Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

“It’s actually Lannit.”

“I wouldn’t bother.”

Jaakuna shook his head at Lannit with an annoyed expression on his face. Lannit would catch the hint, and now would follow Lorenzo, who had assumed the position of leader as he would take charge forth.

There was probably just fifty paces separating the three blonde men from the Hall of the Wroth God. Surprisingly, there didn’t seem to be any sign of monsters within the area. Jaakuna found that odd. First off, Sochen Cave Palace was crawling with monsters of all sorts, so it was definitely intriguing, if not just slightly off putting, that there seemed to be none in sight. Furthermore, what was this uncertain feeling that Jaakuna got in the pit of his stomach? It felt like dread, but at the same time, it was something entirely different.

As they came to a waystone, Jaakuna would see Lorenzo gesture him and Lannit to surround the pedistal. Jaakuna sighed, walking behind Lannit as they all surrounded it. A field of crimson mist surrounded them as they were warped into time-space. In the span of three moments, they were in a large hall that had candles that burned iridescent red, seeming almost crimson. The entire room had two waystones: one where the three blonde men were at and one five hundred paces opposite of them. From a vertical standpoint, it was five hundred paces from waystone to waystone. From a horizontal standpoint, it was three hundred to three hundred. The ground was seeming made of some kind of maroon concrete.

“Well isn’t this cheery.” Lannit quipped.

“They don’t call it the Hall of the Wroth God for nothing, huh?” JAakuna quipped along with Lannit.

As they observed the hall, they both came to a mutual glance, nodding at each other.

“There’s nothing here,” Lannit remarked, gesturing to all angles of the hall. There was nothing in sight. “We could probably skip this fight.” Lannit stepped forward five paces with a big grin on his face, then suddenly a field of hot, dense, fiery mist engulfed fifty paces wide and fifty paces high. Quickly, Lannit jumped back, barely escaping the inferno that had suddenly just appeared.

Jaakuna shook his head at Lannit. He was going to say something, but then Jaakuna heard such a ear-screeching roar that his attention immediately went to that. It seemed to have originated from the fiery mist. Only in moments would Jaakuna, as well as Lorenzo and Lannit, see that it was indeed the Hell Wyrm. It looked like its poster: tall, eight magick glyphs hovering over its large body, and a face not even a mother could love. Above all, however, its entire body was as if the pits of the underworld came up, and took physical form.

“So what was that you were saying about nothing being here?” Jaakuna snickered.

“Oh shut up,” Lannit scowled at Jaakuna, “let’s just beat this big fucker.”

Lannit had reloaded his Needle Rifle, aiming it at the Hell Wyrm. JAakuna chuckled, and poised himself to strike. However they were going to do this would have to be figured out sooner rather than later because the Hell Wyrm came charging at them, surrounded in hellfire.

---

When those final four slugs entered Levi’s motionless corpse, Savayna found it odd that she didn’t feel anything. She didn’t feel satisfaction nor did she have feelings of sadness; it was just emptiness. Even the sounds of the four bullets being fired didn’t produce a reaction. All it did was remind Savayna that life was short. It was given just as fast as it was given away. Savayna knew that.

Savayna took her sword, and sheathed it, not saying anything to Grant after he had done the deed. She simply started walking away, not even wanting to wait for her new fiance.

---

Nadeline Lenore Roselia presented herself to him. Old Dalan would take a swig of his Bangaa Ale in one hand and a draft of his pipe in the other. As her request would be laid out in front of him, he hummed quite obviously, almost zany-like. Her eyes made her intention clear to him, still the elderly man couldn’t help but contemplate this request, taking long moments before arriving to a conclusion of sorts.

“The Princess of Rozarria wishes to find her soon-to-be husband’s dead brother,” Old Dalan was testing her. But no, one look into her eyes, and he knew she knew about the late prince’s sudden reappearance from the dead. “No, this princess is not a fool like many would be inclined to believe.” The old man mused a half-grin.

Old Dalan set down both his pipe and jug of ale. He would lean forward, taking Nadeline’s chin in the grasp of his wrinkily hand. He brought her face close to his. Her examined her eyes, seeing the truth within the truth, possibly looking for a doubt of some kind. After a minute of keeping her face so close to his that the stench of smoke and alcohol was all she would smell, he released her, curing a smile.

“Before I give the Princess of Rozarria this highly valuable information, tell Old Dalan why it is you wish to find him?” Old Dalan had leaned back, old, fading hazelnut eyes gazing upon Nadeline.

