Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As the group started to eat the food on the table, the conversation of the Barhleim Passage took the frontlines. It would start when Nadeline asked the question about what exactly the Barhleim Passage was. Emiri would then offer up the explanation of what exactly it was, and it simply was an underground railroad connecting the Estersand to the Nalbina Fortress. It was mainly used as a way to transport goods without the risk of bandits — or worse — from getting said goods. As Jaakuna and Wesley would listen in while they ate, Emiri would go on to say that the usage of the underground passage would cease once Airships became the primary usage for transportation of goods.

When she would finish up, Jaakuna burped, thus prompting everyone to look at him with weird looks. Jaakuna would take the napkin to wipe away the cheese that was left from him eating it. He would then cough and speak. “So this place is pretty much dangerous territory.” Jaakuna sighed. “Why aren’t these Espers ever in a safe place, like a library?” Jaakuna moped about it for a few moments.

Wesley laughed and it was more than usual. “Oh, c’mon, Jaakuna! Where’s your sense of adventure? I thought Sky Pirates were supposed to be thrilled about venturing into unknown and dangerous territory?” Wesley said, trying to get Jaakuna to feel better.

Jaakuna huffed. “When did you suddenly become the Sky Pirate expert?” Jaakuna said in a slightly annoyed tone.

Wesley smiled, “Touché my friend. I concede this point.” Wesley said just smiling but then he would go into serious mode. “The information about this underground passage troubles me. The amount of mist that would be present surely wouldn’t be good for a clear-cut pathway to the Esper.” Wesley said just thinking aloud.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

The idea of using Ifrit to cross the desert was met with little to no opposition. Jaakuna actually was somewhat surprised that they didn’t object. Perhaps the trek in the desert was something that everyone could agree on. Jaakuna wasn’t the biggest fan of going through the desert either and that’s why he brought up the idea. Hearing Emiri and Nadeline sort of fight lightly about it made Jaakuna smile and laugh a bit. Wesley couldn’t help but chuckle at that, either.

When the decision was made, everyone brought their bags, and after informing his sister he would be departing again, Wesley returned to the group and it would only be a good ten or fifteen music before everyone came to the Aerodome, went through the entrance, and came to be on the Ifirit. As they came to be in the ship, they would all walk to the kitchen/dining room area. Though Emiri, Jaakuna, and Nadeline weren’t out of their comfort zone(so to speak), Wesley was definitely intrigued. He remembers seeing the Ifrit in action beforehand during the invasion of Rabanastre, but he never expected for it to be so big on the inside.

“Truly a marvel you have here, Jaakuna.” Wesley said as he simply admired his ship, Ifrit.

“Yes, she’s a beaut, isn’t she? “Jaakuna was glowing and basking in the glory of how wonderful his lovely ship was.

“The make and model, this is top-of-the-line Archadian warfare.” Wesley said.

Jaakuna was surprised. “My, my princey, you know your shit.” Jaakuna admitted, slightly surprised that Wesley knew of the type of model and make it was.

Wesley chuckled. “Once upon a time, it was my job to know every make and model of any warship in all the Empires, but now I am simply an admirer of fine craftsmanship of airship.” He admitted.

Jaakuna laughed proudly as he would take a seat at the four-person seated table. Emiri sat to his left, Wesley to his right, and Nadeline across from him.

“Iris, please take us across the Dalmasca Estersand and to the entrance of the Barheim Passage.” Jaakuna said aloud, ordering his Ai to fly the ship to the Barheim Passage.

“Yes, Master Jaakuna. We should be there in 45 minutes.” She responded.

“Thank you Iris.”

As that was concluded, Jaakuna would wave his hand in the air and a virtual screen would appear as he would select the cheese and deli meats platter and it would appear on the table. “Eat up. I’m sure we won’t have much time to eat in the passage.” Jaakuna said.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

The individual moments of both Jaakuna, and Emiri and Wesley, and Nadeline would come to an end as they each would wander to the palace where everyone would pack their bags before they would depart. As they came in the garden, everyone just greeted each other.

Wesley spoke first. “I take it everything is ready for our trip?” He asked everyone.

Jaakuna spoke. ‘The trek in the desert could be one of a long duration. I suggest we take my airship.”

