[i]The landscape around her was unfamiliar territory. Blood dripped behind her, leaving a clear trail, but she didn't care. If she was found, so be it. If she was killed, so be it. Despair had taken a deep hold in her heart, so much that if Death would show, she would welcome it gladly with open arms. Her entire body was numb, and yet she continued. Her grip on her katana was palpable, though it served its purpose as she would stumble her way through the Feywood. Images in the Mist danced before her, though she would continue, ignoring them. Monsters would approach her with hopes of making her their next meal, but they would fall by her blade.

Her body seemed to finally give up, her legs giving out underneath her as she would fall to the ground. The snow chilled her, though she couldn't bring herself to get up. Her katana gleamed at her, still bearing blood. She watched the snow take the color of blood, a surge of emotions overtaking her. She pushed herself off the ground, forcing herself to her knees, though a strange Mist caught her attention. She would brush her long, blonde hair out of her eyes to see better, to see what was in the distance.

She looked up, dark colored flesh standing out from the bright surroundings. Wispy, colorless hair and ears accompanied the image. She was going insane, no viera in their right mind would come out this far from their home. Shion sat up, surprised to see them accompanied by another, much younger one. They would stop before her, and she got a chance to really look at them. The older one was stunning, barely dressed but exemplifying every viera trait--gorgeously dark skin, white hair, and tall with long legs. The viera child was beginning to blossom, though her expression was more curious than anything.

The viera would kneel down before her, her hands on her knee. "[color=lavender]You've certainly come far.[/color]" She commented lightly, eyeing the woman closely. "[color=lavender]The blood of another stains not only your skin, but your very soul. But you've let your legs lead you nowhere, there is nothing for you here, young hume.[/color]"

"[color=plum]Kyli, who is this?[/color]" The younger viera asked.

"[color=lavender]An excellent question. What is your name, little one?[/color]" The viera named Kyli would ask.

"[color=deepskyblue]My name is Shion,[/color]" She replied quietly.

The younger viera would take a seat next to her, brown eyes watching her. She reached out, touching Shion's blonde hair. Her eyes lingered on the blood, and she looked at Kyli. "[color=plum]She's not hurt,[/color]" She stated, frowning. "[color=plum]Why does she bleed?[/color]"

"[color=deepskyblue]It's not mine,[/color]" She said, shaking her head. "[color=deepskyblue]How I wish it was.[/color]"

Kyli nodded, though she would look around. "[color=lavender]You breathe, so you will continue to live. Come, we will go from here, somewhere safe. I would hear your tale from the Wood, and we can decide what to do next.[/color]" She said as she would stand, beckoning for the younger viera and Shion to follow.

"[color=deepskyblue]Why would you have me follow? Leave me to die. It's my will.[/color]"

The viera chuckled, turning around. "[color=lavender]Because Ivalice has told me otherwise,[/color]" Kyli replied simply.

Despite her better judgment, she would stand. Kyli walked slowly, though offered no help otherwise. She would gesture for Aloa to follow, who would continuously look back at Shion. "[color=plum]Are we going home?[/color]" She asked Kyli. "[color=plum]Ktra would be so scared! She doesn't like humes.[/color]"

"[color=lavender]You shouldn't tease her, Aloa,[/color]" Kyli scolded her gently. "[color=lavender]Humes are dangerous creatures. They have a bloodlust like no other, never satisfied, even when they have drunk the land dry. Isn't that right, Shion?[/color]"

The woman nodded, though she remained silent. Aloa seemed to understand, though she showed no fear as they would enter the Golmore Jungle. She would slow her own steps, letting her curiosity loose as she would begin to ask Shion a slew of questions--where she was from. Why she was here. Where did she live. Who did she live with. What did she like. What foods did she like. It was mostly innocent and nonsensical, and despite her reluctance, Shion ended up warming herself to the child.

They arrived at an enclave, a small spring surrounded by many trees. "[color=lavender]Bathe there. The water will calm you. I'll be there shortly,[/color]" She instructed her as she would walk to a small, makeshift tent.