---

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

With Lorenzo taking charge first, Jaakuna and Lannit had followed suit. The two had practiced their maneuvers so many times over the years. Though it’s been about four since they last fought together, they still had the same strategy as from before: Lannit would fire his Needle Rifle at the enemy, which got their attention, and Jaakuna would take advantage by striking with overkilling fury from the air as he utilized a float spell.

And so they did exactly that. Pink needles of magicite were fired from Lannit’s gun, exploding into medium, non-elemental magickal damage on four Wendigos spread across ten paces. Though it damaged them, it didn’t seem to hurt their heavily-armored bodies. From what could be seen, it only annoyed them.

As the four Wendigos charged at Lannit, who kept firing, Jaakuna came from the sky. One WEndigo was sliced in half by both swords as Jaakuna came down with a vertical strike. Next, without wasting any momentum, Jaakuna thrusted forward with one sword, sending white and red fire into one Wendigo. This didn’t kill it, but the magick from his sword did maim it as the beast was sent five paces opposite of Jaakuna as it was sent to Lorenzo’s direction.

Jaakuna took in a breath and saw the remaining two come at him. Twisting his body, Jaakuna would use his Mist to create a sort of fiery tornado of red and white. The two beasts sent out blizzara spells at the tornado. Unfortunate for them, the ice didn’t even make it past the heat generated from Jaakuna’s mist.

As the two beasts came charging at Jaakuna. In a matter of moments, he would release the fire maigck he had been gathering at the two beasts in the form of a hurling, fiery tornado. It would envelop them and raising their bulky bodies ten paces off of the ground.

“Now, Lannit!” Jaakuna gave Lannit the signal.

Lannit charged his rifle to the max, the needles growing twice as long as they normally were. A unique pink and purple mist oozed from Lannit’s body, surrounding him to the point that it drastically changed his entire body. His hair was a deep, dark orchid, his skin had been tinted with a magenta color, and his gun had so much magickal essence coming from it that it was about to burst.

Until Lannit fired.

“Needle Storm!” Lannit called out.

The mist-infused needles shot out at such a velocity — and quantity — that if you blinked, you probably missed it. The total count of how many magicite needle rounds were shot exceeded the hundreds. When the needles had made contact with the tornado, it changed its color to match Lannit’s temporary appearance. And as the last round of needles was fired, the tornado exploded, leaving nothing of the two Wendigos in the tornado.

As the smoke would clear, Lannit’s former paled-skinned, blonde-maned self returned.

---

“By all means, finish the job.” Savayna wasn’t even going to protest to that idea. If there was a chance that she was still alive, any at all, then she encouraged Grant to put a few more slugs into her. It might be a little cold of Savayna to feel like that, but sometimes being frigid never bothered her. It was sometimes necessary when faced with the possibility of a bitch coming back from the dead.

---

Isabella hesitated briefly when Nadeline explained what she was going to do. She expected her future daughter-in-law to do something like that. The Queen Mother knew that because it would be something that WEsley would do. Honor and integrity were the cornerstones of Wesley’s soul, so it wasn’t a shocker that Nadeline would have something similar.

“It’s astonishing,” she mused aloud, “you are so much like him.” isabella smiled, chuckling to herself as she saw the subtle fire in Nadeline’s eyes. “You might want to try Old Dalan. If there’s anyone who might know where my recently-revived son is hiding, it’s that old kook.” Isabella frowned slightly as she was forced to utter his name. A lot of history there, not enough time to reminisce.

---

“You insult me with your ignorance.” Zodiark stated sharply. “Don’t do it again.”

As Zodiark would purse his lips, he found himself both annoyed and intrigued by Emiri’s bold rhetoric. No one talked to him like that. And maybe she knew that, and that was why she did it anyway? How intriguing.

“I can’t decide if I should commemorate your bravery or scorn your stupidity,” Zodiark hummed a musing sound, all six arms forming various hand signs, as if contemplating it on several planes. A second hum came from Zodiark’s mouth as he would look at the Time Scion. “Very well. I will let you in on a secret, Emiri.” Zodiark remarked, “but first,” he waved his arm at Roburmaal. “Robur, if you would, escort Follower Twelve to his quarters.” Zodiark ordered.

“As you will, my liege.” Robur grasped Keiran’s arm, “this way, Twelfth.” Robur didn’t give Keiran much of a choice.

As Keiran would be whisked away, ZOdiark smiled upon the pretty face of Emiri. “My apologies, but lower beings such as my former seed should not be allowed to hear such important plans, don’t you agree?” Zodiark gave something akin to a grin.

