"[color=plum]You've seen better days.[/color]"

Sure enough, there was the demon himself, wandering about the castle aimlessly. He seemed slightly sheepish as he approached her, scratching the back of his head. To see him without his master was a sign of trouble, this much was sure. The viera approached him, though she took heed of the many burns on his flesh. An organized pattern, a magic by lineage as opposed to being taught. She caught him off guard as she would raise one of his arms, inspecting it. Keiran couldn't help but wince as Aloa's nail traced the lineage of Cassandra's magic. Aloa raised a curious eyebrow at him, though her magicks were already at work, restoring a majority of the injuries.

"[color=gray]That viera magick sure is something to write home about,[/color]" Keiran stated incredulously, looking at his arms. "[color=gray]Thanks, that was starting to bother me a bit.[/color]"

"[color=plum]Was it? You do not seem the kind easily bothered by appearance. An inherited trait of your master, is it?[/color]" She asked. When Keiran fell silent, it all but confirmed it. "[color=plum]Zodiark sought to control the Scion of Time with a parasite that fed on emotion, unaware that it went both ways. I do not believe it to be a simple mistake. Should the time come, will you claim her life?[/color]"

His eyes widened, but he shook his head. "[color=gray]I can't do that,[/color]" He said.

"[color=plum]I did not say 'can'. I said 'will'.[/color]"

"[color=gray]What's the difference?[/color]"

"[color=plum]If I so pleased, I 'could' eradicate your existence here and now. It would take time, but believe me--I have the capability. As will my princess, in due time. However, I 'will' not do so, as I am still unsure of your purpose here,[/color]" She explained her point as clearly as possible. "[color=plum]Now tell me, you of darkness--where is your master?[/color]"

"[color=gray]Oh, right, that Cassandra chick is kind of a crazy bitch. So Emiri sent me to look for you.[/color]"

Of course she was. "[color=plum]Do tell. I'd like to know what it is I am up against.[/color]"

"[color=gray]Well, for one, she's the one that did [i]this[/i] to me,[/color]" He indicated his previously burnt marks. "[color=gray]For second, she really hates Emiri and Nadeline. And for third, she's super weird. Oh and something about wanting to unify Dalmasca and Archadia? It's a little confusing, but that's the gist of it.[/color]"

That explanation reminded her of Vlyn. Which, in this case, was a bad thing. He squirmed underneath her disapproving gaze, though she shook her head. "[color=plum]Right. Then I will go--you make yourself hard to find, until your master summons you again,[/color]" She instructed him, much to his confusion.

"[color=gray]Won't that make that Queen chick angry?[/color]" He asked, worried.

"[color=plum]Most likely. However, she is capable of inflicting harm to you, and by proxy, your master. You don't seem to value your own life, but you value your master's. You're a burden--for now.[/color]"

"[color=gray]You really don't mince words, do you?[/color]" He asked as she would walk off.

"[color=plum]I've lived too long to do otherwise. Do as I say, demon. If the Queen is as you say, then she will waste her time to look for you--the least you can do is buy time. When you are needed, she will call you. Until then, revert into the shadows.[/color]"

Her words were scathing, but she had a point. He stuck his tongue out at her back as she turned the corner, but he wasn't able to defend himself. Was he really in the way? Of course he was, Cassandra had dangled him in front of Grant like he was candy. He let out a sigh, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. It wasn't that he didn't trust Aloa, he just felt bad. Wait, he felt bad that he was hiding? Shit, Aloa was right, he really was adapting that girl's personality. Letting out a huff, he wandered over to a window, where a gorgeous bouquet decorated a small table. Letting out another groan, he stepped into its shadow, sinking in and disappearing from sight.

[hr]

Some very, unladylike thoughts crossed Emiri's mind when Cassandra would walk in with Jaakuna, practically wrapped around his arm. Then, what Grant had said was true? No, no way. But how they had walked in just now all but confirmed it. Oh, how she would have loved nothing more than to wipe that stupid smug look off her face. She crossed her arms, clearly displeased, though Grant would pat her head twice, signaling her to calm down. But she didn't want to calm down! She wanted to strangle that stupid [i]child[/i] who was so drunk off her power that she thought she could just do whatever she wanted!

Grant, on the other hand, was...well, he wanted to say he was relieved to see Jaakuna, but the truth was that he could literally feel Emiri's seething hatred radiating off of her. He actually found it really funny--he never thought Emiri was the jealous type, but lo and behold. Managing to control his smile, he opened his mouth to say something, but as he knew, Cassandra figured out that Keiran was gone. Her outburst was...loud. He did notice, however, that now Emiri was the one with the smug look.

"[color=pink]I wonder where he went?[/color]" Emiri feigned ignorance, eyes wide. "[color=pink]Guess you should have finished him off when you had the chance, hmm?[/color]"

Grant groaned. Why would she tempt fate like that? Instead, his attention went once more to the door, and now he could actually sigh in relief as the viera would knock. Finally, someone sane. "[color=darkorchid]Aloa...you've returned,[/color]" He said, clearly relieved.

