As Grant and Savayna made their way through Archades, he couldn't help but note the city was wrapped entirely in chaos. He had to commend the soldiers that tried their best to keep everyone in an orderly fashion, though it did nothing to dissuade the citizens who jumped every time Jaakuna and Bahamut would clash. An all too familiar shade of blue caught his eye, and he would come to a halt. "[color=darkorchid]That's...[/color]" Grant recognized that hair. 

The woman stopped, head to her forehead for a moment, though she noticed both Grant and Savayna. "[color=deepskyblue]So you've come,[/color]" Shion stated, closing her eyes. Her voice had come out quieter than she had anticipated, but after a few seconds of catching her breath, she regained her composure, straightening up and opening her amber eyes. "[color=deepskyblue]That leaves two...[/color]"

Grant couldn't help but notice Shion's now entirely black hand. "[color=darkorchid]What happened to you--[/color]" He started, though he seemed to realize it when the words left him.

Shion would confirm his suspicions. "[color=deepskyblue]Zodiark happened,[/color]" She replied.

Then everything Vlyn had said was the truth. It wasn't that he believed him to be lying, but it certainly was a wake up call. Grant remained steady for the moment, instead choosing to focus on Shion. No, that wasn't right, they needed to get to Jaakuna, though he wasn't quite sure how the battle was going yet. "[color=darkorchid]If you're injured--[/color]"

"[color=deepskyblue]An inconvenience. Hardly an injury,[/color]" She raised an eyebrow at him. "[color=deepskyblue]A mistake I made in a battle, and one I could easily dispel...but hanging onto it is the only way I can track your 'friend' and Zodiark. Let us make haste to the sky pirate, if your questions are done.[/color]"

[hr]

Three minutes?! Lorenzo knew he was asking for too much, but he had hoped Shinto would've bought him more time. No, that wasn't it, Lannit was getting worse, Lorenzo just needed to work faster. He wouldn't have to worry about the poison, at least he could focus on the more pressing matter. All he could think about was the bastard in front of him, whose pale tone didn't comfort Lorenzo in the slightest. Still, he knew the serum was in place, now all he needed to do was complete the spell and pray. Taking his hands off Lannit for the moment, he drew in a deep breath, though he noticed his own hand shaking. [i]'Can't let his future kid grow up without a dad' really puts the pressure, huh?[/i] He couldn't help but think to himself. Forming a fist, he held it out, closing his eyes. An orange glyph would form beneath the three of them, magical in nature, though it would then begin to rewrite itself, looking more mechanical in nature as it completed the magical circle.

As the circle faded, signaling the finish, Lorenzo nearly threw up. He managed to hold it in, signaling Shinto to stop, and he looked at Lannit, panting. "[color=darkorange]Okay, Bennit...if this worked, you should hear me...and say something...[/color]" He said between breaths. "[color=darkorange]I'm getting old...[/color]"

[hr]

Keiran had taken Emiri back to the guest room she had slept in before. She didn’t bother resisting as he would sit her on the bed, and watched him as he paced back and forth in front of her. He then snapped his fingers, her own clothes reverting back to her simple black dress, though her shoes were missing for some reason. Once he was finished, he would straighten up, and in a flash, his demonic form was reverted to that black haired hume form he had. He would kneel before her, a thoughtful look on his face. What did he want now? To scold her? And yet, she found herself calming down as she stared back. 

“[color=palevioletred]I…was going to lose, wasn’t I?[/color]” She asked him quietly.

“[color=gray]That was why I interfered,[/color]” He admitted, gently lifting her ankle to him, a green light emanating where Lola had cut her. “[color=gray]You didn’t seem to believe me when I told you that you needed to rest. But Nabriales took things too far…I can’t have anything happen to you.[/color]”

“[color=palevioletred]Because you would be punished?[/color]”

“[color=gray]Because I didn’t want you to get hurt.[/color]”

What? He released her foot, taking her wrist in his hand. She winced as she felt his magicks patching up the cuts, though she needed to know the meaning of his words. “[color=palevioletred]Why? Aren’t I just some tool to you? To Zodiark? What does it matter if I get hurt?[/color]” She asked, wanting to know more.

He was quiet, though he looked at her arm, inspecting a bruise on her shoulder as his fingers lightly traced another cut. “[color=gray]Do you remember what I said when we met?[/color]” He asked, watching as the bruise would fade as he healed it. “[color=gray]I told you, didn’t I? I wanted your heart. I promised I’d mend your heart. I was created for that purpose…or at least, I’d like to think so,[/color]” It was partly true, it sounded so sincere. But why did he look so sad about it? “[color=gray]I haven’t left your side yet, have I? Unlike him…I’m here.[/color]”

Emiri shook her head—she didn’t want to think of Jaakuna. “[color=palevioletred]That’s…ridiculous.[/color]”

“[color=gray]Because you don’t believe it? Or because it’s true?[/color]” He stated, causing her to look right at him, and she caught his black eyes staring at her once again. “[color=gray]Once the world falls to ruin…if your wish is to die, then I would want to die right alongside you.[/color]”

Her eyes were wide with shock. It was like a pit had formed in her stomach, but she didn't want to believe anything he was saying. What, was he in love with her? Was that why he was so kind? No, it had to be some sort of ruse, it couldn't be true. It was then that he would take hold of her hand, lightly kissing her wrist. It was almost instantaenous, but something inside her caused her to take her hand away. To her surprise, he would get up, though he towered over her, and the next thing she knew she was on her back, staring up at him.

It was a familiar feeling, staring up at someone. But she wasn't thinking about Keiran. She remembered Jaakuna, that little smile he had just for her. As he got closer, she realized what it was that Keiran wanted. Her breath was caught in her throat as his hand touched her cheek, a gentle touch. Everything he was doing reminded her of Jaakuna, even the way he got closer, and closer...until...

“[color=pink]Don’t.[/color]” Her voice came out as a small plea, so quiet she didn’t even realize she had said it.

Both their eyes widened, the pair staring at one another. For some reason, he then looked...angry? She couldn't take her eyes off him, though Keiran’s would close as he would get off the bed. “[color=gray]Can’t forget him, can you?[/color]” His tone was mellow, disappointed more than anything.

She was speechless. Why did Jaakuna have to come to mind? Why? Though as quickly as that warm feeling came, it left, and she would instead lay on her side, her back turned to him. “[color=palevioletred]I…want to be alone,[/color]” was her only reply. She heard the door close. After turning around to make sure he was truly gone, she couldn't help but punch the wall. Was she doomed to always have [i]him[/i] in her thoughts? She couldn't bear that feeling, it hurt too much. The way he said her name, how he looked at her, the stupid jokes he'd make, it was as if every memory pushed a knife deeper and deeper into her heart.

She laid down once, more, closing her eyes. If the gods were merciful, they would make it so that she would never waken again.