When the doors have closed behind Robur, Zodiark hummed once more. “I desire a lot of things, Emiri. I want to ensure my place in this world. To do that, I need power.” Zodiark laughed, “I know what you must be thinking: ‘power? You have all the power you need.’ Yes, this is true. I have a lot of potent strength in me. My creators did not foresee this, so they sealed me away in that hell Giruvegan. However, when they sealed me there, I lost most of my power. I mean, that is to say, I had to forsake some of it when I tricked that lover of yours, Jaakuna.” Zodiark knew the mention would get a reaction. “So, how can I get back my power? Well, that’s a rather easy question to answer. To return me to my original glory, I need you, my dear.” Zodiark uttered, his voice unusually tender. And even more unusual, his longest arm - the lower right one - was stroking Emiri’s left one. “If you do this for me, you will become what all of these espers have been calling you, Emiri. Do this, and you will no longer be Emelia Inabi of Rozarria. You will be Emiri, the Time Scion.”

🎉💕What Happens in Vegas...💕🎉

LOCATION — Miami International → Las Vegas International Airport
INTERACTION — Chloe _{(@Dirty Pretty Lies)} Tish _{(@Silent Observer)} Paige _{(@lovely complex)} Viktor_{(@Universorum)} Val_(@Aewin) Oberon_(@Melo) River_(@foxygen)
Dom's OotD

---

As he came off the heels of the third annual Christmas Party that he and Chloe threw for their closest friends and family, he had another big week ahead of him. In just a little over six days, Dominic is to wed the girl of his dreams. Well, not exactly true. The girl of his dreams doesn’t even compare in comparison to his wonderful fiance, Chloe Elizabeth Desireé Jameson. How he got so lucky Dominic would never be able to say.

Here is the guy that was probably the most awkward teenager in Miami Central High School. He stood out like a sore thumb - and not in the good way. He was always picked on by those jocks. He didn’t have many friends while going through those hellish four years. The friends that he did have to help him was his oldest friend, Patricia Webber, though everyone called her Tish. Dominic sure did. He has called her Tish ever since they met when they were still in their awkward, adolescent years.

Dominic had never been able to grasp how he and Tish became friends. He had always been awkward. He was awkward as a kid. And yet, through some stroke of luck and maybe a little hand from something more, Dominic and Tish formed a bond that would otherwise be deemed impossible. And what’s more, improbable. Still, they proved to have a closer bond than Dominic had with anyone at the time.

Tish wasn’t the only one that Dom had a close bond with. There was his brother, Viktor, too. Despite the growing tensions that had been brewing at home and even to this day, he and Vik had always maintained a closeness that Dominic had always cherished above most things.

This was why Dominic had been experiencing on-and-off paranoia as the plane would arrive in Las Vegas. With all that has happened in his life and all that he tried to get past, there were still things that Dominic struggled with. Even though he’s surrounded by his friends and brother and his beloved’s sister, Dominic couldn’t escape some of his older insecurities. Or maybe it was just the fact that he was several miles high in the sky. Heights never did set well with me. Regardless, Doninic had tried to force that out of his mind while he and his friends enjoyed what time they could with each other on the plane.

There had been several swapping of the seats. Dominic had spent time with just about everyone at some point during the four to five hour flight. When they had arrived at Las Vegas International, they were all smiles. Dominic had his usual peculiar cheek-to-cheek grin, trying to just live for the moment as he and Chloe came out hand in hand, arms locked, and pretty much seeming to be conjoined at the hip.

As they would claim their baggage, their baggage, which took longer than preferred. Apparently eight people going to the same place, travelling together, produced complications, specifically getting their bags in a timely manner. It actually spanned over the course of three hours. Some bags had gotten lost in the mix, so they had to be recovered. But fear not, for the faith in the baggage recovery system of the Las Vegas International Airport was restored when they finally were able to get all of their bags.

And it wasn’t no more than ten minutes that they hailed a cab. Well, not just one cab, but about four. Due to the large amount of bags and people who own those bags, they had to have two people her cab: Chloe and Dominic had one, the happy couple’s respective siblings shared one, River and Tish took one, and then lastly(but not least), Oberon and Val had one. All four cabs were en-route to the Pink Flamingo Hotel and Cansino.

This should be fun.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

@Hero my net went out. I will be able to get back to my computer hopefully by Monday or Tuesday. Great post though. 😃

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

“You know, when I told you to talk to him, it wasn’t to talk about him and Wendy —”

“Jaakuna, whatever you were going to say, please don’t.”

