Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

If he were a normal man, perhaps those lightning-fast jabs would have been the end of him, but Zodiark was no man. He wasn’t anything close to a man. He was the Keeper of Precepts - the strongest of the Espers. Though, be that as it may, even he couldn’t very well stand there and do nothing as Nadeline would jab at him — especially since she had the aid of Ultima’s Seal behind each of those jabs.

One arm came forward and so did one of the orbs. It span nearly at the same speed that her jabs did. It took both jabs and expelled Nadeline back, dealing the same kind of damage that she would’ve dealt with those jabs of hers. Once she was pushed back, Zodiark waved that same arm forward and that rob would follow the direction, but this time changing its shape into several spears the length of the Zodiac Spear. It would be sent straight for Nadeline at nearly the same speeds that her rapier jabs were.

---

It was evident to Jaakuna that she wasn’t going to play around — something that Jaakuna was doing. He was trying not to kill Emiri with that strike. If it had connected, it would have been enough to knock her out but nothing more. He didn’t want to kill her, but as seen from her blatant use of her powers, Jaakuna was certain that she aimed to do that for him. Plus, she seemed intent on bringing all that she had in her reserves to fight him. Despite that resolve, Jaakuna could not bring himself to do that.

So he would simply remain on the defensive as her kick came in from below towards his midsection. He brought both flaming hands down and grabbed that leg. He not only held tightly onto it until he was certain she would not try anything further. She wouldn’t dare use her time powers with him in physical contact with her. If she did, he would be brought along with her on that ride. So that was one of the reasons he held contact onto her. Another was on the wise counsel of Belias. He figured out some working mechanics from that first strike.

“Now try and hold still, you,” Jaakuna said as he flared up his hands with bright flames. In the next series of moments, Emiri would see that the flames were starting to purify whatever stench of Zodiark she had. And once Jaakuna became confident that he was at that point of total purification, he would lift Emiri’s tiny body by the leg and whip her to the ground like a ragdoll. Again, I’m sorry my love.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Seeing what just unfolded before him, Zodiark found no more use for Grant. so, rather cruelly, Zodiark literally tossed Grant aside as he threw him like a bag of trash to the left of him near where the unconscious Savayna still lay. His attention was now dedicated to Nadeline who happened to finally unlock Ultima's Seal. In got his attention so much that he stood up. As soon as he did, his throne disappeared and his tome would as follow suit.

"You continue to impress me, Rozarrian Hume girl." Zodiark cracked a smile, "is this Ultima finally deeming you worthy of her power? Or is this her commanding your body?" Zodiark would do something that resembled a shrug, "it matters not. I accept your challenge girl. If you think you can handle my power, then last five minutes and I will tell you three truths that you desire - anything at all." Zodiark said as his arms began weaving handsigns. In only one second, orbs of arcane magick surrounded him. They floated as he would give her the first strike.

---

“I am never doing that again,” Jaakuna groaned as he gripped his head.

From doing battle with Hamut to getting tossed out by that intruder who had no business interfering to then waking up briefly only to find himself thrown into a wormhole through space and time for Gods-know how long, Jaakuna felt like he was going to be sick. All of those events happening so quickly(or at least feeling like they did) was too much for him to handle. There was also the fact that he spent most of his Mist reserves, so he was magically and physically exhausted on top of possibly having fast travel motion sickness.

Yup, Jaakuna felt he was going to throw up. He had to find a place. “Aha,” Jaakuna found an elaborately designed trunk at the edge of some bed. It looked nice. Well, it was about to look even nicer with some nice yellow-green goo all over it as Jaakuna let the spoils of war free upon that very nice-looking trunk.

He hurled semisolids on it for a few moments until he was able to walk. As he would turn around, Jaakuna couldn’t believe his eyes. Or maybe this was a dream? It sure would explain the odd traveling he did. “Is this real life or is it just fantasy?” Jaakuna inched closer to who he thought it was. Sure, it looked a hell lot like Emiri, but today had been, if nothing else, weird as all hell, so he poked the possibly-real, possibly-fake Emiri on the cheek. “You sure seem real, but dreams tend to be very lifelike.”

