Along the way of getting out of The Pharos, the trio reunited with Lannit and Wendy, to which both of them were surprised to see that the place was coming down. They didn’t have time to explain in account of the building slowly becoming a big cloud of black and blue. So, the five of them would run as fast as they could, going down the floors one by one. It seemed that with the possibility of dying, one runs faster than usual. The entire group found that to be true as within a half of an hour, they nearly escaped death and by the last minute of the hour came, they were out of The Pharos and they just kept on running. They wanted to at least get to the edge of Ridorana to get away from the explosion. Thankfully, there was the Hoverboards still where they left them. When they got to the hoverboards, none of them thought about any of it. They just got on and would ride it back to Balfonheim. If anything, they needed to get the hell away from the explosion, but Wesley looked back and saw, for just a brief second, the head of a giant snake. [I]What was that?[/I] Wesley thought as whatever he saw, he knew it couldn’t be good, not in the very least. ----- By the time that they had decided, the trio were already back on the Ifrit and the course had already been set for Balfonheim. Jaakuna was hoping that what Vlyn and Karolina told Emiri as well as what the viera told Grant and Jaakuna back in Eruyt would indeed make the recovery of her memory go a lot quicker. Hweover, as Jaakuna and the other two sat at the table, he knew that there was so much to discuss and not only the information that they just found out. Jaakuna had yet to tell Grant about his soul-searching journey. As they sat at the dining room table, Jaakuna knew he had to say it now or forever hold his peace. [b]“I think while we have this time, I should tell you two why I left.”[/b] Jaakuna said, not even knowing where to begin. [b]“I know I shouldn’t have left, but I wasn’t right in my mind. As you know, everything that happened last night put me in a bad place and when I went to sleep that night, I knew I couldn’t face any of you, not Wesley, not Nadeline — none of you. So, I left and went to go find my reason. It took me to Rabanastre, at least at first. I got some advice, so I went to The Garif village of Jahara. They helped me and the Elder of the village told me to go see Aloa.”[/b] Jaakuna said as he looked at Emiri. Of course he would cause it revolved solely around her. [b]“I told her my case and while I was very…well rude to her and the other two — Ryua and Mtra — she still decided to help me. She did so by means of what she called The Cleansing, which pretty much was having me face every tragic thing that happened to me.”[/b] [b]“I went pretty far into it. Actually, it was at the last step that I found my inner-peace with everything. Maybe I was scared cause the last step required me to give myself away from earthly attachments and in a sense, become like the viera who themselves deserted the world and chose to live in isolation. “[/b] Jaakuna looked down and smiled. [b]“I almost did it and I’m still considering it. I don’t know if I will end up on doing it, but I thought that both of you should know.” [/b]Jaakuna said as he finished. ----- As Roman told Hamut to continue to find the new judges he would just nod as acknowledgement and agreement of sorts to Roman. He would state that he would send a team to the Pharos, but as Hamut was thinking, Roman was right in saying that by the time that they would get there, it would probably be too late for that. The concerns of Roman for Ivalice was apparent. [b]“I don’t know, Roman. She can only do so much, but it’s up to her children to make sure she is protected.”[/b] Hamut would offer as he would depart and leave his grandson to his duties. As Hamut exited Roman’s office, he felt a sudden chill-like feeling and suddenly was transported to what seemed like a courtroom. It was odd, but it had a woodsy-like appearance to it. As he would look around, he saw none other than the Judge-Sal sitting at the Judge’s bench. [b]“Well, this is a surprise, Exodus. Last time you presented yourself to me was when I met The Scion of Time for the first time.”[/b] Exodus smiled. [b]“It indeed has been a while, but dire times befall us all.”[/b] Hamut raised an eyebrow. [b]“So even the great espers feel it huh?” [/b]Hamut lightly joked. [b] “Aye, that we do and soon every race upon Ivalice’s land, sea, and skies will feel it.” Exodus would state. “So, Judge-Sal, what reason do you have for calling me to your court? Surely I am not under trial, am I?” Hamut asked curiously. Exodus chuckled. “No, you are not, Hamut. Quite the opposite. The Espers have more-or-less been ordered to hasten our efforts.” “Meaning what exactly?” “We, at our own pace, will give our Owners The Seed.” “Ah, so it is that time already, huh?” “You don’t seem shocked.” “Please, do not take me for a fool, Exodus. You know why you chose me. I am the only one who shares your views on the world and you know as well as anyone that I am deeply versed in the history of you Scions of Darkness.” [/b] Exodus had to admit, he was actually shocked that Hamut knew so much. He knew that the Head Judge of Archadia was one of the few that fully-comprehended the dire state of affairs that Ivalice herself was enduring. He just wasn’t sure if Hamut could handle both The Dragon Seal and The Aether Seal. [b]“Indeed, you are well-versed in every aspect of our history, but are you truly ready is what I’m trying to decide.” [/b]Exodus said. Hamut smiled at Exodus. [b]“It is your decision, but while you ponder and wait, Zodiark continues to plunge the world further in his darkness.”[/b] Hamut would state. [b]“It is settled then.” [/b]He said as the scales on his desk would spin and magicks of ethereal orange and gold would begin to surround Hamut. [b]“Brandon Hamut Darcone, you are the father of Simon Darcone, grandfather of Vincent Darcone, Jackson Darcone, and Roman Darcone. You are the Head Judge of the Archaidan Imperial Court, and I, Exodus the Judge-Sal find you worthy of the title Chosen One. May it bring you strength for whenever you need it.”[/b] As Hamut heard all of the words that Exodus said, he would feel his body to react funny to the new power he was given. First, he would feel overwhelmed, but after the initial feeling went away, he suddenly felt a calmness overtake him and within the seconds that followed he was back in the hallways of the Emperor’s Building and it was with that Hamut was graduated to Chosen One status.