“What?”

As Lannit would give him a scowl, Jaakuna returned to the sight of Lorenzo as he would just look at him back. Jaakuna would mirror Lannit’s scowl as he simply looked ahead. Whatever was happenign right now, someone had to be the adult among the man-children, which was odd considering that Jaakuna wa sone of the biggest manchilds in all of Ivalice.

And with Jaakuna assuming the leadership position. Whether they liked it or not, Jaakuna started walking towards the direction they were previously going before Jaakuna regretfully brought up Wendy’s pregnant state.

The trio of blonde males were trekking through a shortcut, whcih Jaakuna had hoped would limit their encounter rate of monsters. Much to his chagrin, the complete opposite had happened as it looked like about a dozen Wendigos blocked their way to the Hall of the Wroth God. These Wendigos weren’t exactly strong, but in large groups, they could prove to be difficult, especially for three males who weren’t exactly the smartest fighters. Or rather, Lannit wasn’t. Still, Jaakuna would press forth, leading his two blonde brethren forth towards the headless beasts.

“Proceed with caution, men,” Jaakuna said, pulling out his twin short swordsthat he called Blazed Passion(formally Vengeance Daggers). “Flame Coat,” Jaakuna said. His short swords flared up, flames of red and white surrounding them in a thick layer of fire magick.

Lannit scowled as Jaakuna had self-declared himself leader; though he would agree that they had to be careful. He has dealt with the Wendigos plenty of times when he and Wendy had to venture to the Phon Coast. Since they had to go through the underground palace of Sochen, he definitely encountered his fair share of them.

Lannit extended his right arm in front of him, a magickal glyph appeared. He reached into the glyph. As he would, his arm from the elbow to the wrist was surrounded in a dark pink and purple metallic material, a Needle Gun seen as the glyph had disappeared. He cocked his head to the side, looking to Lorenzo. “She’s nice right? Picked her up a few years back from a Dalmascan. The needles are synthesised from a special magicite from those mines of yours in Stigma.” Lannit said, bragging about his Needle Rifle.

Jaakuns shook his head at Lannit. “Four for each of us. That sounds reasonable, right?” Jaakuna said with confidence.

---

“]And I would miss something fantastic like that, wouldn’t I?” Savayna scowled as she mumbled something under her breath; though, as Grant would say that Levi left herself open, she curled something of a smile. “Yup, that sounds like Levi.”

Savayna recalled a time where she and Levi fought each other. It was probably five or so years before she made Judge. They were in a tournament that Archadia was holding to crown the next general of the Imperial Army. Savayna was against Leviathan. The latter was in favor to win due to her experience over the then-inexperienced Savayna. All eyes were on Glacie, however. They knew she had potential, but against Leviathan? It was like a babe taking on a Ring Wyrm. There might be a shot of victory, but unlikely.

When the fight started, Leviathan had stopped Savayna. Confused, Savayna had asked, “what is this?”

Leviathan would reply, “I will give you one free shot.” Leviathan had her arms in front of her.

Savayna was no doubt puzzled by this. First off, this had to have been a trick. Or a trap. Leviathan was known for that. More to the point, if she went for it, what was stopping Levi from using her preferred snakelike tactics and trapping Savayna in her slippery hands?

Savayna had to make a choice for Leviathan would say, “five seconds,” she started to count down.

One, two, three, four —Savayna took to a large leap upward. With her trademark Ice Queen sword in hand, Savayna had cast haste, protect, shell, faith, and bravery in a matter of seconds, and struck the water serpent with her sword that had been reinforced with a blizzaga spell. As she came down with her weapon, an arc of magick-infused mist was inching closer and closer to Leviathan.

Savayna would look on as Leviathan never stopped smirking. And when she got hit by that wave of icy mist, it still wasn’t off of her face.

The force of the attack sent Levi through a series of walls. But that wasn't nearly as powerful as the shock collective Archadians and Rozarrians and Dalmascans and those that weren’t belonging to either of the great three empires. They couldn’t help but watch with widened eyes as the favored to win had been defeated.

That was the time where Savayna had never trusted anything regarding Leviathan. Considering this was the very same thing, it made her believe that she wasn’t dead. Or if she was dead, then she seriously miscalculated Grant’s power. By the gods, Savayna wished she was conscious so she could have a better idea of how powerful Grant had been.

“So, what do you think we should do?” Savayna asked, “I want to get out of here, but there might be a chance she’s not dead. On the other hand, I really don’t want to stay here any longer than I need to.”