“No escape from reality,” Keiran commented, lightly pushing a reluctant Emiri forward. “Beautiful, isn’t she? Go on, say something. You’ve been wanting to see him for some time, haven’t you?” He insisted, even taking a step back.

Jaakuna…! She should have been happy, but there was a part of her that was not only highly suspicious, she also half convinced that the Jaakuna in front of her wasn’t real. It’s him. I know it is. Her inner self seemed so sure, but Emiri was expressionless. She looked at Keiran, raising an eyebrow at him. “Very funny, Keiran. Is this one of Lola’s tricks?” She asked him, clearly annoyed.

The black haired man shook his head, lightly pushing Emiri forward, then going around and lightly pushing Jaakuna forward so that the pair were closer. “Come on, it’s a lovers’ reunion! Torn apart by fate itself, yet overcoming all odds to see one another once again. Romantic, isn’t it?” He sighed dreamily, laying his elbow on Emiri’s shoulder.

Jaakuna raised an eyebrow at the dark-haired man. “Alright, now just who exactly is this chump?” Jaakuna asked. Dream or not, this guy was getting on his nerves.

“Me? Keiran, charmed, but who I am is not important,” He dismissed Jaakuna’s concern entirely, prodding Emiri. “No, who’s important to you, my friend, is this young lady right here. The love of your life, right? Though, she’s awful quiet, isn’t she?” He feigned disappointment, a spark in his eye as he looked at her. “Come on now…speak. Tell him exactly who you are.”

She seemed to try to resist the order, but she ended up mumbling, “I...I am Emiri.”

Keiran shook his head. “You can do better than that,” He urged, making sure to lift her face so that Jaakuna could see her red eyes--the ones that were no longer violet. “This is your prince. Tell him how how happy you are to see him.”

“I’m...so happy to see you…” She said, a little more clearly.

He couldn’t quite place it, but something just wasn’t right about this. Maybe it was this putz practically telling her what to say and do or something he felt in the air, but it wasn’t exactly how it was before. Emiri usually had more life and joy when she saw him. She used to show more affection than she was showing now. Jaakuna was not the most observant man by any means, but people have to give him some credit. When it came to Emiri, he just knew things. And he knew that something about her was off.

Before you ask, Jaakuna, no I don’t know what’s going on.

Wonderful. Jaakuna put on a brave face and then looked to the guy that Emiri called Keiran. “Beat it, you. I need to speak to Emiri alone.” Jaakuna said, hoping Keiran would give him a reason to punch that smug face of his.

He was catching on. And to think, he figured Jaakuna was an idiot. He nodded in understanding, turning as if to leave, though he would stop. He then turned around, wrapping his arm around Emiri’s shoulder. “You two have a lot of catching up to do, that I agree with. But you see...our relationship is…special,” He told Jaakuna, though he would look at Emiri lovingly. “But I understand that the two of you need your space. Do you want to be alone with him, Emiri?”

The brunette’s eyes widened as she looked at him, shaking her head. Don’t! She knew what it was that he was going to do. “I...I need to speak to him. Alone. I’ll be fine,” She said, still shaking her head.

Keiran then looked at Jaakuna, smiling. “As the lady wishes,” He said, leaning closer to her. She reached out, closing her eyes for a moment as she would place a small kiss on his cheek. “I’ll be right outside~” He said, though as he reached the door, he looked back at Emiri, his eyes flashing red. “Behave, Emiri.”

The door would close behind him, leaving the pair alone.

As soon as Jaakuna saw the door was closed, he sighed. “Goddamn, I thought he’d never leave,” Jaakuna took a seat on the bed. “That guy has some nerve. He actually thinks you’re going to do what he says? You wouldn’t even listen to your own parents, let alone that idiot.” Jaakuna laughed as he remembered the first moments they met and when he found out her reasoning for leaving. It seemed like forever ago.

