"[b][color=f26522]Relieved isn't the right word,[/color][/b]" Lorenzo muttered, his tone easily mistaken for a harsher one than intended. "[b][color=f26522]She's glad her mother's dead, that is the truth of it. There's this part of me that doesn't want to admit it, but its plain as day. I wanted to chalk it up to shock, to grief, hell when my own father passed away--who I didn't have the best of relations to either--I admit I didn't shed a single tear, but I felt some sort of remorse, if only because the bastard passed away. Emiri is not numb, she just doesn't care. Karolina is too much in mourning to notice, but you and I have our heads clear for the most part so we can see it. But this...I just hope she doesn't have such a reaction to Andre. I don't think I can stay civil if she doesn't.[/color][/b]

As the group would reach the right room, Lorenzo would hang back at the door, wanting to give Emiri some space. Andre was the sole inhabitant, but there were many machines around him. He had seen better days, and Emiri grimly remembered broken bones being the least of his worries. Half his body was oddly colored, no doubt being a result of mist being forced into his body. Emiri approached her father almost timidly, afraid that even breathing in his direction could hurt him. Why him, of all people? Of course, she already knew the answer. That was the soldier's life, wasn't it? But he was here, he was alive. 

"[b][color=f7941d]He is recovering, we know this much for sure,[/color][/b]" Karolina would offer kindly as she joined her. "[b][color=f7941d]I know this must be difficult, but you must stay strong.[/color][/b]" Lorenzo nodded, relieved that for the most part, Emiri was surely more affected by this. For now, however, he would keep a close watch.

[i][color=f6989d]I am strong.[/color][/i] Emiri agreed with Karolina as she nodded, squeezing her hand gratefully and even giving her a smile. "[b][color=f6989d]I will. I'm going to fix him.[/color][/b]" Emiri told her as she released her hand, giving her father her full attention.

Karolina's eyes widened as Emiri surprised her with her comment. "[b][color=f7941d]Fix him?[/color][/b]" She asked, confused. Lorenzo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, and he would stand up straight from his previous relaxed posture.

"[b][color=f6989d]My mother is dead. Fine. But I won't let that happen to Papa.[/color][/b]" The brunette informed her rather cooly. "[b][color=f6989d]I won't let anything else happen to him.[/color][/b]"

"[b][color=f7941d]Emiri, that's not--you're still recovering yourself![/color][/b]" Karolina was rather alarmed, and she looked to Lorenzo and Jaakuna for help.

The girl ignored her completely, holding her arms out towards her resting father. If she could save Simon, she could save her father. She needed to. He wasn't going to die. She didn't care if her mother was gone, but the gods be damned if she lost her father. The only one that cared, even if he was away, even if he was never there. No, she wasn't going to lose. She wasn't. She had the power. She saved Simon, she can save her father. As Karolina would place her hand on Emiri's shoulder, she jerked away, throwing Karolina a look.

"[i][b][color=f6989d]I'm fine.[/color][/b][/i]" Emiri spat back. "[b][color=f6989d]I'm not the one who's dying.[/color][/b]" [i][color=f6989d]He's dying, he's dying, he needs me, I can save him.[/color][/i]

[hr]

Grant couldn't help but let out a laugh as Ultima spoke of him. Once Wesley and Savayna would say their parts, he would raise his hands. "[b][color=darkorchid]Guilty as charged, it would seem. A curious thing, isn't it, that anytime a villain crosses over to the hero's side they suddenly get weaker?[/color][/b]" He asked rhetorically, though he would lower his arms. "[color=darkorchid][b]Humes truly are foolish creatures. It isn't enough that we war with one another, take what we please from the world, then have the audacity to complain that life isn't fair. But as you have said, we have come a long, long way.[/b][/color]" He smiled, raising his gun. "I[b][color=darkorchid]'m changed man, for better for worse. Any other day I may have even agreed with you. But I can assure you, I am not the same child I once was. Zeromus was obtained by my hand--and I've only gotten stronger with the help of my allies.[/color][/b]"

Nadeline would remain quiet as she would listen to her allies. Together they really could accomplish anything. It is only by staying together that they ave come as far as they have. And yet, there was something in her, something telling her that this was her time. At that point she would reach over and take Wesley's hand from her shoulder, holding it tightly. She smiled at each one of her comrades, and she would take in a deep breath as she would turn to Ultima. "[b][color=fdc68a]Naive doesn't even begin to describe it.[/color][/b]" She admitted wholeheartedly, letting go of Wesley's hand as she walked forward. "[color=fdc68a][b]Gods know how many times I've been nothing but a burden, how many times I've cried and caused dissern among our group by my own foolishness, how many times have I said 'I told you so' instead of actually trying to help solve a problem. But no more.[/b][/color]"

Raising her rapier, she swiped horizontally once. "[b][color=fdc68a]And therefore, I have decided. Ultima, I will show you the power I have--I will cfight you alone and prove myself once and for all.[/color][/b]"

A silence followed Nadeline's declaration, and Grant couldn't help but replay her words. He lowered his gun, raising an eyebrow at her. "[b][color=darkorchid]Say, Nadeline...I believe you missed the part about all of us being strong [i]together[/i].[/color][/b]" He couldn't help but point out, confused. "[b][color=darkorchid]So your response is...to fight the Esper we know is now stronger than all the others by yourself. Did that last attack cause you to hit your head?[/color][/b]"

The princess sighed, looking back at her group. "[b][color=fdc68a]I promise you, my sanity remains intact. And I know what I am doing. If your words ring true, if you really do believe--then let me prove it to you all.[/color][/b]"

Grant fell silent for a moment, though it seemed his mind was made. He would lower his gun and shrug, looking at Wesley and Savayna.