Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

“Guts huh? Funny. I’ve always been told it was stupidity.” Jaakuna laughed, but then saw how Karolina and Lorenzo were acting.

These two definitely were an odd couple, that was for damn sure. They acted like a couple of teenagers who were in the height of their love. Granted, Jaakuna didn’t mind it all that much, it still made him just shake his head. Obviously they thoguth they were still young. Granted, Karolina could pass for early twenties and Lorenzo mid-20s if he wanted to. Regardless of what age they could pass for, the fact of the matter was that Lorenzo gave the answer that Jaakuna was looking for.

“Alright, then can we make haste? I don’t want to waste any time.” Jaakuna told Lorenzo. He wasn’t sure if those who did it were still around or if there was anything Jaakuna would be able to do, but he was dedicated to at least try. Besides, he always wanted to go on a boat.

---

“Oh? What’s this?” Ultima said, her curiosity peaked when she saw a glyph below her. She recognized it. “Are you sure you can handle this spell, Nadeline Lenore Roselia?” She looked at the girl and saw the determination in her eyes. She obviously believed she could.

Ultima shrugged as she saw what was to be expected: demonic arms rising from the ground, and attempting to take Ultima with her. “You know, for any other esper, this might be trouble, like Belias, for example.” Somewhere within the Esper Domain, Belias was scowling down at Ultima. “Regardless, this will not work, young one.” Ultima snapped her beautiful fingers, the flash of white light surrounding her finger, and the tentacles were instantly purified, shunned back to the depths of hell where they originated from.

“Fuck! Try something else, blondie!” Savayna shouted to Nadeline, acting as both advice-giver and cheerleader.

"Hang in there, Nadeline! I believe in you!" WEsley joined Savayna in cheering her on.

Ultima ignored Savayna, and looked at Nadeline. Her eyes examining the girl briefly. “You are skilled, that much is certain - much more than I originally gave you credit for. And you have a never-give-in attitude, but if you wish to harm me in any way, you will need to dig deeper inside of your soul.” Ultima lifted her right arm up, palm horizontal, and open. A white silhouette appeared, long and thin. As it materialized, a spear the length of Ultima’s six foot-three-inches, vertical appeared above her. Golden like the accessories that Ultima herself wore and a shade miles lighter than her own skin, this spear had a long handle and a golden diamond-shaped jewel that had three, much smaller jewels in the center and on the left and right of it. The tip of the spear was like that of a small sword. Mist surrounded it in blue, gold, and white. “Nadeline Lenore Roselia, here is where I truly test your strength. In my right hand, I hold the Golden Lance of the Virgin. It is my greatest weapon. If you wish to defeat me, then you must reach into your own mist field. If you cannot, then you truly aren’t destined to tame me.” She said, holding her spear upward. “Now, prepare yourself!” she said, the lance glowing white - and Ultima as well - speeding gracefully and elegantly towards Nadeline with a piercing motion with the spear. It was like watching a dancer move effortlessly across the dance floor or a battle general fight with little to no problems.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

“What kind of people would do that as a warning?” Jaakuna asked, clearly uneasy about the entire thing.

When they did start telling him about what they knew, Jaakuna found himself, surprisingly, uneasy about hearing it. To cause such a large - and widespread - amount of damage just to send a warning, the people responsible must either have big plans, or are truly twisted right down to their very core. It sickened Jaakuna just thinking about it. You know it’s bad when Jaakuna Darcone became truly sickened by something or the actions of someone.

“Nabudis - such a shame what happened there.” JAakuna remember hearing stories about Nabudis from his father. It was truly horrifying, even thinking about it lit up that fiery anger inside of Jaakuna. “Prince Lorenzo, I’d hate to ask you this -especially when I understand that you have to be with your wife during this troubling time, but could you show Emiri and I where the explosion site is at?” Jaakuna understood he was probably asking a lot, especially given the circumstances, but was there really any other choice in the matter?

---

When Nadeline had effortlessly fended off Ultima’s attack, The High Seraph let out an amused sound from her mouth. She was impressed. Obviously she underestimated the Rozarria princess. She won’t make that mistake again.

