Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Morning had dawned on Ivalice and all of those who had been asleep were most likely getting up. Either to do their daily, morning rituals and greet those who lived with them or any and all errands they had to take care of. Some more so than others, obviously, but all had their respective things to do when the sun brought first light this world, illuminating it from the darkness.

And it wasn’t any different for those who currently occupied rooms in Utena headquarters. Though, for some, they were a bit more stubborn to wake up than others. Whilst Wesley and Nadeline, not to mention Savayna and Grant had been up for nearly a full hour(about half the time since the sun’s been up), it seemed as though one particular Archadian was finding it difficult to get up even despite the repeated attempts to get him to open up his eyes. Everyone from Wesley to Michel had tried their luck. Some were more gentle with him like Emiri and others tried to physically manhandle him(Savayna). In the end, it didn’t matter because, much like with everything else, Jaakuna Darcone was stubborn to open up his eyes.

Meanwhile, as everyone else had done what the above couldn't, they were in a room that resembled a dining hall, though it seemed to be a bit rustic as what most of them probably were used to.

"Seems he still won't get up, huh?" Savayna mused, digging into the food in front of her.

"It doesn't seem like it." Wesley noted, quietly doing the same.

"And what about Emiri?"

"Seems she's still trying what all of us have failed to do."

"Sounds like a waste of time."

"Quite."

Crooked Young - An Altered Lies Production

---

---

Eli had been avoiding his family as if they were the plague. He was among those who didn’t know him one bit. They didn’t know about his reputation nor did they treat him as some sort of outcast because he didn’t fit the norm of what a Mossos was supposed to be. Even Ava, as much as she tried to deny it, was a proper Mossos. Eli, however, refused to portray himself as anything that he wasn’t. There wasn’t anything or anyone that could force him to act in any other way that wasn’t 100% Elijah Mossos.

So, of course, he had taken deliberate routes through the house to ensure they didn’t see him. The only exception to this was Georgios, but he was the only one that didn’t seem to really hate him all that much. After a short conversation with him, Eli had made his escape. And he found it in the garden. “Finally some peace and quiet.” He let out a sigh, walking a few steps to get a better view of it. He didn’t really give two shits about flowers, but the fresh air was welcomed. Though, as he had, he took notice to a woman who was enjoying a smoke all by herself. It was that same one from before. The one who had arrived with the human-sized mouse. “Got an extra?”

---

---

It had seemed like an eternity. Every moment spent enjoying one another’s company in any way, shape, or form that was physically or emotionally possible, these two had done it. Alexandros, when it called for it, was a gentle lover. And the reverse was the case when he needeed to take control. Both had chances to dominate the other while they also had more tender, submissive moments. To put it quite simply, it was like heaven between the sheets.

And when it had all been said and done and the two were laying beside each other, Audrey had asked the million-dollar question that had been on Alexandros’ mind since they finished. After all of the fun and games and the equal opportunities they took to hurt each other, what happened next? There was no going back from this point, that much was certain. Neither of them knew the other knew, whatever this was, it was a turning point in their relationship. As toxic as it had been, up until this point, it was nothing but a game of cat and mouse, but now Tom and Jeri had ceased fire and formed a pact with each other. This pact included some very real feelings.

So, truly, what will you do, Alexandros?

He took a moment to think about it. And then he took a few more. Before he realized it, Alexandros had been quiet for over three minutes. He occasionally looked over at her, thinking he was going to respond, but he smiled at her. He didn’t want to worry her, but truth was he honestly didn’t know how to answer this question. Or maybe he didn’t want to answer it. He knew exactly what this meant.

He turned his head to face hers, still smiling at her. “You’ve always been an impatient woman,” he noted, laughing slightly, “but I suppose this means we can’t go back to the way things were before, now can we?” That was rhetorical. Of course, he knew they couldn’t go back to what they were prior to this happening. “Then, I guess this means we’re...official.”

Saying those words actually made his heart lose a beat. Of all people, Alexandros Mossos, the womanizer of the West Side, was off the market. He was in a relationship.

What on God’s green earth just happened?

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Francis was at a loss for words, but not what Shion might think.

