Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

When they took off, the ride was looking to be nothing but a bumpy one. Nadeline would hold Wesley’s hand and ask what was wrong and it would seem the Ship’s little body couldn’t handle the amount of speed. Wesley would gulp as he feared they might all die, but thankfully with the advice(not needed) from Nadeline, Grant would alter the speed to a point where they could fly without any bumps in the sky. It was a relief and the three would sigh all in unison. “Hopefully the ride is like this all the way through.” Wesley said

---

As they proceeded more up the floors of the Draklor Laboratory, there was a very constant worry for Jaakuna from the other three. No one who was screaming like that just gets up like it was nothing. Emiri thought that, Isaiah thought that and Savayna definitely thought that. Plus, aside those worries about if he’s alright, the laughing that they heard was also something to be worried about. Savayna didn’t know where to place it, but she knew that laugh meant nothing good — nothing good at all.

As ten minutes rolled around, they made it to the fiftieth floor and as they came to an opening, which was just a steel room that had a circular steel floor with an eclipse sign going on it and in the middle of it and in their way, was a tall and muscular man. His height and weird had to be up there in the high department and Isaiah knew exactly who it was.

“Judge Robur, why are you here?” Isaiah asked Robur.

The tall Judge said nothing, only breathing was heard.

“He asked you a question, freak!” Savayna called out.

Robur said nothing still.

Jaakuna would step forward. Slight laughter could be heard as he continued walking. He walked even more still. It got to the point where he was a mere foot away from Robur. The giant looked down at Jaakuna. The blonde-haired man simply touched him and out came a black pulse and it sent Robur flying ten feet backwards, his body flipping once, and landing on his back. Robur let out a slight yelp of pain. He would then get up, armor slightly cracked at the chest plate and helmet off, revealing white eyes and spiked, beige hair.

“Jackson…No, not Jackson…” Robur said

Jaakuna smiled and laughed mildly. He said nothing, but a black glyph appeared at his feet and pushed Jaakuna forward at fast speeds. While airborne for the three seconds that he was, Jaakuna placed out his right palm, and out shot another black pulse, but this time extended tendrils from the circular form it originally took. These tendrils would bind Robur as tight as it could, squeezing him until his armor started cracking. All the while this was happening, Jaakuna was smiling, licking his lips. The tendrils started to emit a dark, misty-like aura around them, seeping into the cracks of Robur’s armor. The feel of the mist felt like the hottest burning poison out there and was twice as strong and fast as Bioaja.

“You…You’re…Him…” Robur said.

Robur’s body slowly became overtaken with blackness and the minute that followed, he would be transformed into a sticky, hardened black shell, and Jaakuna would take his hands and send a wave of black magickal energy through him, and as it was with his armor, Robur was dead.

Jaakuna turned to the others. “My father awaits.” He said signaling them to follow as he would walk ahead.

Savayna felt so uneasy about all of this. Something was seriously wrong with Jaakuna. She was beginning to think that Nadeline was right. Maybe whatever Jaakuna absorbed wasn’t his father. Isaiah was thinking the same thing, but what about Emiri. “Emiri, usually I won’t tell you what to do, but if we don’t follow him, he might do away with us like he just did with Robur..” Savayna quietly said to Emiri.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

*babum*
*babum*

The sounds of Jaakuna’s heartbeat slowly increased the more he waked, the pain in his arm increased the closer they got to the 70th floor, and the glow around Jaakuna slowly got more visible the deeper they went into the Draklor Labs. It wasn’t until they got to the 40th floor that he started to really feel it. Every single heartbeat like nails grinding against his skin, every ounce of pain like bricks being cracked over his back, and every spec of the dark glow like walking deeper into a cave void of light.

And then he collapsed.

On the ground, shaking , quivering, and doing just about anything and everything that was wrong. Jaakuna remembered feeling like this. It was back when he had his panic attack. He remembered now, but that wasn’t all. His body slowly flashing pure black and all the while his tattoo was flashing like it did when he initially absorbed his father’s soul into him. He gripped his arm just like before, and as he did before, he yelled out in pain, but something was different. Sure, his voice was what yelled out, but on the backends of his voice, a sinister laugh could be heard. The more yells he let out, the more dominant the laugh got.

