Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

"It's nothing at all. My Cassandra, though I love her, is a handful." Isabelle sighed regretfully as she and Lorenzo tried to find some solace in the madness.

Cassandra thought little of Reia's comments. It just proved that just like her aging lady parts, she's also quite grotesque. "I'm not worried. I'm still young - I can find a husband in a few years. If not that handsome Jaak, then I'm sure I can find some suitor." Cassandra stated, refusing to back down regardless of the height difference between them. "I cannot say the same for you, though. You're practically a grandma, with the exception of children, that is. you might be lucky to remain in some kind of advisor rule when they choose a new Emperor or Empress. Though, maybe they would want to cut their losses and start fresh."

"Cassandra..."

"What mother? All I'm saying is that maybe Rozarria would be better off if the Roselia family wasn't in charge."

"Don't you think you should dial it back?"

"Mother, honestly! It's common knowledge that their brother became corrupt. He even killed their father. Except for maybe Lorenzo and his daughter, their just as bad. It wasn't long that this one here was trying to kidnap that Emiri." Cassandra looked at Reia. "Oh, I'm sorry, did I cross a line?" Cassandra feigned an apologetic tone.

Meanwhile, in the doorway leading to the hallway, Savayna and Grant stood, unsure how to respond to that. However, Savayna coughed. "Don't mind us," Savayna walked over and pulled Lorenzo's arm and dragging him. "We'll be back in a day or so," Savayna said as she had Lorenzo's arm in one hand and Grant's in another as they left the same way they came.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Colors all over the spectrum swirled around a golden figure of gold light, all of them calling to him. They beckoned him to follow them. Red demanded with a fierce determination. Green tempted him with unlimited excitement. Blue and purple both gave reasons based in logic and realism. White and black both presented the pros and cons of hesitation. Yellow and orange were mostly quiet, but when they spoke, their words were elegant and tone regal. All of these colors had only but one thing on their minds: recruit thefigure.

But as this figure of pure mist heard all of their cases and would start to think about their respective proposals, it heard another voice. It was not one associated with a color. It was one that was colorless and had seemingly faded into naught. It was frail and barely audible, but the figure somehow was drawn to it - almost as if something connected them. This figure had then decided to ignore the wants and needs of the Rainbow Collective and phase through them, their forms being absorbed into him, and went for that voice that called out to it.

It passed through dimensions of various locations and worlds it seemed, and found itself stopping in a room that was surrounded by flowers of various makes. It was a room that was well lit with magicite and had been cleaned recently. On a bed sat a frail woman who had seen better days. Her eyes was like a rusted sienna and her hair, though obviously gray, had the image of something once quite serene. Her skin had wrinkles and had faded from its obvious-former porecelin white shade to a dismal silverish-gray. Additionally, at her bedside, there was a man with all the youth that a 40something man had. Though he looked like a man who wore armor, he wore casual clothing of gold and white, hair dark as the night sky, and when he turned aorund, eyes were gray with a speck of golden ore.

This man that sat by her bedside had puffy eyes. No one in the room had to think. This was Francis Sicarius, the Golden Wolf of Archadia.

The figure received a bow from Francis as he approached the frail woman. She had gestured the golden figure to come forward and so it did. Where Francis sat, the figure would sit. The figure took the frail hand of the woman and she beckoned him to come close. As she whispered into his ears, only five words were spoken.

“He lives within the Fallen.”

“What?” He asked her. The voice was so frail that he couldn’t make out what she said.

“He lives within the Fallen.”

And as he would ask her to repeat a second time, she would respond with..

“Jaakuna - Jaakuna, wake up please.”

Suddenly, as slowly as his fatigued body would allow, he opened eyes - albeit slowly. Looking around, the light was bothersome as he had to blink one too many times to adjust his own to it. Though, as he would find himself able to see much clearer, his head went to where Shion was soundly sleeping. And...snoring? Wait no, that sound was coming from somewhere else.

So Jaakuna turned his head in the opposing direction and there waiting for him were a pair of plump breasts. “Holy titty!” That was the first thing that came to his mind and he was still groggy enough that he said it aloud. However, as he looked up, he noticed who they belonged to. “Emiri?” Jaakuna lifted himself up, grunting because the floor was rather uncomfortable.

He let out a yawn as he looked at Emiri. He had to take a few extra moments because he was still in a dazed state, but as he looked at her, he noticed something was different - well, aside from the bust upgrade. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but there was something oddly different with her.

---

“Please, my Queen, Empress Reia, there’s no need to get angry. I only meant that maybe you two should lay down. It’s obvious that you two are very tired.”