Hearing the name Rio Corona brought Francis back to when he was younger. It brought him to a time when his father, Lionel von Sicarius — a famed scientist who oversaw many of the military projects that the then-Emperor, Hamut Darcone, ordered. These projects were what ended up paving way for such innovations like the MTB, or otherwise known as the Magicite Transportation Beam. A prime example of it could be seen used in the Ifrit. Indeed the name of that famed general of Archadia’s history, back when it was at its darkest time, had struck a chord with Francis.

When she ended up telling him how she and Rio were lovers, at first, Francis thought he might’ve heard her wrong, but he knew her well enough to know that she never said anything unless she was telling the absolute truth. In that, his mind went to something he had thought about once when they first met in the Golmore Jungle, just after they fought. It was that she was an ancient being whose strength outclassed his in almost every single way that mattered. Her swordsmanship was perfect. Her fighting stance was unmatched. The way she could effortlessly switch from physical to magickal attacks was if there was no transition. Her ability to go from one to the other appeared to be organic. Francis had thought that maybe she was something more than hume. Maybe she was a Scion herself, but of course, after the events of that day and when they went on their series of dates, it had retired those thoughts for something more logical: she was a spectacular woman around his age that taught him how to love again since his wife’s passing a few years back.

And now? Well, those thoughts not only came back but now they were proven. Francis, of course, took it as only someone like him could: step by step.

He took a few minutes for himself. The silence was a killer, this was true, but the wolf always had to prepare for the worse in any given situation, so time was essential for the thought process of how to attack any situation. Of course, Francis wasn’t just an ordinary wolf. Francis von Sicarius, son of Lionel and father to Michelangelo, was also the man that Shion had chosen to confide in. This made him a particularly exceptional man. A lucky man, if you will.

“We may have walked different journeys in our lives, but the sands of time have guided us to the same destination. We have felt pain and loss, but we’ve also felt love and comfort.” Francis recited a few lines from a symbolic text he had memorized from his youth. “That was a small snippet from ‘The Trial of Time’, written by one of Archadia’s first emperors, Larsa Solidor.” Francis said, giving Shion a smile. “I am well-aware of what this means. Truth be told, I’ve always had a feeling you had kept some secrets. Understandably so, but I also know that you’ll tell me them whenever you’re ready.” He took her hand, looking at her with the same steely blue that she had seen every night they lay in their bed with their hands locked after a few, long moments of passion. “I’ve never thought I would love again after Mirabella. She was the one who I chose to bear my one and only child. And when she passed due to an incurable illness, I truly thought I was lost, so I buried myself in my responsibilities. I rose the ranks and became Second Judge Magister. I had sworn my oath to the Imperial Court that I’d fully commit myself to that role, but then I met you. Of course, I didn’t know at the time, but I swear it was Mira’s ghost guiding me towards you. As her final act, she shifted my views on love and by her graceful hands, I found my second chance in you.” Francis, while keeping a loving gaze on Shion, got down on his knee. “I know not what awaits us in the next rising of the sun nor do I know if we all will get out of this alive, but a wise man once told me that we shouldn’t waste our breath on the trivial or be wondering ‘what if’. The only thing that should matter is focusing on what you want most out of life.”

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a single necklace. Its chain was crafted from silver and reforged in quicksilver. Along the chain, little stones of blue and white magicite were placed along it, spaced equally from each other. And in the center, framed perfectly in gold and silver magicite was a rare magicite-conductor stone known as Sapphirite. It was carved and forged in magical fires into the shape of a rose. Along the frame were pearls — six of them, in fact.

“I’ve kept this since Mira’s passing. I thought of selling it, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. There were too many emotions and I couldn’t bring myself to, so I decided to keep it. I thought about giving it to Michel and letting him give it to Meli, but I don’t think this would be her style. She seems like a diamond kind of woman,” Francis let out a low chuckle, “but then, just last night, I was looking at it as I was watering your rose bush out in the garden. And then it hit me. All this time I spent here, I’ve had it with me, never knowing what I was going to do with it. Until now.” Francis smiled, letting out three, individual laughs to himself. “I feel as though the signs are all there and it’s time I admit it to myself. Shion, your petals shine brighter than Ultima’s holy light. And they flourish with more life than a Rozarrian festival. I may not be the most graceful of men, but I am a man who knows when he is in love.” He held the necklace above her head, letting it fall gently onto her neck. “I won’t pretend to know what it was like between you and Rio, but what I don’t have to fake is my love for you. That is the one thing I know is absolute. And that is why, with this necklace, I promise I will always be there when you need me. Whether it is my sword, my council, or my heart — not only as an honorable Judge but as your wolf, I will protect you. You are mine and I am yours.”

