Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Jaakuna had remained to himself for a majority of the past minutes. Although, as Shion would force his hand by raising hers and making flames dancing in it, he saw the body of a ram appear before him. It was a man with four arms crossed over the built chest of fur and flesh, and the head of a ram towering over it huffing smoke and fire, eyes glowing like the flames of a forge.

There wasn’t anything that Jaakuna could say to all of that, not really, anyway. He had figured that there was something special about him; maybe he had always known.

He couldn’t place exactly when he figured this out, but it was probably some time after they all were in Nabudis and experienced their worst realities at the hands of Lola. He had forced it to the back of his mind and chose to forget about it because he didn’t want to accept that he was somehow the only person that could defeat Zodiark. He wanted to remain in ignorant bliss for as long as he possibly can, so maybe that’s why he made certain decisions before the day before last. But no matter what he did or how long he stalled, there was no running away from destiny; he knew that now. But that didn’t make stomaching all of this any easier.

And now the eyes of everyone—Wesley, Nadeline, Grant, Keiran, Savayna, and Emiri—were on him. They were doubtless curious about his reaction to it, but he had none; not at the moment, he didn’t. It was all too much. He even had Belias questioning what he had to say to all of that. Usually, his Esper had something to say one way or another, but perhaps it was out of respect for Jaakuna to respond on his own that hindered the Gigas from saying anything in retort.

Shion had said that it was his weapon and that she had been holding it for him. The first thought that came to him was how long had she been in possession of it? Was it just recently or did she have it this whole time, waiting for the right time to unveil it? If she truly was holding onto it for him, then why reveal it now? Why not give it to him when he needed it? Why didn’t she give it to him when Zodiark—

Instead of asking me all of these questions, perhaps you should ask her.

As always, Belias knew exactly what to say without actually giving any specifics.

He let out a sigh, having the attention of everyone. It was like any sound or movement he made grabbed their full attention. Needy much? He shrugged, approaching Shion. He knew he couldn't take it just yet. “Shion..” Jaakuna said after nearly five minutes of silence. He looked at her blue hair, then her eyes. Eventually, after almost a minute, he then looked to the sigil in her hand. He was tempted to take it from her hand right then and there, but this wasn’t something he could do without knowing some things. “I want to know something. Did you just obtain this or were you holding onto it this entire time you’ve known us? If you just had it, then I will gladly take it, but if you had it this entire time, then why wait until now to present it to us? I want—no, I need—to know before I take this from you.” Jaakuna backed away one pace as if to resist the temptation of grabbing it by mistake. He just simply let Shion answer.

Music Appreciation Thread

@FrankenDaughter This was quite the interesting piece of music. The punk-like spoken vocals mixed with that jazz-themed instrumentation really was bizarre to hear, but all of it worked well together methinks. Listening to this really did give me a sense of wonder and had me smiling the entire way through.



This might be a bit on the longer side of things for a song of its genre, but I think it's worth it. It's so well-crafted and an enjoyable listen if you like progressive rock. Like, I think it's more along the lines of Rush and Dream Theater rather than the Tool-brand of prog.

Naruto: Revival

@Syn
Jaakuna Hinoko's character sheet link roleplayerguild.com/posts/4432268

Naruto: Revival

^{Konohagakure | Chunin | NinTai-nin}

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^{TIME: Present Day - Morning | LOCATION: Konohagakure - Exam Stage, Earth Challenge Room | INTERACTION: Artist known as Kiku@Ladyinink Self-Appointed Senju Sensei@Reflection Our Almighty Protector@Syn}

For someone like Jaakuna whose main prowess was specific in light, darkness was no friend to him. In fact, one could say it was the mortal enemy of any Hinoko. Fire and lightning go hand-in-hand with one another, so for there to be an absence of light didn’t make Sundance feel at home. He wouldn’t say he was scared. That would imply that he’d let them know a second time in less than ten minutes. Instead, he toughed it out for them. He was no leader, but he was a man. Men didn’t scream like a girl for the second time in a row. They waited at least an hour.

