd, warm sensation.

“[color=ed1c24]What the--[/color]” 

Jaakuna didn’t have to guess what it was. As soon as his eyes had followed Lannit’s surprised expression  down his body, he saw the blade of Hamut’s sword impaled through his stomach and slightly into Jaakuna’s own. And when he had backed away out of pure instinct, Lannit’s body fell. First he went to his knees and time stopped as if Emiri was here using her powers as his body fell into the pool of blood that his gaping wound had allowed to form. 

While Dominic, Shinto, and Lorenzo had all rushed to Lannit’s side, Jaakuna slowly backed away. He was seemingly in a state of denial. Tears slowly flowed down his face and his entire body was shaking. His mouth appeared jittery as his jaw joints were unable to close. He tried to speak words, but only thing that came out were half-words that were barely audible.

Meanwhile, Lorenzo’s efforts seemed to had actually made a slight difference. Though Lannit was in a severe condition, he coughed up blood.

“[color=0076a3]Impressive as your magicks might be, Prince Lorenzo, your efforts to save this pathetic, useless man will be for naught. His aorta was severed. In ten minutes, he [i]will[/i] die.[/color]” Hamut said, sounding almost sympathetic. 

“[color=cb0015]Shut up you son of a bitch![/color]” Dominic roared. 

He went charging at Hamut out of anger and grief. Crimson lightning surrounded his entire body and he ran around in circles around Hamut. The latter simply smiled. When Dominic had darted to Hamut, aiming to strike the older Archadian with a punch infused with all of the kinetic energy he had built up, it only took one moment for Hamut to seize the moment and stop DOminic where he stood. He did this by simply extending his left hand. A flash of gold emitted from his hand and all of the lightning magick that had been gathered up was sucked up like a vacuum does to air, converted it into pure, magickal energy, and shot it back at Dominic, sending the bulky redhead back about five yards. He was presumed unconscious.

Shinto looked on and he wanted to react, but seeing how Dominic couldn’t do anything, what use could he be? No, he would stay put, but he didn’t like it one bit.

“[color=0076a3]Do you see now? If Lannit, who had been empowered by the great Samurai spirit of Gilgamesh and the famed Crimson Lightning of Archadia couldn’t touch me, you truly are out of options.[/color]” Hamut stepped forward, aiming to squash his enemies.

As he would take five steps, which brought him about two yards away from everyone, he stopped. Something in the air had prevented him from moving. He was trying but it was as his entire body was frozen by a greater pressure. “[color=0076a3]What gives?[/color]”

“[color=ed1c24]You were right about one thing, Grandfather,[/color]” Jaakuna stepped forward, steam and fire surrounding him, “[color=ed1c24]they aren’t able to do anything. As strong as LAnnit was and as strong as Dominic, Shinto, and Lorenzo might be, they don’t have the one thing that puts them on equal grounds as you.[/color]”

The air practically bubbled past the point of boiling temperatures. It contorted in ways that were only possible near active volcanoes. His eyes were like brimstone and his hair had a fiery reddish-orange shade to it now. Jaakuna’s entire [url=https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/858/243/large/ashleigh-stuart-fire-concept.jpg?1434690346]body[/url] was now starting to be covered in an oddly-familiar armor. In the place of his usual twin swords was a longarm - a staff-lance, if you will. It appeared through a portal of fire.  Finally, two additional arms formed off the side of his  body. They were the very same arms that Belias himself has.

Jaakuna swiped his free arm and he moved Lannit, Shinto, and Lorenzo out of his way - harmfree, mind you. They were at least twenty paces to the side, allowing Jaakuna enough room to do battle without any worry of them getting hurt. 

“[color=0076a3]And what might that be, dearest grandson?[/color]” Hamut inquired, noticing the distinctive change about Jaakuna.

“[color=ed1c24]The unlocking of an Esper’s Inner Seal.[/color]” 

Before even giving his grandfather time to respond, Jaakuna, as fast as a blink of the eye was in front of Hamut, and he brought his staff-lance in a low, vertical slash, only for it to meet  with Hamut’s sword that he had acquired back when Lorenzo pulled it out of Lannit’s body. The collision created aftershocks of aether and fire magicks, surrounding the two inside a dome of gold and red and yellow and orange. A mixture of powerful, ancient magicks of two espers clashing with one another and the potent mist of the ones their wills were manifesting through caused unbelievable aftershocks throughout the city. It doubtless caused more, widespread damage throughout the city - enough to cause more buildings to topple on top of their already-damaged structures.[sub][sub][hr][/sub][/sub]
“It seems he has activated it, sir,” a raspy voice said.

“[color=36454f]Seems like it.[/color]” 

Zodiark was out on the balcony of his private quarters, simply looking at the skies. Archades was in view. The smoke and fire was clearly seen. He was hundreds of miles away and he still felt Jaakuna’s power from here. The aftershocks of that collision between his older brothers, Exodus and Belias was something of legends. Hell, it [i]is[/i] the stuff of legends. When his brothers and sisters rebelled against the Light Scions, they were outcast by the very ones they revolted against, sent away to be sealed within the confines of Ivalice. Only, when they were defeated by persons  worthy of their power shall they be freed. 

The wicked beast curled a twisted smile as he turned around, looking at the masked, cloaked figure behind him who was leaning against the door. “[color=36454f]So what other developments do you have for me?[/color]”

“The Ice Queen, crown prince, and the male Viera arrived in Archades. Meanwhile, the Dalmascan...king seems to be indisposed at the moment. Seeing his brother alive right in front of his eyes is not something the average hume can handle and not walk away without a few mental scars. Oh and our esteemed guest is currently being entertained by Emmeroloth and Sophia, though Ritron is definitely having too much fun.” The male sounded discontent with Keiran. 

“[color=36454f]So everything is happening as I’ve predicted,[/color]” Zodiark said, thinking out loud.

“It seems that way, sir.”

“[color=36454f]Very well. Prepare the next stage of our plan. If this is going to be successful, we will need The Time Scion at full power. Oh and do keep Ritron in line. If, at any point, he proves to be more bothersome than he is worth, you know what to do.[/color]”

“Of course sir.”

“[color=36454f]Then you are dismissed, Loghrif.[/color]”

Loghrif bowed and left Zodiark’s chambers.

As he looked on at the great city of Archades, he smiled.  “[color=36454f]Oh how the mighty have fallen.[/color]”
[sub][sub][hr][/sub][/sub]
Wesley’s door closed slowly as the prince had been forced the milk of poppy just so he would sleep. His mother closed the door very slowly, seeing Cassandra at her brother’s bedside. She would not leave his side. Even though he was out like a light, she definitely didn’t want him to wake up to the sound of a slamming door.

“[color=orchid]You have my thanks, Miss Aloa. thank you for bringing my son and his fiancee back home. Please, allow me to extend you the courtesy of giving you a hot meal before you have to go,[/color]”  Isabelle said warmly. She was just happy to have her. Moving her relieved eyes to Nadeline, she knew the blonde was rattled. It wasn’t every day that you almost die at the hands of your soon-to-be brother-in-law, not to mention being powerless to help the one you truly love.