[color=ed1c24][b]“That is why I asked, you crazy, big-titted bitch.”[/b][/color] Jaakuna annoying said. It wasn’t that Jaakuna really wanted know. Like, he did obviously, but if what Belias said was true about the Chosen Few being those who have Espers, then Jaakuna was deeply worried that Lola was to be considered one of those few who have been chosen by the Espers. Obviously Wesley, Grant, Savayna, and Emiri were among the few of these Chosen Few. There was also Aloa and Vlyn, if Jaakuna’s memory serves him correctly. But the others? Jaakuna had no clue. Or at least, not in his recent memory. As he still pondered on who they could be, Jaakuna saw that Lorenzo was making quick work of Lola. He sent her flying off to Esper-knows where, and that left an opening for the group to get the hell out of dodge. Lorenzo nabbed the Midnight Shard back, and Jaakuna agreed that they did indeed need to get back. If not to create distance between them and Looney Lola there, but to possibly report the findings that they had. [color=ed1c24][b]“Yeah, let’s get away from here. I’m even starting to get a migraine from all of this Mist, but mainly from the ninja hooker over there.”[/b][/color] JAakuna sighed, holding his head somewhat, leading Emiri up to her feet, and just heading back to the boat. [hr] As Grant and Nadeline exchanged some words, with Grant’s comically sarcasm working its way where complaints of pain should be. Well, at least he wasn’t being like Jaakuna always was and complained his ass off. Besides, Savayna had to admit that his sarcasm was a turn on. It showed that, even in the face of danger, even if a shallow shoulder wound, his dry sense of sarcasm stayed intact. That surprised Savayna, but then again Grant had always been a tough-as-nails cookie, so maybe she shouldn’t have been. Just as Savayna was looking over at Wesley getting the floor handed to him, Savayna heard Nadeline’s comment about her mini-speech. [color=lightblue][b]“Me? Enjoy belitting you? Why I would never enjoy something like that.”[/b][/color] [color=8493ca][I]Yes you would,[/I][/color] chimed Mateus, siding with Nadeline. [color=lightblue][b]“Oh hush will you.”[/b][/color] Savayna retorted back to Mateus. No doubt that Savayna was getting looks from Grant and Nadeline. She didn’t care. Grant would know the struggles of having an Esper sometimes. It’s incredibly annoying when they chime into conversations that didn’t include them. Still, as much of a pain that Mateus was, Savayna had to admit that he came in handy when it really mattered. Then, on the other hand, sometimes she really wished he’d shut the fuck up sometimes. His tendency to offer up his opinion even when it wasn’t asked annoyed the crap out of her. When Nadeline said she would fix whatever [I]this[/I] was, Savayna would point towards Wesley and his Esper getting their cans kicked. [color=lightblue][b]“Okay, Naddie, if you’re serious about that, why not start by making sure your future king doesn’t die today.”[/b][/color] Savayna said, offering up a suggestion. [color=lightblue][b]“I don’t know, just a thought.” [/b][/color]she shrugged. Speaking of Wesley and Hashmaal, they currently were, as Savayna pointed out, getting their cans kicked. Not only was Hashmaal’s rather impressive spell cooled down before it even reached her as Shion used a Blizzaga spell. Wesley cursed himself, but had to admit that Shion was, if not anything else, strong. Truly, it wasn’t a shock at all that she was the leader of that band of misfits. Even more so how she was able to conquer Ultima so quickly, even if she did take advantage of Nadeline’s hard work. The blizzaga was dissolved, and a rush of cold air around the area. Sure, it was cold, but when Wesley felt it, there didn’t seem to be any kind of harmful effect it had - just very cold. As Shion would invite Wesley for another go, he looked at her. “Curse it all!” Wesley was angry. Unlike him, definitely. Then again, challenging Shion without any help aside from his own Esper, was very unlike Wesley. He was the cool, calm, and collected one of the group - even more so than Grant. He was the one who would devise a plan for a perfect strategy, but all of that had been forsaken the minute when Nadeline was hurt, and the fact that Shion, even though she stated it wasn’t her directly, brought the Midnight Shard back into Ivalice. Even thinking about it made Wesley’s nostrils flare up with rage. [color=fff79a][b]“Nothing seems to be working against her.”[/b][/color] WEsley commented to Hashmaal. [color=a36209][b]“Do not lose hope yet, Wesley. Even someone as powerful as The Blue Rose has to have a weak spot somewhere.”[/b][/color] Hashmaal said. [color=fff79a][b]“I know, you’re right, Hashmaal.”[/b][/color] Wesley said, sighing, [color=fff79a][b]“but I wish I had the time to study her fighting style. I’m running out of magickal power. I don’t know how much longer I can last.”