Altered Tundra

Desolation Row(Altered Tundra and LimeyPanda)

I hope you like my post. I threw a few things that could be addressed, should you want to. :3

Desolation Row(Altered Tundra and LimeyPanda)

As he suggested to Beth that they go to an underground Mixed Martial Arts fight, Chris saw the look on her face. If he had to guess, she was legitimately surprised and shocked. Chris didn’t think it was anything out of the ordinary. Any chick he would invite to those things would jump at the chance. Maybe she wasn’t into the whole guys-beating-each-other-up-for-money-or-the-kicks thing. Though, Beth didn’t seem like a woman that Chris would often surround himself with. However, he did think something was wrong with her. She looked like she was in her own thoughts for a minute(at least). He would wonder if what he suggested really was that bad.

As he pondered about that, Beth would agree to it, but not until she took a shower, which Chris understood. She probably hasn’t showered since at least yesterday before they heist. She then said that she would be in the shower for twenty minutes and told Chris he was free to do whatever he wanted. “How generous of you.” He sarcastically replied as she departed to the stairs and went for her shower.

Chris thought about her suggestions and while watching Tv sounded all good and dandy, Chris thought this would be the time to make a call. Chris would go looking around for a phone and found one in a room just to the left from the kitchen. Dialing the number he needed, he placed the phone to his left ear. It would ring three times and deep, almost rugged voice answered. “Hey man!” Chris said.

“Fists!? You have a lot of nerve calling me.” Replied the man on the other line.

“Now, now, don’t be like that. “ Chris said as if trying to get his charm to work.

“What do you want? You know I’m on a tight schedule.” He replied.

“Okay, so here’s the deal. I went on this heist with that getaway driver Inks, right? Well, I thought it was going to be easy pay, but little did I know that it wasn’t even money. All we got was this artifact with two gem-like stones — one as blue as ice and one as red as fire — and the weirder thing is that somehow Inks and I got superpowers.” Chris explained to the guy as he was sitting on the couch.

“YOU MEAN THAT WAS YOU TWO1?” The deep-voiced man shouted.

“Yeah, that was us, but does this thing ring a bell, Damian?” Chris asked.

“I’ll put some feelers out, but you should really turn on the news. It’s all over.” He said and with that the call hung up.

Chris sighed, but Damian was not known to go against his word. He trusted the man, so he would turn on the Tv once he found the remote. He gripped the remote in his hand firmly and placed his thumb on the power button. The TV would flash and turn on and it was lucky for him, it was on one of the many news channels and it just so happened to be on the Daily Bugle’s news sation and J. Jonah Jamison was on and he was talking about the bank heist.

“Usually the news would be about Spider-Man and how everyone just loves him, but yesterday around six PM, the Bank of America on Seventh Street was robbed. According to several eye witnesses, there were two robbers and they made away with a secret artifact that officials are saying is false, but here’s my problem with it. What was up with the fire and ice left at the scene? Ten cops were murdered and there was even one witness who claimed that there was a man of large height claiming that he wouldn’t hurt her. That just rubs me the wrong way, I just--” Chris had heard enough. He shut off the TV.

Chris definitely had a bad feeling. He already had been found out and what was even worse, he didn’t even know what they risked their lives to get. He just couldn’t wait for the next day to come around. If they didn’t find out what the artifact did or what it was, Chris feared that they would be caught in due time. On that thought, Chris noticed that about fifteen minutes passed, so that meant Beth would be down any minute now. He definitely knew that going to the fight was a risk.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

About twenty minutes went by. All the cousins would get to know Nadeline. Or at the very least, get used to her and get their high energy out of the way. Once they got comfortable around her and Savayna, the energy was more relaxed, but loud bursts were heard from time to time. Wesley was sitting next to Nadeline and his mother Belle, half-sister Ayane, and step-father Nigel. Savayna was between Cousins Mel and Al, both eyeing the Ice Queen flirtatiously. Savayna was about to punch them, but Nigel would stand up.

Clearing his throat and taking his glass up, he had all of the family’s attention. “It’s not every day that Wesley comes to visit us. I wish it was more often, but I cherish the moments I have with my stepson when he’s here. Unlike before, this is different. He has brought with him the newest addition to our family. Even though we might not be recognized by the royal family of Dalmasca, we are still HIS family.” Nigel said. “So, in celebration of his bride-to-be, I raise my glass to the Princess of Rozarria, Nadeline Lenore Roselia Dalmasca. You are as bit of family as my sailor buddies from my youth.” He said raising his glass.

All the cousins, uncles, aunts, and guests would all say, at the same time “HERE HERE!”

Wesley downed his drink, armed around Nadeline. After he got used to his family again, Wesley was smiling, laughing, and even crying, though they were tears of joy and just being happy to be around his family.

---

Jaakuna heard the Viera speak about what he said to them, about his determination to protect not only his friends, but to prevent Emiri from ever fading away again. That’s when one of the Viera would say that cleansing one’s self was not an easy task and that one with a faint heart could not do it, but a mention about Jaakuna’s love caused him to not only raise an eyebrow, but smile in the process. A brief mention of how the Espers’ magicks go back into ancient times, probably even more ancient than that of King Raithwall. Still, the viera would assure Jaakuna that there was a way.

As Jaakuna listened further, the one in the red dress would state that they have Dream Powder. Jaakuna raised both brows as he has heard of such stuff. It was rare, even for him. Jaakuna never once in his three years of being a sky pirate even got close to finding one vile of Dream Powder. He shouldn’t be surprised. The Viera are mysterious and have access to mysterious items. Jaakuna’s positive surprise quickly turned into negative anger, the kind of anger that could only be brought to the surface by suggesting something that the viera talking did. What she suggested was that Emiri shouldn’t exist. His nostrils flared up, eyebrows sinking lower, and teeth grinding. Jaakuna was mere seconds away from tearing that Viera in half, but Aloa and the other viera stopped the one in the silver dress. This caused Jaakuna to stop his anger, at least the part that wanted to kill the bunny.