He took her hand once more, the same steely, loving gaze surrendering itself to her. A vulnerable Francis had all walls down and was now completely exposed to her. And as he waited for her to reciprocate that same regard he had given her, there were only three words he said to her.

“Marry me, Shion.”

Baybridge: Halcyon Days [Superpowers/Semi-Sandbox]

Unfortunate but I understand. It was a fun ride while it lasted.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As Shion had explained the situation that all of them were in, he took it upon himself to prepare a cup of tea for the two of them. Shion was predictable in that sense, or maybe he just knew her well enough to know that she preferred hibiscus tea when she was in stressful situations. It seemed to calm her some even though she was in stressful situations nearly every time she came back to the headquarters. Despite this, Francis just knew this would mean the world to her.

“Here you are.” He handed her the cup he had prepared and sat across from her. And as their tea would cool down just briefly, with Francis having some tea brewed by some of Shion’s flowers. Tonight, he felt like enjoying a nice mint brew that had a fresh squeeze of lemon to add to its flavor. When he took a sip, his face scrunched up. “Still not as pure as when you make it.” He commented, a sigh coming from his lips. He looked almost defeated.

Francis shook his head slightly, responding to what Shion said. “Anyway, it seems as though you’ve been dealt a tough hand, my dear.” He mused a pondering noise. “That being said, unlikely alliances have been made to ensure survival — especially in times of a greater threat arising.” He stated, looking to Shion, “if this Creature of Darkness poses such a great threat to our livelihood, then a beneficially-mutual alliance with the likes of that Venat character is necessary for our survival. But, know this:” Francis took her hand, rubbing it gently. “if and when he tries to strike, all are ready to be there by your side, including myself and all of your flowers. This much I am sure of.”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

“Ah, so you have.”

When she had stepped through the door, Francis had just stepped from the office portion of their room. Though she didn’t need it because she had her own separate office a few doors down from their bedroom, Francis, however, did. Even though he had one in Archadia, he had been spending most of his free time here and had taken a leave of absence from Second Judge Magister for personal reasons. Although he never specifically stated it, Francis knew Roman understood exactly what this meant. He had stepped down from being an Imperial Judge to officially become a member of Utena, bearing the moniker of Lupine.

There was a rare sight for Shion as Francis had appeared in casual attire. Usually, of course, he was in his usual golden armor, but that was during the times he served as Shion’s stand-in when she was out and about, doing what she had to do for the good of the organization and Ivalice. He understood that, so he did what he could to make sure her garden was well-taken care of. And, as she had seen upon her return(he was assuming), he was just as strict as she was. After all, he was the one who trained Michel and his son was someone who had a lot of potential. His magickal reserves was even greater than Francis’ had been in his youth. Though he lacked the conviction to become a judge, Francis was relieved that he found his calling in Utena.

The dark-haired male gave Shion a kiss and a hug as she seemed to be fixated on taking a seat. “How did it go? With Jackson, I mean.” Francis said, stern eyes on Shion. “Unless something happened during the transfer?”

---

How was someone supposed to react to comments like that? Grant practically insulted Jaakuna, but then he also gave him a compliment. Talk about sending mixed signals. As he would round it out, it was obvious where this was heading; it was the same thing he had noted previously: the surprise that Jaakuna had doubts.

Of course he had doubts. The weight of the fate of the entire world was being placed on his shoulders and, if Jaakuna was being completely honest with himself, he felt a bit overwhelmed. He, of course, knew that he was the only one who could do it because of this power that he had, yet that did him no good with actually drawing upon it. Sure, Wesley was right about how he had used Belias’ powers to rid Emiri of Venat’s influence, but here’s something that he probably didn’t consider: The Creature isn’t just one fucking seed of Venat/Zodiark. It is a literal embodiment of that dark influence. In other words, it would require not only the confidence to use that power but also the willpower to draw upon it whenever the situation called for it.

But guess what? Jaakuna hadn’t been able to feel that power since that night in Henne Mines. The most he could do was manifest the weapons.

