[color=ed1c24]“Now, if I were to do that, it would take out all of the fun of pushing your buttons, now wouldn’t it?”[/color] Jaakuna had teased Nadeline. She seemed to always forget how much of a doofus that he was. 

But that didn’t matter at this point because, as Jaakuna witnessed first-hand, Nadeline proved herself to be right as she always had done when it really mattered. Her magicks had always been impressive and this very moment was where it all came down to. Jaakuna had done what he needed to. Digging into Loghrif’s power for only a few moments to subdue Savayna was only the first step, but it wasn’t even the step that mattered most. No, what really mattered was getting Savayna still enough to reduce her to a state that Nadeline’s magick could effect her long enough to purify her of the dark magicks that were causing her to see what wasn’t there.

[color=crimson][i]It seems to be working.[/i][/color] Belias noted.

Jaakuna borrowed Belias’ Esper Vision, and as the veil of magick surrounded Savayna, he could not only see the same mist that had flown from the Zodiac Spear and into Savayna before, but he saw it had evolved. Whatever its origin, just from its darkness alone, Jaakuna was sure about one thing: this mist was familiar to him. Almost as if…

[color=ed1c24]“Wait, Nadeline--”[/color]

Before Jaakuna could get that full thought out, it was too late. What he saw in that last second had sent a pulse not only within the specific area that the three of them were at, but it extended far in the area they were in. The effects were possibly felt throughout the entire headquarters of Utena. Furthermore, it had sent Jaakuna and Nadeline about twenty paces back and allowed Savayna to get free of the hold she was under. And while it was true the foreign mist that was in her was gone and they had every right to be happy for that, a new problem arised. 

As Jaakuna got up, he cursed himself as he helped Nadeline up. [color=ed1c24]“One problem is solved and another arises. I guess that’s how it is with us.”[/color] He let out a sigh as he saw Savayna. Whatever had happened, she was no longer under any spell, but now, from the eerie smile she had on, they were now faced with something Jaakuna never thought possible: an even crazier Savayna. [color=ed1c24]“I’d prepare yourself. She’ll be coming for us right now. And this time, I don’t think she’s going to go down easy.” [/color]

Sighing once more, Jaakuna felt this was karma for everything that he had done up until this point. How he treated Savayna was now being brought back to him in full. 

Jaakuna wasn’t wrong. Savayna, in a flash of cold air, had appeared above and when her arm came down, an absolute zero gust of cold air was launched at both of them. JAakuna would counter with his own protective countermeasures, a gold and red fiery shield that would hold it off. [color=ed1c24]“The only way we’re going to get her free is if we knock her unconscious. This’ll take Belias and Ultima’s power, Nadeline.”[/color] Jaakuna said, knowing full well this meant that Ultima would have to not only put her trust in Nadeline, but she’ll have to trust Jaakuna. [color=ed1c24]“If we don’t do this, right here, right now, then Savayna’ll kill us all. No pressure, though.”[/color]

[hr]

Wesley sensed it too. The hairs all over his body stood up. The wave of mist that he felt, the way it was so familiar and how it was so widespread had him aware of whose mist it was. Even before Grant had said it, he knew. Hashmal knew as well.

It was The Creature’s.

[color=fff79a]“Then let us go--”[/color] Wesley was interrupted by another pulse of magick, this time it came from the opposite direction of where The Creature’s own was. Part of him felt as if he recognized it, but there was something telling him that it wasn’t as much of a pressing matter as where he sensed Emiri and Shion. [color=fff79a]“--let’s forget about that and go find The Creature. Whatever that pulse was isn’t as concerning. Besides, I still have unfinished business with The Creature.”[/color] Wesley cocked a smile, leading the way.