As Nadeline would charge up some lightning-based spell, there was Ultima ready for whatever she had to give her. Sounds of crackling lightning made Ultima simply blink her eyes once, a veil of protection magick forming. It was just as well because, just three seconds later, Nadeline announced her attack, and a ball of black lightning came forth at the speed of - yup, you guessed it! Lightning. - it came, and Ultima did nothing. Her Protection Veil would be enough. However, there was a problem with it as Ultima noted with the arch of her eyebrow. The ball of lightning, though it didn’t get through, it seemed that her Protection Veil and the Shock spell were at a deadlock. Apparently the amount of defensive power Ultima had placed was equal - or maybe slightly less than - that of Nadeline’s Shock.

“This is most certainly unexpected.” Ultima noted, “nevertheless, you’ll have to do much better than that.” she said, hands placed in front of her. Pulses of Magick surging through the golden-white veil in front of her, and it sent forth the shock spell upward to the mist-filled clouds of Giruvegan, sounds of exploding lightning heard. What Ultima didn’t realize was that the explosion was surprisingly great that she didn’t expect there to be such a large hole in the clouds. Even more so, it seemed that the clouds were now transformed into thunder clouds. “I take that back, Nadeline Roselia. You seem far more capable than what I see before me. Because of that,” Ultima paused. Her mechanical castle spinning, a mist field generating below it almost like a jet propeller. It then started to come apart, dissolve was more like it. It dissolved into copper brown-colored fragments of mechanical steel, with Ultima’s feet landing on the ground.

“Uh, what’s she doing?” Savayna asked, looking around for answers.

“I’ve read about this in a text one time.” Wesley recalled. “And if she dissolves that which she sits upon, then true light will be seen, for The High Seraph will show her true power when her two golden feet are planted upon the same soil that the Humes she watches over walk on every day of the year.”

“In simple terms?”

“Just watch, and you’ll find out.” Wesley smirked much to Savayna’s annoyance.

“Nadeline Lenore Roselia,” Ultima called out, her dress hiking up somewhat, leaving the ground, “I realize now that I, The High Seraph, may have underestimated you. That stops now. If you truly want a fight with me in every essence of that word, then as you Humes say,” Ultima’s arms were spread out like a cross, “show me what you got!” she arrogantly smirked.

CLOSED.

<Snipped quote by Wintergrey>

She's coming at tomorrow the latest. I have to say, that I've changed my mind. She won't go after Anna @Aewin, she'll go after her beloved Jax. >:D

@Dirty Pretty Lies

RIP Jackson.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As Jaakuna pleaded with Emiri to use her power, knowing full well that the results could be catastrophic. He wanted to make her see that her ability, while handy when used, should only be a last resort. Jaakuna has seen the error of his ways when he would ask her to use it for his selfish needs. He knew that always asking her to use it just because something wasn’t going their way, or a mistake needed to be fixed, wasn’t the way to go. There were other options available to them. There was always another way. She didn’t always have to use her gifts. Herbs could help her father when he regains consciousness. Hell, once Aloa gets back to Stigma, she could work her Viera voodoo magick, and possibly steer Andre in the right direction. She didn’t have to use her power like that all the time.

Karolina and Lorenzo talked to her, Lorenzo being the one to use a more confronting tactic. Of what Jaakuna knew of this man, that was very unlike him. Of course, Karolina was trying to not have any fights - or threats - being made. Emiri, for whatever reason that was unknown to Jaakuna, was seemingly egging him on, trying to engage in a fight of sorts. Jaakuna didn’t understand this. Why was she acting this way? And then, as if like a ton of bricks on a Styrofoam table, it had hit him. Levi did this. He couldn’t explain how - no wait, he could explain how. It was when she was on the ship, healing her memory. Okay, so if the how is explained, then why? Jaakuna would ponder on that in a minute, but Emiri required his attention because she was in much pain.

