Venat’s rage felt throughout his throne room. He tapped his chair repeatedly, almost to the point where sparks of black lightning surrounded him, further emphasizing what had actually happened. [color=36454f]“Damn that--that Creature! Betraying me like this! Did it really think it could do this and not think I wouldn’t react accordingly?!”[/color]

It had been days since the Creature was sent off on a routine mission on Venat’s orders. He wanted the Creature to collect an ancient relic that was paramout to the final stage of his plan. It was the [i]only[/i] thing he needed. He had everything else: droplets of the Time Scion’s hair that held traces of her mist(as well as her time powers), he had the essence of Loghrif, and the most important facet of this multi-century-long plan, the bones of a certain deceased emperor. It had all been gathered. His Followers  — his Scions, whom were created for this sole purpose — had all been awaiting this grandmaster plan to go into fruition. The Relic, the Dynast Dome, no bigger than an urn, was the last thing he needed. It was the last piece of this puzzle.

And it was gone!

[color=0076a3]“My Liege, I understand that you--”[/color]

[color=36454f]“You understand nothing, Halmarut! My plans are ruined! And it’s all because of that Creature!”[/color]

[color=0076a3]“Surely there is something else that could replace it? Perhaps the Tome of Ivalice?”[/color]

Venat stood up and reached his hand across five meters to grab Halmarut, who was formerly known as Hamutby the throat, lifting the False Ram Scion off of his feet. [color=36454f]“Do you not understand what the Dynast Dome is?”[/color] Venat asked, though it was rhetorical. [color=36454f]“It holds the spirit of Raithwall himself within it. The very man whose will split nethicite into three pieces. It’s not simply something that can be recreated.”[/color]

“As always, Venat, you’re missing the bigger picture.” Suddenly, as Venat released Halmarut, a familiar voice had spoke. It was only after a moment did [i]she[/i] come out. Dark-skinned and beautiful by Hume standards, she came out from the walls, forming from some black tar-like mist.

[color=36454f]“Leviathan. Or should I call you Zodiark now?”[/color]

She laughed at his confusion over her name. She walked with confidence, offering Hamut a smile. [color=0f52ba]“Been a long time, old man,”[/color] she teased him as he continued to cough. 

[color=0076a3]“What are you doing here?!”[/color] Hamut asked her, demanding to know.

[color=0f52ba]“I believe we can help each other.”[/color]

[color=36454f]“Oh?”[/color] Color Venat intrigued, [color=36454f]“and what can you, of all people, possibly help me? Do you wish to steal more of my Scions away from me?”[/color]

[color=0f52ba]“Mitron and Nabriales were never yours to begin with — at least, not after I got my hands on them.”[/color] She seemed to gloat, but let out a breath, signalling that she was getting off-topic. [color=0f52ba]“I am here to propose something to you, Venat.”[/color]

Deciding to take a chance, he allowed her to speak, gesturing to her with a nod. What was the worst that could happen?
[hr]
Both Shion and Emiri gave no room for anyone to interject. When one had something to say about one thing they said, the other would retort in such a way that made it nearly impossible for even the most daring(Savayna) to speak. It got to the point where Emiri had enough of Shion’s words and, as the kids say, wrecked her shit. Sweating was a given, but there was a slow clap from Jaakuna. It wasn’t helping, sure, but it seemed highly appropriate considering what Emiri had said. Even though Shion retorted, one had to admit it didn’t have as much effect as what Emiri had said about “had it been Aloa”.

And when asked about the Reckoning, there were a bunch of blank expressions among the group.

[color=teal]“That isn’t true,”[/color] Michel stated, interrupting Emiri in her last sentence. [color=teal]“In retrospect, we learned one crucial fact that has to do with everything surrounding the Creature.”[/color] He went on to say, eyes now on Emiri, though his eyes went to everyone else as well. [color=teal]“What Ren didn’t show you was what happened when we landed in the Phon Coast--”[/color]

“You mean when you almost died because of that damned portal on your stomach!” Meli scowled at Aloa.

[color=teal]“But it’s fixed now, my love.”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]“You have a portal on your stomach?”[/color]

[color=lightblue]“This I have to see.”[/color]

[color=fff79a]“I am also curious.”[/color]

[color=teal]“I [i]had[/i] one. Aloa healed me using Emette’s light.”[/color] Michel said, [color=teal]“but we’re getting off-course.”[/color] He sighed, looking at all of them, [color=teal]“what I was going to say is, during a conversation with Aloa, she told me that Grigori — that multi-colored monk — is actually a Watcher of Ivalice. It’s apparently someone that watches over Ivalice and he’s the one that intervenes only when Ivalice’s livelihood is threatened.”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]“And you think the Creature is the one who is threatening it?”[/color]

[color=teal]“Given what we saw and what I saw, I’d bet my life on it, which brings me to my next point.”[/color] He started, [color=teal]“when Ren showed us what happened, I noticed something. It was only for a moment, but I’m sure of it now!”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]“What was it, Michel?”[/color] Jaakuna asked.

[color=teal]“The Dynast Dome.”[/color]

Wesley blinked his eyes, uncertain he heard right. [color=fff79a]“Did you just say the Dynast Dome? That’s impossible. That was…”[/color]

[color=teal]“Yes, I am aware what it is.”[/color] He said, bothered by this revelation.

[color=lightblue]“Someone want to clue us in.”[/color]

Wesley cleared his throat, looking to Nadeline as he grabbed her Tome. He knew exactly where to look for it. [color=fff79a][i]”And here it was said: when I die, I will rest in the furthest reaches in Jagd. To my descendents, I leave my crown and kingdom to you, but most importantly, my life force. It is in this relic that will be forged from my bones and enchanted with my mist that I will live on in. It is, above all else, the greatest power I can leave you.”[/i][/color] Wesley read, looking at everyone. [color=fff79a]“Those were words written in King Raithwall’s will. It was his final wish. This Relic, if it’s truly the Dynast Dome, the Creature poses a greater threat than we all thought he would.”[/color]