"[b][color=f26522]Mist in high-density amounts will do that to you,[/color][/b]" Lorenzo informed Jaakuna as the trio would once again climb into the boat. "[b][color=f26522]They're sure to quarantine this sector once the chaos dies down, but from the looks of it, it'll be some time before this place recovers.[/color][/b]" 

As Emiri would take her seat without so much as a peep, her head pain would subside for a normal headache to take its place. She leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes for a moment. What was wrong with her? She had seen Lola and wanted nothing more than to, to just--murder her! She let out a slight groan, catching Lorenzo's attention for a moment. What was worse, Lorenzo knew something was wrong, too. Now that she thought about it, Chaos was very...quiet. She often ignored his constant temptations to just obliterate everything in her way, but he hadn't said a word to her since she recovered. 

[i][color=f6989d]Chaos?[/color][/i] She asked him mentally. [i][color=f6989d]Are you there?[/color][/i]

The boat would take off, but all Emiri could hear was the water rushing about and the occasional magical buzz from a nearby elemental. How strange. Still, she was somewhat grateful for his silence, as her headache seemed to worsen on her. No, no more thinking, right now she just needed to relax. She wanted to see her father again, she wanted to sleep, she wanted a lot of things, but it seemed the strain from the Mist was finally catching up to her.

"[b][color=f9ad81]If you're going to throw up, don't get it on the upholstery![/color][/b]" Lorenzo called out to her, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Emiri scowled, though she would put a hand to her head. "[b][color=f6989d]Nausea is the least of my worries right now.[/color][/b]" She told him, frowning.

"[b][color=f26522]I'll have Vlyn take a look at you, looks like the Mist is starting to get to you. I'm not too surprised, though, there's been a lot of Mist-based illnesses spreading.[/color][/b]" He would give Jaakuna a side glance as he spoke. "[b][color=f26522]Probably the cause of that rage you had back there.[/color][/b]"

Except that wasn't it at all, this much Emiri was certain. But for now, she would only nod in agreement. Why couldn't she quite put her finger on it?

[hr]

Nadeline bit her lip as she watched Wesley, but Savayna was absolutely right. Her dark blue eyes would then fall on Grant's damaged gun, and an idea popped into her head. All Wesley had to do was land a hit, a single hit on Shion. As she would reach over to get it, she would find Grant's own hand grabbing her wrist, his golden eyes narrowed at her.

"[b][color=92278f]It's a thought.[/color][/b]" Grant would tell Savayna. "[b][color=92278f]But I am not so sure this is the right solution. Shion is a powerful opponent for sure, you have seen how easily she has handled all of Wesley's attacks. What makes you think you can change the outcome?[/color][/b]"

The princess looked at Grant, rather determined. "[b][color=fdc68a]Just as Wesley has thrown all common sense out the window, I must do the thinking in his stead. That is what a queen is for, is it not?[/color][/b]" She asked, grabbing his gun and getting to her feet. "[b][color=fdc68a]Besides...Shion never said Wesley had to be the one to land the hit.[/color][/b]"

Grant did not like where this was going, but Nadeline had stepped out of his reach at that time. Shion, on the other hand, knew exactly where this fight was going. She was still going strong while the prince's strength would begin to dwindle. Much like any other creature, the weaker they became, the more they would become desperate. Her time was wasted now--it was time that she showed the prince exactly who she was. As Hashmaal would execute his own moves, Shion found them much too predictable, much too easy.

Indeed, it seemed the Esper was only a distraction, as Wesley would then appear before her in a flash. For just a moment, Shion hadn't seen him coming, and if it was not for her own reflexes, she would have surely gotten hit. Indeed, it seemed Wesley had taken a page out of her book and used the elements around him as a strong point. The Mist around them seemed to pulse stronger and stronger, and Shion decided to end his attack once and for all. Sidestepping a swipe, she would direct a palm strike upwards, halting his advance. As she would open her palm, the very same electricity surrounding Wesley would crackle strongly, much too strongly. The very Mist that helped him would be his downfall, as Shion would supercharge his own Mist. Lightning fizzled and then sparked, threatening to overtake them both, though Shion would not give in.

At that point, holding Grant's gun in one hand and her rapier in another, Nadeline would take in a small breath. If Wesley was taking a page out of Jaakuna's book, then she would do the same--but one out of Shion's book. She raised her rapier above her head, her glyph brightening underneath her. "[b][color=fdc68a]Then I shall follow in Wesley's footsteps, and show him [i]our[/i] pride! Shell![/color][/b]" She called, the familiar lights springing around Wesley and protecting him from the Mist's effects.

Shion's eyes darted towards Nadeline, though she would leap backwards as the Mist threatened to converge on her. The princess ran forward, knowing she had exactly one chance. She had Shion's attention now, there was no going back. She gripped Grant's gunblade tightly, her finger repeatedly pulling on the trigger. Her aim was rather shaky, the recoil a lot more difficult to handle than she had anticipated. Shion narrowed her eyes as she would bring up her blade, easily deflecting said bullets. Nadeline would then whip her rapier aside as she neared Shion, charging full speed ahead.

[i][color=00aeef]What is she doing?[/color][/i] Shion couldn't help but wonder as Nadeline would attack, bringing down her rapier. [i][color=00aeef]Her physical attacks are the weakest out of the entire group. What is she trying to accomplish?[/color][/i] Grant had thought the same thing, though his eyes would widen as he watched Nadeline swing with his gunblade. Dual wielding wasn't exactly a surprise, but when the second weapon was a gun, one had to be more careful. Shion would deflect Nadeline's swing as a bullet sang through the air. [i][color=00aeef]She is trying to shoot me? No, that's too obvious--or is it?[/color][/i] In that moment, however, Shion would then bring down her sword. Instead of blocking it with the gunblade, Nadeline would hold her rapier in a reverse grip, managing to block Shion's attack and managing to hold her there. As Nadeline would aim Grant's gun, Shion jumped backwards once more, though the bullet was shot.

Nadeline's rather shaky aim would cause the bullet to go off to the side, but it seemed this fight was over. The bullet would graze through the woman's cheek, and she would freeze in place as Nadeline would point her weapon at her.

"[b]T[color=fdc68a]hat concludes this duel.[/color][/b]" Nadeline stated, lowering her weapon. "[b][color=fdc68a]A single scratch, though I must apologize, I wasn't aiming for your face.[/color][/b]"

"[b][color=92278f]That [i]worked[/i][/color]?![/b]" Grant was just as shocked as Shion was.

Shion stared at Nadeline incredulously, a single bead of blood slowly dripping down from the cut the bullet had made on her cheek. The blue haired woman was deathly silent, though her gaze would turn to Wesley, then Grant, then Savayna. "[b][color=00aeef]It would seem you have all gained strength since last we met.[/color][/b]" She stated, releasing her blade as it would fade away into Mist. "[b][color=00aeef]I never imagined such power was here...nor did I expect that not even an honor bound code would prove useless against an affair of love.[/color][/b]" Her fingertips would touch her cheek as she looked at Wesley and Nadeline.

"[b][color=92278f]Then...you will surrender Ultima?[/color][/b]" Grant asked.

"[b][color=00aeef]Listen well.[/color][/b]" Shion would raise her voice as she stepped forward. "[b][color=00aeef]The prince is well on his way, but soon, the Espers will begin to grant their vessels abilities--powers none of which Ivalice has ever seen. This was my intention, as the High Seraph would award her Chosen One powers the likes of which very few have seen.[/color][/b]" She stated, her left hand glowing.