[/b][/color] Wesley admitted. As he looked at Shion, he suddenly had an idea. [color=fff79a][b]“Hashmaal, I may have an idea, but it might be risky.”[/b][/color] [color=a36209][b]“At this point, we’re way past the stage of playing it safe.”[/b][/color] Hashmaal said. Wesley chuckled, and told Hashmaal his idea. [color=a36209][b]“You know, that is risky - and not to mention very unlike you, but like I said..”[/b][/color] Hashmaal grinned, [color=a36209][b]“fine, let’s do it.”[/b][/color] Both nodded at each other. As Hashmaal rushed to Shion, his large body darting to the left and then to the right, skimming the distance that was between him and her. Hashmaal sent jabs and kicks and any kind of melee attack at Shion. He expected her to dodge them, but the point wasn’t getting hits on her but to drive her away from Wesley. The point was to make her waste her energy dodging, blocking, and defending. Even if she landed hits on Hashmaal, the sheer willpower that the Bringer of Order had would outlast her. And what about Wesley? Well, the Prince of Dalmasca, while Hashmaal was sending blow after blow to Shion, was gathering all the remaining magickal energy he had left. He was gathering it and was trying to center himself with the Mist surrounding the entire area. Good thing about Giruvegan was that it was a central haven for Mist, and even more to the point, Magick rejuvenated even quicker than usual. However, that wasn’t what Wesley was doing. Sure, he was trying to recover his magickal power, but he was doing much more than that. Within ten seconds, it would be obvious what he was doing. [color=lightblue][b]“Uh, guys, what’s going on with Wesley?”[/b][/color] Savayna couldn’t help but notice Wesley, specifically what was [I]around[/I] him. Truly, something was going on around Wesley. His entire body, from head to toe, was surrounded in such a blinding white and light yellow light that the air around him was tearing. It was filled up with so much Mist that even the air around him cowered in fear, threatening to rip apart from such a high density of Mist gathered at a single point. Even as Wesley moved his arms, the air cracked with sounds akin to lightning. The mist followed his arms. It almost seemed like time was stopping based on how the mist followed it. But in reality, Wesley was gathering up his magickal power to such a degree that it seemed like that. [color=lightblue][b]“Did you see that?”[/b][/color] Savayna asked, blinking. What she was referring to was the fact that Wesley had taken one step, and was gone from sight. A blur of his image was the only thing that Savayna saw. It wasn’t until Wesley appeared mere inches away from Shion, his body wailing at her. Punches and kicks that were seemingly at the speed of light were thrown at her. Hashmaal, knowing what was coming had side-stepped several paces away, finding himself next to Grant and the others. He would simply watch Wesley unleash what he had gathered up for several moments prior. Each strike had mist trailing from it, oozing magickal energy adding to the furiocity of his power. Each strike would become stronger than the previous one. Savayna couldn’t help but look out in awe. [color=lightblue][b]“Yo, big guy, what’s going on?”[/b][/color] Savayna asked Hashmaal. [color=a36209][b]“Wesley is throwing all that he can in the hopes of landing one hit against the Blue Rose.”[/b][/color] [color=lightblue][b]“And if he doesn’t? He’ll die, right?”[/b][/color] [color=a36209][b]“If that’s what comes of this encounter, then yes, he will.”[/b][/color] Hashmaal said stoically. [color=lightblue][b]“How can you say it like that? Isn’t he your Hume or whatever?”[/b][/color] [color=a36209][b]“Ice Queen, let me make something perfectly clear.”[/b][/color] Hashmaal turned his large head at Savayna, [color=a36209][b]“do not confuse my lack of emotion for a lack of respect for Wesley. Like his bloodline before him, I promised to serve the Alexanders. However, this is something Wesley himself wanted to do. Risky, yes, but what is on the line is not a matter of losing. The Blue Rose told Wesley that, if he could land one scratch on her, she will concede the fight. Though he is doing this for the Rozarrian Hume Girl here, Wesley is also doing this for his own pride. To be able to do what no one - not even your leader - could do, is truly something that Wesley will be proud of.”[/b][/color] Hashmaal, though no one could see it, was watching Wesley like a proud father. [color=a36209][b]“besides, just look at how dedicated he is. Winner or not, Wesley Alexander of Dalmasca has grown today. If not out of rage against the blue rose, then perhaps out of love for the blonde Hume princess.” [/b][/color]Hashmaal briefly looked to Nadeline.