"[color=plum]Of course, Highness. Her Majesty has done her part, and now I may do mine, as promised,[/color]" Aloa placed a hand on her hip, lightly tousling her hair. "[color=plum]If I have your permission, Majesty, I would like to get started as quickly as possible.[/color]"

[hr]

How convenient.

"[color=coral]You would have me believe that [i]Wesley[/i] is your master?[/color]" Nadeline scoffed, still holding her weapon out. "[color=coral]You must forgive my doubt--no, even if that is the truth, you have yet to answer me. If the Brotherhood was usurped from Wesley, I need to know who did it. And I need to find Sylvester at all costs.[/color]" She ended up lowering her weapon unintentionally. "[color=coral]Sylvester did...[i]something[/i] to Wesley, and now slumbers with no hope of awakening. I was foolish to think it was the mere shock of seeing his supposedly dead brother alive again, but I will play the fool no longer.[/color]"

[hr]

Vlyn peered up at the sky. Was it going to rain? It looked like it, but then again, the clouds could wander by without so much as a peep. Then again, they were rather dark and heavy looking. He probably should have brought a hat. A chocobo's cry snapped him out of his thoughts, and he patted the bird's beak, letting it go into the pen with the rest of the chocobos. Stretching his arms above his head, he would bow to the Garif guards as he passed them. It had been a long time since he had visited Jahara, though unlike the rest of Ivalice, it doesn't change as much. There were more youth running around, now. He was glad of this, watching them for a moment. As the breeze flew by, he spotted a single blue petal whisk past him, and he turned around, spotting Shion walking towards him, holding the Treaty Blade with both hands.

"[color=thistle]She got the sword already? That was quick,[/color]" He admitted his surprise, and together they walked.

"[color=deepskyblue]Likely it was the young Queen who granted it to her. The youth of today don't appreciate history. Were she to have asked the prince, there would have been more reasonable reluctance,[/color]" Shion explained. "[color=deepskyblue]I will take the fortune without question. I fear he is starting to catch onto me.[/color]"

"[color=thistle]What? How?[/color]" Vlyn asked, shocked.

"[color=deepskyblue]It was when I went to the Henne Mines. There I met with one of his twelve. It was no coincidence, though it was an unfinished battle--the gods willed that the mines would cave in just as I was about to finish him off. Or rather, before he could lure me in for a likely trap...[/color]" She closed her eyes for a moment, opening them as they arrived before the elders. "[color=deepskyblue]I only pray that I finish before he comes for me himself.[/color]"

"[color=thistle]I thought you said he no longer saw you as a threat now that the others have awakened?[/color]"

"[color=deepskyblue]What I hope to do will give them a fighting chance. He won't allow it if he can help it. Should something happen to me, the task will fall on you and Aloa. She knows everything that is needed, and will instruct you as such,[/color]" She said.

Vlyn frowned, though the pair turned their attention to the Garif. They would bow deeply, raising themselves after an appropriate time. "So you have returned for more. I take it you found a way to make the old method work?" Geomancer Kulumani asked, curious. "I am pleased, and horrified. The lengths at which you humes would reach is unfathomable."

"[color=deepskyblue]I do it for the sake of Ivalice,[/color]" Shion stated. "[color=deepskyblue]I visited the mines at your instruction, and I know now what I must do. I only ask for your Jaya Stick to bless the blade once more. After that, I will not bother you again.[/color]"

"Even with the sword awakened, what could you hope to accomplish? The Ashlesha Ascendant is no longer the child that the gods had sealed away. He has matured, and will know what you are doing, and the most you will accomplish is giving him your life," Kulumani couldn't help but say. "Truly, will you throw away everything for nothing?"

"[color=deepskyblue]It is not for nothing. And if my life is forfeit, then I will make sure I succeed before I die,[/color]" Shion protested, shaking her head.

Kulumani sighed. "I remember a time ago...a hume child who had lost everything sought out power. She did what few humes could, and got her power through her own means. And now she chooses to throw it all away...may Arvia protect you, and see to it that you prove me wrong. Speak to Hotonak, he has it."

Shion would bow once more, though she would walk away without another word. Vlyn gave chase, though he couldn't stop but ask, "[color=thistle]Arvia? I wasn't aware they spoke the names of the gods they worship.[/color]"

"[color=deepskyblue]Please, I do not want to talk about that,[/color]" Shion replied quietly, leaving a stunned Vlyn behind. As she bid the stick from Hotonak, he surrendered it gladly, and she would lay the blade on the ground. Closing her eyes, she would shake it once, twice, and on the third time, the sword would glow. An inscription appeared on her hand, the sword fading into a light and gathering into her hand. She thanked the Garif, returning the stick, and she would turn to Vlyn. "[color=deepskyblue]And so it is done. There is only one thing left for me to do. If you'd like, you may return to Aloa.[/color]"

Vlyn rubbed his nose, hesitant. "[color=thistle]Don't you want back up in case one of Zodiark's goons decides to try to bring back your head to their master?[/color]"

"[color=deepskyblue]They can certainly try. None of them have what it takes to fell me. Only Zodiark himself reserves that honor. I will not fall to any other,[/color]" She stated boldly, regaining her usual confidence. "[color=deepskyblue]If you choose to come, so be it. Onwards, then.[/color]"