It only took a few moments for them to get through the hole in Henne Mines, which placed them just outside of Ozmone. The sky was breaking free of the darkness. Whatever had happened when they were gone deep underground, it seemed it was starting to pass. Jaakuna had no doubt that Zodiark’s freeing and then his merger with Levi had some kind of impact on Ivalice. He felt it when he was Lohgrif. He just prayed that everyone was safe. If not, then..

And as Jaakuna broke free of his dreadful thought, he heard the others talk about Levi. Levi...yes, it was strange to say the least. But, of the time he has known that woman, she never did anything without an ulterior motive. Her rise through the Imperial Army ranks was to become a Judge Magister. Her reaching that was to spy for Shion, and spying for Shion was to relay information back to Hamut. Everything, no matter how small or large, was always to further advance her own, sinister plans. 

Jaakuna had to admit it, though. He was at a loss. Her helping Emiri came out of nowhere. What did she have to gain from doing that? No matter how grateful he is to her because of that, it just didn’t make sense. Venat took Emiri and allowed Jaakuna to rescue her because he wanted Jaakuna to lower his guard to him. Keiran appeared like an ally because he wanted to make them suspect what he was after and that was getting the real Zodiark to come into existence once more. But Levi helping Emiri wasn’t clicking. Something was obviously at play in her mind but Jaakuna couldn’t pick it out? It was like he was searching for a needle in a chrome-colored haystack.

[color=ed1c24]”It just doesn’t make sense,[/color]” Jaakuna mused, though he still was in his own world.

“[color=darkorange]You think she was serious when she said it was for Grant?[/color]” Lorenzo couldn’t help but ask.

Grant scowled, not wanting to think of the implications. “[color=magenta]Levi has always done things to further her own goal. If she wanted Emiri to live, I’d dare say she has a further use that we don’t know about,[/color]” He stated, immediately dismissing Lorenzo’s suggestion. Emette thought to herself for a moment, an answer on her lips that she simply didn’t want to admit. Grant caught her expression right away. “[color=magenta]I can’t help but shake the feeling that you know something we don’t.[/color]” He told her.

Emette shrugged at him, a hand to her cheek. “[color=mistyrose]I know a lot of things you don’t.[/color]”

“[color=magenta]Out with it. You have to have [i]some[/i] idea.[/color]”

“[color=mistyrose]It’s likely the same reason the Blue Rose wanted to kill Emiri,[/color]” Emette replied rather quietly, shaking her head.”

[color=lightblue]“Right, so it’s the same old, same old: the evil bad guys want Emiri because of her powers.- we’ve always known that,”[/color] Savayna scowled, feeling like a broken record. [color=lightblue]“What they never tell us is [i]why[/i] they want the power? Even if it’s a bullshit reason, they give us no clues. Honestly, they’re pretty horrible at this villainy job.”[/color] Savayna ranted, though she looked to Jaakuna. [color=lightblue]“What do you think?”[/color]

Jaakuna was silent, mumbling inaudible words. 

[color=lightblue]“Hello! Jaakuna! Ivalice to Jaakuna! Do you copy?[/color] 

Savayna grew irate after he didn’t respond, so she slapped him.

[color=ed1c24]“Huh?”[/color] He said, not even registering the slap.

“[color=magenta]Welcome back,[/color]” Grant said rather sarcastically. “[color=magenta]We were discussing the enemy’s motives.[/color]”

Emette closed her eyes for a moment, though she would turn towards the dawn. “[color=mistyrose]You’ve always known or guessed the first part,[/color]” She started slowly in response to Savayna, trying to choose her words carefully. “[color=mistyrose]How strange, that a hume child would end up being a key to unlocking Espers, don’t you think?[/color]”

“[color=magenta]And as a result, she gets the ability to warp time. We know this,[/color]” Grant said.

“[color=mistyrose]No. Time manipulation was a result of the pact made with Chaos long ago, inherited from...her mother,[/color]” Emette showed she had zero desire to let Emiri know her identity--not at the moment, anyway. 