And then silence took over.

Jaakuna was as still as a corpse. The black glow was gone, his heartbeat was at normal, the pain in his left arm was nonexistent, and his shaking gone. Savayna, Isaiah, and Emiri all watched on as they saw motionless Jaakuna lay there face-first. For a few minutes, the worst would be expected, that Jaakuna was dead, but after five minutes of not moving, he slowly rose. He used his arms to push himself up, and Jaakuna looked at them, smiling.

“Jaakuna, you okay?” Savayna asked raising an eyebrow.

“I’m fine. Nothing to worry about.” He said.

---

Seeing only two seats, Wesley looked at Nadeline and to Grant, who no doubt would give him a glare of sorts. As they would get in the car, Wesley would get in the passenger seat and Nadeline would get on top of him. She would then whisper quietly to him that she hoped that she wasn’t too heavy. He smiled. “Of course you aren’t.” He said holding onto her tightly, though not too tight. As she would say that she never dreamed that all it would take was a two-seated airship to get her in a position on top of Wesley. He smiled quite naughtily. “Maybe we should get one of our own then.” He said still smiling, though perhaps semi-too loud as Grant most likely heard, or maybe he didn’t; Wesley was hoping for the latter.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

When Wesley brought up the problem of them not being able to reach Archades fast enough, Karolina would state that at full speed, the bikes would be able to get them to the Tchita Uplands in no time. However, she would bring up the dire situation and state that they could use a rather fancied-up aircar that was called The Thorn. Grant obviously seemed nervous about it and Wesley could see why. Grant would state that Lorenzo had yet to finish it completely, so thus the danger it presents was a negative thing.

Karolina would explain that while Rozarria had never been as technologically-advanced as Archadia, they began developing a certain model ever since word of the Ifrit was being made. She would further state that the car itself, should it be mass-produced, could be faster than the Ifrit itself. Wesley’s eyes widened at this and he sort of smiled, as if wanting the danger.

As Grant would admit defeat, he would turn to Nadeline asking her if she really wanted to go since she was originally against Jaakuna’s plan, but she would then say that circumstances had changed. Nadeline would then turn to Wesley asking him if he wanted to go, considering the dangers The Thorn presented. He thought about it real hard for all but two seconds. “I am a man of my word.” He said grabbing Nadleine’s right hand with his left. “I vowed that I will protect you from any danger. If I am to be a good husband to you one day, I must go wherever my beloved goes.” He said having a certain look in his eyes. “Now, we must make haste — the others know not what danger will become to them.”

---

The four of them wondered through the first few floors of the Draklor Laboratories and Jaakuna couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic. He won’t lie to himself and say that he spent a lot of time here. Vincent really was the one who was Simon’s scientist, but he Jaakuna did spend a few good days in the labs, that’s how he became so fond of weapons just cause of all the weapons that were developed in the Draklor Labs. Time passed on and sooner than they realized, they were on the tenth floor. Of course, it only took limited steps and elevators and Jaakuna was very curious as to why there weren’t guards around. Like, they only encountered a few guards here and there, so to not have a lot really surprised Jaakuna.

“Isaiah, do you know anything about the lack of guards?” Jaakuna asked him.

He thought about it and it too seemed odd. “I have no idea. I know usually this place has always had guards up the yin-yang, but not now it seemed.” Isaiah said.

Savayna didn’t really care. All she cared about was getting this trip over with so that they would be able to go back and never have to look at this place again. While Savayna and Isaiah were thinking about their respective thoughts, Jaakuna could feel the pain of his left arm increasing and he would let out groans of pain here and there. Even as they went up the floors, the pain would get more frequent and more louder. No doubt that the group would hear him. If not that, then they would see him gripping his arm, his neck, and his ribs here and there. Jaakuna was even slowing his breathing a bit. He wasn’t going to admit that he felt something bad was coming, but Jaakuna knew it. Like, it was the closer that they got to where he suspected his father’s body was, the more the pain would increase.

Almost there. Good. Very good.