Wesley thought that was a marvelous idea. “It would much faster and more relaxing that way. Plus, I believe we can get final plans for the Berheim Passage out of the way while we fly over the Estersand.” Wesley said, as he would carry some of the supplies over his shoulder in his bag as he would wait for the ladies to respond to Jaakuna's proposal.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

When Emiri spoke those words to him, Jaakuna came to realize that even though she hadn’t yet say it, Jaakuna knew she loved him. Or at least, felt a lot for him. Jaakuna didn’t need hear those words from her mouth to know it to be true. He would just savor this moment as she will as well. Jaakuna wouldn’t stand, not yet. He would just gently pull Emiri in an embrace. He knew that they had to go meet Nadeline and Wesley soon, but for right now, he just wanted this moment to last, even. Even though the quiet stillness of the moment was there, Jaakuna said, in a low tone “Thank you.”

---

Wesley and Nadeline stopped, and she told him about her past a bit, about how she snuck out of her castle to go to a festival. She spoke of how she had a female Viera as her tutor and mentor. Wesley smiled at that information. Then, she spoke about how this Viera, Aloa was like her big sister she never got to have. Wesley could relate. He always wondered what it would be like to have an older sibling. When he would hear her talk about how while Emiri is older than her, Nadeline thinks of herself as the older one. Wesley laughed about this.

“Nadeline, I thank you for sharing, I truly do.” He said as he would go to pick out some of the supplies. “About myself, I’m afraid I don’t have as much exciting experiences as you have. I’ve lived in Rabanastre for most of my life, with my father, mother, and my baby sister, Cassandra. I do remember this one time my father took me on a history trip to the Nechrol of Nabudis, the Kingdom that fell to the mist.” Now Wesley was the one who was sounding nostalgic. “We didn’t go in it of course, but he just took me to make sure that I knew that Nethicite can both be one of the best things this world of ours can have and it could also be our greatest downfall.” Wesley sounded like some narrator or something. Though, what he spoke was truth. “I did learn something very important that day.” Wesley said looking to the sky as Nadeline most likely paid for the last of the supplies. “The slightest overuse of Nethecite can prove to be destructive in the worst of ways and that you never know when your time in this realm will come to an end.” Wesley said almost sounding regretful, which makes sense since he’s remembering his father and how he died over the Dusk Shard.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Jaakuna couldn’t believe it. Even when he was prepared to tell her all of it, Emiri simply didn’t care. She didn’t care what he did or why Vincent wants him back. The only thing that she seemed to care about was being with him and if Jaakuna were to turn himself in like he said he was thinking about doing, that wouldn’t happen. Jaakuna just felt something being lifted from him. This would happen right as Emiri would put his hand on her heart, squeezing it. He realized now why he fell in love with her, he realized why he was so adamant about keeping her from running away, and he realized how he was just foolish to think about turning himself in.

Jaakuna’s eyes closed and he smiled, then he turned his gaze to Emiri once more. “I’m sorry. I guess I thought if I were to turn myself in to my brother, it would make things better and perhaps just put an end to it all.” Realizing what he was thinking and even saying that, Jaakuna knew that he was just so wrong in even thinking of leaving. Jaakuna would then take Emiri’s hand, squeezing it as if he were scared. The pressure he would put into his squeeze would probably slightly hurt. “It just scares me, the alliance of Rozarria and Archadia scares me.” As Jaakuna would say that, a tear would fall from his eye. He didn’t even notice it.

---

When Wesley and Nadeline would come to the Rabanastre Bazaar, which seems to be constructed back to a state where all the stands are open again, he walks beside Nadeline as she would point out how she hated books. Like how being trapped in a castle did that to her and how she would prefer to go out and see the world. Wesley was with her on that in some aspects, but his agreement came to a stop when she would say that she was a foolish child.

“Nadeline, you are nothing close to foolish. “ He said trying to reassure her. “When I look at you, I see a bright woman. Her eyes are full of wonder. When I look at you, I see a woman who’s desire to see the world is only matched by her intellect.” Wesley said as the two of them kept on walking. “So, please Nadeline don’t think that you are foolish for wanting to see the world more. Most royal heirs want to stay in their cozy castles. You took the bold step to go out and explore the world. That in itself garners true courage and ambition.” He would say as the two of them would go down the Bazaar.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Wesley chuckled as he and Nadeline were right about to get the shopping. He didn’t think that it would come as much of a surprise, but perhaps Nadeline was surprised at the fact that Wesley was able to translate entire texts. “Oh, you flatter me Nadeline.” He said smiling. “I am like you — I love to read and fill my head up with knowledge. From such a love I have acquired the skill of translation, specifically ancient texts. I find them very fascinating.” He admitted as he started to sound giddy the more he spoke.

---

Jaakuna understood why Emiri was upset. He did promise to stay with her no matter what, but just something about the alliance between Rozarria and Archadia clicked something in Jaakuna’s mind. He doesn’t know for certain if it’s the fact that eventually they’ll corner all four of them and take them all hostage or if it’s his guilt of killing his father on accident.