[color=lightblue]“Yeah, let’s talk about that for a second. How does someone go from being such a uptight, pompous bitch--no offense--like Justine to someone like an Angel of Clarity?”[/color] Savayna asked, highly curious. [color=lightblue]“I remember Justine and boy she was worse than Reia. At least Reia had a reason being the way she was, but Justine was just cruel.” [/color]

[color=ed1c24]“Savayna..”[/color] Jaakuna used a warning tone with her.

[color=lightblue]“I’m just curious is all. Emette here isn’t nearly as insufferable as I remember Justine being, not to mention the stories I’ve heard from not only you but Grant too,”[/color] she looked at him. [color=lightblue]“This might not be the right time, but hey! She opened the door, so why not?”[/color]

“[color=mistyrose]As I said, I’m not Justine. Not anymore.,[/color]” Justine’s response was rather bitter.

[color=lightblue]“Well no shit. If you were, I reckon you’d never shut up.”[/color]

Emette was not amused by Savayna’s statement. “[color=mistyrose]If we are going to be specific--and knowing how much your intelligence is shining right now, I fear I’m going to have to be--I said it before and I’ll say it again: Justine is dead. Her soul, however, isn’t--thus the appearance and knowledge I have. I told you before of my true identity as Emet-Selch, so if that isn’t simple enough for you, then you’re hopeless.[/color]”

[color=lightblue]“You say Justine is dead and yet,”[/color] Savayna smirked, [color=lightblue]“that’s [i]exactly[/i] how Justine would respond. At least, what I remember from that one time I met her.”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]“As much as it pains me to say so, Savayna’s kind of right.”[/color] Jaakuna relunctantly said.

“[color=mistyrose]That’s because you’re an idiot, too,[/color]” Emette replied bluntly.

Lorenzo snickered for a moment. “[color=darkorange]I don’t think you’re helping your case there,[/color]” He pointed out, much to her annoyance.

Taking in a breath, she would do her best to explain--this time, going for the simpler route. “[color=mistyrose]Just...okay, let’s go over the basics. The same way Jaakuna ‘transcended’ into Lohgrif doesn’t mean he’s actually Lohgrif. He’s still Jaakuna. Do you understand?[/color]”

Savayna remained quiet for a couple of moments, just letting the words sink in. After one more had passed, she finally spoke. [color=lightblue]“Yeah but Jaakuna, no matter if it’s JAckson or Lohgrif, isn’t the same, or did you not see how Scion-like he was against Zodimiri? And yet you’re just as bitchy and crude as Justine was.”[/color]

Grant could practically feel the hatred flowing off Emette. “[color=mistyrose]And in my situation, it’s the other way around,[/color]” She tried oh so hard to stay civil. “[color=mistyrose]Despite maintaining Justine’s soul, I am still Emet-Selch.[/color]”

[color=lightblue]“So, you’ve always been a bitch then?”[/color]

This time Grant cautiously stepped to the side, not wanting to get radiated by her anger in the process. “[color=mistyrose]Yeah. Though I can see why, if she had to deal with the likes of you consistently,[/color]” She would state.

Jaakuna looked on, seeing that all-too-familiar gleam in her eye. It was the same gleam she had when she was about to say something that she was going to regret. He looked to Grant. Desperate, he would [i]borrow[/i] Belias’ telepathic ability, and used it to speak to Grant. [color=ed1c24][i]Do something before she speaks. You and I both know that she’s just as cold as the ice she commands.[/i][/color] Jaakuna pleaded with Grant, reminding him of one of Savayna’s not-so-attractive quirks.

Grant blinked in confusion, somewhat slightly surprised by the connection. Not used to being on the spot, he looked at Savayna, and without warning, bopped her on her head. He then turned back to Emette, bracing himself for the next thing Savayna would do (likely hit him back). “[color=magenta]I--What was it that you wanted to say earlier?[/color]” He hastily changed the subject, visibly nervous to Savayna’s reaction.

[color=ed1c24][i]Now that was some quick thinking.[/i][/color] Jaakuna mused to Grant, praising him for that brilliant idea. Though, he would look to Emette, hoping she wasn’t still seething. [color=ed1c24]“Oh, that’s right, you were about to say something before..”[/color] His glance went to Savayna, who still seemed in a bitchfit. [color=ed1c24]“So yeah, go on.”[/color] He said, ignoring Savayna’s scowl.