Isabelle felt bad for Alistair. He truly wanted to bring peace between the warring factions of Empress Reia and her daughter, the Princess Cassandra. But not even she could bring about a truce once Cassandra implied that Reia was far past her prime. It didn’t help that Isabelle was practically forbidden from speaking. No matter how much she wanted to bring her daughter back to the ground, she was, after all, just the Queen Mother. Besides, not even Isabelle could get through to her daughter. Plus, she didn’t want to be in the middle of Reia’s wrath.

It didn’t help either that Lorenzo came in at the worst of times. He tried to claim peace on orders of Wesley, but both Reia and Cassandra, despite their differences, told him - and this is the actual quote - “bud the fuck off!”

Okay, maybe that was Isabelle’s paraphrasing. But still, it was a chaotic scene and it wasn’t even midday yet.

“Look here, Reia, I’m not saying you’re useless to your country. You obviously pull some of the weight, but even your council wants you out. Maybe you’re too old. Nadeline is pretty and young. And from what that Keiran said, she’s pregnant. I’m sure, once news breaks of that, you’ll be flat on your round, Cúchulainn-sized rump soon enough.” Cassandra simply shrugged, giving Reia a smug look.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

They had always made sure the other knew that they weren’t alone. When one felt as if though they had to take on their burdens alone, the other would remind them either subtly or bluntly so they knew it was never a one-man or one-woman job. All one needed to do was lean on the other. Wesley had to be reminded of that because he had forgotten that for a while. Besides, they were to be married, so he had to stop acting like a lone wolf. That was Jaakuna’s job.

He’s not going to be too happy if he hears you say that. Hashmal chuckled at Wesley’s thought.

He would ignore Hashmal and concentrate on Nadeline’s face and the words she spoke. He remembered them and made sure to lock them in a safe so he could go back to them whenever he needed a reminder. “I don’t know where or what I would be without you.” He took her hands and raised them up with hers. “You are my rock, Nadeline Lenore. You are the compass that guides me out of the deep forest of my own doubts; the light that guides me from my own insecure darkness.” Wesley smiled at her, letting the moment linger on just for a bit longer.

---

Savayna let out an annoyed sigh. Why was it so hard for her to know what he wanted? Honest to the gods, when he was talking, she couldn’t wait for him to shut up, but now that he has shut up (for good it seems), she wished he’d say something. Maybe this was what Grant was experiencing; feeling that the Occuria have a weird way of finding amusement.

Out came another sigh, she started walking. “Come along, Grant, the Mute,” she snapped her fingers, “if you can’t talk, then we’re going to find alternative methods for you.” She said, waiting for him to follow her.

Dance With The Angels - A GFX Shop by Altered Tundra

Still requesting? Its for a RP I GM.

Type of Request: RP Banner

Stock: Boop.

Size: no difference, maybe make it a bit bigger?

Text:_Project:P.H.O.B.I.A._

Other:Could you do a futuristic theme, with binary code and all that? Thanks!

@Majoras End

If this wasn't what you wanted, I can provide a different version if you wish but I just ran with a simple edit of color and - well yeah.

Naruto: Revival

^{Konohagakure | Chunin | NinTai-nin}

---

^{TIME: Present Day - Morning | LOCATION: Konohagakure - Exam Stage, Earth Challenge Room | INTERACTION: Cloudy Eye-Salvation@Ladyinink Lone Stick Man@Reflection The Windseeking MArtyr@Syn}

As all of the events had unfolded too quick for Jaakuna to process them, he had no time to think - only react. After he had unfortunately landed near Kiku and Shizuka, it only took a few, short moments for Jaakuna to realize that what they were doing would have an immediate effect on him because of the fact that the golem had its knee blown up, a brilliant aftereffect of Jaakuna’s brilliant diversion. Yes, it was so brilliant that now the knee was coming for Jaakuna. Not only was it coming for him but, in no time was it aiming to crush his very body. So Jaakuna had to act on his feet. Or rather, act while off his feet. As quick as his limbs would allow, Jaakuna would flip backwards, and propel himself about a meter back using his hiden. It was only a one-second usage of it, but that’s all that was required to escape certain death. The downside to it, however, was that Jaakuna felt even more pain from his shoulder.

Something is going on with that hiden of mine. Not the first time I’ve experienced some kind of double-edged sword-like effect when I used it. Jaakuna did wonder if something was wrong with it. But, he wouldn’t have any time to worry about that because of what was happening in front of him.

