Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

It would seem that both Emiri and Grant agreed to the idea that Wesley brought up of them staying in Archades, specifically the Ifrit and the rest of them — Nadeline, Wesley, and Savayna — would go to Balfonheim Port on foot to further the mission of gathering the rest of the espers. Wesleyreally couldn't say much in response to them, but he would give a nod. "Then I guess first the three of us should get our stuff ready." Wesley said looking to everyone. "Nadeline, Savayna — we'll meet at the Beaming Station in ten minutes. We must make haste." As he said that, much like the former Commander he was, Wesley trotted off as he would leave the group and just go get ready.

As she watched Wesley head off, Savayna looked to Grant. She really didn't have many words to say aside from what she was feeling and she knew that would be not-so good idea to say them, considering they were of nothing but jealousy. Though, with that being true, she just looked at Grant, as if wanting to say something. Anything. "Take care of her." That's all she found the strength to say. From her mouth, supportive words came, but her eyes bled of jealousy and of the need to want to speak such jealousy, but she didn't.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

When it was decided that Wesley, Nadeline, and Savayna would head to the Port of Bolfonheim and that Grant would stay with Emiri, Savayna would peek over behind the wall and see Emiri and Grant still in each other's grasp. WEsley would notice what Savayna was doing and he would tug at her, causing the blonde to release a mild yell. "What's the big idea pulling me like that?" Savayna said, almost yelling. WEsley just shook his head and released an annoyed sigh.

Wesley would motion Savayna and Nadeline to follow him back into the Dining Room, where they would see Emiri and Grant. He would sit down at the table, and sigh, but then he spoke. "Savayna, Nadeline, and I will go to Balfonheim port." Wesley would inform them, "You two stay here and wait for Jaakuna." He said specifically looking to Emiri. "I know when he's done doing whatever it is that he set off to do, Jaakuna will come back to you, Emiri." Wesley said with the most gentle smile he could offer.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Why was she feeling such jealousy? Seriously, Savayna hadn't felt such feelings since she found out about Jaakuna and Emiri. While she still has deep feelings for Jaakuna, they're more that of a sister-brother/best friend-type of feeling. It was much different with Grant. She loved him and that jealous, selfish, shallow part of her was hating the fact that Emiri was crying in his arms and that WEsley pretty much made her and Nadeline leave them alone. Even as Nadeline would pretty much explain the situation, what she said — no, more like how she said it — just made her even more upset than she actually was. Handle her? What does that mean? Savayna definitely didn't like the way Nadeline said that. Was Nadeline meaning in a sexual way? Gods know that Grant and Emiri have a history and with Emiri's emotional state, who knows what she'd do in a time like this.

When Nadeline corrected herself, it didn't make Savayna feel any better. Just the fact that Grant might fall into whatever temptation there might be with him and Emiri alone made her shutter at the thought. Still, she knew Nadeline was right and despite whatever feelings of jealousy and complete paranoia she had at the moment, she had to put them to the side. "You're right." Savayna simply said. Wesley would look to Savayna and then to Nadeline, thinking about just everything. "I think that would be best. Emiri needs someone with her, so that she's not totally alone in her pain." Wesley said.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

When the recording that Jaakuna left for everyone else finished, they all would take it in their way. Of course, there was a silence after it finished, but with Nadeline’s rather awkward cough as she cleared her throat, she would point out that Jaakuna wasn’t forced to leave and that he did so on his own free will. Even more so, she would further say that they should continue with their mission of getting the remaining espers. Wesley agreed and so did Savayna.

Grant would look to Wesley and ask him that he said someone in Balfonheim could help them. “Yeah, something like that.” [/b]Wesley sighed.

When he got up, Savayna did as well as did the others, but they would instantly take notice to Emiri he seemed to be still in response to the recording Jaakuna left. Wesley would take notice that she would wobble and then fall, landing in Grant’s arms. She would then utter some words. Wesley couldn’t make them out, but the next thing that everyone knew was that she would start to sob into Grant’s chest and hug him. Everyone looked at her with sad faces. Savayna was sad for Emiri, but she couldn’t help but feel a ting of jealousy, but that’s probably just because Emiri was hugging Grant. She had no right to feel jealous, and yet there she was.