As they pressed on through the barely-lit path, there soon came a light. Although, when they breached the light and came to the sight of yet another golem statue. This one, however, seemed far less thick than the previous ones. It was seated like a monk of some sort. It didn’t have a humanoid jaw like the others. This one had a more reptilian-like jawline--well, beak more like than anything else. It certainly was more metallic than the others, so that was one thing that Jaakuna took notice of. The interesting thing about this statue was the red mechanism dead center of its abdomen. If Jaakuna didn’t know better, it was like some kind of modern tech, though given the ruins, the blonde shinobi was trying to figure out how that could be. Maybe this ancient civilization had innovation on their side.

After spending one too many moments pondering about that, Jaakuna shrugged. Instead, he would focus on the task at hand. However, when he stepped closer with his team, there seemed to be something strange in the air. It felt like some kind of magnetic field was active. He couldn’t say where it was coming from exactly, but somewhere around the golem statue. Call it a hunch or what, but he was usually right about these hunches. So better to play to your strengths rather than overthink it like some people do.

“Huh,” Jaakuna caught the sight of a few machines set off to the side. He saw one to the right and the left respectively. It took him a moment of looking around until he noticed one behind the statue(throne?). “Well that’s neat. Though, what the hell are they for?” Jaakuna mused aloud.

He started to tap his head with his right index finger as he thought about it. Although, this proved to be useless. JAakuna, as previously stated, wasn’t a thinking man. But, as he read the inscription on the wall, there seemed to be something connecting those machines and statues. But what could it be?

So he looked to the obvious thinker of the group. “Yo, Windseeker,” Jaakuna called to Shizuka, “you’re up bro!” He said, looking towards him. “Do that thing that you do.”

Let's B!tch. I feel it's a healthy release for our roleplay annoyances 2.0

@NuttsnBolts Hmm, I hadn't thought of that. Though, the setup in this particular RP has been going since the intro, so I definitely need to get it just right...even if progress ICly is going to be held up for a few days. x.x

Let's B!tch. I feel it's a healthy release for our roleplay annoyances 2.0

tfw you
>have the idea for a post in your mind
>know what it's going to include and be about
>can't get it to paper because your brain is poop

My night in a nutshell.

Men vs. Women Race to 1000

616

Men vs. Women Race to 1000

611

Naruto: Revival

^{Konohagakure | Chunin | NinTai-nin}

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^{TIME: Present Day - Morning | LOCATION: Konohagakure - Exam Stage, Earth Challenge Room | INTERACTION: Artist known as Kiku@Ladyinink Self-Appointed Senju Sensei@Reflection Our Almighty Protector@Syn}

It became painfully obvious to Jaakuna that the idea to burn the metal door and alternate it between a cooling agent wasn’t going to work. Well, it could’ve worked if they had more time. Based off of the hourglass and the increasing intensity of the tremors, even a simple man like Jaakuna could deduce that there simply wasn’t enough time to do it. Two minutes tops were all that remained from now and the hourglass reaching its last grain of sand. Sundance wondered exactly what would happen when it reached the end? Would the floor beneath them crack and send them down to their death? Or maybe it was some kind of trap. Truthfully, Jaakuna wasn’t the one to wonder about such things. He would leave that to a thinking man like Kurin or Shizuka. He was just here to make sure they didn’t die by blasting bitches with his awesome fiery fists of rad awesomeness.

Though Jaakuna didn’t want to experience it, the last grain of sand dropped and suddenly the floor shook. This time it wasn’t just a tremor; it was a full-on earthquake. Jakuna nearly lost his footing, though he found support thanks to the wall. “Gotta love walls,” Jaakuna murmured to himself, thankful for walls. But that wasn’t the end of their worries. The floor started to glow blue in the same kind of runes that the walls were covered in. Whatever this meant, Jaakuna braced himself for the worst to come. He found himself pre-screaming for the fall to his death. It was very unmanly on his part and Jaakuna would find out that he had no reason to scream because, well, the shaking stopped and, as he would find out a few moments after his team did, all was well in the kingdom.

Nothing happened.