When the red dress-wearing Viera told Jaakuna what the other one meant, his heart sank. Jaakuna was in disbelief that he had to disconnect himself from anything in his heart. That would mean the love he had for his friends, the love for his family, and probably most important, the love he had for Emiri. In such disbelief, Jaakuna began to walk backwards, but he stopped himself, grabbing his head, shaking it, uttering “no,” repeatedly. The more he repeated it, the more it got louder. After a minute of doing that and probably defeaning the Viera in front of him, Jaakuna shook his head once more.

“Do you even hear yourself? You’re saying that to obtain my strength, I have to rid myself of the one thing that GIVES me my strength.” Jaakuna spoke as if trying to convince THEM. “I know you three are ancient Viera and you probably know all about magick and the mist and that’s cool, but you’re fucking stupid if you think I’m going to buy any of this!” JAakuna’s voice was loud as fuck. “To think that I have to give away everything that has made me strong, even the parts that are not really that good, is not only unheard of, but it’s completely preposterous.” He was on a warpath. “I came to the Garif, who sent me here, to find myself, to find the reason that I lost. I poured my heart and soul out to you three — two of you who are strangers to me — and you say that to find MY strength, I have to give up everything in my heart!?”

JAakuna was pacing back and forth and then he was right up close and personal to the Viera who suggested it. “Let me ask you this, oh great Viera, have you ever wondered what the touch of someone who you would die for does to you? Or how about finding out that after three years of thinking you killed your own father and it turned out it wasn’t him? “ Jaakuna’s emotion was so high at this point that his voice was cracking, almost as if he was about to angrily cry. “I bet you can’t.” He said, “You say that us Humes are greedy, selfish, and above all else, seek strength upon strength. Well, you’re goddamn right about all of that. We’re selfish cause we don’t want to feel the pain of loss and we’re greedy cause if we lose what we have, it’s gone from us for good and we’re left as empty shells, just as I was — am — just as I am.” Jaakuna turned around, back facing their fronts. His head looking down, he saw the darkness below him.

“If getting my so-called strength means giving up everything that makes me who I am, then to hell with it. To hell with cleansing myself of Zodiark, and to hell with you all!” Jaakuna’s head turned around, his eyes showing his resolve, and for a second a flash of white and red was seen. No doubt the Viera saw it. Jaakuna would look directly at Aloa. “I can’t believe you would surround yourself with such fools.“ He said, eyes looking directly at Aloa and only her and his words had to sting a bit. “Nadeline would be sick to her stomach with you.” Jaakuna said turning his head, about to walk away, but he wouldn’t take a step as he wanted to hear what excuse they could bring up such cringe-worthy words.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

When his mother was done doing what she always does when Wesley brings home a girl, Wesley eyed his mother as if wanting to properly warn Nadeline before she does something like that again. Wesley knew that Nadeline couldn’t have liked Belle fondling her like she did just a moment ago. Wesley knew that much just by seeing how surprised his fiancé was. Though, he did hear Savayna laugh it up as she was doing that. Wesley would pay no mind to the blonde to the right of him.

Belle looked at Wesley and heard the blonde in the blue dress. She eyed that one and smiled. She was pretty, but her Wesley had eyes for the princess Nadeline and that’s all she cared about at the moment. “Come all, let’s go meet the rest of the family~” She cheerfully sang as Ayane would follow.

As they went into the house, over twenty people, all with hair color across the board — blonde, black, brown, red, blue, green, tie-dye — just everyone had such colorful hair. Wesley waved to everyone and as if on cue, all of them shouted “WESLEY!”, which nearly deafened him, Nadeline, and Savayna. Wesley’s embarrassment at the moment was on an all-time high with no chance of clearing.

Belle would spin around and point out the family from left to right. “Okay, so here’s who everyone is, starting with the cousins.” She said as she would point to the black-haired folks, “We have Mel, Al, Stu, Nick, Bran, and Elaine.” She said as she went to the brunettes and redheads, “Here we have Uncle Lester, Aunt Simone, Uncle Ken, Aunt Alison, Uncle Damon, Aunt Angie, Uncle Fred, and Aunt Sue.” She said proceeding to the rest, who were the blondes and other assortment of hair colored people. “Grandma Winny, Grandpa Olaf, Peter, Maddie, and Selena.” She said as she finally came to a stop in front of a rather bulky, and medium-height man. He had orange hair that was spiked, loads of facial hair, and muscles that would make a bodybuilder look bad. He wore dark red pants and a white tank top. “This is my fabulous husband, Nigel.”

“Nigel.” Wesley said as he gave the man a nod.

“AHAHA! Wesley m’boy, get over here!” He said as Wesley would and Nigel gave him a noogie. Wesley would put on a rather irritated face as his hair was all messed up, but then as Nigel would release him, he would see all of his family.

“So uh, hey guys..” Wesley would timidly speak.

Everyone eyed Wesley, but then the attention went to Nadeline. It was like the eyes of prairie cats moving to one person to another. They all looked at the blonde princess and it took wacky Uncle Lester to step forward. Uncle Lester was fat, had blue hair and green eyes. He wore a suit that was of same colors. “You are Nadeline. We welcome you to our clan!” He said, voice odd and up there in the bizarre.