---

“I will give you an answer when these rumors are proven either false or true.” Isabella said with a sigh.

As much as she wanted to admit it, Isabella could not bring herself to submit to the temptation of believing her oldest son was alive. It was hard enough losing him the first time around. If she were to believe that he was alive and it turned out these were simply rumors, her heart couldn’t take it. She had to make sure that it wasn’t a rumor before she would accept he was alive.

Isabella had looked to her son, who was less as distraught than he was a moment ago, but he still looked out of it. “Wesley, look at me.” She asked. Wesley did. “Let the spies do what they can.”

He simply nodded, seeming to shake off the remnants of his wandering thoughts.

“Now, tell me why is it that you have returned? Given what is happening, I figured you would be trying to save the world.” Isabella let out a laugh.

Wesley would sigh regretfully. “As much as I would love to, I am needed here.” Wesley said, feeling that those weren’t the right words. “What I mean is, I am going to claim my birthright.” Still not right. “I am going to assume my place as King of Dalmasca.”

For a moment, there was a neutral expression on his mother’s face, then it curved into a proud smile. “You remind of Jonathan more and more.” Isabella said.

As Wesley would smile with gusto, he said, “I couldn’t be given any higher praise, mother.”

“This will require time. I hope you understand that. Given what’s happening with these rumors about your brother, it could provide complications. Still,” Isabella clapped, “if this is what you wish to do, then I will do all that I can to help you achieve that goal. I think your sister will —” As Isabella would speak, she saw her daughter in the door. “Oh, Cassandra, I thought you were resting.”

“I was, but I had this weird dream about Wes. It was about him as a male Viera and he was boinking some whore,” Cassandra said. Her eyes barely open. She still had crust in the corners of her jade-colored eyes. As she would finally adjust them to the origin of her mother’s voice, she saw her brother and Nadeline. “WESLEY!” her voice jumped a few octaves. She ran as fast as she could, and tackled her brother in a tight embrace, forcing both of them over the chair.

Wesley grunted as he couldn’t help but smile as he returned the embrace from Cassandra. “Missed you too, Cassie.”

“I can’t believe you’re home! Does this mean you’re done travelling?” Cassandra would manage to ask amid the way she was snuggling her brother. Wesley would make an affirming noise, not able to say anything due to the fact of Cassandra’s hair over his mouth. Anything he said would come out muffled.

Isabella laughed. “Well then, while they get reacquainted, Nadeline, won’t you come with me,” Isabella rose up, “I require your assistance about something.” Isabella said, grabbing Nadeline’s arm as she would tug the blonde princess away from Wesley.

As she led Nadeline out of the room, and into the halls of the Royal Palace, Isabella waited until they were out of earshot of any knights. That required her to lead them to room that was empty. She locked the door as it would close behind her. “Nadeline, I did not want to say this in front of Wesley, but there is more to those rumors,” she said, gripping her arm with her other arm’s hand. “It’s more than a rumor. Sylvester is alive. And he’s in Rabanastre.”

---

“Yes, you have suffered a great deal in these past few months, haven’t you.” Zodiark stepped forward, placing a hand on Emiri’s cheek. “You’ve experienced terror of being an object of a prince, but found bliss in a sky pirate. You have felt love and joy from friends, but then you were abandoned a few times by Jaakuna. You’ve experienced brief lapses of memory, but came back through your own will. You are strong, that much is certain. Even after Chaos intervened, you proved yourself stubborn. No doubt you got that from your beloved, Jaakuna.” Zodiark said, counting the times of Emiri’s life as if checking off things off of a list.

As Zodiark looked at Emiri, he saw she just wanted to be among friends, she just wanted to not feel alone. “For being such a complex hume, you have simple desires, don’t you Emiri?” Zodiark removed his hand from Emiri’s cheek, “you don’t want to be alone.” Zodiark mused, bringing one his arms under his chin, then he smiled at Emiri. “Fear not, Time Scion, you will never be alone for as long as you are here.” Zodiark gave her a comforting smile. “Despite what you have been told by the Blue Rose, by those two Viera, by your travelling companions, or even by Chaos himself, I do not wish to hurt you. In fact, I need your help.” Zodiark said, seeming to be embarrassed. Or something similar to it. “You see, there is a task that I need to accomplish, but even with all my expansive powers and knowledge obtained throughout the years, I do not possess the gift that you have.” He said, looking at her with the utmost focus. “You were told that you would die from using your gift, but what if I told you that, you have been lied to. What if I told you that your gift is simply your way to ascend from your Hume origins? What if I told you that you can become a goddess?”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

When they had finished eating, they were out. Wendy would have came, but if someone went around asking questions about Lannit and Jaakuna whereabouts, she could be there to deny knowing anything. Besides, based on how she was holding her stomach during the times Jaakuna looked at her, he had no doubt that she was pregnant. Of course, Jaakuna said nothing about how he figured it out to Wendy; though the same couldn’t be said when it came to LAnnit.