The blonde took to his feet and looked on as he only could while the golem, who in the process of regenerating the leg that Jaakuna so brilliantly helped destroy, punched down to the ground with the now destroyed flaming palm, which causes a lava reaction. And jaakuna’s own was basically a vocal, “oh shit” as he saw that a third of the ground they were on was now in the speeding evolution from solid, cold earth to liquid, hot mag-ma. Additionally, a wave of lava was then sent towards Jaakuna’s, Kiku’s, and Shizuka’s general direction.

Now was the time for Jaakuna to panic. But, as always, Shizuka had a plan. Though, he wasn’t quite sure what that plan was. Better let him show him, huh? As he would, however, Jaakuna noticed something rather interesting. Well, maybe two things that were interesting. Number one was, of course, the oddly-shaped prison-like barrier-esque thing around the back of the golem. That was the part that had some sort of battery or what looked like a battery, anyway. Number two was this feeling Jaakuna got form it. He couldnt’ say what exactly it was, but something told him he should get closer in front of the golem and away from that box.

So, as he dodged rocks from the side and assuming the floor was lava, Jaakuna occasionally used his hiden when it wasn’t so much of a bother to get a good deal away from the boxed backside of the golem. He was a few paces away from Kiku and Kurin, though now the thing he - nay, they - had to worry about was the remaining palm that was glowing bright with blue chakra and appeared to be something disastrous for all of them.

They needed to work together, yes, but what could they do? The beam was charging rather quickly and there appeared to be a small window for them, so a strategy had to be thought of fast. “Perhaps..” Jaakuna mused, looking at Kiku then over at to Kurin. “If you can wet it, Kiku, I got just the thing that can give that palm a shock. It might even give us more time.” Jaakuna said to Kiku. Though he could feel his body starting to feel the effects from his usage of his hiden usage, he might have enough chakra left for a few bursts of chakra. He wasn’t nearly as low as the other two, so that was fortunate. All he needed was for the palm to be soaked. As soon as it would, he’d start weaving the handsigns for his Electromagnetic Murder jutsu and do his best to aim the current towards the palm. If anything, the discharge of raiton chakra should be able to delay the charging of the beam long enough for them to devise a finishing strategy. Jaakuna should be able to launch it from the distance he and the others are at.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Amid everything good that had occurred this morning, WEsley had nearly forgotten about the realization he had earlier about him being Fandaniel. Additionally, he hadn’t the heart to explain it to Nadeline because he didn’t quite understand it himself. He knew he was Fandaniel - or least he suspected it. The odds were probably in his favor for it go well as he’d try to explain it; although there wasn’t any guarantee that Nadeline would take it as well as he would hope. No, maybe she would be fine with the Fandaniel part of it, but him wanting to run away wouldn’t set well , especially after he pledged to give up his adventuring days to be with her and their baby.

Stop fretting about it. After days of silence, Hashmal offered his wisdom.

You’ve sure been silent, haven’t you?

I apologize for that, Wesley. Your...awakening has been difficult on me as well, but I’ve been here listening to what happened. You should tell her the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Wesley shook his head and let out a strained sigh. He still had his eyes on Nadeline. “ suppose the short version is that, I am Fandaniel. As you well know. And even further, I had a thought of leaving because I thought that meant I would be a danger to you. I honestly thought that, but maybe not anymore. I don’t know if this is making any sense, but in the short hour that passed, I feel as though that part of my mind has changed. Moreover, I think being Fandaniel isn’t a bad thing.” Wesley thought about it as he spoke. “I cannot speak about Caeru or Sanguine for I do not quite understand. Maybe they couldn’t deal with this revelation and that’s why they built The Protector to being some evil man or maybe there was some other Protector out there. Frankly, all I know is that I’m the same Wesley I’ve always been.” He affirmed her, squeezing her hand as to convince not only her but himself.

---

As tender as the atmosphere around them was, Savayna still couldn’t help but feel as though something else was on Grant’s mind. So, as the kiss broke apart and her field of cornflower met a conflicted plains of dark orchids, Savayna wondered what could be on his mind. Had he found her explanation for why she couldn’t remember, then he would’ve made it obvious to her; even if he couldn’t speak, Grant had other ways to convey such actions - ways that were more physical and alarming than simply grunting - which he did.

“What exactly is wrong with you? Like, how come you can only talk through the use of Zeromus?” Savayna asked Grant. She kept her eyes on him, judging his mannerisms for some kind of hint.

Minutes to Manhattan

@Bee

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Wesley found it near to impossible to keep a straight face after Nadeline’s comment. He made a mental note of things not to do, especially when she was concerned. He knew that this whole morning, as well as the past couple of days, were taxing on the two of them. He had to admit it to himself that a lot of things got away from them—he knew that much. All of that wasn’t even considering the headache that was caused from his troublesome, little sister. Whatever had gotten into her as of late, Wesley knew it was only going to get worse. Still, he had faith in Lorenzo. He knew his future father-in-law could handle troublesome royalty figures After all, he was one of those troublesome royalty figures.

