She could call it whatever she wanted. Call him pathetic. Call him a less of a man than he was before his partnership with Zodiark. At the end of the day, Hamut ensured his survival by aligning himself with Zodiark. Though, perhaps Shion deserved to know exactly why he did join forces with Zodiark. Perhaps he could grant her that much. Considering she’s on death’s door, it was only right that reward all of her hard work by enlightening her. Hamut stepped forward, circling Shion. As he looked at her in those amber eyes of hers, he actually pitied how far she had fallen. After a longing gaze, he would tell his tale.

“[color=0076a3]I could spare you the details, but you seem like you want to know exactly why.[/color]” He started, gazing upon Shion’s form. “[color=0076a3]Truth is that Zodiark and I have had a plan from the very get go. Before my grandson ever freed him from that prison in Giruvegan. Before my son’s revival and Zodiark’s true release. Before any of Jackson’s friends or even Jackson’s father, there had always been a plan to not only get Zodiark free but return him to where he truly deserves: ruling over all things. Anything that could be and anything that would be, my master--no, my partner in crime--deserves it all. It was then when I was a young dragon in this world of ours, I devised a plan. Together, through the years, I etched my name into this world and rose to power. Doing everything I could to make sure Zodiark’s revival was inevitable. There were some setbacks, sure, but I was confident that everything would go according to plan.[/color]”

“[color=0076a3]And guess what, Shion?[/color]” Hamut knelt down to her, hand on her rosy cheeks. “[color=0076a3]We’re almost there. The final step was getting you here. Once he delivers the final blow and absorbs that strong mist of yours, we can initiate the final stage of the plan.[/color]” Hamut informed her. “[color=0076a3]With your power, we can--[/color]” 

“[color=36454f]Hamut, that’s quite enough.[/color]”

“[color=0076a3]Of course, my apologies,[/color]” Hamut backed away. He looked to Shion. “[color=0076a3]It’s too bad no one will be able to know of my involvement, Blue Rose. I was really looking forward to getting even with that grandson of mine. I suppose your death in our company will have to do.[/color]” Hamut shrugged, stepping aside as he would let Zodiark do what needed to be done.

Zodiark raised his arms, up in the air, conjuring up Michel’s mist around him. Seven colors of his seven auras surrounded him and swirled around he and Shion. His eyes would flash all seven colors and then all of that mist gathered would concentrate into his two fists. And then he would go for a series of punches. “[color=36454f]It’s time to reunite you with Rio and Avira,”[/color] he said, going in for the final kill.
[hr]

Gods he knew she was right. And it wasn’t like he was going to retreat to his vices like Emiri did. He knew that wasn’t the way to go nor was it what he intended to do. Perhaps she misunderstood what he meant in his previous statement. Still, this wasn’t something no one would believe nor accept when they did believe it. While it was similar to what Emiri went through, she herself was not Keiran, but rather had it implanted inside her head. Wesley [i]was[/i] a Spawn of Zodiark. From where he stood, there was a difference and not one where he could simply go and tell everyone, hoping for the best.

“[color=fff79a]I appreciate what you’re trying to say, Emiri. I know it comes from a good place, but I cannot do as you request. If this is the truth, I cannot risk putting anyone in danger. In the event that something unfortunate happens to me, I simply cannot. I refuse to put anyone’s lives in danger--especially Nadeline’s.[/color]” Wesley felt a sharp pain in his heart when he thought of Nadeline. “[color=fff79a]I..need to make preparations for my journey to seek the truth,[/color]” Wesley stated, letting out a sigh. It was one that was as if he had no other choice.  “I will tell the others some--” 

And as Wesley would turn his wheelchair around, he saw Nadeline in the door. In that exact moment, there were a lot of things that went through his mind: [i]how much did she know? What was she thinking right now?[/i] He took in a deep breath and exhaled. “[color=fff79a]How much of that did you hear?[/color]”
[hr]
When they were left alone by Nadeline and Grant, Savayna and Jaakuna never moved from where they were. The sun’s rays were on them and he held her in his arms, continuously telling her it would be okay and that she didn’t have anything to be afraid of. He assured her, reassured her, and re-reassured her until she got the hint. He wanted her to be sure that there was absolutely nothing for her to fear. As long as he was by her side, he wouldn’t let anything harm her.

And though she protested him in the beginning, after awhile, Savayna ended up admitting defeat. When it all came down to it, she could never say no to him nor stay mad at him for long. It was just the way they had always been. Even when he drove her to her last nerve and it seemed as though she could hold onto her anger with him forever, when it all came down to it, he was probably the only one out of anyone she knew that could get her to see the logic in just about everything. Where everyone else failed, he was always the warmth she sought after. And yet, as they rested on the balcony, watching the birds fly overhead, there was something that she couldn’t help shake. It was as if something had happened yesterday--probably the reason for her meltdown earlier--that made whatever was happening right now seem wrong.

But what was it?

No, she shouldn’t ruin a good moment between old friends by finding a fault in it. Whatever happened yesterday didn’t matter to her. She honestly didn’t care one way or the other. As it stood right now, this was what she needed. She needed a comfort of a friend and that’s exactly what Jaakuna was providing for her. 

“[color=lightblue]Jaakuna..[/color]”

“[color=ed1c24]Hm?[/color]”

“[color=lightblue]I just wanted to say..I mean, that is to say..[/color]”

“[color=ed1c24]You’re welcome, silly.[/color]” 

She said nothing after that. They simply stayed there for twenty more minutes before they would venture back to the others in the Grand Hall. They were probably getting worried, anyway.