Emiri managed to look up at him. “I never thought you’d leave, either.” She replied quietly.

Oh that stung. Not even Savayna’s Blizzaja was as cold as that.

His eyes glanced at Emiri, though he didn’t know what to say to that. She knew the reasons why he had to leave, yet, as he saw the rather empty expression on her face, maybe she thought otherwise. But what else was he supposed to do? He had to be there for negotiations between the countries. He had to be there as a trueborn son of the Darcone house. He had to be there for his family. But maybe he should have been there for Emiri. Or maybe he should have brought her with him.

After taking a moment and a half, Jaakuna spoke.“ I have done a lot of things that weren’t always right. I’m not perfect, Emiri. You, of all people, should be able to understand that.” Jaakuna couldn’t think of anything else to say. That was the only thing that made sense.

As if reading his thoughts, Emiri nodded. “That sounds logical, doesn’t it?”She asked rhetorically as she would walk to the window, looking at the distance. “Any other time...you would’ve been right. But right then, I needed you. I don’t know what was worse, the fact that I couldn’t bring myself to beg you to take me with you, or the fact that you couldn’t even finish that sentence.” She smiled, her voice gaining some of its energy. “I wonder...you’ve come all this way, and yet...you know nothing, do you?” She turned towards him, still having that small smile on her face.

Don’t go there. Her inner self pleaded. Keiran, don’t do this!

Placing a finger on her chin, she examined Jaakuna. She chose to step a little closer, a little more confident, still smiling. “After you left...I met Keiran. Wouldn’t you know, he was...a little odd, but encouraging. I ended up turning back time for Papa...and he’s all better now!” She nodded, a hand to her chest. “I couldn’t save my mother...but I saved him.”

“You..what?” Jaakuna couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Do you have a deathwish, woman!?” Jaakuna stood up instantly. “You know that every time you use your powers, you’re slowly being pulled an inch closer to Zalera’s gates.” Jaakuna was livid, “I swear to god, Emiri, it’s like your mother’s life meant nothing to you.”

Emiri watched Jaakuna’s reaction, though her smile fell. “It meant…’nothing’...huh?” She repeated his words slowly, looking away from him. “It meant so much that when the love of my life decided to abandon me again, I crumbled. It meant so much I grew desperate, buying into whatever Keiran told me. It meant so much that it is the reason we are here now,” Her voice seemed to rise with each sentence, though she seemed to catch herself, instead letting out a sigh. “It meant so much that I made a deal with the devil without so much as a second thought.”

She forced herself to stare out the window, not wanting to see his disappointment in her. “I couldn’t handle any of it. And then...she appeared before me. Dressed in blue colors that matched her hair, Shion approached me,” She said, closing her eyes. “She wanted to cleanse me...to free me from Zodiark’s seed.”

Unable to hold it in, Emiri let out a burst of laughter, finally turning towards Jaakuna, her eyes sparkling with glee. “She tried...oh, she tried. And you know what? I won. I won, Jaakuna, you couldn’t even defeat her! But I did...and I left her a present to remember me by, at that!” She informed him cheerfully, a hand over her mouth as she tried to suppress her laughter.

It took him a moment - a long moment, but Jaakuna was putting the pieces together. He was starting to unravel the puzzle. The reason Shion had to speak to him. The reason why she seemed to be so insistent on seeing if he could handle himself against Hamut ..it was about Emiri. It was because she had given herself to Zodiark’s influence..no, not influence. This was much more than a simple influence. This was more potent than anything that had happened to him. When Zodiark gave Jaakuna a small dose of his powers, it completely consumed him, but with Emiri, he was noticing a different kind of change. There was a natural merge of sorts. Instead of it altering some physical aspects of her looks and personality, it completely warped her into someone else, something else.