Wesley would tug at Nadeline and Savayna, bringing Savayna close to him and Nadeline. “Let’s give them a minute alone.” He whispered to them as he would lightly tug them away from the Dining Room. Savayna didn’t want to, but she didn’t really have much of a choice.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

This was not something that Francis thought he would ever do. If this was the day before, he wouldn’t even think about doing such a thing, but after meeting Shion and pretty much falling for her majestic beauty, Franics knew he had to do this. He couldn’t be a Judge while being with her, now could he? Nope, he most certainly cannot, which brings him to Hamut’s office. He already did what he needed to do with Roman.

As he was in front of Hamut, he stood there as nervous as he could and obviously the old man was not happy in the least. “So, what exactly does this mean, Francis?” Hamut asked him, trying to remain as calm and rational as he could.

Francis gulped. “It’s as you read, Hamut. I am handing in my resignation as Second Judge. I already did so to Emperor Roman and he has accepted it.” Francis said, “I know that I did not have to do so with you, but for as long as we’ve known each other, I thought it was only the respectful thing to do.” Francis finished.

Hamut was not happy, but for his friend’s sake, he would not show anger. “Well, Francis I can’t say that I’m entirely thrilled, but you are a man who goes by his word. Who am I one to stop you?” Hamut said as he stood up and placed the paper down on his desk. “Though, do enlighten me on why exactly you did this?” Hamut asked him raising a brow.

Francis inhaled and exhaled. “Why does any man do anything?”
“You met someone, didn’t you?”
“Well of course.”

Hamut smiled and laughed, and then coughed cause he was laughing so much. “Well tell me about her?”

Francis couldn’t help but laugh too. “She’s mysterious, bold, ambitious, sweet, aggressive — just everything my ex-wife wasn’t.” Francis laughed more.

Hamut grinned. “Ah, Annabelle, she was a prude, wasn’t she?”
“Hey now, that’s Michel’s mother you’re talking about.”
“Oh right, I apologize, but still. This woman sounds like a wonder.”
“Oh she is.”
“I guess I have nothing to say but to wish you luck my friend.”
“Thank you.”

After exchanging a hug, Francis would depart from Hamut’s office and the old man would keep his laughing going for a while longer. Even as he sat down at his at his desk, a chuckle would continue.

---

As everyone slept soundly, the yelling from Nadeline would wake them all up. Wesley would rub his eyes as he sat up from his bed and he would hear that Jaakuna was gone. That made Wesley prop up straight from his bed and onto to his feet, finding his clothes that he usually wears — his black longcoat, grey pants, and silver shoes. He would step out of his room and he would see Grant was up, asking where Jaakuna could have gone and Wesley didn’t know either.

As just about everyone was up, Savayna was still adjusting tot eh current noise levels and it took her a few minutes to get up and she would get up slowly. She was definitely taking her sweet-ass time getting her dress and armor on, as she just wanted to be ready for anything. Still, she couldn’t help but hear that Jaakuna went missing. When she got fully clothed, she too was out of her room and everyone was in the dining room by the time that she too arrived.

When Savayna walked into it, she saw a frantic Emiri pacing back and forth and just a bunch of confusion. “So, ol’ dumbass left huh?” Savayna said as she sat at the table, lazily resting her arms on the table.

“C’mon Savayna, be a little more caring than that.” Wesley said.

Savayna shrugged, but she really was wondering where golden boy was. “Why not just ask Iris?” Savayna suggested.

Wesley actually thought that was a good idea. “Iris, did Jaakuna leave anything for us before he left?”
“Master Jaakuna left a voice recording for all of you in case you wondered where he went.”
“Play it please!” Iris would play it and Jaakuna’s voice would be heard.

I know you all are probably hating me right now or are wondering why I left. Truth is, I couldn’t face any of you after the disgrace I brought to myself and every single one of you. I don’t know when I’ll be back, but I just needed to take some time away from everything. I needed to just find my reason again. It might seem selfish, but it’s something that I needed to do for me.

To Emiri, I know you’re probably feeling all sorts of emotions right now. You’re mad as hell at me for using Zodiark’s power, and you’re probably crying up a storm. I don’t want you to worry about me, babe. I’m going to be okay. I just need to find myself again. I hope that you understand. I never meant to hurt you. I love you so much.