They were all idiots. Letting out a sigh once more, she shook her head. “[color=mistyrose]As I tried to say before...You misunderstand what you saw in the mine. You--and Levi, I noted--believe that the possession was the result of Emiri going into the mines. It’s...likely the other way around. Emiri wasn’t suddenly possessed, she [i]is[/i] a part of Zodiark. Her reaction was a result of coming close to Zodiark himself...to the darkness from whence she came.[/color]”

Jaakuna might’ve preferred Savayna’s words instead because this was quite the revelation, not to mention he didn’t believe it to be true. [color=ed1c24]“What exactly are you trying to imply, Emette? Are you actually trying to suggest that Emiri and Zodiark are one in the same?”[/color]

“[color=mistyrose]It certainly didn’t start that way,[/color]” Emette replied, crossing her arms. “[color=mistyrose]Levi--ironically--is the one that put the idea in my head. As I recall, Levi planted a seed--one that grew and morphed her very being. Did you think Keiran was a result when instead he was a by-product?[/color]”

[color=ed1c24]“He’s a result of Venat’s seed, isn’t he?”[/color] Jaakuna seemed to be asking himself rather than Emette. [color=ed1c24]“That’s why Levi put that seed into Emiri...right?”[/color] Jaakuna said, nearly distraught.

For once, she gave him a sympathetic look. “[color=mistyrose]I imagine so…a fragile mind makes easy prey.[/color]”

“[color=pink]So you’re saying it’s my own fault, aren’t you?[/color]”

Emiri had finally chosen to speak, throwing everyone off guard. She finally looked at the group, a distressed expression on her face. “[color=pink]It’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?[/color]” She asked. “[color=pink]I...Because I wasn’t strong enough to fight it, it’s resulted in this...mess.[/color]” Emette looked away, confirming her suspicion. 

[color=ed1c24]“No, that’s not true.[/color]” Jaakuna stated, coming to Emiri’s defense. [color=ed1c24]“Levi tricked us and then Keiran forced her to come here. It’s not her fault and fuck you for making her think that.”[/color]

It was then Grant remembered Levi’s words. “[color=magenta]...’yet your fragile mind makes you suspect to dark influences’...[/color]” He muttered, understanding where Emette was coming from. “[color=magenta]I have to say, she certainly picked the right time for it, taking advantage of an amnesiac right before learning of her mother’s passing…[/color]”

Lorenzo scratched the back of his head, uncomfortable with the sudden tension in the air. “[color=darkorange]Oi, Emette, tell her that isn’t what you meant,[/color]” He said, his tone suddenly very serious.

Both Emiri and Emette looked at one another, as if daring the other to speak. But it was not what was said that broke her heart, it was what wasn’t said. Emiri shook her head at the woman before her. “[color=pink]Even with everything said...you really do blame me, don’t you?[/color]” She asked her quietly.

Emette opened her mouth to respond, but couldn’t seem to find the right words. This time, however, Lorenzo was the one who stepped forward. “[color=darkorange]You’re really going to go there, aren’t you?[/color]” He asked her, his words sharp. “[color=darkorange]Have some sympathy, won’t you? Gods know [i]anyone[/i] would be losing their minds going through that kind of trauma![/color]”

“[color=magenta]Lorenzo…[/color]” Grant tried to calm him down.

“[color=darkorange]You of all people should be agreeing with me![/color]” He snapped at Grant. “[color=darkorange]When Mother died, it was like the end of the fucking world as I knew it! And when Roland killed Father it...you’re really telling me it’s not fine to be weak? You’re telling me that we have to be strong all the fucking time, when the truth of the matter is that no one’s that heartless! EVERYONE has their moments! And when you have the Queen Snake [i]intentionally[/i] preying on someone, waiting for that vicious moment--[i]you[/i] know this Levi better than I do! And you still have the gall to blame her?! Really?![/color]”

“[color=mistyrose]And what of the consequences?[/color]” Emette stated. “[color=mistyrose]That’s all well and good, but as a result...Zodiark has awakened, with Levi as its host.[/color]”