Jaakuna sighed, taking in that deep breath that he heard Belias tell him to take. As he exhaled, everything was becoming so clear to him. Before Belias’ Seal was unlocked, Jaakuna only saw the bits and pieces of what he might’ve suspected, but now it was as clear as the thickness of putrid Mist that he sensed before. “So, this must be what Aloa meant by something foul in you when your memories came back. It was that Keiran..” Jaakuna closed his eyes, taking in as much pure Mist as he could.

In the moment that followed, Jaakuna zipped past Emiri and burst through the door, grabbing Keiran by the throat and pressing him against the wall, not giving the spawn of satan any time to react or prepare.

“Now, that is just plain rude,” Keiran told him as Emiri would run out into the hallway. “Though expected, I suppose. And here I thought we’d be here all night before you noticed, but congratulations, Darcone, you figured it out--or at least, part of it,” He managed to wag a finger at Jaakuna. “In the spirit of good sportsmanship, I’d like you to give you just one chance at victory.” As Jaakuna would non-verbally respond by tightening his grip, Keiran would point at Emiri. The girl was gasping for air, her hands around her throat as she struggled to breathe.

As Jaakuna choked his boytoy harder, he noticed Emiri. “What are you doing to her?!” Jaakuna switched gazes from Emiri to Keiran, increasing his grip on Keiran as he would force him deeper into the wall, this time his left hand covered in a bright crimson flame.

“No, Jaakuna...what are you doing to her…” He managed to speak, watching as Emiri dropped down to her knees. “Surely you’ve realized it by now...I told you before, didn’t I…? We have a special relationship...the truth is I have no physical body on this plane...instead I cast a shadow on her, making it so that she and I are connected...You should’ve seen her when Shion decided to behead me…” He coughed. “Do whatever you want to me, just know whatever damage to inflict, she feels it too…”

Going against everything that he wanted to do, Jaakuna would release his grip of Keiran. He hated that this pathetic trash was able to keep living as whatever kind of being that he was because, if he was hurt in any way, Emiri would feel it. It was one of those lose-lose situations. And Jaakuna hated it.

As he would look at Keiran, he gritted his teeth. The more livid and anger he felt, the brighter the flame in his left hand would get and his hair started to spark little specs of fire. His eyes also were alternating between crimson and emerald. It got to the point where he closed his eyes and punched. He felt his hand connect with something. Only after a moment when he opened his eyes that he knew it was the wall, which he saw a crater the size of Keiran’s body and at least with enough force to kill a man ten times over. It was nearly five inches away from Keiran himself.

“Scary...quite a punch you’re packing,” He couldn’t help but comment. “Belias chose well...but I’ll keep to my word.” He stated, showing a surprising amount of strength as he would pry Jaakuna’s hand away from him, though only enough to give the pair some room. He sighed, walking over to Emiri as she tried to regulate her breathing. He offered her his hand, pulling her up to her feet. His eyes flickered over to Jaakuna briefly, a dark look on his face. “I really don’t enjoy being pushed around like that. Not like I did anything wrong! I was born for one purpose, and one only--to invade the mind of the Scion of Time, as was planted by Leviathan, granted permission by...yourself.” He said, wrapping his arms around Emiri.

“Stop…” Her small plea didn’t go unnoticed as Keiran would pull her closer to him.

“We’re intertwined so deeply...I can make her do whatever I want. I can ask her to...dance--” He stepped back as Emiri would spin around once. “I can ask her to harm herself, too.” He motioned towards her as she would withdraw her dagger, aiming it at herself. “But none of that is fun, is it? No...I should ask her to strip down in front of you. You’re both going to get married, right? You’d love to see her naked body, right?” He asked, satisfied as Emiri would begin to unzip the back of her dress, her sleeves lowering.

She shook her head. “I don’t want to do this…!” She protested, clearly frustrated.

Keiran clucked his tongue. “Hmm...right...I did say I would be a good sport, didn’t I?” He murmured, snapping his fingers as her dress would fall. Instead of exposing her body, it would evaporate and wrap itself around her body, forming her attire. “How about the two of you duke it out? If you win, I’ll leave Emiri entirely. I mean, since you’ll have the power anyway, there’s no reason for me to stick around. What do you say, Darcone?” He asked him, patting Emiri’s head.