“Emiri, what’s wrong?” Jaakuna asked her, looking at Emiri. She wouldn’t answer. All she did was grab her head with both of her hands. For a moment, Jaakuna felt completely helpless as he couldn’t do anything to help Emiri in this state. And this, as if like a light switch, she had returned - the Emiri everyone knew had returned. Jaakuna was going to open his mouth, but then he didn’t. He didn’t have anything to say at the moment. He saw a smile behind her hands, and that was enough for him to be at ease for the moment.

Jaakuna then took a slight sigh of relief, and looked towards Lorenzo and Karolina. “I do apologize if this is the wrong time, but do either of you know what caused the explosion? Or perhaps any leads on who might’ve been behind it?” Jaakuna asked. He understood that it was probably bad timing, but ever since he got word of about the explosion, it had been bothering him. Perhaps it wasn’t his business since it was Rozarria and clearly Jaakuna was Archadian, but as Emiri’s soon-to-be husband, he felt like it was his problem too. Besides, he felt he owed it to Justine. For all of the horrible things he said to her when they first met, he had to make it up to her in some way. Finding the one who caused her death - as well as many others - was the least he could do.

---

"Bold words, Nadeline Roselia. Be careful, you might find yourself regretting them.” Ultima spoke plainly, arms raising. “This is your last chance. Do you still wish to challenge me alone?”

“Hey, Queen Bitch on the castle!” Savayna called out.

Ultima raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased with that comment.

“She already said that she was going to, right?” Savayna said, “Nadeline is a lot of things, but a liar isn’t one of them.” Savayna, to her surprise, was defending Nadeline again. Perhaps people are able to change, after all, even such people like Savayna Glacie.

“Very well,” Ultima chuckled. “Nadeline Lenore Roselia of the Kingdom of Rozarria, I, Ultima, the High Seraph, and the last remaining Esper left unclaimed on Ivalice, hereby formally accept your request for a one-on-one battle.” Ultima said.

Ultima’s mechanical castle rose from the ground, and her arms quickly came to her side. When they did that, light from the mystical clouds of Giruvegan shined down. Bolts of pure, holy magick that only the likes of Wesley could only hope to obtain, was shot down, aimed at Nadeline. The amount, though in the single digits, seem to have some kind of homing feature as all of them were coming at Nadeline - and fast.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

And Jaakuna thought his family was fucked up. Seriously, the Rozarria Royal Family had a lot of problems, most of them seemingly coming from the head of the family. Or would that be former head? Since Lorenzo’s father is obviously dead. Regardless, Jaakuna listened to Lorenzo’s words carefully, hearing how he, similarly to Emiri, didn’t shed a tear for his father’s death. Though he did feel remorse for his death, no tear was shed. Emiri wasn’t like that. Lorenzo pointed out it was because of the pure, simple fact that she simply didn’t care.

“What are you trying to say?” Jaakuna asked, though rhetorical, it was still a question that he was now asking himself. If she didn’t care about her mother’s death, then what would become of her in the sight of her father. As they would come into the room he was placed in, Jaakuna would soon found out.

The sight of Andre wasn’t a pretty one. His body had odd colors. Jaakuna recognized it somewhat. It had obvious signs of Myst poisoning. Even worse, he was barely conscious by the looks of it, or maybe he wasn’t even conscious. Regardless, Jaakuna clearly saw that he had seen better days. Even more so, Emiri has seen better days. Having seen her mother dead and now seeing her father in this condition, Jaakuna was becoming severely worried for his love.

When Karolina began to explain the condition, Emiri stated she could fix him. Jaakuna knew what that meant. Anyone who had half of a brain - which everyone in the room did, including the unconscious Andre did - would know that she was referring to her ability to roll bad time on someone or something. And on that note, Jaakuna was going to stop her, or at least attempt to.

“But you’re not!” Jaakuna said a little louder than intended. He stood in front of Emiri, his hands on her dainty shoulders. “As Karolina just said, you’re still recovering. Granted, your memory is back, there is still no guarantee that you will be able to use your ability in the way that you’re thinking. It nearly killed you saving my father. The only thing that saved you was your bastard of an Esper, which I’m sure he won’t hesitate to do again.” Jaakuna looked deep into her purple eyes. “Just let time help him, I beg of you.” Jaakuna told Emiri, urging her to be patient, and let Andre heal naturally.