---

Jaakuna listened as the Viera in the silver assortment of clothing would tell Jaakuna a story about Shion, and how her life was also tragic. He would hear the Viera tell him that she came from a city in the now lost kingdom of Nabradia called Sempal, which was acquired by Archadia. Jaakuna really didn’t know what to think of the story. It was definitely tragic and when she would tell him that after Senpal declared independence from Archadia, they wiped it off the map and Shion was forced to reside in Archades. Jaakuna felt his stomach turn. He couldn’t’ believe that his father would do such a thing. Actually, he could, as his father at the time was under the watchful eye and manipulation of Hamut.

Jaakuna would listen in on the parts about how Shion demanded payment for her deceased brother and sister. To which Jaakuna would begin to understand why the comparisons between himself and Shion were made. They both sought power, but unlike Jaakuna, she got it from outside resources instead of borrowing it from someone else. Jaakuna knew that was the gigantic different between the two of them, even when the silver-dress wearing Viera would state that Shion proved herself to the gods and in that they offered her their strength, to which she denied. Jaakuna was now in more understanding about Shion and in the process, Jaakuna began to understand himself. Perhaps this was what The Gran-Chief was meaning by how the Viera could help him. Even when Aloa would speak about how him surviving his fight with Shion was no small feat. Even more so, Aloa would state that Shion has yet to show her true power. The Viera in the red dress would add that Shion using Ultima’s light was different from Jaakuna giving into Zodiark’s darkness. She would then state that when Jaakuna figured out the difference, true strength would be granted to him.

Jaakuna had so many things to address, and think about. However, the Viera in the silver dress would tell Jaakuna that he would need to rid himself of Zodiark’s mist. An empty look became Jaakuna. “I don’t know how I can though.” Jaakuna said, “I thought if I visited the Garif, they could do it, but the Gran-Chief guided me here to the Viera — to you lot.” Jaakuna was so unsure of what to do as in regards to rid himself of Zodiark.

That’s when he thought about what Aloa said about what he wished to do. He didn’t know. No, that was false. He did know. Jaakuna knew what he wanted to do, but could he still? Perhaps he could, but the real question was will they have him back. “I wish to protect those closest to me and to not let any harm come to them no matter the kind. “Jaakuna spoke as if his reason to continue on was starting to come back. “I want to rid myself of this shame that I feel deep within my heart. No, I need to rid myself of it.” JAakuna’s voice was just getting louder and louder and thriving with passion and confidence. “I want and need to prevent her from ever fading away.” And there it was. Jaakuna found his reason. Or maybe he just admitted what he wished. Yes, he did admit it. He admitted that he wanted to prevent Emiri from ever fading away from him from her cursed power.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

“Right away, Master Grant.” Iris said as the ship would depart from the Aerodome of Archades. No doubt Emiri and Grant heard the sound of the ship taking flight and jetting off into the skies. “Arrival estimated in twenty minutes.” IRIS said.

---

Wesley knew exactly what was coming. Even with Nadeline’s reassuring smile, Wesley didn’t feel any better. She didn’t know how worse his mother’s side of his family was as compared to Nadeline’s parents. Ayane was just a small fraction of how bad Wesley knew his mother could get, just the fact that Nadeline acted the way that she did to his little sister made it worse for Wesley — at least in his mind that was playing the worst scenario movie — of what Nadeline would react to his mother, especially his mother.

“Well, we’re here!~” Ayane cheerfully sang.

As they would arrive at Wesley’s mother’s house, the door would open, and the sight of a half-naked, big-breasted, blonde woman. “MY SON!!!” She said she then ran very eagerly, and tackled Wesley, smothering him in her white skin, boobs pressing against his face. That would bring him about five feet away from where he was previously. Wesley was trying for dear life to get the woman off and after about three minutes of him yelling out and her refusing to let him go, he got her off and she sat on the stone floor in front of Wesley sobbing. “My youngest son doesn’t love me! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW!?” She dramatically sobbed.

Wesley sighed quite loudly and got up, but not before his mother would get up too and hug him. “Mother please! This is not appropriate!” He shouted. “And what is that you’re wearing?!” He asked her in loud tone.

She broke away from the hug. “Oh this? Your stepfather picked it out. He said it makes me look ten years younger. Don’t you agree?” She said.

Wesley shook his head. “Oh mother..” He just kept on shaking his head. “Mother, there’s someone you should meet.” Wesley said as he guided her to Nadeline. “Mother, I would for you to meet Nadeline, my fiance and your future daughter-in-law.”

“WHAT!?” She shouted and asked, gasping rather dramatically. “HOW CAN THIS BE!? YOU’RE BARELY FIFTEEN!”
“I’m twenty-two mother.”
“WHAT!? BUT YOU LOOK SO YOUNG AND FIT!”
“Not appropriate, mother.”

The annoyance was building and it was obvious on Wesley’s face.

Wesley’s mother looked at Nadeline, examining her, circling her. She would lift up Nadeline’s skirt, examining her butt, she would then firmly grasp Nadeline’s butt. “Hmm, very firm. Good, good.” She nodded in approval. She would then appear in front of Nadeline once more, and squeezed the princesses boobs. “Ah, very soft and supple.” She then clapped and nodded. “You will make a fine wife for my Wesley.” She said smiling. “Oh, by the way, so you don’t call me Ma’am or Misses, my name is Isabella, but people around here just call me Belle.”

Wesley just couldn’t believe what his mother just did. Fondling his fiance and invading her privacy like that. THIS was exactly why Wesley didn’t want to bring Nadeline to his mother without notice beforehand. It was just a total disaster for him the moment she tackled him.

---

As Jaakuna would walk more down the path that led to the Viera Village of Eruyt, he saw the eyes of the Viera all look at him. He somehow knew that they sensed that he had some of Zodiark’s bad juju left inside of him. There was one Viera specifically that was dressed in black attire that eyed him much caution and bow ready in her hand, as if to prepare herself for the event that Jaakuna would attack. Jaakuna tried to pay no mind to them or at least let their looks of worry get to him.