And now he was laughing for an entirely different reason. “Sorry. I was just reminded how much Reia’s situation with Lorenzo is similar to my own with Cassandra.” He stated as he found the comparison uncanny.

When they had started walking through the halls, Wesley had remained quiet for a few long moments. A lot was on his mind and most of was centered around the two things that they needed to talk about, but how exactly was he going to bring it up. Not that he was one to become stuck on such things. He had no problem addressing the subjects that most would normally avoid. For him, it was all a matter of coming up with the right words and seeming so straightforward. Wesley looked at Nadeline, letting her through the tall, silver marble door in front of them.

They had arrived near the west garden. The entrance was from an exit from the castle and led them to an elevated view with a half-flight of stairs next to them. The entire garden, small compared to the main garden on the opposing east side of the palace, was beautiful in its own right. There was a water fountain in the center that was powered by blue magicite. It was built into the ground, so it didn’t seem as tall as it would’ve been had it been an above-ground fountain. In it was clear-as-the-eyes-could-see water that was blue like the magicite that powered it. Set around it were green bush-like plants that were also placed in bulk around the entire garden. There were a few areas with orchids and roses, though.

The two of them would go down the stairs, Wesley gestured to the bench that was across from the fountain. It seemed to be a good place to sit and enjoy the scenery while they would finally get the chance to really talk.

Wesley shifted his position and looked at the orchid and roses near one of the windows. “I used to come here with my father. He really loved flowers.” Wesley smiled peacefully. “He grew up here and spent most of his youth among flowers. His mother -- Lady Kaitlyn of the Rosey Jordana Plains, the nearest village that has the most beautiful rosefields -- was someone who adored flowers. She spent a lot of time with him, telling him about how flowers required a lot of care and patience. He was an impatient man, from what I heard from my mother. But when it came to flowers, he was like a Saint of Ultima.” Wesley found himself laughing as he looked up at the blue sky. “This isn’t common knowledge, but all the gardens in the palace and throughout the surrounding, smaller nations in Dalmasca, were my father’s doing. He appreciated beauty.” As he spoke, Wesley had a few tears drop from his eyes. He didn’t bother wiping them away. “He bestowed his love for flowers and beauty on me. I intend to pass it on to my child.” His slightly-watery eyes came into the periphery of Nadeline. “That’s why, when I heard you were pregnant, I was taken back from it. I wasn’t sure if Keiran was playing his games again or just saying to get us to lower our guard against him. But,” Wesley took Nadeline’s hand in his own, looking at her eyes with his, “I am more than ready to retire from my adventuring days and fully commit to you and our child.”

---

When Zeromus--erm, Grant--had dropped that bombshell on her, Savayna wasn’t exactly how to respond to it. He seemed so sure of himself that it was the truth. And if it was indeed an accurate account of what had occurred in Archadia, then why couldn’t she remember that? She would remember confessing her love for Jaakuna. He was lying. There was no other explantion.

“Honestly Grant, I know you’ve always had problems with Jaakuna but that’s low - even for you.” She let out a sigh, obvious that she was not pleased with the way he was speaking.

It was a bit surprising that Grant would resort to such low tactics to hurt her. Was that what he wanted to do? Maybe he said that with the sole intention to hurt her. If so, then he was absolutely right about how he wouldn’t be able to change her hypothetical mind about her hypothetical feelings for her ex-husband. If she wished it, she could hurt him right and now, but that’s the line that he obviously didn’t believe she’d never cross. Whether willingly or not, she would never consciously admit her love for Jaakuna. Savayna might be a ice queen, but she’s not cold-hearted.

What will you do now? She heard Mateus ask her. To be honest, she wasn’t sure what she’d do. Hurting him seemed to be her go-to response, but maybe that’s what he expected from her.

Savayna took in a deep breath, inhaling as the scent of the garden overtook her. It calmed her, though not by much. She closed her eyes. “You’re right about one thing, Grant.” She opened her eyes, seeming calmer than before. “You are an idiot. You’ve always been a fucking idiot. But I’ll let you in on a secret.” She sighed, getting up and approaching him only stopping a pace away. “I have a pattern of falling in love with idiots.” She stayed in front of him. “I might still have feelings for Jaakuna that may or may not bring thoughts of ‘what could’ve been’.” As she spoke, she saw his forming expression of disgust. “I didn’t finish!” She snapped, forcing him to look at him as she gripped his face. “Whatever I said yesterday in whatever state I was in, that is not a reflection of how I feel now. You said I had a meltdown, right? Then think about it for a second. People aren’t in their right minds when they have meltdowns. They say things that are overexaggerated or are simply not true. Yes, I love Jaakuna, but he and I are friends now.” She reminded him. “It’s the same situation you and Emiri are in. You love her still. And I’m sure, had she been in a similar position, you might’ve said things you didn’t mean. However, you wouldn’t have made it known if you could help it.”