“Oh, well that wasn’t so bad.” He scratched his head. If that was the worst of it, then maybe they truly didn’t have anything to worry about, after all. And then the blue reverted, inverting into red and suddenly Jaakuna’s panic was back. Hooray for unmanly screams and darkness. “I don’t want to die!” Jaakuna panicked, his voice rising to levels that shouldn’t be humanly possible. Though a light at the end of the tunnel came to them and a literal door opened. “Oh never mind, I’m not going to die.” Jaakuna wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at his teammates, giving the ‘a-okay’ gesture.

Just a moment later, Jaakuna was drawn to the rune glowing on the door. One more moment later, it opened and he followed Kurin’s suit. After the brief praise that pseudo-leader gave him and Kiku for the idea about using Jaak’s fire, the blonde simply gave him a grin and let him lead them into the unknown. “You know, just for the record, I wasn’t actually afraid. I was just making sure you guys weren’t afraid. Taking one for the team and all that.”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Suddenly, as death magicks surged their way through Michel’s body, Zodiark noticed something absolutely wrong. It wasn’t exactly what Zalera’s power was like--not really, anyways. It was, like Aloa’s voice, distorted and mixed. Ancient Viera mist mixed with the Death Esper’s own intended to finish the job that Shion had started. It was different from Shion’s magicks, though. Hers was purely purification-based. Zodiark could tell that his brother’s approach was a lot more vicious and vile. Much like Zodiark’s own ambition, it dug deep into the connection that he had with Michel, no matter how guarded it was, the piercing magicks got past all defenses and now had the Keeper of Precepts on his knees, gripping his chest tightly as he grunted out. It also caused him to start to pant heavily.

And as it dug further, Zodiark fell on all fours.

“What’s happening?” Hamut asked, worried as he saw Zodiark almost cry out from the pain. Whatever Aloa was doing not only halted his master’s attack completely but it also forced him to collapse to the ground.

Hamut gripped his blade and swung at Aloa. The viera would stop it with her claw, though it seemed she wasn’t quite interested in Hamut so much as she was in Zodiark. She would acknowledge him as she held his blade steady. “Your master so loves to take that which does not belong to him,” Shion would inform Hamut as Vlyn would put her down, the male viera healing her wound. “My Chamomile is not a tool to be used at your leisure.”

Zodiark fought through the pain, standing up despite every inch he moved ripping through his hold on Michel. “Your Chamomile sought me out. Like your poor Rio and like Jackson, Michel was the one who called out to me. All I did was answer his lust for power.” Zodiark struggled to say that.

There was probably some truth to what he said, but just as Zodiark loved to cause pain, Shion reveled in the opportunity to talk down to him. “Truly? Then why are you struggling so much to keep him under your thumb? Ah, forgive me, my simple hume mind couldn’t possibly comprehend whatever thoughts cross your opalescent mind.”

“You’re right about one thing, Blue Rose,” Zodiark said through panted breath, “you could never understand what it’s like to be me--what it’s like to be perfection. You could never understand what it’s like to be the greatest in all of existence. This is why you could never possibly control my power. That is why I chose Rio over you. Unlike you, he understood what it took. He wasn’t a weakling like you. But maybe he was. Perhaps, like every man before him, he was too weak to handle my Seal.” Zodiark marathoned past that but not without consequences. He felt his hold over Michel slipping the more he spoke. Though, as he looked to Aloa. “Great and powerful holder of Zalera, you didn’t know this, did you?” Zodiark let out a grunted laugh. “I guess the Blue Rose of Utena never really does change no matter how much she boasts.” As Zodiark spoke, Hamut couldn’t help but feel he was saying too much.

The viera would look at Shion out of the corner of her eye. Vlyn’s healing spell finished, though Shion remained steady. No time like the present to confront your demons--literally and figuratively. The blue haired woman looked at her blackened hand wistfully. “Yes...just like them, I, too, sought power once,” She stated, forming a fist. “Though you’re wrong about one thing: Rio didn’t have what it took, but I did. You knew he was my weakness...and purged him in an attempt to strengthen me. Too bad instead it opened my eyes to the monster you truly were.”