As he was about halfway down the pathway, he was met by three Viera. One was in a red dress, braiding flowers into her hair, the other in silver, and eyed Jaakuna with curiosity. The other, Jaakuna knew all too well. It was Aloa, the one who has helped him out before. It was as if Aloa was Jaakuna’s own personal healer or something. Still, Jaakuna looked at her and heard her speak about how Humes yearn to gain power upon power. She would state that Humes were impatient, but one of the Viera would say that one was not impatient and then the Viera in the silver would mention how Jaakuna’s mist still had traces of her mist.

Her? Oh they must mean… Jaakuna knew they must be referring to Shion. It was with that, that Jaakuna instantly looked down, as if shameful of what has become of him. Still, he would hear Aloa silence the other two Viera and to listen to Jaakuna and see what the story behind him having Zodiark’s power in him was.

Looking at them, specifically Aloa, Jaakuna looked lost still. “They’re right.” Jaakuna admitted. “They’re right about how I don’t know what true strength is. Shion defeated me, and by some miracle, purified most of Zodiark’s power within me.” Jaakuna continued, “I don’t even know what I can say to explain why I accepted him. “ He said, “I guess the only thing I can say is that I was greedy, I was desperate, and much like most of men like me, I was foolish.” Jaakuna said. “I thought that I could control Zodiark and use it as I pleased. That was not the case. I--” Jaakuna stopped himself briefly.”--I was distorted. Transformed. Changed into a monster that I barely recognized. I had a terrible nightmare last night about it. I saw my reflection of who I was when I dropped my will to him. I saw what I became and now..” Jaakuna said, shame covering his face and tears forming. “I am just someone that I used to know — a shell and a husk of who I once was.” Jaakuna said as he finished.

As he looked to Aloa, Jaakuna didn’t know if she would help him, but he would ounce out one final sentence. “I was referred here by the Gran-Chief of the Garif. I just don’t know if you’re willing to help me once more.” Jaakuna found himself laughing at that. Aloa has helped him more times than he could count.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

On the Ifrit, Grant would ask Iris if there was any way to find where Jaakuna was heading or where he might be. “Master Jaakuna did not leave behind any specific directions to where he was going.” IRIS responded, but even the AI could emulate the worry tone that Grant had in his voice. “I can look up recent flight records from Airships leaving from Archades. One moment please.” Sounds of beeps would be heard as IRIS was processing the data from the flight records and a loud ding would be heard. “According to the flight records of Arcades’ Aerodome, Master Jaakuna boarded a luxury airship to the Royal City of Rabanastre.” IRIS told Grant.

---

Why me? Oh why me?

Wesley was feeling so much embarrassment at the moment. He didn’t think that they would encounter his family so suddenly. He at least thought that he would have some time to warn Nadeline about how overbearing his family tended to be. However, as it turned out, that was neither here nor there. Ayane, his overly-enthusiastic younger half-sister was right there in front of him, in front of Savayna, and in front of Nadeline, talking to her, introducing herself. What’s even worse, the first impression was not something that of a good one. Nope, Wesley definitely didn’t get that from the way Nadeline acted initially.

Seeing Nadeline present herself with a more calm nature, Ayane raised an eyebrow. Surely this wasn’t the Wesley that her sister Cassandra has told her about. No, this couldn’t be the wild one that had captured her dear older brother’s heart. Ayane found it odd. Still, she smiled at her future sister-in-law. “Oh it is!” She shouted, as she removed herself from a stationary postion and dragged Nadeline by her right hand. “C’mon, the rest of the family’s waiting for you and my dear brother of course~” She happily sang as she would tug Nadeline and Wesley and Savayna followed.

“Oh no, it’s happening..” While he followed them, Wesley was having a mini-meltdown. He was sweating bullets and Savayna looked over to Wesley as she saw him looking all types of nervous. She laughed quite loudly as the two of followed Ayane and Nadeline.

---

After hearing the rather kind and helpful advice from The Gran-Chief, Jaakuna at least found a little of him. He had some hope and that was just enough reason for him to continue on this journey of his. It would lead him into what the Viera just simply call The Wood, but to the rest of Ivalice, it was simply known as The Gilmore Jungle. Jaakuna has came to the Gilmore Jungle a few times, but it was never to visit the Viera. He would pass over it on his Airship through to go other places, but this time was definitely different. Jaakuna knew that much.

Going through the Jungle, Jaakuna encountered enemies, most of them just Hellhounds, so it wasn’t anything major. He was lucky that the stronger enemies that were in the Gilmore Jungle were near the exits. Still, Jaakuna’s mental state was taking a damper on his fighting abilities. Even with his two swords, he found it slightly difficult to kill even the simpliest enemies. Despite that, he seemed to have found his way to where he needed to be. Jaakuna would be in front of darkness that led nowhere, but he knew where it led to. He touched the darkness in front of him and a glyph would appear. Jaakuna slightly frowned, but something odd and welcoming happened. Instead of the glyph staying up there and Jaakuna having to wait for a Viera to allow him to enter, the glyph made a sound and faded. Now, he saw green steps-like glyphs appear, much like in Giruvegan.

“This is odd, but good.” Jaakuna said to himself as he went down the path. Somehow he knew that the Viera knew he was in the neighborhood and they allowed him to enter and so he would.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Being suffocated by her rather large breasts, Wesley was trying all he could to get Ayane off of him and that’s when both of them heard Nadeline yell and order her off with authority. Wesley knew she wasn’t happy and the compromising position he seemed to be in with Ayane wasn’t going to put him in any good wills of Nadeline. Though, Ayane would hear Nadeline and instantly get off and Wesley would gasp for air, breathing in and out, but he did notice Nadeline’s rather cold look upon her face.