Jaakuna definitely heard that, but who was it? He didn’t recognize the voice. It wasn’t his father, but Jaakuna heard it in his head. The voice sounded more sinister and more…evil? It also was layered and echoed. The voice itself sounded like something from a nightmare and Jaakuna was getting freaked out, but only on the inside. As Jaakuna and the group would continue on, he didn’t notice this yet, but slowly Jaakuna’s body was being overtaken by a black glow. It wasn’t noticeable fully, but it was very faint. By the time that the faint, black glow happened, they reached the twentieth floor.

Ripples in Reality: A World in Lines

Posted~ Sorry for shortness, though. :(

Ripples in Reality: A World in Lines

As Dominick would explain the whole situation of the borders, Carlos listened intently. That’s when Nikolai would finally say his name and Carlos, among all the craziness at the moment, would acknowledge it. Then, he turned his attention back to Dominick who was in the process of stating that two months ago strange things happened that included disappearances from this world to the human world. When Niko would state that the same thing happened in their world, Carlos would sigh.

Trying to process all of this, Carlos would wave to the spoon waiter. She came over. “Can I help you darling?” She asked.
“Yes, I’ll have a shot of whiskey please.”
“Right away hun!”

And with that, she would go off to give him his shot of whiskey. In a minute, he would have it and he downed it. “Okay, that’s better.” He said shaking his head fast and turned his attention tot eh topic at hand. “If that’s true, how do we even get back?” Carlos asked himself and also would be open to the others to answer as well.

---

When Lenore got back from manhandling the deer, she went back to Audrey who was holding her cheek. She didn’t know why, but Lenore didn’t bother to ask. She just would listen to the redhead about she didn’t have to slap her and asking Lenore about what she found out.

Lenore sighed, placed her hands on her hip, and would just speak. “Well, I didn’t find out how we could get out of here, but I did find out that we’re in some magical realm. It would seem a bit polar to our own.” She said scratching her head. “You know, something about this fit’s a story I saw on the news.” She said, “don’t you remember? The story about people going missing since two months ago and no one found them. Like, their bodies were never found, but their belongings were left.” Lenore continued, “I don’t know if this is the place that they ended up at, but if so, then maybe there are more humans like us here.” She said, wondering if there were other humans around.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Vincent wasn’t surprised that Roman was surprised by him. Given what Vincent had done in the past, this truly was an odd thing for the current emperor to do and say. Though, Roman would then ask how he planned on getting their father back. Vincent smiled and spoke to his brother. “You let me worry about that, brother. You just play your part for the people and when the time comes, I will let you know when everything is in place.” He said closing his eyes. “Now, I do believe you have a meeting with our dear grandfather. Best not to keep him waiting.” He said.

---

After arriving back in Stigma, they were in the workshop and met by Karolina. She informed them that they must leave due to the fact that the Viera were already there and hat they demanded Grant, Harris, and Emiri for the safe return of Reia. Silently, Wesley cursed at everything. It just wasn’t right. There was nothing going their way and now even though they had to head to Archades, he just hated every bit of this. He just didn’t understand why any of this was happening? Well, that’s not true, he did and he hated it so much.

“Yeah, it seems we’re going to need to go there.” WEsley said, “but Archades is a long way from here. How will we get there in time? I know these bikes are fast, but will they get us to Archades in time?” Wesley asked.

---

It was time. They needed to get going. Jaakuna didn’t want to leave his good friends, but he had to. He would exchange hugs with Wendy, Lannit, and the seven kids. Savayna and Isaiah would do the same. As soon as they did that, the group would head off, getting to the stairs. They would peak over to see who was on top of the stairs and right as they did, they saw Judge Francis. Jaakuna cursed to himself. The luck train just wasn’t rolling for them. And that’s when Francis spotted them.

Francis calmly walked down the stairs and pulled Jaakuna and the others from the view of the guards. “JAckson, what are you doing here?” He said, “Isaiah, why are you with them?” He then looked to Savyayna. “Okay, what the actual fuck is going on!? “Francis had question after question.

“Francis, been a while.” Jaakuna said laughing.

“This isn’t a laughing manner. If you were caught by anyone else, they would have slain you or took you to your brother. “ He said.