[color=ed1c24]“What would Justine think if she heard you say that about her daughter?”[/color] Jaakuna brazenly stated, giving Emette a nasty snarl-like scowl. [color=ed1c24]“All that time you spent inside her up until her death, even though you are no longer Emet-Selch, you can’t possible be without [i]some[/i] of that same love that Justine had for Emiri. It doesn’t matter whose fault it is or who has Zodiark now - it’s not about him or Levi. This is about [i]your[/i] daughter.”[/color] Jaakuna tried to appeal to what little remains of Justine in Emette. [color=ed1c24]“You spent so much time driving her away, it’s no wonder she doubts herself so much.”[/color] Jaakuna grabbed Emiri’s hand, looking at her. After a moment, he returned his gaze to Emette. [color=ed1c24]“Now’s your chance to give her [i]some[/i] solace. Maybe you can finally be the mother you should’ve been when Justine was alive.”[/color]

Emiri stared at the ground, full of guilt, though a slight realization came to her. Jaakuna’s words would hit her hard as she seemed to understand what he was saying. She looked up at Emette, who looked somewhat affected by his words. Wait a minute, was Jaakuna really saying…? She let go of his hand for a moment, staring at Emette. Now that she was really looking at her, she resembled…

“[color=pink]Wait, you’re…?[/color]” The words escaped her as Emiri reached out to her.

Emette shook her head, taking a step back. “[color=mistyrose]I’m not,[/color]” She insisted rather firmly. “[color=mistyrose]It’s not what you think.[/color]”

“[color=pink]But it is, isn’t it?[/color]” She asked her, a hint of hope in her voice.

Annoyed, Emette shook her head at her. “[color=mistyrose]That sort of naivete is exactly what gets you into trouble! You can’t just believe--[/color]” She started, though she gasped as Emiri immediately embraced her. “[color=mistyrose]What do you think you’re doing…?![/color]”

“[color=pink]I can’t believe it,[/color]” Emette was shocked to hear Emiri’s voice being so gentle. “[color=pink]It’s you, isn’t it?[/color]”

Emette was stunned. “[color=mistyrose]It’s not...why don’t you people ever listen?[/color]” She sighed, though as she went to berate her more,she felt Emiri shaking. “[color=mistyrose]Wh-what’s wrong with you?[/color]”

“[color=pink]Because I know you’re saying you’re not, but I can’t help it,[/color]” Came out her choked response. “[color=pink]You can keep saying ‘no’ all you want, but I know it's you. It really is, isn’t it, Mother?[/coior]”

Her eyes widened considerably, though to everyone’s surprise, Emette would burst into tears. “[color=mistyrose]How can you still call me that?![/color]” Her response was actually rather angry, unable to hide her emotion. “[color=mistyrose]After everything I did...after all that suffering you went through...you’d still call someone like me ‘mother’? Are you stupid?! Are you that much of a fool?![/color]”

Emiri pulled back slightly, wiping away Emette’s tears. “[color=pink]Maybe because despite everything, you still loved me,[/color]” She replied, more confident. “[color=pink]Or...probably because I’m just as stupid as you say. I guess it’s just a daughter’s intuition.[/color]”

If the dam had been holding anything back, it definitely broke at this point. This time, it was Emette who took Emiri into a tight embrace, sobbing uncontrollably. “[color=mistyrose]Idiot! I can’t believe you...I can’t![/color]”

Jaakuna nor Savayna could hide their emotions as they would shed a few tears for this mother-daughter reunion (despite Emette repeatedly claiming she wasn’t Justine).  It was only after Jaakuna noticed how emotional the moment was that he knew they’d need some privacy, so he gestured Grant, Lorenzo, and Savayna to follow him. [color=ed1c24]“Let’s..give them a moment alone.”[/color] He told them quietly, trying not to speak too loud.

Grant nodded, empathetically pulling a sobbing Lorenzo with him. “[color=magenta]Could you [i]try[/i] to control yourself?[/color]” Grant asked him, annoyed.

“[color=darkorange]I--I--I--c-c-can’t help it![/color]” He stated, a blubbering mess. “[color=darkorange]I know sh-she kept saying sh-she’s not Justine, b-b-b-but…[/color]” He couldn’t even finish his sentence, dissolving into further tears.