“Now, Nadeline, it’s not what--”
“Wait!? Did you say Nadeline1?”

And it was with that, Ayane propped him, adjusting her top so that her tata’s were popping out. “I’m so sorry, I did not know that you were HER!” Ayane said as she took Nadeline’s hands. Wesley shook his head, repeating the phrase “Oh no, here it goes,” over and over again. Meanwhile, Ayane had Nadeline’s hands in hers. “I am Ayane Domalois, Wesley’s half-sister, and you‘re going to be my future sister-in-law!!!” She shouted, much to Wesley’s despair.

Wesley, not sure how Nadeline would react, spoke. “Now you know why I wanted to avoid coming here.” Wesley said rather anxiously.

Savayna couldn’t believe it even if she was just right there. What kind of stepsister would tackle their brother and call them Sugar Bear? Was that a weird Dalmascan tradition? Savayna surely wasn’t aware of it. To be honest, she thought it was a little odd that Wesley was dreading the journey to Balfonheim ever since he mentioned it a day or so ago. So, perhaps it was the other side of his family that made Wesley nervous. Regardless, Savayna would eat this all up.

---

As he traversed through the Ozmone Plain, Jaakuna looked around, hands in his red jacket pocket, and at the partly cloudy skies. The way the blue sky was slightly covered from the white clouds and the sunlight shining through the clouds just made Jaakuna feel a little better. It was peaceful and as he seemed to be right in front of the entrance to the Garif Village of Jarhara, he felt nervous. No, that’s not accurate. He felt wary of what was going to become of this visit. Jaakuna just didn’t know if the answers he sought were going to be given to him fully or if there would be puzzles. Yes, Jaakuna just was very wary of what would happen.

Shaking off the nerves, Jaakuna would smile at the sky before turning his attention to the entrance and he walked through only to come to a halt at the bridge. He was stopped by two Garif and they would block the entrance to the bridge.

“Male Hume, why have you come to the Village of Jahara?” The Garif on the right spoke.

Jaakuna looked at him with a lost look. “I--I came for guidance.” Jaakuna said as he was still unsure what he came to Jahara for.

The Garif that first spoke inspected Jaakuna’s frame from head to toe, but more so, he looked into Jaakuna’s eyes, sensing that the man who was in front of him was indeed very lost. “I sense much depression in your eyes. You are lost, you do not know what you want, yet you want to know.” The Garif said. “You may pass. The Gran-Chief may be able to cure your lost soul, young hume.” The Garif said as he would eye the other Garif and they would step aside.

Jaakuna nodded to them and would head into the village as he would go across the bridge and soon make his way through the village. What he saw kind of comforted him. In a way, Jaakuna felt right to be here and he knew that whatever he sought would be answered by the Garif. As he would indeed go more through the village, he saw several Garif of varying size run around, spar, laugh, and just enjoy what company they had. It just further added to Jaakuna’s need to be here.

When he came to the biggest tent in the village, the Gran-Chief, Ubail-Ka would signal him in. Jaakuna would enter, and sit before the old chief. “What troubles you, young one?” The Gran-Chief asked Jaakuna.

Looking at him, and hearing his question, Jaakuna looked down, eyes distant from his old self. “I did something terrible and I don’t know if I can ever come back from it.” Jaakuna said, shaking his hands as they clenched up into fists and were on the ground he sat upon.

The Gran-Chief placed a hand on both of Jaakuna’s. “Child, do not anger yourself, do not feel sadness for your regrets.” He said as Jaakuna would look up. “Allow your consciousness to enter my own and I shall help you, child.” The Gran-Chief said.

Jaakuna would simply nod, tears flowing from his eyes. The Gran-Chief would chant out some phrases in the Garif language and as he would, a glow would be emitted from his body to Jaakuna’s and then he would be able to see what bothered the blonde man. He would see everything from Jaakuna’s time with his friends(every bit of it) and all the tiems they laughed, cried, yelled, cursed, loved — everything. He would experience every moment that Jaakuna has since he first met Emiri till this morning when he left her and his friends. He would see all the events leading up to Zodiark being revived and just everything that happened to his father.

And then the glow stopped. The Gran-Chief placed a hand under his chin and hmm’d. “My child, you have had a busy two weeks.” The Gran-Chief chuckled. “You’ve loved, you’ve cried, and you’ve hurt. Everything you have done led up to this very moment, even giving into The Dark Esper’s power. All of it has led up to this very moment.” He continued. “You have lost your reason to fight, and where love should be, disgrace and shame rests in your heart.” He said scooting over to Jaakuna and placing a hand over the young man’s heart. “I sense something, young Archadian. You have a tough road ahead of you.” He said as he rubbed around Jaakuna’s chest, feeling for the pulse and the heartbeat. “Lingering deep inside you is the fire you once had, the fire that aligned your soul with the ones you love.” He said as he stopped his hand on Jaakuna’s central chest area. “Ah yes, a one Emilia Inaibi. She has your love, yes?” The Gran-Chief asked.

When Jaakuna heard all that the Gran-Chief had to say, his eyes widened on the mention of Emiri. “Y-yes, she does. I love her with all of what’s left of my heart.” Jaakuna said as if he had given up on the notion of love. “I-Is there anything you can do to help me, Great Elder of the Garif?” Jaakuna asked almost with pleading eyes and voice.

