"So, none of the stuff that's happening right now happened in your world, huh?" Fogado asked, kicking his feet up on the crate in front of him as he nodded his head at Jack, who was chewing through a lamb chop. "I mean, I heard it from the Divine One himself, and I still can't believe it."

The sun was gone from the sky, with the only evidence of its passing being an orange haze across the horizon as the stars came out, sparkling like gemstones across a sea of black. They had made camp in some nondescript part of the desert - how Fogado and his Sentinels were able to navigate the endless blankness, nobody knew. Nonetheless, he promised that they were heading in the right direction, and Jack knew to trust the young prince of Solm. He was a bit cunning, but he was a good man. Jack remembered that much.

"There's precedent for it," Jack said, swallowing. "Sombron's not from here either, you know. Has a sad backstory that I can barely remember. Not worth remembering - he deserves death anyway."

Fogado whistled. "Harsh words. Can't say they're unearned, though. You said we fought the Corrupted, right? Man, I wish we still were."

Jack threw the lamb bone to the sand, wiping his mouth. "So do I. Those things - you called them Husks, right? - I don't like them."

"Trust me, I like them even less!" Fogado laughed. "Amount of people we've lost to them? Almost put the Corrupted to shame. I guess it'd be even worse if we weren't around, but I can't help but feel like it's a losing battle."

"You talked with Alear, right? In the tent earlier," Jack asked. "Must've been an enlightening conversation, and I want in on it. Any idea where they're coming from?"

Fogado shrugged. "Other than that they pop up outta the ground whenever they want? Nah, nothing much. The only place the earthquakes haven't hit is the capital, thank the Divine Dragon."

Jack gestured to the tents behind them. "Well, you can. He's right back there. Go on, thank him."

"You're a real funny guy, aren't ya?" Fogado said, keeping his chuckling under control. "Kinda remind me of Pandreo in a way, 'cept you also have his sister's tattoos. Well, half of one. Her's aren't real, though."

Jack scratched the left side of his face. "I'd feel bad for her if she did. Getting this wasn't exactly a pleasant time."

Fogado leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "Yeah, I think I can understand that. Why hide it behind that hood, though?"

"What, you really think everyone wants to look at the man with the grin permanently carved into his face?" Jack scoffed. "No siree, if I can barely stand to look at myself in the mirror, I can only imagine how the others feel. It's better this way, draws less attention to myself."

"Uh huh," Fogado hummed.

"Uh huh?" Jack echoed.

"Just how bad do you think it really is?" Fogado asked after a moment.

"Think? I don't need to think; I know," Jack replied, "I'm not gonna soapbox, Fogado, so don't continue talking about it unless you want me to start deflecting."

"Heh. A tactic that's served you well, I guess?" Fogado asked.

Jack shrugged. "As long as I've been alive."

"It's a bit grisly, I won't lie," Fogado commented, "but I've seen worse. Much worse. Some people like a guy with a few scars, you know - they think it makes 'em more distinguished, I think. Like their heads are telling them 'wow! This guy's a fighter!'"

"I didn't get it while fighting," Jack mumbled.

"Well, the others were a bit quiet about what happened to you. Did you know that girl with the white and black hair was glancing at you the whole journey here? She have something to do with it?" Fogado asked.

"Digging up some things that're better left buried, Fogado. I'd quit while you're ahead," Jack said, leaning his head back for a moment before letting his hood fall off.

"Point is, fighting's not all about hitting people with sharp sticks. You fought, and now you have something to show for it. Keep thinking about it the way you are, and I don't think you'll ever be happy," Fogado finished, tapping his knee.

"I've been getting a lot of talks like this since coming to Elyos. Am I really so intolerable?" Jack wondered aloud.

Fogado laughed. "Nah, you just wear your heart on your sleeve. It's plain as day. Which is good, by the way! We could use a bit more of that. Certainly a welcome change of pace."

"Glad to see I'm entertaining, Prince Fogado," Jack muttered.

"Ah, and there it is! I was wondering if you knew that. I guess it makes sense," Fogado admitted.

"Were you gonna wait until we got to Solm Palace before telling everyone?" Jack asked, "You know, like you did before?"