About halfway into the Sochen Cave Palace, Jaakuna said, “So, why didn’t you tell me that Wendy was pregnant?” Jaakuna asked Lannit.

“WAIT WHAT?!” Lannit gasped in shock, as if it was the first time he was hearing about this., “WHAT DID YOU SAY?!”

“Oh, you mean you didn’t,” Jaakuna glanced to Lorenzo awkwardly, “help me out. You’re the one with the kid over here.” Jaakuna was practically begging Lorenzo for an out of this awkward situation, “talk to him or something.” Jaakuna said, giving Lorenzo a pleading glance, all the while Lannit was pacing back and forth, clearly having a panic attack.

---

Savayna had opened her mouth, possibly wanting to say something more about how she felt at the moment, but she decided not to mid-action. Instead, she scowled, making sure he saw it. He had apologized, so she would try to let it go, though it was harder than it seemed. There was a begging urge inside her soul that wanted to keep going. If it had been any other day, Savayna probably would have pursued this until she left Grant a groveling mess. But of course, she hasn’t really been feeling like that Savayna in awhile, not since she started feeling things for Grant.

Savayna shrugged, turning to the now-deceased Leviathan. Looking at the face of the caramel-colored serpent, Savayna’s face was full of bewilderment. She still couldn’t believe that, Leviathan Necfedeles, was slain by a simple bullet at point-blank range. The fact that one of the most sneaky, elusive women she had ever known in her time with the Archadian Army was taken down by just one bullet.

“I just can’t believe she’s actually dead,” Savayna said, looking at Grant, the same puzzled expression on her face. “What kind of fucking bullet did you use? To my knowledge, no armory, regardless of your connections - and I know you have some serious connections in the Ivalice Black Market - there’s no way even the rarest and strongest of bullets could take down someone such as Leviathan. So, tell me what you did, Grant?” Savayna wasn’t trying to sound demanding. She was aiming for curiosity at most, but she did sound like it was an order rather than a question.

---

“Resting,” Isabelle said simply, answering Nadeline’s inquiry. “Ruling a country in her older brother’s stead is tiring. And with what’s been going on..” Isabelle’s voice fell distant, as did her gaze with her son’s deep orchid eyes.

“What is it mother?” Wesley asked, wary.

“It might not be anything serious.” Isabelle said, pursing her lips worryingly.

Though her mouth said one thing, Isabelle’s wary tone and fear-filled eyes suggested otherwise. Wesley began to worry. “Mother, tell me. Even if it might seem like nothing, please tell us.” Wesley pleaded with Isabelle.

After a minute of contemplation, Isabelle sighed, defeated by her son’s urgency. “Well, don’t take my word on it, but It seems as though there are troubling rumors swirling around Dalmasca about your brother, Sylvester.” She spoke with dread.

“What sort of rumors?” WEsley asked, fearing the answer.

Isabelle didn’t respond right away, her eyes on Nadeline briefly. She was probably looking for some courage. She saw the girl’s eyes, and smiled. Then she went back to Wesley’s orchid eyes. “There are some claiming that your brother might very well be alive.” Isabelle informed him, sounding half-hopeful, half-skeptical about said rumor.

And as she spoke, Wesley felt his knees weak. He was grasping around for a chair. He found one to his left. He took a seat, and was having difficulties to remember to breathe. “It’s impossible. I saw him die right in front of me. He bled out in my arms. I heard him take his last breath before the gods took him away from us. This is just not possible.”

---

Zodiark didn’t respond right away to Emiri. Instead, he examined her face, judging it. She was confused, there was no denying that. The girl obviously hadn’t mastered the art of putting on a mask. Or maybe she had and she simply chose to reveal all? It was very possible.He hummed thoughtfully, nodding his head somewhat. Zodiark ran one of his six arms through his tome, it shining a neutral grey with an outline of eerie green. The finger trailed down the page it was on. Zodiark’s eyes followed along. “Emelia Rianna Inabi, daughter of Lord Andre Inabi, a veteran soldier of the Rozarrian Empire. He recently was healed of all wounds from mysterious magicks. No, not quite right,” Zodiark pressed on the page with his finger, “there we go. It was, in fact, time magicks that rewound his injuries to a state where they didn’t exist.” Zodiark mused aloud, “Emelia, who prefers the name Emiri, is an interesting topic among the Scions. We all wish to obtain that power, because with it, anything is possible.”

