Her heart was racing in her chest, it seemed to become more notable as the bike slowed down. No matter how hard she tried, Emiri couldn't quite shake off the bad feeling forming in the pit of her stomach. Her thoughts were a clouded chaos, every possibility--both good and bad--playing out in her head. Still, her denial was a bittersweet one, as she felt herself delve in deeper and deeper. It became a sort of mantra at this point, a silent, ever looming mantra hanging over her head. 

Once the bike came to a halt, Emiri could not get off any faster. Things were eerily quiet on the outside of the castle, and the pair were free to walk in. Inside, the normally bright pillars had been magically colored a solemn silver, only glowing brightly as Jaakuna and Emiri would pass. For once, Emiri was in the lead, albeit her steps were more likened into a run rather than the brisk walk she thought she had. For some reason, she knew where she needed to go. It was not a long walk in the castle, but time seemed to stretch out as Emiri would approach the castle's previous throne room. As she placed both hands upon the door, a moment's hesitation gripped her. No, she needed to know.

Emiri pushed the doors open, unwilling to stay in suspense any longer. The previous king's throne room was little more than an empty room, though today it was blanketed with various roses, the symbol of Rozarria. They were all differently colored, though as Emiri would approach the other side of the room, she could see that a majority of the white roses were cluttered around a pedestal. She should have taken note of Karolina and Lorenzo as they saw her, but Emiri's eyes could only focus on the open coffin before them. She finally stopped before it, though she managed to tear her gaze away for just a moment to look at her aunt.

Karolina looked devastated, her eyes showing clear signs of mourning and grief, though her eyes were dry from her previous weeping. She extended an arm to Emiri silently, as if preparing her for the scene. At that point, Emiri knew her mind had gone blank, but her legs seemed to move on their own as she would walk to the side of the coffin. And there Justine was, as still and perfect as a porcelain doll. For just a moment, Emiri could only look at her face. She could have been sleeping, but as Emiri reached out and touched her hand, she immediately noticed the lack of warmth.

Emiri inhaled sharply, holding that breath as the realization came crashing down upon her. Her mother was dead. She should have cried, she should have reacted, but the reality had taken such a hit on her psyche she almost wanted to laugh. It must have been some miracle of the gods that she didn't, but soon she would feel her body shaking. Her knees buckled under her and she felt herself fall on them, but as she could feel Karolina's warm embrace, she had no idea what to do. For just a moment, a small chuckle did escape, though in that moment, Lorenzo decided to speak, so it was lost.

"[b][color=f26522]I'm sorry, Emelia.[/color][/b]" He stated as he shook his head, watching Karolina. Emiri's annoyance with her real name being spoken irked her somewhat, and when Karolina would release her, she would stand. Indeed, it was the very name her own mother had given her. The same one who tortured her, the source of all her misery, the one who raised her to be little more than a token. She shot a glare at Lorenzo, who seemed to catch his error. "[b][color=f26522]Right, sorry, Emiri.[/color][/b]"

She did not respond. However, as she turned to her aunt, she then realized how hard Justine's death must have hit her. Karolina and Justine were always close, something Emiri herself had envied at certain points, and Karolina was in the pit of despair at the moment. Emiri extended her own arms to her, shaking her head. "[b][color=f6989d]Oh Karolina...[/color][/b]" She felt very sorry for the weak woman, truly she did.

It seemed her words had broken the dam, and Karolina would dissolve into a mess of tears. Emiri would hug her tightly, letting her cry all she wanted. Lorenzo then narrowed his eyes at the brunette, and for a moment, they made eye contact. He couldn't help but notice how expressionless Emiri had become. Had Justine's death shocked her? No, that wasn't it either. It was then that Emiri would raise her eyebrows at him, but she would close her eyes as she comforted her aunt. A small gasp would escape Lorenzo as he had his own realization: 

Emiri was glad her mother was dead.

Karolina managed to control herself at that point, wiping her cheeks. "[b][color=f7941d]Forgive me, I know...I know you must be suffering...[/color][/b]" She apologized between sniffles.

Emiri shook her head, though she would look around. "[b][color=f6989d]Mama and I never did see eye to eye...but I know that losing a sister is a pain unlike no other.[/color][/b]" She told her gently. "[b][color=f6989d]But please, where is Papa? He is alright, yes?[/color][/b]"

"[b][color=f7941d]He should be in one of the bed chambers down the hall. The hospital was filled with the injured, so Reia opened up the castle to alleviate some of the hospital's burdens,[/color][/b]" Karolina told her, taking Emiri's hand. "[b][color=f7941d]But I must warn you, he is not in a good condition.[/color][/b]"

Finally, the emptiness in her expression turned into one of worry. "[b][color=f6989d]Please, take me to him.[/color][/b]" She urged her. "[b][color=f6989d]I...I must see him.[/color][/b]"

The blonde haired woman nodded, keeping her hold on Emiri, and the pair would walk out. As they did, Lorenzo would follow, though he would pause beside Jaakuna. He looked like he had something to tell Jaakuna, something that needed to be said. He would look at Jaakuna, his expression serious. "[b][color=f26522]...Did something happen?[/color][/b]" He asked him slowly, a frown etched into his face. Should he tell him what he noticed? Had Jaakuna noticed?
[hr]
The battle was on, and it seemed that Ultima was just getting started. Nadeline brandished her rapier, holding it aloft to do her own part. "[b][color=fdc68a]Thundaga![/color][/b]" She called, several bolts of lightning striking the various orbs around them. As she did her part, she couldn't help but look over at Grant, who was shooting whatever orbs the group spells would miss. "[b][color=fdc68a]You shock me, you [i]do[/i] recall that this Esper may be just a tad more challenging than the others?[/color][/b]" She asked him half-heartedly as she charged up another Thundaga.

Grant shrugged at her. "[b][color=darkorchid]Do forgive me for wanting to make haste,[/color][/b]" Was his rather simple response, though the two would cut their conversation short as Ultima readied her next attack. Still, he didn't want to exactly wait until she was all ready to make his next attack, so once more he decided to get the initial strike. His bullet appeared to do some damage, as Ultima would wince slightly. However, as she raised one arm in the air, another chill seemed to occupy the air.

For a moment it looked like the Esper was glowing, but Nadeline recognized the spell before she would even cast it. "[b][color=fdc68a]Brace yourselves![/color][/b]" She called, conjuring a group-wide Shell.

Grant seemed to catch on, charging up his own spell as the magicks circled his gun. "[b][color=darkorchid]Darkga![/color][/b]" He called, his single bullet replaced as she spell shot out and clashed with the holy magic. It was very reminiscent of Savayna's own tactic, however, this time it would backfire. As the white and black magic would explode, its burst as complete opposites would encircle the entire arena. Ultima was surely hit, but the entire party would also suffer backlash from it. Nadeline let out a shriek as she went flying, landing hard on her side as she skidded to a halt. Despite the Shell, the two spells were easily as powerful as ever. Grant managed to come to a halt sooner, already shooting back at Ultima.

"[b][color=darkorchid]I don't believe continuing that tradition of clashing spells worked as well for me![/color][/b]" Grant called out the obvious. "[b][color=darkorchid]Though you would think Dark magicks would be more effective on a Holy Esper![/color][/b]"

Nadeline managed to get back on her feet. "[b][color=fdc68a]Remember what Aloa said? Ultima is the last Esper still chained to Ivalice, Zodiark's very presence has increased her power.[/color][/b]" She said, sending a Firaga at the Esper. "[b][color=fdc68a]She will not fall so easily like the rest.[/color][/b]"