Savayna could feel that she was losing his focus. Not to mention, he mentioned something about not having a lot of time. “Just shut up and kiss me, you idiot.” She said, grabbing him and planting her lips on his.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Upon hearing the news about how difficult his little sister was doing, Wesley rubbed his temples. On top of everything that was going on right now, Cassandra acting up wasn't something that he needed to be thinking about. It was as if he wasn't around, she would do as she pleased. He didn't believe Nadeline when she told him about how she acted when Emiri informed her thusly, but hearing it from Lorenzo--someone who had been sent on a wild goose chase from her on purpose--Wesley was more or less convinced that his sister was out of control.

"What am I going to do with her?" He mused aloud, figuring out his next course of action.

On one hand, dealing with her sooner rather than later would solve his short-term problem with her, but as soon as he left her alone, the odds of her continuing her current actions were highly likely. There was the option of letting Reia endure her...bitchiness a little longer until Wesley could figure out a solution. Plus, he really wanted to talk to Nadeline. Lord knows that they haven't had time to really digest all that happened this morning. Not even counting the bit about him being Fandaniel, they still have yet to discuss the matter of her potentially being pregnant.

"Lorenzo, do you think you can go keep an eye on Cassandra for me? I'm afraid I can't handle my sister just yet. There are things I need to handle before that." Wesley stated, looking at Nadeline. Lorenzo was so dense that he wouldn't think much of it. Usually a negative thing, but in this particular situation, it was a godsend.

---

"Why are you pointing to your throat? Are you thirsty or something?" Savayna scratched her heard. She was quite unsure about Grant's motioning. She knew he was trying to tell her something, yet she didn't understand. He would have to make it clearer.

When Savayna was going to say something else, Grant spoke; only that it wasn't his voice. She hadn't heard this voice before—well, that's not exactly true. She had heard it before, but it has been a few months. The voice that came from Grant's mouth was that of Zeromus'. A booming, powerful voice that was only enhanced by Grant's emotive tendencies. He would go on to say that he hadn't been able to talk. And then suddenly the previous hand gesture made sense. He wasn't saying that he was thirsty. He was trying to tell her that he couldn't speak.

"That explains why you've been so quiet as of late. You're normally—" Before Savayna could even get her full thought out, Grant started to lay into her. He began by stating how thrilled he was for her stomping the hell out of his foot. He'd further state why he had been so distant as of late. Apparently, she had some sort of a meltdown yesterday in Archadia. "I did?" She responded back, looking at him with a blank expression. The last thing she remembered about yesterday was when she apparently woke up. Everything before that had become a blur. Each time she tried to remember it, she got a killer headache. "Wait.."

Savayna was starting to remember something. She definitely saw herself in Archadia yesterday, but when she tried to remember it earlier, that meltdown happened. "I think, earlier, I saw something. But.." It was still fuzzy. As she tried to recall, she got a splitting pain in her head. She grabbed it, wincing briefly. "Why? What happened?" She asked him, curious about what she might've said or done to get him so angry at her. It was obvious, though he was calm now, she did something that hurt him.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Amazing. These two went from bickering about his child with Nadeline to now talking about the sex of the baby. Although, he did find it to be an intriguing topic, especially when he thought about Dalmascan history and the B’nargins had males as their first born, but their descendants--the Ashelia Descendents, if you will--were mostly female first-borns. It wasn’t until House Alexander took the reigns did males become a popular thing. Though, in all fairness, Wesley’s mother was actually the real Alexander whereas his father was from another family. So, maybe what Lorenzo wanted to happen wasn’t actually going to be?

Just as Wesley was going to speak about it, he heard a sudden noise from the door behind him. “Huh?” Wesley alerted Lorenzo and Nadeline.

---

“Yeah, but I was on the run for almost ten years, so you really weren’t good at your job.” Jaakuna teased her, sticking his tongue out at her.

After a brief moment of silence passed, Jaakuna coughed feeling the entire moment moot and he could feel Shion’s annoyance growing which wasn’t at all what he was hoping with this one-on-one session with her. She showed him what he needed to see and his response to it, no matter how true-to-form of Jaakuna Hinoko it might’ve been, it wasn’t how he should have acted. And yet, despite that, Jaakuna was enjoying this conversation with her. If not for being able to get whatever he wanted to say to her out of his mind, it was one of those rare instances where she wasn’t as guarded or intimidating as she had been. Quite frankly, perhaps he was simply stalling to extend this interaction between the two of them.

