Even though the growing anticipation about this Grigori and what he had to say to all of them was definitely something that everyone should be putting at the top of their priority list, there was something more short-term, and by an extension, more important: Grant sounded like a man again. That, if nothing else, was worth talking about.

[color=ed1c24]“You’ve never been one to be masculine, Grant. So, I don’t know about everyone here, but I, for one, am glad for you to gain some of your man card back. You have no idea how hilarious, not to mention fitting, it was to hear a teenaged girl’s voice coming from your mouth.”[/color] Jaakuna told him, giving Grant a smile, though it seemed he didn’t really appreciate his words all that much.

After a brief moment of silence, Savayna eyed Grant. [color=lightblue]“I, for one, am grateful. I don’t know how long I could’ve handled your pussy voice.”[/color] She grunted, her arms across her chest.

Michel found himself wanting to add something to the conversation, but his eyes went to Grigori, and he noticed an unusually high amount of anger coming from the monk. It only took the intuitive Michel a short moment to understand where it was coming from, so that’s when Michel let out an interrupting cough. [color=teal]“Perhaps you guys should save this for later on.”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]“Huh? Why?”[/color] Jaakuna absentmindedly asked.

Savayna hit him in the head, whispering to him, [color=lightblue]“remember? He’s here to warn us.”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]“OH!”[/color] He shouted aloud, laughing shortly thereafter. 

[color=fff79a]“Michel, who is this man?” [/color]Wesley asked curiously, sizing up the monk from head to toe.

[color=teal]“I cannot answer that with confidence. All I know is that he bears a warning for all of us. He wouldn’t inform us until everyone was present.”[/color]

[color=fff79a]“What do you mean?”[/color]

[color=teal]“He knows that each and every one of us are Scions and that we are what they call [i]Ascendants[/i].”[/color]

[color=fff79a]“I see,”[/color] Wesley faced Grigori, trying to gauge the monk to the best he could. [color=fff79a]“There aren’t a lot who know about this. Only ones who know are, of course, us, the Viera, and the members of Utena. So, then how does he know? Is he one of Shion’s followers?”[/color]

“I have no allegiance to the Blue Rose.” Grigori retorted defensively as if insulted by what Wesley said.

[color=fff79a]“While it  settles that matter, it doesn’t explain why you were waiting for us.”[/color]

Grigori didn’t bother addressing Wesley specifically. Instead, his head moved from left to right, examining all of those who were present. With the exception of Meli, who he sensed was just as invested in hearing what he had to say as the others did, simply ignored her. He knelt down to one knee, letting his staff rest gently on the ground, though as it did, he twirled around, gathering mist around him. Almost as if like a tornado, Mist gathered and surrounded not only him but those close to him - with the exception of Meli. The mist tornado he created expelled her out so it was only the Ascendants.

[color=teal]“What did you do that for!?”[/color] Michel asked, uncharacteristically demanded to know.

“She is not an Ascendant.” He offered only a variation of the same thing he had been saying. 

[color=teal]“Just get on with it.”[/color]

Grigori nodded, taking off this hood from his face. As he did, everyone would see the face, not of a man, but something far more ancient. His face was of hume origin, that much couldn’t be denied, but upon closer inspection, one could see that his features were evolved - almost godly. His jaw wasn’t smooth but rather it was sharp. His cheeks had no flesh; they were a combo of muscle, bone, and mist pouring from it. The area around his eyes had swirling colors and actual magicite woven into it, giving his face a radiating, iridescent colors showing on the clear surface of his face due to the light. His actual eyes were crystallized and had all elements that were possible to tame in Ivalice dancing in them, producing various amounts of images in his eyes.

None of them were expecting that, though based off of the reactions that they had on their faces, it was safe to assume that they didn’t seem to have a problem with it. 

[color=lightblue]“Well, aren’t you flashy.”[/color] Savayna commented, seemingly approving of Grigori’s face.

[color=teal]“I admit, you are somewhat of a surprise, Grigori.”[/color] Michel stated. He wasn’t expecting that.

[color=ed1c24]“So, what? Do you have some kind of obsession with body modification?”[/color] Jaakuna couldn’t help but ask.

Grigori scowled, refusing to answer such an idiotic question.

[color=teal]“Please, Grigori, can you tell us exactly why you wanted to speak with us and why such secrecy?”[/color]

“You are all in great danger.”

[color=ed1c24]“We’re always in danger, but we manage,”[/color] Jaakuna shrugged.

“Do [b][i]not[/i][/b] inturrupt me again, Lohgrif!” Grigori snapped, scowling even worse than before.

His sudden outburst made Jaakuna let out a low yelp.

“You all have ascended, but not one of you have the faintest idea of what this actually means for Ivalice. You think you were chosen just to inherit powers and defeat the Keeper?”

[color=fff79a]“What is it that you are trying to say?”[/color]

Grigori eyed Wesley now. “Fandaniel, you, who has transcended more than anyone here, still don't understand. Truly, how could Raithwall’s descendent not realize what’s been happening.” Grigori displayed great disappointment in everyone. “Honestly, how could none of you see it?”

[color=fff79a]“See what?”[/color]

“The Fallen Occuria Venat nor the Keeper pose you no threat. The one you need to truly find true worry in is he who bears the Calling of Death.”

[color=lightblue]“Could you be a bit more specific?”[/color]

“Follow the Winds of the Sea, Ascendants. Go to where the dead rests and seek out the true darkness.”

As Grigori left them with that, in a single moment, as the tornado he had created had withered away into nothingness, so was Grigori. And as he was away from Archadia’s soils, there was an air of mystery within the minds of the Ascendants. What did Grigori mean? Who was this true darkness? Who was it that posed a greater threat than Venat and Zodiark?

[color=ed1c24]“What the actual fuck.”[/color]