Shion was slightly confused by what it was that Kyli wanted. Admittedly, she was a little self conscious, especially since Aloa would plop down, her feet in the spring water, her eyes glued on Shion. She waited to see if Aloa would go away, but she kept staring at her intently. "[color=plum]What is it?[/color]" She asked.

"[color=deepskyblue]Ah...nothing,[/color]" Shion murmured, slowly undressing. She couldn't help but notice her eyes widening at her bust--a common thing, all things considered--but boy, getting ogled by a viera was a first. Nonetheless, she stepped into the spring, her muscles screaming as she submerged herself. She was surprised to see the blood lifted effortlessly, almost as if getting purified.

"[color=lavender]Better?[/color]" Kyli asked, causing Shion to let out a yell of surprise. "[color=lavender]My, what a beautiful body.[/color]"

"[color=plum]I feel as if her assets would get in the way of battle,[/color]" Aloa admitted, her stare making Shion feel sheepish. "[color=plum]How can you bend down without falling over? I feel as if your back should break in half just walking around. And your hips are so wide...oh, wait, they are tailored better for child bearing, so that makes sense, at least.[/color]"

She had never felt so embarrassed before, covering her chest with her arms. She was surprised as Kyli would take a seat next to Aloa, crossing her legs as she would smile at Shion. "[color=lavender]Despite your instincts telling you otherwise, I am a friend to you, Shion of Nepal. The Wood has spoken to me, telling me whispers of events that have transpired. I am sorry for your loss.[/color]"

Despite her words, Shion still felt uneasy. "[color=deepskyblue]I thank you for your words, but I want to know why.[/color]"

"[color=lavender]Your regret is obvious. As is your desire for revenge. The veil of ignorance has been lifted from your eyes, and though you would welcome death now, surely you would rather make better use of your time,[/color]" Kyli stated, resting her elbow on her knee and her chin on the palm of her hand. "[color=lavender]I know you'd like to see Zodiark fall.[/color]"

Shion narrowed her eyes at Kyli. "[color=deepskyblue]And you're telling me that you know a way?[/color]" She asked.

"[color=lavender]There is. But the one the Gigas will choose is not around yet,[/color]" She informed her rather cheerfully. "[color=lavender]I hear Ivalice's will, believe it or not. You may find it hard to believe, but the balance in our world is off. So he will remain in the shadows, having his way, until the time comes for his fall.[/color]"

"[color=deepskyblue]Who in their right mind would purposefully wait until their enemy was stronger before felling them?[/color]" Shion asked, bewildered.

"[color=lavender]No one alive has the power to properly defeat him. Even if you went forth now to slay him, he would only return. He is an enemy born from Ivalice herself, created by the gods. Would you want your efforts to be wasted?[/color]" She asked, frowning. "[color=lavender]No, the solution isn't to kill him, the solution is to purge him from the land once and for all.[/color]"

"[color=deepskyblue]And how can I accomplish that?[/color]"

"[color=lavender]I doubt it will happen in your lifetime.[/color]" She stated.

"[color=deepskyblue]I won't have that,[/color]" Shion protested. "[color=deepskyblue]Why would I leave my burden to another? Surely there must be some manner of being able to do something![/color]"

Aloa raised her eyebrows, amused. "[color=plum]What a change, from wishing for the reaper to take your life, to being this determined. I like it.[/color]" She nodded in agreement.

Shion couldn't help but scowl at Aloa. "[color=deepskyblue]I'm serious! There's no possible way I can just sit around and do nothing,[/color]" She insisted. "[color=deepskyblue]If there is a way, you must know.[/color]"

"[color=lavender]I do. But I want to know if you're truly willing. I meant it when I said that Zodiark's fall will not happen in your lifetime,[/color]" Kyli replied. "[color=lavender]And not in mine either. That is why I am training young Aloa to take my place--but I am sure you two will get along nicely.[/color]" She smiled. "[color=lavender]Would you be willing to wait hundreds of years?[/color]"

"[color=deepskyblue]If it means that he falls, so be it,[/color]" Shion stated as she would stand, determined. "[color=deepskyblue]I'll walk Ivalice for a thousand years if that's what it takes.[/color]"

Aloa smiled as well, nodding to Kyli. "[color=plum]Then we are in agreement? You will share my burden?[/color]" Aloa asked as she would slip into the spring, approaching Shion. "[color=plum]If you are serious, then we will walk the path together. But once we are in agreement, there is no going back,[/color]" She warned her.