Removing his hand from Jaakuna, the Gran-Chief looked at him. “Your fire is there, it calls to you, Jackson of Archadia. It begs for you to return to who you were before. It wants you to let go, but you can’t cause of the darkness you feel. That much I have sensed since you came to the Ozmone Plain. I sense the same darkness you gave into still lingering inside you and it demands you abandon those who love you unconditionally.” The Gran-Chief said, “To find yourself once more, you must rid your body of this darkness once and for all.” He finished.

Jaakuna looked at the Gran-Chief. “And how can I do that? “ Jaakuna asked.

The Gran-Chief shook his head. “I know not how to, but a highly-respected Viera whom I know can help you should know how.” He said, thinking back on this specific Viera. “She and I go way back to a time where I was still young.” He said sort of laughing.

Jaakuna raised an eyebrow. Oh gods, don’t let it be her..

“Former Tribe Leader of the Viera, Aloa.” He said, “I trust you know of her.”

Jaakuna was not shocked in the least. He was just shocked that he expected himself to be. “Yeah, I know her. We’ve ran into each other quite a few times.” Jaakuna admitted.

The Gran-Chief laughed, coughing cause he was a little too much. “That is who you must seek out, Young Jackson.” He said.

Jaakuna sighed and would stand, bowing to the Gran-Chief. Jaakuna wasn’t at all sure what would come of his meeting with Aloa, but he did know one thing. If she couldn’t help, then Jaakuna was truly fucked. Before he left, Jaakuna would shake the Gran-Chief’s hand. “Thank you, sir. You at least gave me purpose to continue on and your observations of my fire has helped me at least a little bit.” Jaakuna said. The Gran-Chief nodded to Jaakuna as he watched the blonde youth walk out and head out towards the Viera Village of Eruyt.

that's so meta || character storage thread

Name: Cerden Celebrindal
Age: 49
Gender: Male

Personality:
While in the empire, Cerden was that kind of guy that always was about the mission and he didn't care what it took to get the job done, as long the mission was completed. In some aspects, Cerden was down-right brutal and above all else, he was completely loyal to the empire. He obeyed every order that The Emperor gave to him, even the ones that caused near genocide to some races. Cerden took it without questioning The Emperor's motives. He was a loyal general, and when something really horrific happened, Cerden's outlook on the empire began to dwindle. His loyalty became faltered and everything that made him who he was began to shift. Cerden questioned everything, but just the little stuff at first, but then that's when his humanity began to surface. He began to show compassion to those wronged and destroyed by the empire. Soon, Cerden began to be sympathetic to the so-called enemies of the empire.

When he defected from the Empire and betrayed his brother, Cerden began to adapt a certain front to himself that slowly went from being aware of the empire's evil ways to doing all that he could to stop them. Of course, his traits of being completely loyal to a cause somewhat dwindled. He now has become more relaxed and easy-going as compared to the past. Some might even say that Cerden has gone into such a way that he is quite lazy. Those people are right, though. He presents himself in a relaxed-like manner. Though, that's only cause the last ten years have taught him that life was short and that being super-serious all the time ruins one's complexion and outlook on life. Speaking of which, his has changed as he tries to enjoy himself more. Still, he will turn his fighting mode on should the situation call for it.

When one gets past that all, Cerden is driven by what he must fix. He betrayed his brother and he feels now that he must fix it. This has caused a certain edge to Cerden to be clouded underneath his relaxed and almost lazy-like mannerisms. Underneath that all, he is focused beyond belief, so don't let his near-unmotivated front confuse ya.

Appearance:

Cerden

Cerden has a rather tall frame. His height borders almost seventy-seven inches, which averages around six feet and five inches. His weight matches his height perfectly and it comes at just over two-hundred-and-fifty pounds. Or if someone is going by the kilogram system, it’s just past one-hundred-and-ten kilograms. With that in mind, it should be no surprise that Cerden’s build is definitely muscular, but it’s nowhere near the level of being bulky. Some might even say that his build represents that of an top-notch athlete or something of the like.

Cerden’s non-build features are as to be expected. His skin tone is definitely human and it’s of a creamy mocha color. Of course, his age shows as his skin shows aging, but for his age, it seems to be on a rather attractive note. His eyes are piercing red, showing the feeling of seriousness and a huge undertone of relaxed. His hair is around shoulder-length, to which he keeps flowing straight. His hair is of silver and white shade. It’s hard to tell the difference between the two, though.

Cerden’s attire isn’t really anything to out of the ordinary. Actually, it’s quite simple when one really thinks about it. He wears a matching longcoat and pants along with boots and gloves all black and grey throughout. Each are tied down by several belt-like materials of dark brown color. Underneath it all, however, he has lines that seem random go all around his body, his lower half, upper half, face — everywhere has these lines connecting and making new lines.

Faction:

A former general of The Empire, now a neutral party. He will sometimes take part in what the Unbound Hearts are doing, but for the most part, Cerden is a guy who is neutral and only after one thing: His brother, Nomis.

Weapon:

Brother's Requiem
Once belonging to his father and forged with magic-infused titanium, Cerden's two weapons take the form of a normal-sized sword and a short sword/long dagger. Both are identical to each other in every way and they appear to be two halves of the same weapon. The obvious difference is that one is shorter than the other. Still, that doesn't disprove the fact that they seem like to be two halves of the same thing. Cerden carries — and uses both — with great pride. It's the one thing that he can smile happily about his memories of his late father.

Powers/Abilities:

Glass Manipulation

Much like his adopted brother, Nomis, who can manipulate a special kind of metal called Taint, Cerden can manipulate glass. Some call it just a sub-power of Sand Manipulation or Earth Manipulation. Those people are correct, but Cerden can bypass the traditional means of creating glass through hardening sand. He can create glass from his own magic. He can manipulate pre-existing glass and expand it to whatever he desires. Cerden has also been known to multiply the amount of glass that he can create or manipulate. He’s even shown to be able to create constructs of glass or surround it around his weapons or even his body, which he refers to as Glass Armor. Cerden can also move the glass with his mind and even shape it to which he can ride it as if like air or water. He can also breakdown glass into shards and guide them where he desires it to go.