---

“You decided? I guess I was absent, but I could have sworn we all agreed to do this together.” Savayna scratched her head, looking at Nadeline as if she had gone completely bonkers.

And that’s when Grant came in pretty much echoing what Savayna had said. “Yeah, listen to your uncle, Naddie!” Savayna said, furthering her look at Nadeline. “Even if you somehow got a buttload of strength suddenly, what are the rest of us supposed to do? Just watch you get your ass kicked. We won’t wa--” Suddenly Wesley stepped forward.

“Savayna, please.”

“What?”

“If this is her decision, then we must respect it.” Wesely gave Savayna a serious look.

“Do you want her to die!?”

“Do you - both of you - have that little faith in her strength that she would not be able to do this? Do you not realize that there must be a reason why none of the other espers chose Nadeline? Hashmaal chose me because of my family. Zeromus chose Grant because of your similar life experiences. Maeteus chose you because - well, because of how both of you seem to be a perfect fit.” Wesley said, looking to Ultima. “Or do I have it wrong, High Seraph?”

Ultima chuckled, genuinely chuckled. “Well done, Hume Prince of Dalmasca.” her hands clapped lightly. “It is true that they all chose their Humes based on either past connections or similar experiences. And what you say about the princess here holds some truth. Maybe she is the one who will tame me. Or maybe she will fall like all before her.” Ultima eyed Nadeline and the group.

“You may be right, but we will not allow that to happen.” Wesley said, “if it is your wish to take on Ultima by yourself, then we, as your fiance, as your uncle, and as your possible good friend will support you. All three of us will act as your back-up. Should you need cover, we will provide it. Should you need distractions, we will provide it. Should you need power, we will provide it.” Wesley said, eyes upon Nadeline. Those same eyes that proposed to her, the same eyes that professed their love for her. Those were the same eyes that would stand by her, even if it cost him his life.

“Yeah, I guess we have no choice, isn’t that right, Grant?” Savayna looked at Grant. She knew he was skeptical - she was too, but faith was required of them if they were going to make this happen. Savayna knew that Wesley was right: it was Nadeline’s destiny to tame Ultima.

“Whether together or individually, you all shall fall to The High Seraph.”

CLOSED.

@Wintergrey
@Dirty Pretty Lies is doing a collab with @Aewin, and @Universorum that's going to include Audrey, Analise, and Troy. Since I'm sure that the Ana-Audrey exchange would take a good amount of back-and-forth responses, it was time-efficient to just go ahead and do the collab.

Your Top Ten Favorite Movies of All Time

Placeholder for a bump.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

It didn’t take them long until Jaakuna and Emiri had made their way into the castle. If it wasn’t just like how Stigma seemed, it was even worse. The bright colors that the castle seemed to be known for was now dimmed down to silver. It was probably to accommodate the scene of sadness that seemed to overtake Stigma as a whole.

As they made it past the foyer, Jaakuna took notice to Emiri’s rather fast brisk walk. It soon became a run. Jaakuna found himself actually having some kind of difficulty keeping up. Though he did keep up his pace, he was always a few feet away. When Emiri came into the King’s Throne Room, there was Prince Lorenzo and Lady Karolina hovering over a casket. Emiri stopped by there, and Jaakuna stopped just a foot and a half behind her. Though slight distance separated him from them, he could see tears from Karolina’s eyes. When Jaakuna peered his eyes to the person that was in the casket, it confirmed what Jaakuna had hoped not to be true. If not for Andre’s sake, then for Emiri’s sake. Even though they had their differences, which Jaakuna had been witness to a few times, Justine was still her mother, and Jaakuna just knew that, even if not now, someday in the future, it will hit her, and that’s when she’ll realize that her mom was dead.