"Before? I didn't- Ohhh! I see what you did there. You trying to get under my skin, by the way? Your attempts are… actually kinda cute, honestly," Fogado replied. "Reminds me of a puppy we had. Or maybe that cantankerous raven who wouldn't leave me alone for the better part of a year. Wonder whatever happened to that crusty old bastard?"

Jack sighed. "I'm never gonna win one of these things, am I?"

"Probably not," Fogado answered, nodding with pursed lips.

Jack groaned, hiding his face in his hands as gently massaged it.

"Hey, there're probably plenty of other things you're great at!" Fogado said.

Jack looked up to Fogado from between his fingers. "Like what?"

"Well, it looked like you took out those Husks just fine. I only saw a few bruises and scratches on you when we first met, which was better than that younger princess. What was her name? Horte-something."

"Hortensia."

Fogado snapped his fingers and pointed. "Yes, her! The other young princess had a few, too. Céline, I think. But you - you have a nice lance, some good armor, and an Emblem… Bracelet? Honestly, that's one of the strangest things I've seen all year. But still! You know what I mean."

Jack sighed and nodded. " I guess I see what you mean, yeah. I'm not some helpless civilian anymore. Even if it feels like it sometimes."

"That's something to take pride in!" Fogado pointed out. "Just, you know, don't let it go to your head. That's an easy way to get killed."

Jack snorted. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Fogado."

It was on the day before they came upon Serenissima that Jack finally worked up the nerve to ask Alear something important.

"What did it feel like, being a dragon?" he asked, as they were busy unloading some freight from their wagon. Just a few provisions; they weren't about to set up for the long haul or anything. The sun still hung high in the sky, after all, and a spot of lunch wasn't worth completely deploying everything they had.

Alear looked up from a supply manifest, with a quizzical expression on his face. "Huh? Did you say something?"

"I asked if you and Alfred tied the knot yet-"

"I see. It's good to know you didn't say anything important," Alear said, turning back to the manifest. "We have enough jerky to last for the next day, right?"

"Two crates full of it, yeah," Jack replied, patting the one he'd just brought down.

It was less 'jerky' and more 'powdered dried meat dipped in fat'. It was rather tasteless, but enough to keep most of them going. Even Chloé couldn't find much to like about it, Jack remembered - he had to admit, though, it was one of the few Elusian inventions that hadn't been used to injure him horribly.

"What I meant to ask, by the way," Jack continued, trying to find a way to restart the conversation as he walked in front of the crate, "was, eh, how should I say it now? When you turned into a dragon, what did it feel like?"

Alear stood still for a few moments before looking up. "As if my entire body was assaulted by pins and needles for a few moments. I could feel my limbs take a new shape, and before I knew it, I was looking down on everyone else, and Sombron stood before me. Flying came naturally to me, I guess, but everything else…"

"Haven't had a chance to experiment with it yet, huh?" Jack mused, scratching his chin.

Alear shook his head. "No. And I'm not sure if I want to. It… it's not that it didn't feel right, but when I transformed, so many people were injured - our friends, allies, and you were outright captured. I don't want to think about what would happen if I pulled a similar stunt again."

"I already told you that's- you shouldn't blame yourself for that," Jack rebuked, crossing his arms. "You saw an opportunity, and you took it. If you didn't, who knows what would've happened?"

Sighing, Alear said, "I don't know. And maybe you're right. But I still can't stop thinking about it everytime I look at you."

"Look, I know I'm a lot uglier now-"

"You're not ugly," Alear interrupted.

Jack held his arms up in a cross across his chest. "I'm not the one you should be flirting with, so save the compliments. It was a freak accident, and there was no way for anyone to know what would happen. Hindsight's 20/20 as they say. Your mom can turn into a dragon at will, right? Maybe you just need a little more practice."

Alear ran a hand through his red and blue hair. "I have been thinking about it. I didn't have my dragonstone in the timeline you saw, right?"

"No, you didn't. It, uh, it shattered. For reasons I won't disclose right now," Jack replied.

Alear looked off to the side. "I died, didn't I?"

Jack's eyes widened. "What? No! No. No you didn't. Why would you even think that?"

"Well, it's the only thing I can think of. It… makes a weird amount of sense," Alear shrugged.

"Shit, dude, forget me, are you alright?" Jack asked. "Listen, if you need someone to talk to, Alfred, Diamant, and maybe even Ivy are around to talk to you."

