She heard his sigh. And quite frankly, Savayna didn’t seem to care. She wasn’t about to turn around. She knew he was feeling a certain way about her right now. And that was fine. Let him feel that. Savayna needed to focus. There were much more pressing matters than what Grant was feeling. The Brotherhood was here. And that meant only one thing: [i]he[/i] was here.

[color=7ea7d8][i]Savayna, what is that I sense?[/i][/color]

“[color=add8e6][b]It’s probably your stomach. You should really do something about that.[/b][/color]” Savayna hissed.

[color=7ea7d8][i]I’m an esper. I don’t have those bodily functions like you Humes.[/i][/color]

“[color=add8e6][b]Then I don’t know what to tell you[/b][/color]."

[color=7ea7d8][i]It’s dread mixed with anxiety.[/i][/color]

“[color=add8e6][b]You’re lying.[/b][/color]”

[color=7ea7d8][i]I’m connected to you, idiot. I can sense it. Just tell me what it is. If you don’t, I’ll tell Zeromus, and he’ll probably tell Grant.[/i][/color] Mateus threatened Savayna.

“[color=add8e6][b]You wouldn’t?[/b][/color]”

[color=7ea7d8][i]Try me.[/i][/color]

That bastard. Why couldn’t he just leave it be? Savayna sighed, letting it be known to Mateus that she was clearly annoyed with him. But she had no choice. And better she tell him than--and then she looked at Grant. It just hit her that he heard every word that she said. And the fact she was talking to herself and not him probably made it worse. “[color=add8e6][b]On second thought, Mateus, Grant will hear it from me. Feel free to listen in, you eavesdropping ass.[/b][/color]”

Savayna heard a scowl, but there was no other vocal response.

She looked to Grant, stopping where she stood. They were about a hundred paces west of the entrance, but the tall towers of Omisace still within sight. “[color=add8e6][b]Grant, I apologize,[/b][/color]” she said, “[color=add8e6][b]I know I’ve been less-than helpful this trip. My attitude about my family. And now this.[/b][/color]” Savayna let out a sigh again. “[color=add8e6][b]The truth is that Omisace is now in the hands of a rogue Hunter’s Guild known as The Brotherhood. You probably heard of them. They were founded by a former Archadian General by the name of Glacier Frost. About ten years ago, he was planning to overthrow Emperor Simon Darcone, but was foiled by Vincent and Jackson--I mean Jaakuna,[/b][/color]” she quipped, “[color=add8e6][b]after that, he was set to be hung for his crimes against the empire, but as he did, the whole ordeal of Simon’s death being blamed on Jaakuna allowed him to flee Archadia. I’ve kept tabs on him over the eyars, but lost track of him about a month ago, which was around the time I first met you when you were still a bit screwy,[/b][/color]” she quipped again. She’s gotta stop doing that.

Savayna let her voice trail off, gripping her fist into a ball so tight that it drew blood, which she would then curse under her breath about. “Listen, this matters and relates to us because Glacier isn’t just some random guy that just so happens to be an Archadian.” Savayna paused on that note. “[color=add8e6][b]Glacier Frost isn’t just an exiled, former general of the Archaidan Army. Glacier Frost is the person —[/b][/color]”As Savayna went to speak, out of nowhere an arrow of poisonous magic shot through her shoulder, sending her into Grant’s arms, sending both of them jerking backwards. Though her lips moved, no sound came. Savayna would soon lose consciousness not long afterwards. 

[hr]
Moments of complete silence passed since Lorenzo had asked him about Emiri. Since then, he had taken a seat at a nearby chair, inviting Lorenzo to do the same. Then he thought about what he was going to say. How was he going to tell Lorenzo when he himself hadn’t figured out why he didn’t tell Emiri the truth? Jaakuna knew he would have to think of something.

Looking at the prince, Jaakuna said, “[color=ed1c24][b]It might be hard for someone who has a perfect relationship to understand, but I’m afraid.[/b][/color]”  That wasn’t something that a man like Jaakuna said lightly. “[color=ed1c24][b]Ever since I met Emiri, I’ve caused her nothing but pain. Whether it was threatening to take her back to Grant when he was still a psycho-killer, or when I put her in harm’s way, or when I made a deal with the devil - there was always a time where I would hurt her.[/b][/color]” Jaakuna spoke with sorrow and grief. “[color=ed1c24][b]So, I guess I didn’t want to hurt her again. After what happened with Lola and how, once again thanks to my [i]brilliant[/i] decision to opt for the dark side, she got hurt again.[/b][/color]” JAakuna leaned against the arm chair. “[color=ed1c24][b]It might’ve been cowardly, but she’s in Stigma. And she’s safe. I can live with that. I won’t feel guilty by putting her in harm’s way. I won’t have to worry about her getting hurt like before.[/b][/color]"[hr]
Without a warning, The Creature grasped Keiran’s throat so hard that it resulted in two things: a gagging noise and Keiran being lifted off his feet. “[color=9e0b0f][b]The Time Scion is to not be harmed in any physical manner.[/b][/color]” The Creature’s eyes oozing out gooey, black liquid. It crawled onto Keiran’s arms, grasping them so tight that it threatened to tear them off. “[color=9e0b0f][b]Remember your place, Seed. Or you will return to the nothingness for which you came.[/b][/color]”

And after that sound threat, Keiran had been lowered, left to gather himself. But only for a moment.

“[color=9e0b0f][b]Do as The Dark One has instructed. Nothing more. He will know if you have deterred, for you are a small part of him. Your role is nothing more than just a pebble that contributes to the ripple that He will send throughout Ivalice.[/b][/color]” The Creature said, his form starting to fade away, leaving Keiran to choke upon the thought that, contrary to his arrogance, is expendable to The Dark One.