The princess watched the darkness surround them, though she was less than pleased to be separated from Grant, who had been supporting her. She threw Levi a look as she slowly got to her feet, lightly dusting her dress off. As much as she didn’t feel up to...whatever the hell it was Levi wanted, she would entertain the snake. Slowly walking towards Wesley, she stood next to him and raised her chin at Levi. Weakness be damned, she needed to be composed.

“[color=coral]You have our attention,[/color]” Nadeline informed Levi, her look somewhat cold.

[color=0f52ba]“Aw, don’t look at me like this, Princess--or is it queen now?”[/color] Levi mused, humming curiously at the two. 

Despite it contrary to her nature, Nadeline couldn’t help but smirk lightly. “[color=coral]Indeed. Heir included,[/color]” She admitted, crossing her arms firmly. “[color=coral]And we have already done as told. Won’t you hold up your end of the bargain, or is this the part where you try to hide the obvious knife behind your back?[/color]”

Safe to say that Levi was genuinely surprised when she heard the news that Nadeline was currently pregnant with Wesley’s child. [color=0f52ba]“Now this I didn’t know. Truly, you two continue to amuse me further,”[/color] she let out a laugh, settling it into a satisfied smile. Soon, her blue eyes that were clouded with a deep brown eye-shadow fell upon the happy couple who were expecting.

[color=fff79a]“I must echo my wife-to-be. While we have no problems conversing with you, perhaps it would benefit all of us if you were to tell us exactly why you wanted to speak to us privately?”[/color] Wesley asked.

[color=0f52ba]“Always one to eloquently get right to the point. Very well, King Wesley,”[/color] Levi smiled, walking up to the couple. She reached inside her blouse and pulled out a familiar ring that Wesley recognized almost immediately.

[color=fff79a]“That wouldn’t be..”[/color]

[color=0f52ba]“Yes, it is. This is the ring I was given to by your Uncle Clyde,”[/color] she revealed, [color=0f52ba]“I’ve been holding onto it since Balfonheim.”[/color]

Clyde. Nadeline shuddered slightly, uncrossing her arms as she tried to shake off the unpleasant memory. Eyeing Levi warily, she placed one hand on her hip as she tried to remember the significance of the ring. If it was formerly Clyde’s, that meant it was Wesley’s. Just remembering the fate of Clyde made her sick, however, so instead, she decided to get to it. “[color=coral]Have you now?[/color]” She asked.

[color=0f52ba]“Did you hear me stutter?”[/color] Levi rolled her eyes at Nadeline. For someone who was raised with a royal education, she sure did prove the blonde stereotype. [color=0f52ba]“But let me not get sidetracked. Yes, this is the ring that my poor deceased husband gave to me,”[/color] she feigned the expression of despair, dramatically sighing.

[color=fff79a]“Leviathan, if you could spare us the dramatics, quickly get to the point of this private meeting.”[/color] While Wesley was typically calm, he was growing impatient. Just the mention of his Uncle Clyde and how he met his demise brought a deep anger from within him out. Thankfully he was raised not to lose his temper like Jaakuna did. 

That brought out a laugh from Levi, curling it once more into a smile. [color=0f52ba]“Fine. I have more than just returning this to your family, Wesley, as being the reason for this meeting. Truth be told, this ring has been passed down the Dalmascan royal line from mother to son; father to daughter, and so on and so forth.”[/color]

Wesley nodded, knowing it all too well.

[color=0f52ba]“And it also happens to be how I was able to cleanse that young girl, Ren,”[/color] she revealed, sighing, [color=0f52ba]“this ring - the Ring of Purity - is why I am here,”[/color] she informed the couple, looking to Nadeline. [color=0f52ba]“Tell me, little princess, have you been experiencing abnormalities since finding out you are carrying Wesley’s child?”[/color]

Abnormalities? What? Now the princess was actually offended. “[color=coral]No,[/color]” She replied curtly. 

[color=0f52ba]“I suppose I’m not surprised. Someone so dense as you wouldn’t notice such a subtle change,”[/color] Levi chastised Nadeline, laughing.

Putting her hands on her stomach somewhat defensively, Nadeline scowled at Levi. If this was a joke, she wasn’t finding the humor in it. Her eyes went to Wesley first, though she returned her gaze towards Levi somewhat hesitantly. “[color=coral]If you’re not going to go on with it, I see no point in this little gathering,[/color]” She snapped.

[color=0f52ba]”Well, if you would try a little patience and simply feel it within yourself, [i]Naddie[/i], you would see that I [i]have[/i],” she stated, annoyed, [color=0f52ba]”but if you want me to spell it out for you, then I will. As I’m sure Ultima has felt, your power is growing. This fatigue you feel is actually the catalyst within you starting to break free. The Ring of Purity will intensify that. With what’s happening around Ivalice, your light will shine the brightest.”[/color] Levi took Nadeline’s hand, handing her the ring and closing it. “I trust you will know when the right time to put it on is. Hopefully, for our sake, it won’t be when everything has gone to the void.”[/color] 

Nadeline stared at Levi somewhat intensely, deciphering her words carefully. It reminded her of the protective spell she had once conjured in Rabanastre, and she assumed that was what Levi wanted. But...why? As she clenched her hand a little tighter, the smooth metal cool between her skin, she eyed the snake woman warily. “[color=coral]What a convenient solution,[/color]” She stated firmly. “[color=coral]Though I fail to see why this has to be such a secret, nor can I understand your stake in all this.[/color]”

[color=0f52ba]“You never know who might be listening, Princess,”[/color] Levi stated.