I know that you’re angry, Jaakuna. I am too. I want to kill this abomination as much as you do, but we can’t. If we do, Emiri dies as well.

Gods damn it all! Jaakuna knew Belias was right. He knew that if he laid a hand on Keiran, Emiri would feel the brunt of it. And yet, at the same time, he was being backed into a corner. Keiran was making it to where he would have to fight Emiri. He didn’t want to, but he was controlling just about every little thing she could do. Nothing he would do could break that hold. It was useless.

I wouldn’t say that. Belias spoke almost as if he had a plan. We will indulge this madman’s offer for now, but do you trust me, Jaakuna?

Jaakuna would send vibes towards Belias which said yes.

Then accept his conditions. Say the following:

“Fine, Abomination, I accept your terms and conditions with a few of my own.” Jaakuna said, “when I win, you will not only leave Emiri’s conscious, but you will heal Shion, the Blue Rose of any and all influence of Zodiark. Am I clear? And you will surrender yourself wholly to Emiri. Whatever she wills, you will obey. If she tells you to dance, you’re going to salsa for her.” Jaakuna stood firm on the conditions he just laid out in front for him.

Keiran stared at Jaakuna, expressionless. “Abomination...you wound me. Truly, you do.” Ah, Belias was making sure to do the thinking between the two. Still, Jaakuna was...too emotional. He contemplated, though he nodded, snapping his fingers as several letterings along his arms glowed. “And thus our contract has been sealed. I should warn you, though...she’s going to be a toughie~ Give him hell, will you, Emiri?”

The brunette froze in place, though for a moment, she gripped her head. Was she fighting him? He glared at her, clearly displeased. So the little bitch was taking the chance to fight for her freedom? He’d have to deal with that from the inside, though after a moment, he seemed to regain control as she held her hand out, summoning a dark sword.

“Understood,” She stated, holding a stance against Jaakuna, giving him the chance to strike first.

“Please forgive me for what I’m about to do,” Jaakuna murmured to himself as he took a fighting stance. He drew no weapons for he didn’t need to. His fists flared up in bright, crimson flames. His left hand was a bright pinkish-red crimson while his right had a warm, orange-yellow flame. He stepped forward once and he was gone. In the following second, he appeared next to Emiri on the left and struck her with his left hand.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Zodiark examined Grant's face. He seemed to have no reaction what he just heard. Interesting. Did he not hear him? No, that wasn't it. Maybe it was too much of a shock. To hear that your brother was executed for a crime that he didn't even commit - not really, anyway. He did the act, but it wasn't his fault. Oh, what a crushing blow to an already-fractured mental state it must've been. nothing could possibly be worse than that.

"Poor, little Grant. someone longing for love and acceptance can't seem to catch a break. You find out the man you respected then hated for killing your father actually died an innocent man. The woman you love doesn't really love you as much as you thought you did. And now.." Zodiark's arms came onto Grant's shoulders, making sure the Rozarrian prince saw into his eyes.. "you're feeling empty, aren't you? Do you wish for me to take away your suffering? I can do that for you. I can reunite you with your brother, Roland and your father, Augustus. Is that what you want?"

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Zodiark looked at how out of the loop Grant, as well as the others, seemed to be. Did they really not know? Of course they didn't. no one knew the absolute truth. "Just because you've been such a good audience, I will allow you all to know a little secret," Zodiark leaned forward, extending his arms out, grabbing Grant in the same chains from before and bringing him real close. "This is for your ears only." Zodiark made sure he were close enough for him to whisper within his radius.

And into his ears, he whispered.."I was the one who influenced Roland."

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Zodiark looked at the faces of those around. Specifically, he focused on the faces of those related to Nadeilne. It was quite interesting to see how, for the first time in a long time, they had looks of genuine surprise on their faces. It was as if they had no idea what had happened in Dalmasca. The things that had happened to everyone here -what would happen if Zodiark were to reveal them? In this tome of his, he had all of the answers. Yet, it was not the right time.