"And you."

Jack patted his chest. "Yeah. And me. Though I… guess I'm not in an entirely good way myself, honestly."

Alear crossed his arms. "I knew there was something you weren't telling us."

"We're switching topics so fast, I can barely keep track of them. Let's slow down and talk about you, because I'm not nearly as interesting," Jack said, taking a seat on the crate before Alear. "This is about the Cathedral, right? And everything that happened before that. With where you really came from and all the combat we've seen since then."

"I… I can't say for sure, Jack," Alear replied, rubbing his forehead as he began to pace. "It started with… when mother told me about my true heritage. For the longest time, I felt as if I had no right to call her my mother, no right to call myself the Divine Dragon. I said that I wanted to end Sombron then and there, in Destinea Cathedral, so that nobody would have to suffer him again. The full truth is more selfish than that."

Jack motioned for Alear to continue, keeping his mouth shut.

"I wanted to hurt him," Alear continued, the words coming out so raw that Jack wondered if it hurt. "I wanted to kill him, to prove to myself that I am more than him, that I have more power than him. That I'm more than just some half-breed Fell Dragon. I… guess I failed at that."

Letting his head hang, Jack said, "I can understand that. I mean, no, I don't understand I guess, but I can sympathize. At least a little bit. The important thing, right - the important thing is that we're all still here. Some of us with a few scars, sure, but the point is that without you, none of this would be possible. Sombron would run roughshod over the entire continent with no one to stop him."

"But I-"

"Wasn't finished yet, c'mon," Jack continued, "And he wouldn't stop there, but that's not the point. Point is, you have a dedicated army out there, ready to follow you into hell. You want my advice? Talk to them more often. Let them in. 'Cause if you don't, Destinea Cathedral will happen again."

"P-please don't say that! It's not his fault! I should've-!"

Jack whipped around, hand on haft of his Flame Lance. Alear wasn't far behind, his hand on Libération's grip before he relaxed.

"Veyle?" Alear asked, his voice still a bit shaky. "What are you doing here?"

"I-I-!" Veyle stammered out, before she straightened up and revealed herself fully from behind the wagon. "I wanted to see if you two were done with the rations, but I… I heard you two speaking and I couldn't help but listen in."

Jack clicked his tongue. "How rude. I don't spy on you, do I?"

Veyle looked down. "No…"

"...Shit, now I feel bad," Jack said, rubbing the back of his neck as he turned to Alear. "Help me fix this; you're her brother."

"You're the one who shouted at her," Alear replied.

"Yeah but- Ah, fine," Jack sighed. "Alear and I were just having a bit of a heart to heart, Veyle. Nothing to worry about. I'm sure he was about to fire back with one of his scathing remarks."

Alear raised a brow. "Since when were my remarks 'scathing'?"

"Details, details," Jack waved.

"I wasn't worried about that…" Veyle interrupted, looking up. "Brother talks to Alfred like this all the time. I just wanted to set the story straight. And I wanted to apologize."

Jack raised a brow. "What for?"

"When papa and brother destroyed Destinea Cathedral, I was able to drag everyone out of the rubble. Everyone except you," Veyle admitted, hugging herself. "I never got the chance to say how sorry I was for that. If I'd stayed just a few minutes longer, looked a little farther, I could've-!"

"Veyle, you said it yourself at the time," Alear interjected, holding a hand up. "Sombron was about to wake up. If you had stayed even a few seconds longer, there's no telling what would happen. Regardless of how I look at it, Destinea Cathedral was my blunder."

"But that's not entirely true!" Veyle exclaimed, her hands balling into fists. "Diamant and Alcryst said so themselves! They knew their father was probably already dead, but they demanded we keep going anyway."

Jack looked down. "I didn't really try to dissuade them either, even if I knew what was gonna happen there."

"Yes, but I-" Alear began, before shaking his head and massaging his temples. "We're just going in circles, here. I'm beginning to think everyone has a bit of an accountability problem."

Jack snorted. "Are you just figuring that out now?"

"I suppose it never seemed like such an issue until recently," Alear said, shaking his head. "But it does give me something to think about. Thank you, Jack. And you too, Veyle. Maybe you both could help me with the crates? We need to pass out the rations to everyone else."