As the recording ended, Wesley — and probably everyone else — looked to Emiri. Wesley nor Savayna would speak.

---

Jaakuna knew that leaving was probably not the smartest thing to do if he wanted to patch things up with his friends and Emiri, but in his current state of mind, he just couldn’t face them, at least not yet. He had to find a reason for himself again. He knew he wasn’t going to find it staying with his friends. That’s why Jaakuna left, just so he could find himself again, even if it meant taking a day or so away from them all.

As that was so, Jaakuna was in Rabanastre as he took another airship to Rabanastre that led from Archades. He was currently in the Sandsea Tavern, specifically at the bar. He was drinking shot after shot after shot of ale, and the bartender would clean off the countertop and eyed the lost Jaakuna. The bartender was a white woman with long brown hair and green eyes. She spoke with a rather country-inspired accent “What’s troubling you, sweetheart?”

Jaakuna smiled. “I don’t know. Recently, I did something really stupid and I don’t know how I can come back from it.” Jaakuna said as he leaned against the countertop.

“It seems to me that you’re lost, sweatpea.” The bartender said.

She was right. Jaakuna was actually a little shocked at how right she was. “You’re right, but how can I find myself again?” Jaakuna asked her as if she could help him.

The Bartender felt for Jaakuna, she really did. “Whenever I’m feeling down, I take my ass to the Garif. They might be sociable, but if there’s anyone that they can help, it’s you hun.” She said smiling at Jaakuna.

Jaakuna would smile and down the remainder of his drink. “I suppose it’s worth a shot.” He said getting up. “Thank you.” He said as he left the Sandsea and would head to the Ozmone Plain, which was where the Garif resided at. Hopefully, Jaakuna would find whatever it was that he was looking for under the guiding and help from the Garif.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As much as Jaakuna wanted to agree with them and say that they were right(except Grant cause what he said just was too obvious), Jaakuna just couldn’t do that. Not only was his mind in a place where he couldn’t see past what he did and how it obviously hurt the ones he cared about the most, he himself didn’t feel like himself. Perhaps Jaakuna wanted to just take time away from everything and get a clear head. Or maybe he thought he would hurt them at any given moment? Whichever the case, he would hear Emiri and nod and said nothing.

Wesley looked at how lost Jaakuna looked and while he wanted to say something, he knew that there wasn’t much that he could say. He would then hear Emiri and nod as Jaakuna had just did. “Yeah, I think it’s time we retire for the night.” Wesley said.

It would seem everyone just nodded as well, but Jaakuna didn’t do much else. He just walked up and went to his room, not even looking at Emiri.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As Shion would speak, Jaakuna knew that she was right. He was fully-transformed with Zodiark’s influence and she still beat him. And she was right about the flower petals. She was right about how before all of them would fall, Jaakuna’s death would be imminent. She was right about how Jaakuna assured that she would be victorious the moment he decided to surrender himself to Zodiark. She was right about everything and it made Jaakuna sick to his stomach. Even now, as Jaakuna was behind all of his friends and his darling Emiri, he felt so ashamed. Though, to his surprise, one thing did come shining out of this. His clothes would magically appear on his back once more, as if being granted to him once everything had finished.

Looking at them, Jaakuna was going to say something, but what could he say? That he was sorry? That he shouldn’t have done it? That he didn’t know what he was doing. No, he knew what he was doing. He did it all voluntarily and he knew the risks that would come to it. Jaakuna knew it all and he was so disgusted with himself. Wesley would turn to Jaakuna, seeing the complete despair on his friend’s face. “Let’s go back to the airship.” Wesley said as he would start heading to the aerodome, as well as the others. Whatever they would talk about would have to be said aboard the ship in private.

As they would head off to the Aerodome, it would only take them five minutes as the airship was somewhat close to where they were. The five minutes that it did take them to get there was full of nothing but awkward silence. The girls were mad at the guys and the guys were so disappointed in themselves, that they really didn’t want to speak even if they were asked a question.