"Ah yes, those rumors about The Brotherhood, right? Or was it something else?" Zodiark looked around, stopping at Grant, "no doubt you know about that group. It was the very group you and your beloved there ran into at Omisace, correct?"

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

He knew nothing of her struggle or what has happened to her, huh? Zodiark saw that as a challenge and not just stating what she thought to be the truth. "If that is true, then explain how, if not for your beloved Wesley, you would have been killed by his own brother." In that moment, Zodiark could sense the air shift. "Or how that, after realizing it was Sylvester Alexander who nearly killed his fiance that young Wesley fell into a coma just out of the pure agony he experienced."

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

It truly was amusing to see how these Rozarrian Humes stood up for one another. Even though they all knew that he spoke the truth, they still told Grant that Zodiark was lying. That none of what he said was the truth. It was funny that they thought that, but they had to know that history doesn’t lie. It’s written in stone. And on Grant’s stone tablet, he was the only one of the ROzarrian’s who hadn’t found absolute love - not like that of Lorenzo and Karolina, and Nadeline and Wesley, anyways. Sure, he loves Savayna with what he thinks is his entire heart, but what kind of love can one give if the heart they promised to someone is hollow? That’s really the question Grant has to ask himself.

Indulging in that thought, Zodiark once more turned to Nadeline. He wasn’t sure of it, but he could swear that Ultima’s lack of patience for beating around the bush. “Tell me, Nadeline Lenore, do you wish to keep true loves apart?” Zodiark asked her, smirking, “oh that’s right, you do want that to happen - since you left Wesley in a state of distress back in Dalmasca. Sure, his mother and sister are there, but instead of staying by his side like the loyal fiance you claim to be, you left, which makes you even more of a hypocrite than your uncle here. But hey,” Zodiark shrugged, giving Nadeline a smile, “at least you know what love is. I can't speak for your uncle though.”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

The Keeper of Precepts could not help but look amused and impressed at how far the Humes have come. All of them, in their own ways, have matured and progressed. If not in power, then in their daring confidence. Jaakuna seems to be an influence on them - probably more than they would be willing to admit. Each and every one of them probably has him to thank for how far they've come. That, in itself, gave Zodiark reason to smile. It pleased him that these people who were so far from being a real threat to anyone have actually gotten to a place where they are no longer a burden to the one who would fight in their place. Instead of relying on someone else, they have the strength to fight with their own power. Whether it was their actual power or the power borrowed by a foreign being, they arrived here. And now they were here in front of their new god. Truly a moment to appreciate how far each and every one of them has come.

He waved one of his arms and produced a throne to sit upon. As he sat down, one of his arms was against the left arm of the chair and he looked at the group. All of their faces seemed to be a mix of anger, fear, and above all else, curiosity. He opened up his one tome and practically ignored Grant. Instead, his eyes went to Nadeline. "How interesting it is to see a young girl such as yourself controlling Ultima's power when it was originally meant for The Blue Rose." After saying that, he looked to Lorenzo, Aloa, and Vlyn. "The Prince here doesn't even have an esper. By all rights, he shouldn't even be here, yet you two are holders of my brother, Zalera." He thought about that wretched brother of his. "Fitting it seems. A weak male controlled by an empowering woman." Two glances went to Savayna and Grant respectively, then staying on Grant. "You must hate feeling like this, Grant. The two women you have loved the most in your entire life keep choosing you for the same man. I suppose seeing your own brother kill your father would make love impossible." Zodiark noted that in his tome, "both of you tainted by hate that you could never truly love someone. Your minds might trick you into believing it, but when it all comes down to it, it's just out of your reach, isn't it?"