So it was true. Vlyn had thought as much when the Garif had addressed her, but he didn’t think it was an actual reality. “The Ashlesha Ascendant…” He chuckled, an eye closed, though he supposed he would have to be the bearer of bad news. “We viera live longer than humes. The very reason Aloa left the Wood was to find the Ascendant...to find the one rumored to have been chosen by the gods--chosen by you.”

“We were less than a passing glance,” Aloa informed Zodiark. “But long have I watched you. Your disturbance goes back to years...and when my people refused to take action, i chose to do so myself. Ivalice herself has chosen me--and so my own plan would turn as time did.”

“In other words, Master, Aloa knew long before you even had it as a thought,” Shion would lay it outright, though her expression would darken. “I admit, I would like to take credit, but while the Treaty Blade was my idea, it was Aloa who brought it fully into fruition. One step ahead of me--yes, I will admit that. For all my power, I never could truly come out on top. Luckily for me, Aloa was always a step ahead of you.” She stated, beckoning towards the crystal around them. If one would look closely, traces of Aloa’s magicks were all around them. “I haven’t changed. But I have changed my company.”

It took a long moment for it to register with Zodiark. How could this have gone past him? Was it because he didn’t anticipate Aloa’s role in all of this or was it simply he didn’t think the Viera were capable of something so clever and so sneaky? That wasn’t their way. And yet, as he just heard it himself, there was no denying it. The ones who he should have gone after from the beginning was not the Blue Rose. It wasn’t even Jackson’s band of misfits. The ones he should have dealt with were the Viera. Those abominations that shouldn’t be allowed to breathe the same air that he breathes should’ve been his main target. He was careless. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

Zodiark had only one thing on his mind now: to make sure these Viera and Aloa didn’t make a fool out of him again. And so, despite the continued rising levels of anguish, he rushed forward. His movements were slow, but he reached out, aiming for Aloa. As he did, however, Aloa would take Hamut by his blade, callously throwing him aside. Rather than run, Aloa went straight for Zodiark, her normal hand grasping him by the throat, though it was meant to hold him steady rather than harm.

Vlyn would snap his fingers, revitalizing Shion’s previously wilted roses, and they would spring to life, wrapping their vines around Michel’s body. Aloa would stare at Zodiark, as if looking into his very soul, her cape billowing around them as they were surrounded by her magicks. “Your rage will be the end of you, although I will comfort you with a thought. I will not be the one to strike you down--that honor will belong to the Prodigal Son. I am but a stepping stone, though that humiliation in itself will suffice for now,” She informed him rather cooly, her expression stony. “Begone, he of darkness, and come forth you who would Whisper!”

Aloa released him, though she would slam her palm onto Michel’s chest, the light once again erupting through him. As it did, a shadow formed behind him, screeching at unbelievable sounds. In that same moment, Michel’s body fell forward. Without a host, it was, at least for the moment, an unconscious body. Meanwhile, the hovering shadow that could only be deduced as Zodiark was nothing but a floating hume-sized shadow of absolutely blackened darkness that had eyes like maroon. As it screeched more, it swirled around Hamut, empowering the Archadian.

And as Zodiark found a new host, Hamut rose from where he was and raised his non-sword arm up and conjured up a mixture of powerful magicks that was his own and Zodiark’s. Powered by Exodus’ seal and Zodiark’s Seal, Meteor came from below, glowing bright orange and surrounded by a pitch black aura. It came down for the group, though at the point of contact, Hamut would be already gone.

“Always with the dramatics, are we?!” Shion couldn’t help but get frustrated, though as Vlyn would raise his hand, the crystal glowed, shattering the meteor.. “...an illusion?”

“No, but viera magicks are much more than hume ones--even with Zodiark’s ‘enhancements’, he doesn’t quite understand how to utilize the crystal’s power.” He stated, kneeling down to pick up the unconscious Michel. “What’s next?”

Aloa narrowed her eyes at the scene, but it seemed Hamut had truly fled. She let out a small sigh; she had hoped to capture him, but it was of no importance. “We go to him,” She stated as both her flaw and cape would dissipate, her red eye going back to its usual brown. “Although...I am not too pleased you would reveal my place.” She couldn’t help but give Shion a look.