Aboard the Ifrit, and in the dining room, everyone sat at the table, silent. Wesley looked around the table and he didn’t even know how to bring up a conversation. He knew eventually the elephant in the room would have to be addressed and currently, that elephant was blonde and had just done something incredibly foolish. “I think--”

“Save it Wesley, I know.” Jaakuna said with the least amount of life in his voice. Jaakuna was still looking down, completely feeling like a husk. No, that’s not right. He was just so broken about what he did and about how he knew that on the inside, everyone was hurting cause of what he did and so goddamn angry at what he did, but perhaps the question they wanted to ask was why he did it. “I know you’re all thinking it and don’t even bother asking it.” Jaakuna said in the same lifeless-like tone. “I know what I did was beyond foolish. I know that nothing I can say will ever explain or justify it.” Jaakuna said, “I know that there’s no turning back from any of it.” Jaakuna said sighing and looking at everyone, but he would stop at Emiri, mouthing the words of ‘I love you’, but then he would just look at no specific direction. “I’ve decided that it would be best if I left..” Jaakuna said.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Michel just stood there and looked at the two sisters going back and forth about whether or not Lola was crazy or not. These two sure had a weird way of showing that they loved each other as siblings, not like Michel would know. He’s an only child and cause of that, he never knew the pleasure — or displeasure, depending on who the person was — of having a sibling. If anything, the closest person he has that could be considered a sibling would be Savayna and well everyone knew how that ended up.

On Meli’s cue, both Lola and Michel would jump into Meli’s shadow and they were gone from the area they were just at.

---

Oh boy, this is not good at all..

Wesley didn’t like this at all. Nadeline knew he kept a secret from her and a big one at that, not to mention that he didn’t even get the chance to tell her. What was even worse was that Nadeline would not stop glaring at him. He knew she was beyond pissed with him and without even saying anything(yet), he could just hear her words of disappointment and surprise(the bad kind) in his head. It wasn’t until Nadeline and Emiri would start speaking that Wesley could feel him shrinking and them getting taller and louder. Even when Grant would explain it, Wesley didn’t feel like it made things any better. Honestly, he felt as if it got even worse, specifically when he made a mention towards Emiri and her powers. Yup, none of anything being said was going to lower his heart rate.

“We can talk--” Much like with Grant, the words of Wesley were cut off by a rather horrific sight. It was the sight of a fully-transformed Jaakuna and Wesley couldn’t help but just stare, eyes widened and mouth dropped. Savayna was the same. Neither of them could understand how Jaakuna could give into such a beast like Zodiark.

As everyone was looking on, Jaakuna, fully-aware of what was happening, smiled, laughed even. He looked on first he saw multiple blue rose petals seemed to be scattering around and then Jaakuna couldn’t help but notice a bright light from behind her and then he saw her blade circle in front of her. As it came full-circle, there were twelve blades of pure light. Once she called out some word, the twelve blades instantly shot off to Jaakuna and from what he could gather, half of them surrounded him and shot off beams of holy light while the rest came in for a physical attack.

When the ones coming after him-physically, Jaakuna did all he could to fend them off as he would raise his right arm and try to blow them up using spontaneous bursts of black fire. A few times, it would miss, but the eventually the blasts would get them, but one did get by. It stabbed Jaakuna in the right thigh, and exploded on his thigh. Jaakuna could notice that in the place of the sword was his hume flesh. Eyes widened and Jaakuna understood now, but he realized it before it was too late. The beams of light that were firing from the swords circling him were starting to purify him. Each beam would hit him and each hit would cause a yell of pain from Jaakuna’s mouth. Even if he had got about three of them to explode due to the black fire that would come from his arms as he waved them, there were still three circling him and shooting off beams of purifying light.

By the time three minutes had elapsed, the swords were gone due to Jaakuna doing all he could to get them away from him, but the end result was that Jaakuna was more or less back at fifty percent of being transformed. The areas in which were gone was the right side of his head and neck, the left torso side of his upper body, and his entire right arm and left leg. It was when he was at this point that the border-like barrier separating Jaakuna and his friends were gone. Jaakuna himself was on one knee, panting and breathing heavily.

When Wesley saw that the barrier was gone, he didn’t even wait for anyone else, nor did Savayna. Both of them went in front of Jaakuna, Savayna with her weapon in hand and Wesley’s hands glowing white. He wasn’t going to allow Shion to attack Jaakuna anymore. The blonde in question looked up, trying to stand, but pain beyond his own comprehension went through his body and a yell of representation of that pain was released from his mouth. “You..don’t have to do this. I can take her.” Jaakuna said finding all the strength he had to just stand up, but his legs were shaking and using the strength he had to stand up would cause the rest of his former demonic self to crumble away, leaving a naked Jaakuna behind Wesley and Savayna.