“Emiri, the only reason I‘m bringing this up is for you, and for Nadeline and Wesley.” He admitted, turning his gaze to Emiri, eyes full of sadness and just an unwavering guilt. When she said what Jaakuna had said to her about staying together and overcoming the odds as a team, Jaakuna didn’t know what to do there. He knew that what he is saying was wrong, but again, in his own mind, he feels like it’s the only thing to do. “If I stay, it’ll only put you in more danger than you can’t possibly fathom. My brother is a cruel man.” Jaakuna fell down to his ass, against the wall that was nearby. His head down, knees up. “My brother, you have no idea what lengths he’ll go to get me back home.” Jaakuna just kept on going on. He was so lost in his own sadness at the moment, that he couldn’t stop. “You want to know why my brother, the great Emperor of Archadia, is after me so bad?” Jaakuna turned his head to Emiri, and his voice was a little sarcastically-sad when he spoke ‘the great emperor’.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As Jaakuna got up and Emiri followed, Nadeline had asked Wesley that while the two of them talk that they should go re-supply on their supplies. Wesley nodded to that. He did know that they were running somewhat low on some items, but when Nadeline made a note about water, Wesley totally agreed. Being in the hot desert, the group would need all the water that they could carry, or they run the risk of dehydration. “Fine, let us go, Nadeline!” Wesley said standing up, hand out to help her up as well.

Meanwhile, within Rabanastre, outside the castle, Jaakuna and Emiri are walking and she would then spring up the question if he was alright. Jaakuna wishes he could answer that simply, but he can’t. What he’s thinking — feeling — isn’t easy to explain. “I think it would be best if I turn myself in to Archadia.” He said it and he feels worse about it. “I’m half the reason why Archadia and Rozarria have come together for a common goal. “ Jaakuna said.

In his own mind, Jaakuna thinks what he just said made sense. In some aspect, it probably did. If he were to turn himself in, Archadia would back off from chasing everyone. He wouldn’t be putting Nadeline in danger, he wouldn’t be putting Wesley in danger, and most importantly, he wouldn’t be putting Emiri in danger.

Operation: X-Men

Like Tigre said, I too can't wait. :D

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

The talk about the esper and where it would take the group next was proceeding nicely. Emiri would make a note about how the Barheim Passage, which would lead her to say that there’s an entrance to that place somewhere in the Dalmasca Estersand. Jaakuna had no idea about that at all, but Wesley would nod as he also knew about that. The journey across the Estersand would be a long one and not a very easy one at that. Wesley knew that the Estersand at this time of year has rough winds and several dangerous creatures inhabit the Estersand.

“It seems that we will be heading to the Dalmasca Estersand. We must take stock of anything we need.” Wesley said as he made note of the voyage that would take them across the Estersand.

Jaakuna coughed at the comment that Nadeline, but he was quiet. “Emiri, follow me.” Jaakuna said just standing up and walking away. Something was off about Jaakuna, that much would be clear.

Wesley took note of Jaakuna’s odd behavior, but he was still in the range of Wesley’s voice. “We depart in an hour’s time. Best not to be late, Jaakuna.” Wesley said, elevating his voice to a higher register.

Jaakuna grunted, but acknowledged what Wesley said.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As Jaakuna was finishing up his food, Wesley listened and nodded at what Emiri and Nadeline had to say. He definitely agreed on the fact that as long as they are careful, they should keep on hunting the Espers. Should they run into the enemy, Wesley was positive that they would be able to handle the enemy as long as the group stays together. Of course, Wesley has also considered that the alliance between Rozarria and Archadia might also make things a little more complicated than they already are.

As Jaakuna finished up, he would also make a note about what Emiri and Nadeline had said. He also was on the same boat as Wesley, but he would be more vocal about it and not just think about it. “So, this next one? What does the tomb say?” Jaakuna asked with mouth still somewhat full of food.

Wesley chuckled and looked at the tomb as he slid his chair near Nadeline’s. “Well let’s see.” He read, “It says…Heretic scion who wrapped the world in dark energies, seeking to take the souls of all living things” Wesley kept on reading, trying to decipher the text. “Orignally tasked with the judging of men upon the deaths, his soul was tainted by these curses of those who raged against the heavens.” Wesley read on, “Even now, in defeat, he clutches the shamaness to him in his right arm, and with the aid of her death-wall does he summon the soul of darkness to do his bidding.” He concluded.

Jaakuna just had his jaw dropped. Wesley was intrigued. “So, we are going after the angel of death? Sounds like fun.” Jaakuna sarcastically said.