Shion nodded. "[color=deepskyblue]I will not rest until he dies.[/color]"

Kyli sighed, seemingly relieved, though she would mimick Aloa and get in the water, stretching her arms above her head. "[color=lavender]Best to make it official, then. We'll need to make it so that you can weather the harshness of time. Understand that you will not change--I suggest hiding, lest you be accused of withcraft,[/color]" She stated, slicking her hair back with the water.

"[color=deepskyblue]I understand, but I will not hide. I will act from the same shadows he does...and make sure I am a known threat,[/color]" She replied, though she was surprised when both viera would take each one of her hands. "[color=deepskyblue]I, uh, feel as if you'd like to know me better...but um...[/color]"

"[color=lavender]You've read my mind~ But we're going to need to be a little more...[u]intimate[/u],[/color]" She teased, running her fingers along the length of Shion's arm.

To her surprise, a mark would follow her fingers. Despite her teasing, it seemed Kyli had already begun the process. She couldn't help but fidget, unused to being touched so...sensually by someone of the same gender. Just when she thought it was over, however, the two viera would push her down into the water. She immediately got back up, coughing water, though the marks disappeared. As she was about to ask why they would do so, her bangs slightly covered her eyes. She let out a slight gasp, realizing her once blonde hair had instead turned into a shade of blue.

"[color=plum]And so it is done,[/color]" Aloa stated, nodding. "[color=plum]Let us speak of the next step...[/color]"[/I]

The vision would finish, Shion dropping her hand from Jaakuna. She placed a hand on her hip, eyeing him curiously. "[color=deepskyblue]Little did I know that Kyli was Aloa's predecessor. She, too, had been keeping an eye on Venat's activities. It seems even back then, she knew you would be the one to slay him,[/color]" She told him.

[hr]

"[color=gray]OW![/color]" Keiran yelped as he went crashing into the ground, Grant landing on top of him. "[color=gray]We could've just walked out on our own, you know![/color]" He told Nadeline, annoyed.

"[color=coral]I don't care, whatever it is that they need to talk about must be important,[/color]" She stated as she walked around the pair, her hands on her hips. "[color=coral]As much as I would have liked to stay, Shion isn't the type to talk, so if Jaakuna can get all the information he can, then better for us.[/color]"

Grant nodded in agreement as he would stand. He looked at Emiri, who had been staring at the door. "[color=pink]Right...I suppose I'll go borrow a room, then. I still feel tired,[/color]" She admitted, scratching her cheek.

"[color=coral]Would you like me to accompany you?[/color]" Nadeline asked.

As Emiri was about to answer, she noticed someone else approaching the group. "[color=pink]You're about to have your hands full. I'll be fine on my own,[/color]" She said as Lorenzo practically stomped on over, clearly having a few choice words for both his daughter and future son in law.

Nadeline let out a groan, though she would put herself in between Lorenzo and Wesley, holding a hand out to her father as he would come to a halt. "[color=coral]Don't do anything to Wesley, or I'll never forgive you,[/color]" She warned him sternly.

Lorenzo let out a sigh as he would cross his arms, still looking sour. "[color=darkorange]All better now, are we? Good, we can talk about the next thing to do,[/color]" He huffed, clearly upset.

Keiran chuckled. "[color=gray]Oh yeah, heads up Wes, Lorenzo isn't too happy you knocked up his precious little treasure,[/color]" He said nonchalantly.

"[color=coral]Before [I]anyone[/I] does [I]anything[/I], I want you [I]gone[/I],[/color]" Nadeline snapped at him. "[color=coral]I've honestly just about had it with you causing trouble![/color]"