Cerden’s skill with Glass has been acclaimed by not only his brother, but his associates that they dare not anger him cause the amount of usage and the potency of it is all tied to his emotional state. If in a good mood, his powers are more stable and he is in control of how much goes into one attack. However, if his mood is anything but that, then all hell breaks loose. His glass becomes rough-around-the-edges, which is not a good thing considering that rough glass cuts through solid materials like it’s butter and it doesn’t leave a clean aftermath either. Usually, shit will get real bloody real fast.

Expert Tactician and Strategist

Due to his long stint in The Empire, Cerden has shown that he is able to plan ahead of his opponents, which was one of the main reasons that The Empire first got him. Of course, it was cause of what he did with his brother, Nomis, but that’s irrelevant to this specific skill of his. He’s also been very aware of what his opponent would do before they would do it and be able to come up with complex plans that would more or less ensure his victory. He can also adapt to almost every situation in the event that the original plan he set in motion doesn’t go as had set it to be.

During his time with The Empire, it was being this good at coming up with plans that he was no doubt one of their top generals, just because he had such prowess of coming up with full-proof plans. It might even be why he has a big bounty on his head cause he was such a big asset to The Empire. While that’s true, anyone he aligns himself with knows his face and they know of his abilities in this area.

Supernatural Condition

Some say that Cerden’s feats of physical prowess stems from his foster father experimenting on him or just a natural gift that he’s had since birth. Some say that he came into contact with supernatural forces somewhere down the road. Whatever it might be, it all comes to the very fact that Cerden’s physical prowess is unlike that of any normal human being or anything. His body has been forged to exceed human limits and as such, every ounce of strength, endurance, and other such things are at a level that is, quite literally, supernatural and unheard of. The range of his supernatural feats can go form being able to react faster to almost anything to being able to last longer in a fight than most. It even goes into how he fights with weapons, specifically bladed weapons. Just about everyone one can imagine that has been upgraded to the supernatural level, odds are it is.

Strong Alignment to Earth Magic

Possibly due to his Glass Manipulation power or just his overall connection to the earth, but Cerden has proven capable with Earth Magic and/or manipulating the earth with his magic. Though he seems to be not as well versed in this type as he is in Glass Manipulation, it’s still pretty high up there and he uses it quite often in battle.

Healing Magic

More of a necessity for Cerden. Since he has been on the run from The Empire, he had to learn how to heal his injuries that of which his supernatural body could not. As such, he took up healing magic. He isn’t able to heal wounds that would put him on death’s door, but he is able to use it to such a length that allows him to be out of harms way.

Bio:

Haunted by a dark past and grave mistakes he has made, Cerden tries as much as he can to fix them, which has sent him on a quest to undo said mistakes. To do that, he will have to find the one person he must fix even if it costs him his life.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

From when they exited the Ifrit and went through the Imperial City of Archades, the trio of Wesley, Nadeline, and Savayna would swiftly make their way down Old Archades and into the Sochen Cave Palace. Of course it was full of fiends, but the more that they went through this place — the current one being the third time — they found it a lot easier to traverse through. The monsters seemed weaker. Or maybe it was because they were getting stronger. Wesley’s newfound Earth magick made it easier for him to defeat them quicker and Savayna’s ability to freeze enemies on whim made it easier. Wesley would even notice that Nadeline’s powers have increased quite the amount. Even the ghouls that they faced, which usually were hard for Nadeline to defeat, she seemed to get them into death with little effort.

When the trio had exited the Cave Palace, they would see the Tchita Uplands, which as always, was divided in appearance. Half of the area was full of lush, green grass and the other half with muddy, almost swamp-like grounds. Still, Wesley cared not for the way it looked. His full attention would be to go southeast of the location of it they’re currently at and head to the Cerobi Steppe, to which they will arrive at the Port of Balfonheim.

Continuing on, the trio would make their way through the uplands, killing enemies as they went. They would come across some Malboros and other monsters that fit the Tchita Uplands’ theme of muddiness. Wesley did like the soothing breeze that the Tchita Uplands seemed to have today. It brought him some much-needed comfort as he would lead the two ladies into the Cerobi Steppe, to which had a very interesting contrast to the Tchita Uplands. It was more rustic than the dividing landscape that the uplands had. Still, the trio would not have the time to stop and enjoy the scenery. There was still a lot of ground to cover.

Traversing through the Steppe, the trio would go through the first area. Savayna looked around and looked to Wesley. “What’s this area called?” She asked.

Wesley looked around and he remembered this area. “Old Elanise Road. It’s very famous to the residents of Balfonheim Port.” Wesley said sounding really nostalgic. Savayna would look at him raising an eyebrow, but would not press that further as they would continue onward.

As they came out of the first area and came into the next one, Savayna would ask again and Wesley would respond by saying that the area that they were in was called Crossfield and that it had three areas to which it could be entered in. Wesley would then tell Savayna and Nadeline that the place was the center of the Steppe, but the direction they needed to go was south and into the Journey’s Rest, to which they would arrive after ten minutes of walking and killing as minimum monsters as they could. While at Journey’s Rest, they would do as the title of the area suggested and rest for about five minutes. They would just catch their breath and drink up on some water and eat some of the rations that they had tucked away in their bags.