As Zodiark would close his tome, it vanished into a cloud of charcoal-colored smoke. He would then look to Emiri, neutral-faced of course, then to Keiran. “My seed, you have done well. I will see to that you are given a permanent place among my Followers of Order. In fact,” Zodiark snapped his fingers. In that same moment, Keiran would feel a surge of overwhelming power, though of course there was a side-effect. “I apologize for the pain you’re about to experience, but giving you all that which you were created for will be an excruciating ordeal.” Zodiark let out a low chuckle.

Eyes fell back to Emiri. “Time Scion, tell me, what are you feeling right now? Tell me what it is you feel when you look at me? What do you experience when you are in the presence of my Mist?” Zodiark would hound her with questions, eyes focused on Emiri’s soft skin, on her full lips, and her piercing red eyes.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Defending my honor? Just exactly who does he think I am? I have no honor.

Savayna gave Grant a narrowed stare, trying to decide if she should punch him right in his corny face or take the high road. On one hand, it’d be a good release. On the other, she’s trying not to return to her old ways. Usually, Savayna would simply punch Grant for being that selfish, but lately, she’s been trying to begin anew. The big rock on her right ring finger was proof of that. So, she wouldn’t punch him, but that didn’t mean she would let him get off scot free.

“Fuck that, you just wanted to kill the bitch all to yourself because of how she left you in the Archades Dungeons before you became less lame.” Savayna scolded Grant, showing her disapproval. “Just admit it, my fiance, you wanted to be the one to nape that one in the bud.” Savayna scowled, turning away from Grant in a huff.

---

“Conseal, don’t feel.” Wesley mused quietly, nodding his head.

As the gates would open, WEsley hooked Nadeline’s arm with his as they walked throgh the gate, and his return to Rabanastre. After what seemed like years, Wesley has returned home.

“Make way for your prince!” One of the knights said.

“Did he say Prince?” One of the onlookers whispered.

“Is that Prince Wesley?” Another said.

“Prince Wesley has come back to us!”

After that third person, more started to say similar things, which were followed by rising, dull cheers to chants for Wesley. This made his anxiety lower quite the deal. How he thought they would most surely turn his back on him because he chose to run away after his father’s assassination, when in fact they praised him just as much as they did when his father was still king. If Wesley wasn’t surrounded by his citizens, he might say shed a tear or two. But that wouldn’t be very kingly, now would it?

As they were escorted by the Order of the Knights of Dalmasca, Wesley had greeted those who came up to them. There were women of all ages and races, children of all ages and races, men of all ages and races. If they didn’t come up for a handshake or a hug, then WEsley would do it himself. He gave them genuine smiles. Being surrounded by his fellow Dalmascans brought a warm feeling building up in Wesley’s heart. Whatever doubts he had beforehand was slayed by the positive reaction he got from his citizens.

And as they reached the Royal Palace, Wesley gave them one final wave before the gates closed behind him, and he and Nadeline were en-route to an audience to his father’s study where he was told the Queen wanted to speak to him AND nadeline.

Strange that Cassandra would want to speak to both of them. Maybe she wanted to welcome them both back. Wesley let that specific thought fade as the doors to his father’s study opened. He saw someone with blonde hair that was turned back to their fronts. She wore an elegant violet dress with Dalmascan rubies engraved along the seams.

“May I present her royal highness, Queen Isabelle Alexander,” one Knight said.

“Wait, did he say..” Before Wesley could finish that sentence, the queen turned around, revealing her blonde-haired face. To further his surprise, she wasn’t showing cleavage. Oh thank the gods.

“My son and future daughter-in-law,” Belle smiled to both of them, “welcome home.”

---

In what most are calling the worst thing to happen to Ivalice than the bickering civil wars brewed between the three warring nations, there was a foul, putrid, unforgiving fear spreading all across Ivalice. It was felt by many who have sensitive awareness to mist and all the positives and negatives it produces. It’s been sensed from the far west near the TOmb of Raithwall where it is said that something long buried has awoken - a great beast those in Stigma call it. It was said to be one of the Four Great Seals of Ivalice. It is also said that, if it wakes up from it’s millenia slumber, ruin shall follow.