Wesley noticed that she actually appearing worried, which wasn’t like her at all. Levi was usually so confident and sure of herself. [color=fff79a]“You didn’t answer her: what is your investment here, Leviathan?”[/color]

[color=0f52ba]“No matter which side of the spectrum we may fall under, we have one common enemy, Your Majesty.”[/color]

Wesley thought about it for a moment. [color=fff79a]“The Creature.”[/color]

[color=0f52ba]“Yes. Rio is such a being that not even my master Venat could defeat on his own. This is why, as much as I hate it like I’m sure you two hate it, we must work together. Admittedly, my part is very small, but you six seem to have the right ingredients to possibly end this for good.”[/color]  She revealed something quite shocking that had Wesley at a loss for words.

Raising her eyebrow, Nadeline examined the ring as she contemplated her words. Of course, Venat would create something that surpassed his power, but she was misunderstood. She knew they had a common enemy, what she couldn’t understand was [i]Levi’s[/i] stake in it. Her constantly bouncing loyalty left Nadeline extremely wary; for all she knew, the ring was a trap. It was nice to know her own power was slowly awakening, but it would’ve been nice to hear from her own Esper. Ultima gave no words, neither confirming nor denying Levi, so the princess had little choice but to believe.

“[color=coral]Alright then, I shall take this burden, [/color]” She finally responded. “[color=coral]And once the Creature is vanquished…[/color]”

[color=0f52ba]“Yes? Don’t leave us in suspense, Naddie. Do tell the rest of the class!”[/color]

“[color=coral]Then we turn our attention to your master. Or do you think a good deed or two compares to the atrocities your group has committed?[/color]” Nadeline returned her sarcasm.

Levi couldn’t help but smile at the darling princess. If there was one thing that could be said about her, it was this: she said what was on her mind. Levi respected that about her.[color=0f52ba] “I did what I needed to do to ensure my own survival. Plus, now that I have what I want,”[/color] she rubbed the top of Zodiark’s head, [color=0f52ba]“what you and your band of idiots do is of no concern to me. As far as my master is concerned - which, I am sure is where your head is at right now - you needn’t worry about him,”[/color] she assured the princess.

She wasn’t born yesterday, nor would she take Levi’s words seriously. Regardless, she wasn’t going to argue with her. Instead, she looked at Wesley, wondering what he thought of her words.

There was no chance in the underworld that Wesley trusted Levi - especially not after everything she has done to him and his friends. Of course, things were far more complicated than anyone could’ve predicted. [color=fff79a]“Let it be known that I do not trust you, Leviathan.”[/color]

[color=0f52ba]“As you shouldn’t.”[/color]

[color=fff79a]“And while I would like nothing more than to see you pay for all that you’ve brought upon us and those who are close to us, I also can see that the times we are in call for unsavory alliances. I do accept that we should focus on the common enemy,”[/color] he admitted, holding Nadeline’s hand.

She squeezed his hand in hers, nodding in agreement. Unfortunately, he was right. Letting out a sigh, she looked at Levi once again. “[color=coral]Anything else?[/color]”

Closing her eyes, Levi just snapped her fingers. As she did, Zodiark’s eyes flashed, dissolving the smoke barrier as it was sucked back into the tiny Esper’s body; and with that short action completed, they were once again reunited with Grant, Michel, Ivy, and unconscious Savayna and Ren. [color=0f52ba]“You can have them back, sweetheart,”[/color] Levi blew a kiss towards Grant.

Grant grimaced at Levi, though he turned his attention back to Savayna. She didn't seem hurt, but she wasn't waking up, either. Just as he thought to ask Nadeline, the princess knelt down next to him and motioned towards the Zodiac Spear nearby. "[color=coral]It was a trap, one we fell for,[/color]" She explained, sighing slightly. "[color=coral]I'm sure she will awaken soon.[/color]"

[hr]

The arrival of the four didn't seem to surprise Shion in the slightest, the woman perfectly composed. Emiri slowly got to her feet, unable to hide her own surprise at the cavalry, though her chest felt sore. Despite the wound being healed completely, the effects lingered somewhat, but she pushed the pain aside. She eyed Shion, who wore an expressionless mask, though as she looked at Adramalech, her heart ached slightly for Chaos. Moving forward, she was surprised when Shion stopped her. The blue haired woman motioned towards the spot where their magicks had collided with Rio, and Emiri's eyes widened slightly as she realized Rio was staggering slightly. He was hurt! How? Squinting slightly, she noticed several burn marks on his skin, wincing slightly as she realized they were probably painful. Whatever Jaakuna had done had an effect on him.

Rio looked up to the newly formed crowd, somewhat amused as he straightened himself slightly. "[color=dodgerblue]Changing dance partners, are we? And here I thought we were having fun,[/color]" He told Jaakuna, though as he spoke, a spec of red rolled down his face, and Emiri audibly gasped. Blood? So Rio hadn't completely forsaken his body after all? Rio's fingertips brushed his cut, a small smile on his face. "[color=dodgerblue]So it worked, did it?[/color]" His voice was low, almost as if he was talking to himself, but he seemed pleased. Why? Rio rolled his shoulders, his eyes wandering through the crowd, though the brunette could have sworn he was eyeing her, if only for a moment before locking eyes onto Jaakuna. 

Shion narrowed her eyes on Rio for a moment, noticing his look. "[color=deepskyblue]Your body fails you, Rio,[/color]" She announced, smirking. "[color=deepskyblue]You underestimated his power.[/color]"

"[color=dodgerblue]Underestimate? Nah...[/color]" He rubbed his fingers together, watching the blood on his hand for a moment. "[color=dodgerblue]I've already taken the steps needed to assure my victory...you could say I've already won.[/color]"