Jaakuna wanted to say something to Emiri. He wanted to assure her that it would be alright, that her mother’s passing will be sad, sure, but she’ll be able to get past the mourning phase, and be able to look back on her life with her mother - before they moved into the castle - and realize that her mother and what she did for her, was out of some form of love. Jaakuna wanted to say something as he witnessed her and Karolina hugging. He wanted to say something, but Jaakuna didn’t. It wasn’t because of he couldn’t think of any words that would help. No, it wasn’t that. The reason he didn’t say anything was because that he saw something in Emiri’s body language. He couldn’t place it, but something was … off. It wasn’t just her body language, but Emiri wasn’t even shedding any tears or when she was comforting Lady Karolina, there wasn’t a mention of her losing her mom - just that Karolina lost a sister.

When asked about Andre, Karolina warned Emiri about his condition. Jaakuna wouldn’t be surprised if he was in a coma. An explosion like that and being pretty close like it would definitely put one in the ever-peaceful town of Comaville. Still, with Emiri knowing that, she wanted to go regardless. So, Karolina led Emiri there, and the men followed. However, Lorenzo paused his movement, and looked to Jaakuna. The blonde male began to ask him something. “You don’t need to ask.” Jaakuna said before Lorenzo was able to finish what he was going to say. “I noticed it too.” Jaakuna confirmed Lorenzo’s suspicions. “She looked … glad about Justine’s death, almost as if it brought some kind of relief to her.” Jaakuna was deeply troubled by this. He didn’t want to say it, but could it be connected to what Aloa sensed within Emiri when they went to go see her? Did Levi do something to her? It angered him, but Jaakuna kept it under control.

---

“You speak truth, Hume Princess of Rozarria. The presence of The Keeper of Precepts, I have grown stronger. It was required of me for I am his opposite. Where there is dark must always be like. As long as he is free, I will not rest until Ivalice is safe.” Ultima said, looking down upon the four that dare challenged her.

Their attempts have been futile, meaningless even. So far, Ultima has simply been testing out their strengths.

“As I watched you go around Ivalice collecting us, I have seen your strength. I am not entirely confident that you will defeat the Keeper of Precepts, but you are the best shot Ivalice has. However, while I have seen your strengths, I have also seen your weaknesses, specifically you, Redeemed Prince, and Boisterous Princess.” Ultima brought herself to the ground, the tip of the machine castle she sat upon touching the myst-covered ground. Her alluring, odd-looking eyes giving a glance to Grant and Nadeline. “You two, despite your rhetoric, have not proven to me that either of you are deserving of what has been handed to you. When I look at Zeromus’ Hume, I do not see an arrogant Hume. I see a scarred child who has lived a tormenting life. And when I look at the energetic, bubbly hume girl, I do not see that. I see the scared, naiveté underneath all of that adventurous spirit.” Ultima said, an arrogant chuckle released from her mouth. “It is my understanding, Princess of Rozarria, that you are the only one of the six of you without an Esper. Unless your intention is to somehow tame the one that cannot be tamed, I am your last shot. If true, then you will have to show me that you are worthy of being called my Hume.” Ultima said to Nadeline.

Through it all, Wesley was silent, but no longer. “High Seraph, you are mighty, that much I know to be true. And yes, you might be close - if not equal - to Zodiark’s power. And sure, you could wipe us out without a moment’s hesitation. But, I must be completely blunt here,” Wesley stepped forward, hand on Nadeline’s shoulder. He gave her a nod, and looked back at Ultima. “You are, despite your mighty power, an Esper. Just like the other eleven, you too shall fall to the very Humes you have been watching over for as long as the myths about your rebellion to the gods were revealed to us.” He said, holding his sword, aiming at Ultima. She smirked. “If it is Nadeline’s destiny to tame The High Seraph, then I, Wesley Alexander of the Kingdom of Dalmasca, her soon-to-be husband, will do all that I can to ensure that.” Wesley stood his ground against Ultima.

