It didn’t take them long until Jaakuna and Emiri had made their way into the castle. If it wasn’t just like how Stigma seemed, it was even worse. The bright colors that the castle seemed to be known for was now dimmed down to silver. It was probably to accommodate the scene of sadness that seemed to overtake Stigma as a whole. 

As they made it past the foyer, Jaakuna took notice to Emiri’s rather fast brisk walk. It soon became a run. Jaakuna found himself actually having some kind of difficulty keeping up. Though he did keep up his pace, he was always a few feet away. When Emiri came into the King’s Throne Room, there was Prince Lorenzo and Lady Karolina hovering over a casket. Emiri stopped by there, and Jaakuna stopped just a foot and a half behind her. Though slight distance separated him from them, he could see tears from Karolina’s eyes. When Jaakuna peered his eyes to the person that was in the casket, it confirmed what Jaakuna had hoped not to be true. If not for Andre’s sake, then for Emiri’s sake. Even though they had their differences, which Jaakuna had been witness to a few times, Justine was still her mother, and Jaakuna just knew that, even if not now, someday in the future, it will hit her, and that’s when she’ll realize that her mom was dead. 

Jaakuna wanted to say something to Emiri. He wanted to assure her that it would be alright, that her mother’s passing will be sad, sure, but she’ll be able to get past the mourning phase, and be able to look back on her life with her mother - before they moved into the castle - and realize that her mother and what she did for her, was out of some form of love. Jaakuna wanted to say something as he witnessed her and Karolina hugging. He wanted to say something, but Jaakuna didn’t. It wasn’t because of he couldn’t think of any words that would help. No, it wasn’t that. The reason he didn’t say anything was because that he saw something in Emiri’s body language. He couldn’t place it, but something was … off. It wasn’t just her body language, but Emiri wasn’t even shedding any tears or when she was comforting Lady Karolina, there wasn’t a mention of her losing her mom - just that Karolina lost a sister.

When asked about Andre, Karolina warned Emiri about his condition. Jaakuna wouldn’t be surprised if he was in a coma. An explosion like that and being pretty close like it would definitely put one in the ever-peaceful town of Comaville. Still, with Emiri knowing that, she wanted to go regardless. So, Karolina led Emiri there, and the men followed. However, Lorenzo paused his movement, and looked to Jaakuna. The blonde male began to ask him something. [color=ed1c24][b]“You don’t need to ask.”[/b][/color] Jaakuna said before Lorenzo was able to finish what he was going to say. [color=ed1c24][b]“I noticed it too.”[/b][/color] Jaakuna confirmed Lorenzo’s suspicions. [color=ed1c24][b]“She looked … glad about Justine’s death, almost as if it brought some kind of relief to her.”[/b][/color] Jaakuna was deeply troubled by this. He didn’t want to say it, but could it be connected to what Aloa sensed within Emiri when they went to go see her? Did Levi do something to her? It angered him, but Jaakuna kept it under control. 
[hr]

[b]“You speak truth, Hume Princess of Rozarria. The presence of  The Keeper of Precepts, I have grown stronger. It was required of me for I am his opposite. Where there is dark must always be like. As long as he is free, I will not rest until Ivalice is safe.”[/b] Ultima said, looking down upon the four that dare challenged her. 

Their attempts have been futile, meaningless even. So far, Ultima has simply been testing out their strengths. 

[b]“As I watched you go around Ivalice collecting us, I have seen your strength. I am not entirely confident that you will defeat the Keeper of Precepts, but you are the best shot Ivalice has. However, while I have seen your strengths, I have also seen your weaknesses, specifically you, Redeemed Prince, and Boisterous Princess.”[/b] Ultima brought herself to the ground, the tip of the machine castle she sat upon touching the myst-covered ground. Her alluring, odd-looking eyes giving a glance to Grant and Nadeline. [b]“You two, despite your rhetoric, have not proven to me that either of you are deserving of what has been handed to you. When I look at Zeromus’ Hume, I do not see an arrogant Hume. I see a scarred child who has lived a tormenting life. And when I look at the energetic, bubbly hume girl, I do not see that. I see the scared, naiveté underneath all of that adventurous spirit.”[/b] Ultima said, an arrogant chuckle released from her mouth. [b]“It is my understanding, Princess of Rozarria, that you are the only one of the six of you without an Esper. Unless your intention is to somehow tame the one that cannot be tamed, I am your last shot. If true, then you will have to show me that you are worthy of being called my Hume.”[/b] Ultima said to Nadeline.

Through it all, Wesley was silent, but no longer. [color=fff79a][b]“High Seraph, you are mighty, that much I know to be true. And yes, you might be close - if not equal - to Zodiark’s power. And sure, you could wipe  us out without a moment’s hesitation. But, I must be completely blunt here,”[/b][/color] Wesley stepped forward, hand on Nadeline’s shoulder. He gave her a nod, and looked back at Ultima. [color=fff79a][b]“You are, despite your mighty power, an Esper. Just like the other eleven, you too shall fall to the very Humes you have been watching over for as long as the myths about your rebellion to the gods were revealed to us.”[/b][/color] He said, holding his sword, aiming at Ultima. She smirked. [color=fff79a][b]“If it is Nadeline’s destiny to tame The High Seraph, then I, Wesley Alexander of the Kingdom of Dalmasca, her soon-to-be husband, will do all that I can to ensure that.”[/b][/color] Wesley stood his ground against Ultima.

[color=lightblue][b]“Not alone you aren’t.“[/b][/color] Savayna stood forward after having effortlessly dealing with the final light orb that surrounded them. “Glad to see you finally got whelmed.” She smirked, looking at Ultima too. [color=lightblue][b]“I may not be Nadeline’s best friend or anything, but she’s tough. She might not be Zodiark tough, or even me tough, but she’s got moxy. That’s enough to take you on, Ulti!”[/b][/color] Savayna, just like Wesley, pointed her sword at Ultima. [color=lightblue][b]“Do not underestimate us. Individually we may be weak, but - well, hell you’ve see what we can do together. We put most of you to shame!”[/b][/color] Ah, there was the Savayna that everyone loved. [color=lightblue][b]“So, stop kidding around! Show us what you [I]really[/I] got!” [/b][/color] Savayna should really just shut up. Both her and Grant’s mouth will get them killed.