Jaakuna looked down and then back up to Francis. “I’m here to revive my father.”

For the first time, Francis had nothing to say cause he was dumbfounded. “What are you talking about?” He asked in shock and disbelief. “Your father died by your hands.”
“Actually, it was my father that Jaakuna accidentally killed. Grandfather orchestrated the entire thing.”

Francis couldn’t believe what he was hearing, never mind the fact that Hamut did it, but how exactly did he do it? “You’re going to have to give me more details.” He said.

Jaakuna didn’t know how to say it but to say it. “Father’s soul was trapped in Giruvegan by Grandfather and after talking with him, he is not in me and I’m on my way to get it back to him.” When Jaakuna said that, a sharp pain took form in his left arm and this time it reached all the way to the left side of his neck.

“Okay, that makes no sense, but what else? “ He asked.

“Father’s body is in the Draklor Labs. I think Grandfather or Vincent had it stashed away there for safe keeping.” Jaakuna said.

When Jaakuna said that, Francis was just in mortal shock. To think that something of this magnitude was happening. For some reason, Francis believed them and even stranger, he would help them. “Okay, I’m coming with you. You’re going to need my help.”
“What about my grandfather?”
“Jackson, just shut up and follow me.”

When they let Francis lead on, he used his status as a Judge to bribe the guards and anyone who dared to stop them, that included the citizens, and other such people. He would lead them to the point of the Draklor Labs, to which he would open it up for them and the rest was up to them. “I hope you succeed, Jackson and the rest of you be careful. I don’t know what will happen, but I trust you four got this.” Francis said as he departed in the aircab.

The group entered the Draklor Labs, not knowing what was to happen.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Vincent was so amused that Roman actually thought he wanted to kill his own brother. No, he wasn't going to do that. The old Vincent might've slain his own brother right then and there, but Vincent was a slightly changed man. "Roman, my older brother, I am not going to kill you, maim you, or even hurt a single silver hair. I have other plans for you." Vincent said. "I'm going to let you take my spot as Emperor. I will gladly step down." He said. "I know the truth, you know. About how Grandfather stashed away father's soul into Giruvegan, but there's something you didn't know about it. Father was near to getting peace around Ivalice. If he was successful, not only would Archadia be totally different than it is now, but Father, along with Empress Reia and the now deceased King Jonathan Rufus Dalmasca, would have all been known as The Big Three." He revealed to Roman. "Grandfather wouldn't have any of that, cause if Father would have succeeded, the judges wouldn't be around, Archadia would be a democracy, and there wouldn't be any power games." He smiled and laughed slightly. "I plan on getting father back. " He simply said and he would stop so Roman can digest this all.

---

When everything had settled down and the kids stopped staring at them like they were strangers, Jaakuna finally would speak seriously. "So, the word around the town is that Roman is coming to town?" Jaakuna said. Lannit and Wendy looked down, both patting their kids. Lannit would look up. "Yeah, the rumor around town is that he's here to take Vincent's place and also Vincent knows, so it's looking to be your brother is going to die." Lannit said.

Jaakuna looked down, bit his thumb between his lips. "Yeah, I know; Isaiah told us." JAakuna said. "But I'm sure ROman can handle himself. Worse comes to worse, Hamut will protect him, even though his methods are shady at best."[b] Jaakuna said frowning slightly.

Lannit didn't like this one bit. [b]"So, if you're not here to stop Roman or Vincent from killing your brother, then what exactly are you here for?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

JAakuna sighed and he looked to Isaiah, Emiri, and Savayna, just giving them a look that pretty much said that he was going to tell them. "Well, it' s like this." And so, Jaakuna told them everything that had happened with his father, about him being alive, about him being that new tattoo he has on his left arm — everything and he didn't leave out any detail. He even told them that they would be getting to the Draklor Labs by some way.

"Wow Jaakuna, you got yourself into some deep shi--"
"Darling, the children."
"Oh, sorry my dear."
"Dumbshit!"

Wendy and Lannit went back and forth, and they would kiss only to look at Jaakuna. "So, how are you going to get into the Draklor Labs? That place isn't exactly one you can just waltz all in on." He said.