Wesley turned back to Jaakuna. “Just shut up and let us handle this.” Jaakuna’s eyes were widened and Wesley turned back.

Magik Ther Was

After catching up on the posts, I will be doing mine either tonight or tomorrow. :D

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Continuing to heal Lola, Michel had no choice but to stop here and there from the words that the two sisters were exchanging. While verbal at first, Meli’s leg came into Lola’s gut a few times, thus why Michel had to stop at points, which made the healing go on longer than he had thought it would. Though, eventually Meli would stop her physical assault on her sister and just settle for verbal. It was cause of the ceasing of physical violence that Michel had finished. Granted, Lola would still be sore and probably not at full health, but her wound was closed and she would at least be able to walk.

Michel stood up and brushed dirt off his clothes. “Now that we’re done here, I think we should head to boss.” Michel said, “I’m sure you two felt that sinister feeling before. It’s Zodiark, but it’s weird,” Michel said, “It feels like it’s coming from Jaakuna.” Michel couldn’t place it.

---

Before anyone of them could do anything to stop Jaakuna, he had raised his demonic arm and sent a controlled wave of what looked to be black fire and had separated them from even trying to interfere. Wesley was more intrigued by this new brand of fire than worried. Of course, he was worried for his friend. He didn’t know if Jaakuna gave into Zodiark’s power voluntarily or if it was Zodiark doing it by force. Whichever was the case, Wesley didn’t like it. Even more so, he would see that Emiri was in some sort of denial or something and that she touched the border-like barrier of Jaakuna’s black fire.

When Nadeline had took Emiri’s hand and what it was, she would heal Emiri’s burnt hand and the brunette would then say that it was Zodiark and that he was giving into the King of Esper’s powers. That’s when Grant and Wesley exchanged looks. A bit relieved, but it still was very, very bad. The fact that Jaakuna gave told Emiri was good, but the fact he gave into Zodiark was just confusing for Wesley.

When Emiri told them that, Savayna couldn’t believe it. She was livid with Jaakuna for doing it, but even more so with Grant. No, she wasn’t as mad at Wesley(Nadeline would take care of him), but Grant, oh she was beyond livid with him. She would appear just slightly behind him, but on his side, and put her right hand on his right shoulder. “So, is there something you want to say to me, darling?” Savayna said rather calm, but she was everything but that.

In the barrier of black fire, Demonic Jaakuna could see Shion looking at him, as if she wasn’t even going to attempt to do otherwise. He would see her lift her two blades and the light of Ultima would grace both and combine into one single blade of ethereal white. Jaakuna smirked at the sight of it. He was impressed, but it didn’t mean much. He had more than enough power to handle this.

Jaakuna’s power was tested as Shion took her blade from above and struck downward at Jaakuna. Using only his demonic arm, Jaakuna raised it up alone and would try to block it. Instantly, bits of white light and black fire would meet. Jaakuna’s arm was being bent down as if losing the struggle, but then as he would dig more into his power, Jaakuna would raise his arm up more and shove the sword slightly upward. By doing this, the fire around Jaakuna’s arm increased in both overall strength, but intensity. It got to the point that Jaakuna’s arm was a literal arm of black fire. More so on that, a loud yell came from Jaakuna’s mouth, mixed with demonic sounds, and his body began to develop more of the demonic appearance he had, specifically his other leg was about halfway composed of the same look that his already-transformed leg had. Adding to that, Jaakuna began to walk forward and each step left a small trace of black fire.

At the point that Jaakuna took three steps, he was not only pushing back the Ultima Blade back(and Shion by result), but he was also slowly getting fully transformed. By now, the transformation had completely taken his lower body and was almost halfway up his torso, past his abdomens. “You..will not defeat me!!!” JAakuna yelled out as his arm then exploded in black fire, sending Shion and her sword back a few paces. In doing so, Jaakuna’s body was surrounded by pure black fire, the ground burning where he stood and his transformation was complete, much to the shock and horror of his friends and his fiancé.