Jaakuna noticed that the next of the lights would glow, this one would be of a grass-green color. In some ways, Jaakuna was starting to feel a little better. Maybe it was the relaxed feeling he had or maybe some of Zodiark was already starting to be removed from his body. Regardless of what it was, Jaakuna would listen to Aloa about what exactly it was that the next step would have to deal with. However, before she would explain the next step, she would remind him that having something happen to oneself, be it good or bad, was not a matter of deserving it, but rather it was a question of the will that everyone has within themselves. She would then set an example about power and comparing herself to Reia. She would state that both of them had power in their own way. Jaakuna at least knew that much. Both women were strong, but Reia was politically strong and had power over her people, where Aloa was strong with the wood and how she could heal people. Plus, if the two of the fought, Aloa would win without lifting anything more then one of her legs.

As she finished up her example/lesson, she would reveal to Jaakuna the next step and it was something that he feared he would have to tackle, but he just didn’t think that it would be so soon. She told him that it was dealing with his dependency. She would bring up that it was the reason that Jaakuna came to the Jungle in the first place, it was the reason he abandoned Emiri and everyone else, and it was the reason Jaakuna felt so lost. He had gave into the temptation of Zodiark and cause of that, he lost his own free will, he lost what originally made him a great guy to be around. It was cause he gave into Zodiark that he lost the true light that was his strength. Jaakuna knew that and even when Aloa would say similar things to his face, it just proved it more and more. 

As Jaakuna thought about it all, Aloa would ask him what was it that made him go down this path and become so lost. Jaakuna looked down, then up. He didn’t know exactly. He knew that so many things have happened that caused this. [b]“I..don’t know.”[/b] No, he’s lying. Jaakuna knew exactly what led him down this path and he just didn’t want to admit it. [b]“No, that’s false. I do know.”[/b] Jaakuna’s fists clenched up, his arms shaking, but he tried to control it as much as he could. [b]“I think it all started when I started hearing Zodiark-as-my-dad’s voice calling to me. It was the first time that Zodiark ever lured me into his web. It was then that I followed it into Giruvegan, and the closer I got, the louder the voice got. When I went to him, he appeared as my father, as I’m sure you know.”[/b] Of course Aloa knew; she’s connected to The Wood more than anyone. [b]“I let him into my body and eventually he was revived, but that wasn’t before something changed inside me. I felt his influence growing inside me, it was only then in Nabudis that it finally took front and center. It was then that I fully gave myself to him.” [/b]

Jaakuna knew all of what he said was the truth, but did he really answer her question? No, he didn’t. He just told her what she already knew. Jaakuna didn’t answer her question of what brought him down this path. [b]“I guess, in all of it, the reason I went down this path in the first place, the reason that I’m so far gone is—” [/b]Jaakuna paused, looking at his hands as they shook vigorously(not his choice). [b]“ —is just that I’m afraid that I won’t be able to protect anyone, but most of all that I won’t be able to protect myself.”[/b] Jaakuna found himself looking at the ceiling once more as he did before. [b]“I was told to uphold certain images and never show weakness. Hamut told me this in hopes that he would be able to control me. Even when my father was still the emperor, he pulled the strings from behind the scenes and he was grooming my brother and I to be tools for his usage.”[/b] Jaakuna admitted. [b]“I was nine when it started, and for thirteen years, I was obedient to him, until I killed my uncle.” [/b]

-----

He could feel it from her eyes and then he heard her words that pretty much told him that if Clyde did anything to warrant suspicion or betrayal, she would cut him down where he stood at the point of said betrayal. Wesley just smiled, nodded, hugged, and kissed his fiance. That was when they would rejoin Savayna and Clyde who seemed to be in a heated exchange. Wesley arched an eyebrow, but decided against asking what it was about.

“Okay, Uncle Clyde, you can come, but don’t do anything to make any of regret it.” Wesley firmly informed his uncle about the terms and conditions of him coming with them.

“Yeah, yeah. I gotcha’.”[/b] He said as if not really caring, but he did care and understood wholeheartedly.