But, perhaps it was time for Jaakuna to stop beating around the bush. After all, at the end of the day, he made a promise to her. She fulfilled her side of the deal, so he had to do the same thing on his end of the bargain.

Jaakuna shrugged, shaking off the excess tomfoolery that he’d been displaying. “I suppose it’s time for me to get this sigil then.” He eyed Shion in a solemn manner.

The woman shook her head at him, an amused expression. He had enough of fooling around it seemed, although he did have a point. Raising her arm, the markings would glow softly, and she stepped forward towards him. She would take his left hand into hers, interlacing their fingers together. “From here on, you’ll slowly take your destined form. This will be our own pact--one that will determine the very future of Ivalice,” She informed him as similar markings would appear on his arm.

“Hey, my eyes are up here.” Okay, maybe Jaakuna had one last quip left in him.

He used his free hand to point to his eyes, teasing Shion once more. She gave him a small smile, though her grip would tighten considerably, as if she was trying to crush it, causing Jaakuna to let out a low grunt from the pain. “Do try to focus~” She told him cheerfully. “I’ll make this simple; all you need do is pull the sword out from me. Is that clear?”

“Right, just pull the sword.” Jaakuna mused lowly.

He sized her up from head to busty chest to wide hips. He stopped at the hips briefly. If there was going to be a sword, it would be there right? Jaakuna would hold up his free hand with just the index finger up. “One moment.” He broke their physical contact just for that one moment and started to circle Shion’s form. He would get as close as he could without touching her body. His left hand was pressed against his chin as if to convey an investigative presence. He mused a thoughtful hum as he examined her bum.

“...what are you doing?” She asked him, confused.

“Shh, I’m trying to find the sword.” Jaakuna shushed her, continuing to slowly circle around her.

Okay, she needed to get this over with before she would lose her patience. Rolling her eyes, she placed her hands on her hips, annoyed. “I haven’t started yet!” She scolded him. “Did you really think it was going to come out of my bum?! Are you stupid? Can you take this seriously?! It’s going to be embarrassing enough without you making weird comments like that!”

She did have a point. Something like this weapon she had wouldn’t be out in the open, but Jaakuna had to make sure. “Right of course,” Jaakuna said, laughing nervously, “Though, the view from here isn’t bad.” He noted, shrugging.

Shion glared at him, turning around and forcibly taking his hand in hers once more. “Just--Just--shut up and let me do this,” She retorted rather lamely, taking his other hand as she would step forward to him, bringing them close once more. She needed to do this as quickly as possible, lest he break her concentration or she would end up beating him. Taking in a breath, she put his right hand behind her back, though she shot him a glare. “Not a word,” She threatened him. “No funny ideas either;I’m starting.”

Keeping them close, she would take in a slow breath. She raised both her hands and his left one, the markings slowly crawling up her arm. They would converge on her hands, emitting a very bright orb of light. “O light of the Transcendent, heed your master and come forth!” She chanted, lowering his hand.

“Guess that means you’re my slave,” Jaakuna quipped, going against Shion’s earlier threat.

She opened her eyes, throwing another glare, though it was replaced by a pained expression. She closed her eyes as she placed his hand on her chest.

“Remember you have Emiri. Remember you have Emiri. Remember you have--you have…”

And in that moment, everything went black as he would feel the strength of her Mist calling out to him. She leaned backwards, letting the light envelop her and expose her very soul to him. Slowly, the light converged, and the hilt of a blade would come out of her chest. The intensity from the light seemed to be not as much when Jaakuna felt exactly what it was. This wasn’t a foreign person’s mist that was forcing him inside it nor was it a harmful magick that threatened him. Somehow it just felt right. Something about it that he couldn’t explain felt as if though it was his own mist.

So that’s what she meant. Jaakuna seemed to take that as a sort of nonverbal cue. His hand dug into her chest(with him keeping the image of Emiri in his mind), he closed his eyes as he felt the solid touch of flesh threatening to crush his hand but he also felt the steel handle of a hilt in his grasp, but it wasn’t budging easily. Something was up and he didn’t understand. Only a moment later did he realize that he had let go of the actual hilt and was touching something less...solid. He coughed, though caught Shion’s glance. “Hey don’t give me that look! It’s hard, okay!”

“This is actually very, very painful,” She reminded him, trying to hide (and failing spectacularly) her pain. “Please just...just hurry and finish…I don’t know how much more I can take...”