“Yeah thanks, I hadn’t thought of that.” Jaakuna rolled his eyes. “Have any other bright observations? Maybe this one: the sun is yellow!” Jaakuna feigned shock. “What are your thoughts about that, huh?”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

So it had been decided: the search for the Creature had begun. With the combined efforts of all, no matter how clever and secretive it might be, the Creature wouldn’t be able to keep its presence hidden from the combined efforts of the Ascendants and Utena. The latter were expert trackers whilst the others had their handy, dandy Espers to help them if they so needed it. Even so, that didn’t mean it would be easy. As noted earlier, it wasn’t as though the Creature was going to make it easy for them. A crafty creature, that one. Odds were that, much like its creator, it would only want to be found if it allowed its presence to be felt.

Upon that realization, Jaakuna let out a sigh as most of everyone went their separate directions. Meli and Michel stayed in her room for...personal matters. Wesley and Nadeline were led by a couple of Shion’s Flowers to their room. Savayna was tired, so she would note to Grant she’ll see him later on. Shion and Aloa had seemed to go about their own business.

That just left Jaakuna with Grant and Emiri. Of course, Emiri wasn’t leaving Jaakuna’s side. He had noticed she was being strangely protective of him. It was a little unnerving. He appreciated her concern, but it was interfering with his heroism. Hard to be the Transcendent when the old ball and chain refused to let you do anything that was even remotely dangerous. Of course, he did the same for her. On that, he shrugged; it wasn’t worth stressing over, especially when he knew it came from a good place.

Jaakuna let out a sigh, walking with Grant on one side and Emiri on the other. Thankfully, only one had hooked his arm. He’d feel weird and very uncomfortable if Grant suddenly felt the need to hook his arm. “You have a problem with me being too sure of myself and now you have one with me not being sure enough.” Jaakuna noted, lightly scowling at Grant. “You really can’t make up your mind, can you?” He scowled again.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

This was quite the revelation. To think that the Creature could potentially be an actual person and not an empty mass of darkness as everyone had previously predicted. GRanted, there hadn't been any hints to suggest otherwise, but this certainly made things a whole lot clearer. It explained why this creature had such an attachment to this world and why, when Wesley and Nadeline had sensed it underneath Rabanastre and why, for a while, he took control over Sylvester's body. Everything about this creature was pointing to this direction.

And as Wesley closed his eyes, pondering about everything said, he knew why it had to be Jaakuna. "I understand now." Wesley said, eyes still closed.

"Huh?"

"Jaakuna, I get why you're the one who has to do this and why no one among us aside you has the power to do it."

He scratched his head, seemingly not understanding what Wesley was meaning.

"Please, if you will, tell us what you mean, Wesley." Michel inquired of Wesley.

"I recall Jaakuna once told us about how he cleansed Emiri using his powers bestowed unto him by Belias. That was when she was under Venat's influence." Wesley started, "when this happened, it wasn't nearly as much as the Creature seemed to have. Of course, this was before JAakuna received Shion's power and before he became the Transcendent."

"Please don't bring that up again." Savayna rolled her eyes, fists ready to strike Jaakuna if he dared say anything to that. He didn't.

After Wesley had laughed, he continued. "I firmly believe that Jaakuna has the potential to do the same to the Creature. He has the power to do so." Wesley gave Jaakuna a smile.

Meanwhile, everyone seemed to be a little reluctant to come to Wesley's way of thinking, especially Jaakuna. Not that he doubted his own power, but healing Emiri was child's play compared to what the task of purifying something as ancient as Rio's current form seemed to be. Plus, he didn't even have a full grasp on his new powers. He didn't know what he was capable of nor did he believe it would be enough. He wasn't a seasoned warrior like Shion is. She had centuries to perfect and hone her skills with this power inside her. Jaakuhna, on the other hand, at the most, has been training and fighting for fifteen years. Hardly pales in comparison to two-hundred years.

"As great as that is, we still need to find the fucker." Savayna oh-so-colorfully stated.

Crooked Young - An Altered Lies Production

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---

There had been silence on the way to her room. Silence when they got to her room. And, as she would state everything that was on her mind, Alexandros had remained silent throughout it all. She had made it clear that she wanted him to listen to everything she had to say, so Alexandros would give allow her to do that. He owed her that much. Besides, once she started to speak, she had his attention.