The woman gave her a genuine smile. “Forgive me. I could not hold myself back...it was satisfying to rub it in his face,” She outright admitted, though she would regain her usual serious composure. “Next, we deal with the Seed...and see to it that Fandan
iel remains where he needs to be.”

Vlyn shrugged. “To Dalmasca, then?” He asked.

“Indeed. We have carefully dismantled one problem. Yet our work is not done,” Aloa stated, holding out her arm as her teleportation spell spun around them. Their surroundings morphed, the Mist blinding until instead of crystal, they stood on stone, people bustling around them. Few paid them any mind, though the castle was in view. “We will ask the royal family to spare us a room. Wesley should be awake now.”

Shion nodded, though she winced, holding her abdomen. “Next time...I’ll get him for sure.”

Before anything would happen, Michel’s body, which was over Vlyn’s back, started to fidget. Additionally, he was coming to. He coughed and his eyes would open. “Where...am I?” He asked lowly, his voice still weak.

Shion would place her hand on his cheek comfortingly. “Be still, you are with me in Rabanastre,” She soothed him, speaking gently. “Tell me, what is the last thing you remember?”

“I was with Meli. and then I heard a whisper of sorts. It goes blank after that.” Michel tried to remember, but each time he tried, he was met with static. “Tell me, what happened to me? How did I end up in Dalmasca?” Michel asked confused.

“We came from Giruvegan, where you had followed Shion to,” Aloa informed him bluntly, ignoring Shion’s annoyed look. “Your actions were not your own, instead you bended to Zodiark’s will. He stated as such--is it true?”

He started to remember. Yes, the reason he was with Meli. “I think…” Michel’s eyes went to Shion’s. “My Mistress, I must apologize. I did this willingly.” He regretfully admitted, gesturing Vlyn to let him down.

The viera was glad to put him down, letting out a sigh of relief, though he was practically shoved out of the way as Shion would step closer to Michel. “Why?” She asked, unable to hide her disappointment, and outright ignoring Vlyn’s expression of annoyance.

Michel took a deep breath, preparing himself for his explanation, though Shion being so close to him didn’t make it any easier. “Before you berate me, allow me to explain. I was not doing this because I wanted to. I understand the risk involved, but I stumbled upon something in Archadia. Actually, my father told me about it. An old scripture from the the beginning of Ivalice.” Michel said, “in the scripture, it detailed the Espers, their three stages of their Seals, and something called the Word of Ivalice.” Michel tried to recall exactly what it said. “Mistress, it also stated that the way to truly know Zodiark was to allow the beast to take control of your body. Should your will be strong enough, you may understand the truth of his soul. I admit, it was a gamble, but I found out something important…”

Aloa raised both her eyebrows, clearly amused. “The Word is hume knowledge? Now that’s a surprise,” She mused, though she would put that to the side, sensing Shion’s impatience. “You were able to connect to him? I’ve underestimated you. What did you learn?”

“The Zodiark the legend states was misinformed. He is not the real Zodiark. I suspected when I was reading the scripture, but it was proven to me when he took control. The one who calls himself Zodiark is actually the reincarnation of Vayne Solidor--or what remains of him after Venat’s control.”

“A remnant of ages past...I see,” Aloa seemed to understand.

“This doesn’t surprise you?” Vlyn asked.

“Of course it does. An unbound remnant is a large threat, however...I fear that is not what I mean.”

Shion shook her head. “What she means is that the true Zodiark is still running amok. No matter--I will continue to deal with the demon.” She stated boldly.

“I will...search, then. Zodiark is...too much of a wild card to be let loose,” Aloa admitted, turning away from the group with a thoughtful expression. “I trust you will guide your mistress, Michel.”

“We just got back together, and you’re leaving?” Vlyn couldn’t help but whine, though he would nod. “Oh well...guess we have our work cut out for us.”

Michel simply nodded to Aloa as she would depart. “We could use a rest, I think.” Michel suggested. With everything that has transpired, some rest to rejuvenate their energy was the top priority. Shion nodded in agreement, beckoning for him to follow her. She walked without fear: now that she knew exactly who the enemy was, she needed to continue no matter what.