Jaakuna laughed. "Don't you worry about us. We'll be just fine there."
"When do you need to be there?"
'We're going as soon as we can."
"Well shit, Jaakie! I guess all I can say is good luck." He said starting to tear up. Jaakuna was doing the same, and they hugged in a comedic way. Savayna and Isaiah shook their heads.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As they got to the pathway, it would seem that they wouldn’t be able to get away so easily. A shadow became below them and tendrils emerged from it. Though things did look a bit rough, a Protectga spell was placed around the trio from Nadeline and the tendrils bounced right off them. Then they came to the glyph which blocked them. Grant’s handy work of Darkga blew it away and in the minute that followed, the trio got on the two bikes and they sped away.

By the time they got out of the Gilmore Jungle and to the Ozmone Plain, the words of going back to Stigma came from Grant and Wesley agreed. “And let us not forget about Jaakuna, Savayna, and Emiri. They are all in danger from the ninjas.” Wesley noted. He knew things had changed and the two empires could not be warring against each other any longer. “Change is a comin’, and I think it’s high time we do something about it.” Wesley would muse loud enough for the other two to hear him.

---

When they were all sitting down, Jaakuna laughing it up with Wendy and Lannit. Savayna just shaking her head and Isaiah joining her in doing the same. Savayna knew these two and back in the day they all had fun, but she always seemed embarrassed by them. Jaakuna, however, did not care one bit. They were some of his best — and oldest — friends he had. Lannit looked to Jaakuna. “So, what have you been up to these past five or so years?” He asked him smiling.

Jaakuna’s laugh dwindled. “I’m sure you heard that I was wanted for murdering my father.” Jaakuna said looking down.

Lannit put on a serious face and then punched Jaakuna in the arm. “We all know that wasn’t your old man. Simon could never such a man that you would kill him for it.” Linnit said patting Jaakuna on the shoulder.

Jaakuna, widened eyes and all, smiled. “You’re right.” He cheerfully said.

“So, go on.” He said.

“Well, I’m a sky pirate, actually.” Jaakuna admitted.

Wendy and Lannit laughed. “That’s Jaakie for ya! “ He said laughing so hard he tipped over on Wendy, who threw him across the room, crashing into one of the walls.

“So, Jaakuna, is that all?” Wendy asked smiling.

“No, there’s a lot more, but too much for me to get into it right now.” He admitted. “I’ll just say I have had one hell of an adventure and I’m here to make it right.” He said. Isaiah and Savayna looked to him and they wondered just if Jaakuna blamed himself for everything, especially Savayna who looked at him in that very way.

Lannit, just getting up. “So, who’s the brunette?” He said crawling so fast that he was in her face.

“Lannit, you dumbass, stop being so damn creepy!” Wendy said tugging on his pants and pulling him back.

Jaakuna laughed and pulled Emiri close to him under his arm. “This is Emiri, my girlfriend.” He proudly said.

Wendy and Lannit looked to each other with widened eyes, jaws lowered, and in unison, shouted “WHAAAAAAAAAT!?” Then they examined Emiri so uncomfortably close that they were touching and sniffing and just seeing who could steal away Jaakuna’s heart. All the while, Jaakuna and Savayna were both getting that ‘I’m going to kill you look’. However, Jaakuna would punch the both of them and they would tumble once and be sent against the table. “YOU TWO ARE SUCH DUMBASSES!” Jaakuna shouted clearly angry. The two of them started comically cry.

As they would finish it up, they put on a serious face and Lannit spoke. “So, Savayna, how do you feel about Jaakuna here dating another woman?” He asked her grinning slightly.

“Oh shut up! I’m dating someone else, so it doesn’t bother me one bit. “ She said turning red.

And again, the two pirates would yell out “WHAT!” and then the same thing would happen to them, only Savayna would do it this time.