His mouth had suddenly gone dry. He was unable to form words. Unable to think words. The only thing on his mind were Shion’s words and the situation she had put both of them in. Then, as if on some stroke of luck, he found himself able to speak. “Forgive me, Francis.” He said aloud, looking at Shion apologetically as he firmly grasped the hilt with both hands, forcing the large mass that was Shion’s bust out of the way as he would use not only the mist from her that had flown into him but his own to pull the length of the sword out.

Slowly, the handguard had came out, eliciting a sharp gasp from Shion, he could feel it coming. As painful as it obviously was for Shion(as noted by her now nearly clawing his arm with her grip), he knew this was difficult on her but hopefully she could endure until he could finish because half of what looked like a crimson blade came out. At this point, Jaakuna was exhausting his own mist to the point where he was panting heavily. This was not only arduous for her, but it was no walk in the Phon Coast for him either. Just the last quarter of the blade and Jaakuna was trying to find the strength to go that final stretch.

“I apologize for this,” Jaakuna glanced at Shion briefly before sending whatever remained of his mist reserved through his hands and sent a jolt of it through the blade itself and expelled him from Shion’s closeness which in turn had sent both of them about three paces away from each other. Shon tried to remain on her feet, though she stumbled backwards, letting out a small cry of surprise as her legs hit the bed and she fell onto it, while Jaakuna had been sent towards the closed door, to which he made a noticeable thud against it. “Ow..” He said, rubbing his head with his free hand.

Letting out something between a sigh of relief and a groan, Shion sat up, her hand on her chest. She knew it wasn’t going to be so easy, but she wasn’t expecting it to be so painful. Forcing herself to her feet, she would quickly find that losing a literal part of her soul--and by extension, a majority of her mist--had forced her to her absolute limit. “And there it is…” She stated, barely able to lift her arm to point at the newly formed sword in Jaakuna’s hand. She wanted to say something else, but everything seemed to go black as she fainted, falling to the floor.

Jaakuna could feel himself also near the brink of his consciousness, but something came over him as he noticed Shion suddenly falling to the floor. One could say he reacted first. He had zipped towards her, catching her in his arms as he knelt down on one knee. “Hey Shion...Shion!” Jaakuna called out to her. At first he panicked, thinking that something was wrong with her, but he heard something that was assuring: the sound of her heart beating at a somewhat slower pace. So she wasn’t hurt or anything--just tired.

And then, as if somehow on cue, Lorenzo, Nadeline, and Wesley came bursting through the door, worried and curious expressions on their faces. “We heard something from here. Is everything okay?” Wesley asked, concerned.

Lorenzo was the first to notice, letting out a yelp. “Oi, oi, oi! What did you do to Sharon?!” He exclaimed, his hands to his head.

“It’s ‘Shion’, Father, and yes, Jaakuna, what is going on?” Nadeline asked, placing her hands on her hips.

“Well..” Jaakuna looked down at Shion, watching her just for a brief moment. Then, as if it was nothing at all, he flicked his free arm and Shion suddenly floated towards the bed as he would guide her gently onto it, covering her with the blanket. After she was secured on the bed, he took a seat on the floor. He glanced at them. “I have the Sigil. I have the weapon. But it came at a price.” Jaakuna somberly glanced over to Shion.

Lorenzo, once again, peered at Jaakuna. “Price? What price?” He asked, frowning.

Nadeline examined Jaakuna for a moment, though her eyes widened. “Something’s...different about you,” She noted, raising an eyebrow. “I can’t put my finger on it, but you aren’t the same as before, are you?”

“I can’t say with absolute certainty, but I think I inherited her power.” Jaakuna scratched his head, wincing. Apparently, added to the uncertainty on the matter, even moving brought him discomfort.

Inherited? Nadeline was interested in his choice of words as she looked over at the unconscious Shion. He must have been talking about the weapon, though she wasn’t quite sure why it resulted in such a situation. Now that she was really examining Jaakuna, he looked exhausted, his face flushed, and...sore? No, it must have been her imagination. “The ritual must have taken a lot out of her. How was it?” She asked Jaakuna.

“She bore it all to give me this gift,” he stated. Little did Nadeline know there was more truth to his statement that she might ever know.

Bore it all? “You mean...she got naked?” Lorenzo asked out loud, not quite understanding. “...how’d she look?”

“Father!” Nadeline huffed.

“Actually…”

Nadeline stared at Jaakuna. “Actually?” She pressed him to continue.

“Well..” Jaakuna scratched his head again, wincing again, his face flushed with a brighter red. “Where do you think the sword came from?” Jaakuna stated, nervously laughing. He looked to Shion but specifically to just about five inches below her chin.