From start to finish, she practically listed everything that happened between the two of them since the fall semester had begun. From the moment he met her after getting an earful from Principal Anderson to charming his way into her life, she made it clear that she was crazy about him. In was in that moment Alexandros had realized exactly what his mother had done. She didn’t talk on his behalf nor did she warn Audrey away from him. Without actually saying it, Audrey revealed that to him.

His mother had a weird way of getting anyone and everyone to look within themselves and search their heart for their true feelings. She appealed to what they wanted versus what they knew would save them pain. After talking and hearing both sides of the stories, she let that person make up their own decision. She did this for his father when she caught onto his cheating habits and she obviously did it for Audrey when she went to go speak with her. Alexandros didn’t pretend to know what was said, but as she spoke, he knew the gist of it.

But as she mentioned Bianca and the party and everything in-between, Alexandros felt this knot in his stomach build up. What was this feeling? Guilt? Does Alexandros feel guilty for doing all of those terrible things and playing all of thsoe games? No, it’s not that — well, okay maybe just a little, but that’s not what this feeling was. It was him feeling some sort of guilt for wasting time. He was a player through and through, so that tended to dominate what he should’ve done and that was to just be honest with whom he was toying with.

Like Ava would be.

If anything could be learned from his sister, it was that honesty was the best policy. That’s what Audrey was doing as she further explained how she reacted to everything: setting up Bianca, getting Janice fired, and stating she had nothing to do with the leak in Francis’ office and the corruption that came from it. Of course, while Alexandros didn’t think she was directly tied, he knew her enough to know that she knew who did. Regardless, he held no grudge about that. Florence was lovely, but she was a means to an end. Given what was happening at this very moment, she served her purpose.

But back to what she was doing. Alexandros wasn’t usually slow on the uptake, but it did take him a long moment after she had finished for him to realize what was happening. Maybe Ava was right in saying that he could be dense sometimes. Such an idiot he was to miss exactly what she said. Forget all of the fluff. What she said in that last statement was the most important: she wanted him. Not in some superficial, physical-contact kind of way, but she wanted him in any and all possible forms. And, deep down, he knew he wanted her too.

And, so it was, on the gesture she had made, Alexandros joined her on the bed, sitting next to her and as close as he could without actually being on top of her. The electricity between them that started with his eyes and became grounded in her truffle eyes was so obvious and so out of control, the only thing stopping a chemical reaction was Alexandros’ mind racing. For the first time in his life, Alexandros was as vulnerable as Audrey had been this entire time. It was so unlike him. To think that the usually confident Mossos teen who never let his guard down and always was two steps ahead of anyone was pushed against the wall.

When it all came down to it, she was his kryptonite, but perhaps that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

He outstretched his left arm, stroking her cheek. “As always, you know how to impress, Huntsberg.”

That was all Alexandros said. Everything else was moot as he gave her the only answer she needed to know. His lips locked with hers sweetly.

Perhaps this was what the pilgrims and Indians originally envisioned for Thanksgiving.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

"You can say that again," Jaakuna retorted, scowling. His attention went to everyone, but he did seem to notice Savayna duking it out with two of the scions. "The hell is going on over there?"

Michel gave Jaakuna a shrug. "Savayna mouthed off and they didn't like it. But never mind that," Michel said, looking at the three, "what's this agreement you say that the three of you and Venat had reached?"

Jaakuna wanted to answer, but he looked to both Shion and Aloa respectively. While the latter seemed to not care who was the one to tell them, Shion, on the other hand, was more inclined to decide that. After all, how did either of them tell the group about the extent of the agreement? How did they even approach it? Oh, yeah, so The Creature is actually Shion's long, lost fiance, and to purify him, Jaakuna has to do it.

Yeah, like that'll go over well. It'll be one of those 'it raises more questions than answers them'.

Jaakuna let out a sigh, earning curious looks from all. "Maybe not here." Jaakuna suggested, eying Levi, though he looked over to Savayna who had just delivered a finishing, non-deathly, blow to the ice ninja and Igeyorhm, sending them both in opposing directions of her. "You done?" Jaakuna called out to her.

Savayna noticed Jaakuna and would walk over. "Now I am."

"Good," he let out a sigh and gave Levi a look.

As she laughed, Levi simply snapped her fingers and without any warning, the entire group was teleported back to the Utena headquarters...with the lack of Levi herself.

"Much better."

After a moment had passed, it was time they knew exactly what they were going to be dealing with.