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

For a moment, Savayna paused. She didn’t know white magicks that well. She didn’t study magick as extensively as Nadeline did. She didn’t carry around a giant tome that housed information about everyone and everything to exist in Ivalice, so the form that Nadeline took was foreign to her. However, right as she began that incantation, she realized just what the blonde was doing. The problem with it was that she realized it a second too late.

Savayna started mumbling and as her Mist would focus into her hand and she would thrust it forward, it would appear she was intending to shoot a wave of blizzaja straight for Nadeline and Grant. That was a spell powerful enough to freeze anyone at absolute zero temperatures. However, just as her mouth had opened, no doubt to speak the single word necessary to cast that spell, Nadeline beat her to the punch. Suddenly, as a glyph appeared before her, Savayna was stuck. The Ice Queen was now the one who was frozen.

And boy did she feel every inch of her body writhe as the powerful spell began to affect every hair on her body and attacking her at every possible angle that it could. She struggled, finding herself only able to move within the glyph. Each time she would be able to bang on the forcefield that had surrounded her, the agony of the spell would increase twice of what it was before. And each time Savayna would move an inch, it would increase even more. No matter what she tried and no matter what little room she was allowed to move, none of it worked.

After moments of fighting it, Savayna’s energy had been drained to such a level that she could only stand where she was, still as water as...something happened to her. She shrieked louder than she had before. And after a while, the shrieking went from being human to her tone becoming twisted. It also got to the point where it was no longer feminine. No longer the tone that Savayna normally had. Instead, it seemed to have sounded almost nonhuman - demonic even.

“What..is happening?” Shinto asked. He, along with everyone else, was witnessing a literal demonic exorcism. He just couldn’t believe it. And more to the point, what exactly was in Savayna that was causing this to happen.

What strength it must’ve taken Nadeline to keep it up. As she would, the results of her hard work would finally be seen. Savayna’s skin would see its natural color once more and the dark blue and green smoke rise from Savayna’s body. It was like an evil shadow of some sort as. The longer the spell remained active the more apparent it became that something lingered inside Savayna - something that wasn’t quite human. This shadow looked - and more importantly felt - like something oddly familar. The shadow that was expelled seemed to loiter around in the air was making the same demonic sounds that Savayna herself was making at the start of it.

It was pure black. Shapeless. It had eyes all over its body that ranged from jade green to sapphire blue to even a deep red garnet. It blinked and looked at everyone. And for a moment, it seemed to contemplate its options. But as that moment faded, so did the mystery of what it was planning to do.

This black demonic creature had started to swirl around everyone, trapping them inside a gathering whirlpool of blackness. Though it started out small and only one inch thick, it would soon be the height of five feet and trapping the group of Humes inside its claws. In that, the black creature began to show its true form. The black color would fade into various hues of orange and yellow, its shape starting to reveal itself.

“There..in the shadow. You see it?” Shinto pointed out, looking closely. It was going too quick, so Shinto would try to make it slow down more. “Slowga,” he said. A glyph of a counterclockwise clock appeared over the gathering typhoon of mist and it would slow its movements just enough for Shinto make it out. When he finally saw, he almost lost his thought at what - or rather, whom - he saw.

With all that he could, Shinto extended his arm out and jerked it back. Using his prowess of the technik of Telekinesis, he forced that creature that had trapped Grant, Nadeline, and the now-unconscious Savayna inside its clutches out and coming towards the others. With one last good measure, his other hand - which was glowing a wicked gold - created chains of a similar shade, laced with the same cleanse-like magick he used to help Lorenzo heal Lannit. In this case, he reverse engineered it to cleanse this creature of the blackness that concealed its identity.

Once it was brought to the ground, chained and unable to escape, the black smoke Mist would fade. Slowly but surely, its face would be revealed. Though Shinto had ideas on who it was, he was surprised. And a bit confused. He was sure he knew who it is.

“I was sure it was Halmarut,” Shinto sounded almost disappointed.