The princess didn’t quite understand what he meant by it. Jaakuna was acting quite strange--his red face reminded him of Emiri’s fever. Perhaps he had caught it. She scratched her cheek curiously, though her father’s snickering caught her attention. “Shion had it of course, Nadeline stated the obvious.

“I don’t claim to know too much about that sort of thing...but it sounds like it was…sensual,” Lorenzo gave Nadeline a hint.

She scoffed at him. “Don’t be ridiculous, Shion wouldn’t so much as make physical contact with Jaakuna,” She dismissed his statement.

“This time your father’s wisdom comes in handy!” He declared, tracing a line in the air from Jaakuna’s eyes to Shion’s bust. “Talk about a sword in the stone, eh?”

“It was a rather…intimate ritual. I admit that I wasn’t prepared for how difficult it proved to be. The entire ordeal was just as strenuous for her as it had been for me.” Jaakuna’s eyes glanced longingly towards Shion, though it had returned to the other three. “I do apologize, though. I wish I could explain it in a more clarifying way. I just--well, I don’t know exactly how to explain it. I’m still trying to adjust to this.” Jaakuna stated somberly, focusing his gaze on Nadeline. “You were right about one thing, though.”

Jaakuna admitting she was right? That was a first. “About…?”

He let out a rather deep exhale, standing up, though he staggered. Thankfully, Wesley was sturdy enough to help him find solid ground. He gave him a nod of appreciation as he refocused on Nadeline. “I’m not the same as before. I’m still me--I’m still Jaakuna--but I guess the proper word is that I’ve transcended.” He found himself laughing, though he knew they probably didn’t understand why.

“Almost like Wesley…” She said her thought out loud, pensive.

“Nadeline...” Wesley looked to her, shaking his head. Jaakuna raised a curious eyebrow.

She hesitated for a moment, though she would clear her throat. Right...that wasn’t something that Wesley wanted anyone to know. “What I mean to say is that perhaps this is what Aloa was speaking of--our connections to the Word. It manifests differently, and in doing so takes us one step closer to where we need to be. If Shion is correct, this may very well be Jaakuna’s awakening.” She managed to stay on track yet diverted the attention where it needed to be. “At first, I admit, I wasn’t entirely sure, but this is as much proof as I need to believe it.”

“I guess so.” Jaakuna shrugged, yawning rather wide. The only thing he knew how fatigued he felt and a nap for a day or so would be greatly appreciated.

And Wesley would take notice to this. “Darling, perhaps we should give Jaakuna some time to rest,” Wesley suggested, gesturing towards the blonde. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that he clearly was barely able to keep his eyes own. He also had been yawning frequently since the moment they had all arrived into the room.

Nadeline blinked in response to Wesley’s suggestion. “Of course, but...shouldn’t we get him to his own room?” She asked, motioning to the resting Shion.

Before Nadeline would even get that full thought out, Jaakuna had already moved next to the bed that Shion was laying on as he would simply lay on the floor. With one eye open, he used that single eye to look at the two--no three of them. “It’s..fine, I’m good here. Besides, I don’t want to leave her alone.” That was the last thing that Jaakuna said before he, like his master, had passed out.

“She’s a grown woman! Ugh, fine, stay on the floor!” Nadeline told him, of course it was far too late. Shaking her head, she would walk over to the bed--careful not to step on the blonde, though the temptation to kick him was strong--and grab a pillow. She knelt down, carefully slipping it under Jaakuna’s head, and she would then stand. “At least he won’t get a headache from the hard ground this way,” She sighed, though she would gladly take her fiance’s arm as they would make their way to leave.

---

It wasn’t hard to surmise that something was up with Grant. Normally he would voice some kind of opinion about whatever Savayna did regardless if he approved or not. Of course, she knew he had approved of what she did to Keiran. But as she lay on the bench to catch her breath and Grant did the same on the bench opposite of her, she couldn’t help but shake this feeling that something was off. It didn’t help that Mateus didn’t seem to know as he had asked Zeromus. So, whatever was up, she had to think of a way to get it out of him.

“You’re awfully silent over there. Are you still in your mood or something?” Savayna asked Grant. She knew that if she made a few mentions about his moodiness, then maybe he might retort back. “Don’t you have anything to say about how I nearly crushed your foot earlier?” She tried again, looking at him while he still stayed silent.

And then Savayna would resort to some drastic measures. She accidentally let one of the straps of her top come loose, exposing the top part of her left breast. “Oh whoops, I guess I’m just oh-so-careless.” She teased him, laughing.