When they were done, the trio would make the final march through Terraced Bank and after three short minutes of sprinting through, the final area of North Liawell Hills would come to their sight. Wesley would start to show slight anxiety as Nadeline most likely saw and Savayna noticed it as well. However, Wesley put on a brave front and led the two ladies on a straight trek through the area, fighting monsters and other hunters only when approached by them. Though, the hunters wanted to prove their strength against the group. Of course, they were easily overpowered by the trio, but especially since Wesley’ would just launch them miles away using Earthquake and Tremor, which prompted laughs by all three of them and cheers from Nadeline.

“Well here we are..” Wesley said as if dreading it. The sight of Balfonheim came and as they walked through the area that led to the Steppe, Wesley stood there(the two ladies were walking still) and he couldn’t believe that she was here. He most certainly thought she was at least in Dalmasca or somewhere else not here.

“SUGARBEAR!!!!” A bubbly girl cried out, running to Wesley, and hug-tackling him to the ground.

Wesley’s face being dug into the girl’s rather large breaths and he was crying out for help. He would muffle out the words “Ayane…stop…you‘re killing me…”, but it was of low volume and the two girls were at least a ten feet away, but Savayna was the one who noticed that Wesley wasn’t with them. She then looked behind her and saw Wesley being hugged to death(literally) by some girl in a bikini. “Um, Nadeline..” Savayna said as she pointed her finger behind her towards Wesley and the woman currently hugging his head and suffocating him under her rather large breasts.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

When Wesley had just gotten his Sword of Order, he would only have that. He felt that it was all that he needed for the journey ahead. Even more so, he just didn’t think that having a shield anymore was what suited him, not now at least. Perhaps it was being granted the Lion Seal or given a weapon that belonged to his ancestral father, King Alistair Raithwall, who used it to bring peace during his era and Wesley knew that he would do the same in the current era. After he strapped the Sword of Order on his right waist, he would make his way to the Beaming Station.

Savayna too would make her way to the Beaming Station following Wesley as she got her Ice Queen Sword and her Crystal Ice Shield, to which she placed around her left arm. As she followed Wesley, Savayna became lost in her thoughts. She wanted to say more to Grant, but she would probably just come off as some petty, jealous bitch. It wasn’t like she wanted to feel like this, but knowing that they’ll be alone together — Grant and Emiri that is — something under her skin just crawled at the thought. She knew that all it would take was one thing, be it a slip of Emiri into his masculine arms or Grant seeing how venerable she was, and then the two of them might just be in each other’s arms, kissing, hugging. The thought made its presence known on Savayna’s face as she arrived at the Beaming Station.

When Savayna arrived, Wesley took notice to how uneasy she seemed to be. “Is everything alright?” He asked her.

She lightly gasped, and her cheeks bared moderate redness. “Um, it’s nothing. I mean, I hope it’s nothing.” She said flustered and nervous.

Wesley smiled and eyes were closed. “Don’t worry, I’m sure nothing will happen.” He said.

Eyes opened and a sound escaped her mouth. “I don’t know what--”

“About Grant and Emiri.” Wesley said, “I’m sure nothing will become of them while we are away.” He said.

“What makes you think I’m worried?” She retorted.

Wesley chuckled. “Do not try to hide that you’re worried something might happen; it’s written all over your face.”

Savayna’s face became even more red. She didn’t know that it was that obvious. “Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. If you can find me out..” She said as she thought back to when she spoke to Grant. “Then surely he..” She was panicking.

“Just relax Savayna. Grant loves you. Sure, once upon a time, I’m sure he loved Emiri, but that’s ancient history. Besides, even if Grant were to act upon his feelings, Emiri’s heart belongs to Jaakuna and only Jaakuna.” He would try to ease her worry.

Savayna knew that he was right, but there was still that lingering thought that she wouldn’t be thinking like at all and that she would respond to Grant with a regretful kiss or something. Then again, the thought of why she doubted Grant’s loyalty to their — Savayna and Grant — relationship began to creep on her. She then looked at Wesley. “You’re right, Wesley.” Savayna said smiling gently.

Wesley would nod and smile back and see Nadeline come in. “Okay, now that we’re all here, let’s go.” He said as the three of them would step into the Beaming Platform and in seconds they would be out of the Ifrit and en-route to Balfonheim.

---

From the time that he got some much needed advice from the Bartender at the Sandsea Tavern in Rabanastre, Jaakuna followed her guidance and would make his way over to the Village of the Garif. He didn’t know if he was going to find what he was looking for there, but he knew that it was at least a place to start. He did find himself wondering about Emiri. He wondered how she was doing and even with the message he left for her and the others, would she understand? Was she angry at him for leaving even though he promised he would talk it out with everyone in the morning? She had to be livid with him. Or maybe she was just so depressed cause he left. Jaakuna didn’t know, but he couldn’t stay with her or with his friends until he figured out what he needed to figure out.

As he was about halfway through the Giza Plains, Jaakuna looked up and he didn’t think that the rain would bring such a sadness to the plains. Perhaps it was also cause of the way he was feeling too. He had just came off of a battle with Shion who had purified him of his Zodiark powers. Jaakuna was happy that she did, but there was also a part of him that felt empty without it. Maybe Jaakuna felt that he was leaning so much on Zodiark’s power that without it he didn’t feel like himself. Either that or after he got stripped of them, he was exposed to the harsh truth that using Zodiark’s terrible powers made him not himself. Whatever it was, Jaakuna would just struggle on.

By the time Jaakuna made his way through the Giza Plains, he came to Ozmone Plain. The last time he was in this area of Ivalice, it felt like a lifetime ago. Though, in all truths, it was only about six or seven days ago. Still, Jaakuna knew that the Garif were only a good three to ten miles away and even more so, perhaps his answers to all of his soul-searching questions would get answered.