The man simply laughed. He had a dark mane that was nearly as black as the shadow that once cloaked him. Eyes like two garnet stones and his skin was a medium tan shade and slightly wrinkled but not too much. It showed age but also still some youth. He had a weird, almost-animated tattoo that ran from his shoulder along the side of his face that broke into two branches of sorts that stopped at his eyes and continuously flashed red as his eyes would sparkle of the same shade.

He looked around, seeing all of the intrigued faces. He then returned a gaze to Shinto as he simply chuckled “You’re obviously one who has done his research. But, I suppose I shouldn’t expect anything less from a student of the great and wise Blue Rose.” As he would speak, his eyes went to Shion, “I see his mark is well on its way to corrupting your soil. Perhaps a week if you don’t use any magick - three days if you do.” Then, finally, his eyes went to the Archadian Prince in which was being guarded by a wary, protective Lorenzo. It was as if it was a father protecting his son. Or uncle protecting his nephew..“As for him..” He closed his eyes and smiled. “Not the time, huh? Very well.”

“What?” Shinto asked, feeling way out of the loop.

“Oh, you’ll find out soon--”

Before he could even say anything, down from the sky came a pale green shadow, As its feet would crash to the ground, an aftershock of mist was created, sending most of everyone back about five paces. Inside the pale green shadow, a form was revealed. First, the bare feet of sickly fleshy green and slowly, as smoke cleared, more of the form was revealed. It would eventually clear and as did the mystery of whom it was. Multiple arms and a cloak of simple beige and a giant tome in two of its hands.

“You’re late.” The man in chains said.

“I figured I’d let you have your fun.” The all-too familiar voice said, looking around. He seemed pleased with what happened here.

“Zodiark!” Shinto yelled, attempting to rush forward. He was murmuring incantations. But he was too late, for Zodiark was ten steps ahead of him.

As his multiple arms gripped just about everyone who was near: Shinto, Shion, Grant, Savayna, Nadeline, and Lorenzo, the tome would float and surround them all in transparent magick. Before any of them would realize what happened, they would be forced five feet back, wrapped in the same chains that Shinto had created before.

After he had done that simple act, he was over the unconscious Jaakuna. He knelt down to the blond, smiling down at him. “]You continue to impress me, Jackson. You may be ready for it now.”

Zodiark’s left upper-arm touched Jaakuna’s face. Almost instantaneously, Jaakuna’s eyes opened up, and he sat upright.. “SAVAYNA NO! GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE—” Just as Jaakuna had said that, he was gone, sucked into a vacuum of space-time magick.

Zodiark stood up and looked at everyone who was no doubt fearing what the almighty Zodiark was planning. “]Rest easy, Humes and Viera. The cradle will rock once again and all of its filth shall be cleansed.” Zodiark would form a portal behind him, “]Blue Rose, if you truly wish to make amends to these Humes, come to my Sky Fortress. Bring them if you wish, but know that if you’re not here within the next sunrise, The Time Scion and The Prodigal Sun will meet fates worse than death. This I can promise you.”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

When Savayna’s attack was quickly dispelled, she smirked. She [Nadeline] was impressive. The fact she was able to effortlessly cast an advanced fire magick spell and then go to Scourge in the next moment was indeed impressive. The sign of a magnificent mage. And yet it was all for naught.

As Savayna would stab her Trident into the ground, her mist was concentrated into the tips of it and through that one action alone, she sent a wave of unmeasurable brisk winds that the tentacles that had appeared to close them in were frozen solid and posed no threat to Savayna. Then, as she whipped in a circular, clockwise motion, momentum followed as her trident shot out waves of blizzaga, shattering the frozen tentacles.

Her spinning stopped. Not on her own accord, but Savayna found herself gripping her head again. This time, she had her mist still active and because she lost her sense of focus, blizzaga spells would be shot everywhere, putting everyone else in danger of getting hurt. That included Jaakuna.

Shinto acted instinctively. He extended his arm out and a green glyph appeared. “Shellga!” He called out, a veil of magick surrounding everyone, protecting them from the shots of ice magick that looked like they were strong enough to maim them severely.