And to the farest eastern regions of Ivalice in the Ridorana Contrat, a great beast also awakens. It, like the Beast of the West, is the second of four seals. This one, unlike the first, is one that all know - and fear. It is considered Ivalice’s most fearsome Wyrm. Some call it a devil, some call it the devil, but all hunters know it as the Ultimate Mark, for his name is Yiazmat, and his wrath is felt throughout the entire seas of Ivalice from the Pharos and any landmass within a league of this great and terrifying devil.

In the south, more specifically, the southwest, Giruvegan has been shaken to its core. Pillars of mist shot up from all areas of the ancient city. It contorted to the point that giruvegan, if thought to be a dangerous voyage before, has been brought to the point where it’s now a suicide mission to go there, for it is now an unstable landmass that has twisting mist at all angles. VIsible as it is, this third seal is one of pure, unfiltered, unstable mist that has responded to the wickedness that is Zodiark.

And finally, in the north where the Imperial Capital, archades rests, there is another great undertaking happening. Though not as noticable, like in the TOmb of Raithwall and Ridorana contract, a frightening beast awakens. It is another Hunt for hunters. This one rests in the Chamber of the Wrote God, waiting any that approach. Any that do that surely will encounter the worst hell they could ever imagine, for in that chamber, the Hell Wyrm waits with virtuous patience, seeking to damn any to the depths of the underworld.

Throughout all of this catastrophe, the Dark Lord himself, the one that no one dare mention in fear of his power increasing, has secured himself a home even higher than Bhjuerba. Probably twenty miles higher, almost to the point where it exceeds the stratosphere, he sits upon a throne in a grim castle. It floats inside a field of the most vile, destructive mist in Ivalice’s history. The worst nightmares of humes and Viera’s couldn’t estimate how sickening this mist is. It contorts, twists, and roars demonic screams as a castle of pure black floats without a care in the world.

Just outside the throne room, the doors opened as loud footsteps thumped on the concrete flooring. These steps were noticeable as the echoes reverberated throughout the empty walls. They belonged to a large beast of a man, all in armor that was too bulky to tell if this man was. His steps eventually got him in front of a gothic-looking throne that had spikes at every edge possible. The throne itself was carved from black nethicite. It gave off the illusion of obsidian. It shined like marble, yet looked rough like jagged glass.

As the bulky man bowed on one knee, he spoke, “my liege,” he said, head bowed.

The being in the throne room raised their arm.

As the bulky man rose up to his feet, he looked at his liege. Terrifying to look at if one experienced fear(not like the man looking at him). He was a marvelous sight. There were ten wings colored a sickly greyish-green, which also was the same color as his skin color. Hair was black like the chair he sat on. He had six arms, and a face that had animated tentacles coming out of the mouth. An eye was above two normal eyes. They were red and black. In its lap was a huge tome that had ancient language, or so the heavily-armored man guessed.

“Yes, what is it?” The being asked, not bothering to look up.

“They’re here, my lord.”

“Took them long enough,” the being mused, “very well. Send for them to enter my throne room.” The being said.

“Of course, my lord.” He said, turning to go get them.

“Oh, and Roburmaal.”

“Yes my lord?” Roburmaal stopped, looking to his liege.

“A job well done. I can see restoring your mind to the point before those damned Archadians zombified your mind — and body — was a decision I have not regretted.” The being said, showing the slightest hint of a smile to Robur.

“I am forever in your debt, my lord.” He said, earnest.

The being would nod as he waved Robur away. Not long after the fact, Robur would return with three others. A tall, less-armored person than Robur was, a shorter fellow - male - and a female. “I present to the Lord Zodiark, Keeper of our Precepts and High Judge of Order and Chaos, Keiran, Creature, and The Time Scion.”

As ZOdiark got up from his throne, he hovered over to the three. He examined only the Time Scion, paying no mind to Creature, though there was a slight nod of approval of what he did, nor did he pay much mind to Keiran. His only focus was on her. “Hello Emiri. I am pleased to finally meet you in person.” Zodiark had said, smiling at the girl in an uncharacteristic fashion, “I trust you know who I am, don’t you?” There was Zodiark’s twisted wit.

The Mundane [Small-Town Superheroes]

@McHaggis
@aewin and myself are doing a collab between Jackson and Aaliya. Just an fyi. :)

Cloud Chasers | A Fairy Tail AU

@indra Wait a minute, is that you Innue? :O

🎉💕What Happens in Vegas...💕🎉

We casual bitches now? XD

@Dirty Pretty Lies

Ya knew we always were. :P