Wesley sighed and he would just motion everyone back into the house, to which only took then about three minutes to get back to. As they would walk in, everyone instantly shot Clyde a dirty look. They didn’t trust the Black Sheep of the family, especially considering his reputation among them. However, Wesley would offer them a smile and they would all sigh at the same time 

[b]“Mother, Ayane, Nigel — everyone — I’m going to the Pharos and Clyde is coming with.”[/b] As soon as Wesley said that, everyone in the family started yelling out curse words and just yelling at him for making such a foolish decision as if protesting completely against it. Wesley would start to get irritated at his family. He knew that they would go against it, but he had no choice. His uncle was the only one who could get them to Pharos and in times like this, he couldn’t afford to be picky. [b]“WILL ALL YOU JUST SHUT UP!” [/b]Wesley yelled out and gasps were heard. [b]“I know you don’t approve, but Uncle Clyde is the only one that can lead us to The Pharos without anyone — or anything — detecting us.”[/b]

As the family heard Wesley, they knew he was right. As much as they didn’t trust Clyde — and who would with a name like Clyde — they trusted him. Isabelle would stand up and walk up to Wesley. She proceeded to hug him. [b]“Be safe.”[/b] Belle said as she released her son from her hug. Wesley would just give a determined nod to her.

Though Wesley wanted to leave right away, he needed to do something. [b]“Mother, can I speak to you in private for a moment?”[/b] Wesley asked her.

[b]“Of course.” [/b]She said

Wesley would lead his mother to another room in her house, away from the family and away from..well pretty much everybody. As the door closed, Wesley took in a deep breath and he exhaled and spoke. [b]“Okay, so it’s like this. I proposed to Nadeline, as you probably already know. Well, I did so without a ring — it was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing, but it wasn’t like I wasn’t thinking about it at the time — and that’s why I asked you to speak with me in private.” [/b]Wesley said, [b]“I would like to give Nadeline the ring that father gave to you, if you still have it.” [/b]Wesley asked.

Hearing him speak about how he proposed to Nadeline, Belle instantly thought that it wasn’t the most romantic thing he could do. At least, not in the way he was explaining it, but she could tell that he really loved her. Though, she was caught off-guard by his request for the ring that his father gave to her when he first proposed. [b]“Oh, Jonathan..”[/b] She said as if remembering her late ex-husband. [b]“Your father was one hell of a man — honest, noble, brave, virtuous, and above all else, passionate. Oh I still remember the way he fu--”

“Mother please!”

“Oh right, sorry.” [/b]Belle laughed. She then looked at her son with a serious expression and she ran a hand through her light blonde hair. [b]“As my only remaining son, you are definitely entitled to the ring, but..”

“But?”

“It was stolen.”[/b]

Wesley’s jaw dropped and he couldn’t believe it. [b]“What do you mean it was stolen?” He asked half-curiously, half-shocked.

Belle sighed, [b]“Just as I said, it was stolen. It happened about a few weeks ago. Nigel and I were out on our date and when we came back, I wanted to make sure the ring was still there and all, but it wasn’t.”[/b] She told him.

[b]“Did you report it missing or anything?”[/b] Wesley asked her.

Belle sighed again. [b]“There isn’t any real government around here. It’s a pirate port, so anything that is stolen and reported is just responded by a ‘tough luck’.” [/b]Belle annoyingly told Wesley.

Wesley was just dumbfounded by the lack of laws in Balfonheim, but he knew that pirates wouldn’t uphold decency laws around the port. Even still, Wesley was vastly disappointed. He wanted to give Nadeline that specific ring. Sure, Wesley could go to any jeweler and buy a ring and give it to her, but it was so much more than that. The ring that his father gave to his mother was passed down since Raithwall. Raithwall himself crafted the ring from non-harmful magicite, which added to the beauty and overall value for the ring. If someone truly has stolen it, they could retire with the gil that they would get from it. 

[b]“Mother, do you have any idea who would want to steal it? Like anyone that you might have made an enemy out of or might hold a grudge against you? Or even anyone who might hold a grudge against our family?[/b]” Wesley asked his mother.

Belle thought about it and while there were several people who had a grudge against her and had reasons to hate not only her side of the family, but Jonathan’s side as well. [b]“To just say one name would be a waste of time. There are countless people who are angry with both sides of the family and I don’t even know where to begin on that list of people.”[/b] She regrettably admitted.

Wesley angrily sighed. [b]“Okay then, I guess I’ll just have to do it the hard way.”[/b] Wesley said, [b]“I will find the ring after we come back from The Pharos of Ridorana Cataract. “[/b]Wesley informed her. She just smiled and walked out and joined the others, as did Wesley. This bothered him immensely and he would get to the bottom of it one way or another.