---

When Roman spoke about the hair, Vincent smiled. “Well, Jackson got his mother’s hair and you and I got father’s. Though, Jackson also got father’s rebellious spirit. “ He admitted and laughed. When Roman would speak about how Jaakuna slipped through his fingers, Vincent wanted to rage out, but he didn’t. He kept a calm center because he wanted to be rational for the time being. “Yes, he did. Our brother is quite the clever man when it comes to things like that, but of course, I don’t need to tell you that, now do I?” He chuckled mockingly, covering his mouth slightly with his right hand. As Roman would point out Vincent’s false smile, he would present that same smile to him still. “Well, imagine my surprise when I not only learn that our grandfather was planning on overthrowing me, but you, the Bastard of the Darcone name, will be my successor. How else do you expect me to act when I saw your face in the first time in six years?” He asked his older brother.

Ripples in Reality: A World in Lines

Posted~ i hope you don't mind what I did. If so, I can always change it. :3

Ripples in Reality: A World in Lines

As the midget would speak, Carlos would listen and from what he said it definitely wasn’t good. First, he was so astonished and surprised that Carlos and the other one were humans. Actually, he seemed more than shocked. The midget actually seemed in disbelief. When he asked them if they were sure, the guy next to Carlos actually pulled out his ID. As if he had never heard of rhetorical questions or even sarcasm.

Carlos would look to the midget would go on about something happening, especially with the two of them here. When the guy next to him asking what exactly that was, the midget would reveal that both worlds — this one they’re in now and the one they were from — would be coming to an end. Now, of course, Carlos was totally shocked by this, but he thought the midget was full of shit. Then again, just them being in this strange, new world was proof enough that anything could happen.

“What do you mean it’s coming to an end?” Carlos asked as he tried to remain as calm as he could.

The midget, not really able to cope with it, drank glass after glass. “The borders…they’re coming down.” He said almost in a trance, and probably a bit of disbelief.

Carlos would look at the midget and then to the only other human. “Oh, before we even continue, I’m Carlos Santiago, part-time DJ, and full-time cool guy.” He said holding out his hand as if that were the most important thing at the moment.

---

When Lenore had introduced herself, Audrey would shake her hand, but not before mentioning that her head was bleeding. And of course, she would state that she remembered Lenore from Professor Rhianon’s art class. Lenore would nod as if confirming what she said was true. She would also state that she remembered Lenore helping out with the props for the theature. Again, Lenore would nod confirming it, though she did it rather oddly and making ‘mhm, mhm’ sounds as she would do it.

After that was settled, Audrey would ask her where they were. Lenore would say something, but Audrey again would speak, asking Lenore if she was at that part on campus earlier. Lenore was getting annoyed that Audrey wouldn’t give her enough time to respond. Then, as if she wasn’t annoyed enough, Audrey would go on and on about how what they’re all seeing was hallucinations or that they might be dead and what they see all around them was what heaven looked like. Lenore was getting angry with her now.

And then a loud clap was heard.

Only, it wasn’t a clap. It was a slap and it was from Lenore to Audrey’s left cheek. The slap would leave a big red, handprint on her cheek. Lenore was shaking her hand as if trying to dull out her hand from the pain it was in from the slap. “I didn’t want to do that, but you seriously talk too much.” She said holding her hand. “Before you go wondering on what is, maybe we should politely ask someone where we are?” She said so bluntly as if insulting Audrey.

Lenore would walk on up to a homeless, pink deer playing the drums. “Excuse me sir, can you help us?” she said politely.

“Sure dolly, but it’ll cost ya.” He said winking at her.

“Of course big boy. “ She said slightly raising her skirt up, revealing red and black lace. The deer was getting excited, but then she pinned him the wall by his antlers, and leaned in close, covering his mouth with her free hand. “Now, I will give it to you good if you tell me just one thing.” She told him. “Nod if you agree.” The deer nodded. “Good, good. Now where are we?” She asked him.

Lenore removed her hand from his mouth. “You’re in the Magical Realm.” [/b]He stated, fearing for his life by the hands of Lenore.

“Magical realm? What do you mean?”
“Just as I said. You’re in the realm where all things magical exist with one another.”
“How is that possible? It’s just fairy tails and stories.
“To you maybe, but to us, you humans are fairy tails and stories.”

As they went back and forth, Lenore let him go, to which he gathered his things and departed. Lenore turned to Audrey. “This is getting really bizarre.” She bit her thumb between her lips.