“Not alone you aren’t.“ Savayna stood forward after having effortlessly dealing with the final light orb that surrounded them. “Glad to see you finally got whelmed.” She smirked, looking at Ultima too. “I may not be Nadeline’s best friend or anything, but she’s tough. She might not be Zodiark tough, or even me tough, but she’s got moxy. That’s enough to take you on, Ulti!” Savayna, just like Wesley, pointed her sword at Ultima. “Do not underestimate us. Individually we may be weak, but - well, hell you’ve see what we can do together. We put most of you to shame!” Ah, there was the Savayna that everyone loved. “So, stop kidding around! Show us what you really got!” Savayna should really just shut up. Both her and Grant’s mouth will get them killed.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Whether it was flying through the skies of Ivalice on his Ifrit, playing around Archadia when he was a kid, taking on monsters with the incredible powers that he was granted, or riding his Aegis War Bike such as he was doing now, Jaakuna had always, for the longest time, enjoyed the thrill of high-octane speeds. He lived that kind of life for the better part of the past couple of years. Long before meeting Wesley or Emiri or the royal children of Rozarria, Jaakuna lived for the moment. He still does, but now with purpose. He lives the moment because of the people he met along this journey. He lives for the moment because of those who count on him. He lives for the moment for the woman who was currently holding onto his body for dear life, screaming as loud as her tiny lungs would allow.

“Don’t worry, my love, we’re almost there!” Jaakuna said to Emiri, his voice as loud as it can since the wind that they had picked up was roaring in their ears.

Jaakuna wasn’t wrong. As Emiri would soon see, the sight of Stigma soon came to view. As beautiful as ever, but there was obvious signs of the explosion. Jaakuna didn’t want to believe it because he had hoped it was false, but it was true. There was smoke around the smaller parts of Stigma, but it seemed like the main city wasn’t effected like the other towns. He brought the Aegis War Bike to Stigma’s entrance, slowing the speed down to the bare minimum(15-20mph). He flew it over the entrance gate, seeing all of the people around. There were a lot of people gathered along the streets. Some holding flowers, some with their families. There was crying, some yelling, but if there was one thing that Jaakuna could tell just by looking at the scene, he would describe it as a mix of solemn and melancholy.

Jaakuna was about to say something, but his eyes looked back at Emiri, and he didn’t want to. He didn’t want to say anything that could potentially make the feeling worse. Besides, he knew if any answers were going to be given, the Royal Palace was the first place they should go. And so Jaakuna did just that. He aimed the Aegis Warbike towards the Castle where hopefully they would get some answers. Hopefully..

---

There had always been a certain amount of awe-inspired wonder whenever the espers showed themselves to the group. As noted by Nadeline many a time, they were some of the most powerful - if not also magickal - beings in all of Ivalice. The way that they had powers beyond the strongest magick-user was simply astonishing. To think that the one that would probably be on the same level as Zodiark was in front of the group was a bit overwhelming, that much Wesley(and probably Savayna) could admit when they looked at each other.

As Ultima conversed with Grant, Wesley had to admit that Grant was getting a bit arrogant. Granted, he always had been a bit on the cocky side, but to boldly go where no man has gone before and say that the four of them were all that was needed, Wesley wanted to say something about that, but he couldn’t. He was frozen still where he stood. At first he thought it was because he was standing next to Savayna, but no that wasn’t it. He couldn’t place it, but something was holding him from saying anything. Even when the conversation went on, he couldn’t speak.

Savayna noticed Wesley acting odd. “Yo, you good, Wes?” Savayna arched an eyebrow, somewhat concerned for the prince.

Wesley turned his head to Savayna, giving her a satisfactory nod. He didn’t want to alarm her. Truth be told, Wesley couldn’t exactly place it as to why he was acting odd like that. But, when Ultima said something about battle, it hit Wesley that it would begin. It would hit him even clearer when Grant wasted no time, and fired his gun at Ultima. “Wait..” Too late. The shot was fired, but it barely grazed Ultima.

“For a Hume with such big talk, you sure don’t back it up.” Ultima taunted Grant, her left arm waving forward, arrows of light flying at the group.

“Blizzard!” Savayna shouted, waving her Ice Queen sword at the arrows as a burst of ice magick shot from the tip, expanding when it neared the arrows. It collided with them, exploding in a magickal display of white and icy-blue magick.

“An admirable attempt, Ice Queen.” Ultima was somewhat impressed. “however, if you want to defeat me, The High Seraph, you will have to do much better than that.” She said smugly.

