After he had time to adjust to the explosive entrance he made that resulted in damage to some ancient shelves with even older books that Shion doubtless collected over her long life, JAakuna dared not make eye contact with the woman, lest he wants to invoke her wrath upon him even further. But that wouldn’t be a choice for him because he did have to look her way. If not to make sure she was okay, but just so she knew how sorry he was. Ever since they bonded the way they did after Shion bestowed her light upon him, Jaakuna had been feeling this extra sense within him - a feeling, if you will - about how Shion was feeling. And right now, he could feel the dismay and horror as she watched her years of collecting literally go up in smoke.

He didn’t say anything, which was probably for the best. Jaakuna would choose to focus on everyone else. They probably thought he didn’t hear that, but Jaakuna heard Wesley’s comments loud and clear. [color=ed1c24]“How about we save that until after I defeat this guy. Unless you two want to cover my tab?”[/color] Jaakuna asked with a cheeky smile.

Wesley laughed, giving Jaakuna a smile.[color=fff79a] “A generous offer, but I will have to decline. Nothing in Dalmasca’s economy can replace the sentimental value that these books held to Lady Shion,”[/color] Wesley stated, making his stance perfectly clear. He beckoned to Grant, [color=fff79a]“worry not, my future uncle-in-law. Lady Shion is forgiving of most things. Besides, we did not burn down her life’s work, now did we, Jaakuna?”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]“Sometimes, I really hate you, Wesley.”[/color] Jaakuna scowled at his friend. He was finally able to return to the main attraction: a man who has lived far too long.

Jaakuna stepped forward, the light of Shion manifesting around him. Two swords of red and white and black appearing in his hands. As he would take another pace forward, Emiri warned him of Rio’s powers of regeneration. [color=ed1c24]“Nothing huh? Did you not see how I blasted him into the wall just a minute ago? I’m pretty sure that phased him real good,”[/color] Jaakuna laughed, turning to face Emiri. [color=ed1c24]“You don’t need to worry. I have this in the bag. And when I defeat him, we can finally talk about our life together,”[/color] he promised her.

Now, as he had said everything he wanted to say, all eyes were on him. Everyone whose lives might’ve been affected by this man, or whose lives were affected by the series of events he set in motion - it all ended here. Either Jaakuna would die by the hands of this monster or Rio will pay for [i]everything[/i] he has done. Whatever the results, Jaakuna was not going to hold anything back. 

[color=ed1c24]“It ends now!”[/color]

Jaakuna’s resolve allowed him to unleash a sudden burst of his mist, a golden, light aura mixed in with the reds and oranges of his fiery mist provided him with just the flashy display of his power that would counterbalance Rio’s own. And as if the two were synced up by something greater, they both went forward and clashed, unveiling such a vivid display of magicks that couldn’t be further from alike even if they tried. All that was opposed to each other manifested in pure force.

This would be the battle to decide the fate of Ivalice. Jaakuna, the Transcended Hume versus Rio, the Tenebrous Celebrant.