As Ultima rose three feet higher, her wings would flap rapidly, sending several, little orbs of condensed light magick the size of golf balls at the group. There were so many of them that, while one exploding on the body wouldn’t be enough to deal a lot of damage, it would, however, do so in large numbers.

Wesley, still somewhat frozen, looked at the balls coming his way. There were ten of them, all in a circle. As they neared closer to him, the fused, creating a large ball of light magick. This ball was the size of three basketballs, so it was indeed large. However, Wesley wasn’t paying attention. He saw the ball, but he wasn’t able to move.

“HASTE!” Savayna shouted, accelerating her body with Time Magick. She tackled Wesley, able to get him out of the way in the knick of time. As seem from the crater that was left from the impact of the ball that was coming his way, Wesley would have been dead if it had hit. “What is wrong with you? Get your head together!” Savayna said to Wesley, looking at him genuinely concerned. “If you don’t, we’re going to have a real problem with the Holy Bitch.” Savayna said.

“I-I” Wesley was stuttering, not sure what to say because he didn’t know himself. “I’ll be fine. I was just overwhelmed.”

“Well, get whelmed. We can’t afford to have you zone out.” Savayna said standing up, helping Wesley as well.

As Wesley got up, and unsheathed his sword, he looked at Savayna and gave her a nod. That was all the confirmation that she needed.

Wesley noticed that there was a lot of other light magick orbs surrounding them. They were frozen somehow. Or maybe they were just waiting for Ulitma to give the command. Whichever the case, this was the chance that they had to take. “We have to combust those orbs before they move.” Wesley said to the group as he and Savayna had joined them on the front lines. “Attack with all that you can!” Wesley said, concentrating his magick into his Yagyu Darkblade. Flowing into the blade, orange and red magick literally was bleeding out. “Flaraga!” Wesley shouted, unleashing a wave of non-elemental magick upon the orbs in front of them, the blast wave itself exploding a good number of the orbs in a brilliant display of white-on-warm colors of magick.

As Wesley did that, Savayna would do something similar to the orbs that surrounded the group to the left. Her sword raised. “Blizzaga!” She shouted, sending out a wave of ice magick at the orbs. Like with Wesley’s attack, they exploded. Unlike Wesley’s attack, this was similar to when Savayna’s spell met with Ultima’s arrows. In that meaning icy blue and white appeared in a brilliant display.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

“If that’s what you want, then let us make haste.” Jaakuna said, taking Emiri’s hand, leading her onto the Aegis War Bike. They wouldn’t waste any time. As soon as the engine revved up, Jaakuna put his wonderful, metallic teal bike into full speed. “Hold tight. We are going into overdrive, so there might be moments of nausea.” Jaakuna gave Emiri the public service announcement as the turbine thrusters exploded with red and orange flames, and the bike - and the two passengers on it - were thrown so fast into the wind that any normal man or woman would have fallen off. Thankfully, Jaakuna and Emiri weren’t normal. They were special. And these special people were on a first-class, possibly life-ending, trip to Stigma.

---

While Nadeline teased Savayna about her accidental slip of not being included in the wedding festivities, Wesley’s glance was towards Grant who had just spoken up about the task at hand. “Grant’s right. If we don’t make haste, these three--”

“TWO!” Savayna, still red as a cherry, said.

“Oh my bad, Savayna.” Wesley said, “two weddings won’t happen.”

“Yes, let’s go.” Savayna said, echoing both Grant and Wesley.

It was obvious that Savayna didn’t want to talk about what she had let ship. It was bad enough that Nadeline was going to keep on teasing her about it, but she didn’t even want to know what Grant was thinking. How could she get married to someone like Grant? Was he even thinking about that? Even better yet, why was Savayna still focused on that topic? Did the idea of marrying Grant, at some point, entice her? Get your head in the game, woman. There’s no time for that. Savayna shook her head, leading the charge.

“Well, I guess we follow her then ..wherever that may take us.” Wesley commented, following Savayna’s sudden burst of initiative. Or perhaps avoiding the subject that was just brought up. Regardless, he followed, and hopefully his darling fiance and his soon-to-be Uncle Grant, were not far behind.