Jack couldn't help but feel that they were essentially just placing a bookmark in the conversation, and he hadn't had the time to talk to Veyle about what she had said a moment prior. Nonetheless, the fact she had started eavesdropping on their conversation because she was looking to see if they were done implied that they needed to hurry up.

Besides, Jack reasoned, the clock was ticking. There was only so much time left until either Sombron or the Husks made another move.

When Jack laid eyes on the city of Serenissima, it felt like he had entered another world for the second time.

While Firene and Brodia had their charms, Jack had to admit that Serenissima was probably the most beautiful city he had ever seen. A far cry from the featureless sand dunes and rocky cliffs they had passed by to get there, the city was colorful and vibrant, with the sun reflecting off of the rounded blue roofs, and towering above the wall that surrounded the city itself, was Solm Palace. Its gleaming spires jutted into the sky like the teeth of a giant beast, with the castle itself featuring carved stone, which made it almost seem like the bricks were moving as they moved closer.

"Heh. I know! I know. It's something else, ain't it?" Fogado said, laughing as he walked beside Jack. "Just need to give the guards a quick chat and we'll be sailing smoothly. Hang on right here, okay?"

"Uh, sure. Wow," Alear murmured, looking up at the giant structures.

As Fogado moved forward to the front gates, Jack turned to see everyone else was almost as spellbound as he was. Diamant and Alcryst looked like they were seeing the greatest fortress in the world, while Alfred and Céline were excitedly talking among themselves, something Jack couldn't quite hear.

Hortensia, however, was quite succinct.

"I like Elusia Castle better," she muttered, crossing her arms and looking down at the castle as best as she could. As much as she could, really, considering how big the place was.

"You lived there," Jack replied.

"Yeah, and your point is?" Hortenia replied pointedly.

Jack scoffed. "My point is that you're biased. Then again, I haven't seen Elusia Castle, either- no, wait, I did. Very briefly. It looked like snowy Mordor."

"Snowy what?" Hortensia asked, her face scrunching up as she looked up to Jack. "What even is that?"

"A very bad place," Jack said, "maybe one day I'll tell you about it."

Hortensia sniffed. "Maybe one day I'll wanna hear about it. Elusia Castle is a great place! We just… need to be there when Sombron's gone."

Jack's expression darkened slightly. "Maybe I won't feel sick thinking about it when that happens."

If Jack was taken away by Serenissima's beauty from afar, its interior had him gobsmacked.

The streets were lined with vendors advertising colorful dyes, fresh meat, grain - pretty much anything he could think of, all under a colorful sky and radiant sun. He didn't even mind the heat so much. Perhaps it was his near-death experience, or perhaps he'd simply grown bored of Solm's deserts and Elusia's snow and ice, but standing amongst the crowds, looking at how they lived their lives - there was something almost hypnotic about it he couldn't quite place his finger on.

If only he didn't have to wear a hood, he thought darkly to himself. Of course, no one was forcing him to, but the amount of looks he'd get - if not of scorn then certainly of fear and suspicion - he probably wouldn't be able to handle it all.

It's better this way.

"Are you coming along, or are you lost looking at the streets and pretty colors?"

Jack looked forward, his eyes refocusing on the sole person in front of him. Princess Ivy, of course - nobody else could sound both concerned yet refined in the exact same way she did. Still, as Jack looked at her, he became cognizant of one thing.

…She's very pretty.

She was wearing something far different from the outfit she had in Elusia. The fascinator remained, albeit she had it turned toward the sun in, perhaps, a vain attempt to shield her face from the light. She wore a demure purple robe which left very little exposed, with only her face and her neck even touching the air. Her magenta hair - or was it a dark purple? Jack could never tell - flowed freely in the breeze of Solm, almost like a cape.

Jack only became aware that he was staring blankly at her when she coughed into her fist to gain his attention.

"Do I look that interesting to you?" Ivy asked.

"Yeah, I'm wondering if you're really from Elusia or if you're a Solmic in disguise."

Ivy's brows furrowed a little as she tilted her head. "Excuse me?"

"Ah, that would've been terrible anyway," Jack replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "See, it was gonna be a pick-up line, but then I got lost in the color of your eyes and lost track of where I was going. Can you forgive me?"

Ivy merely stared back at Jack for several moments, long enough to make him feel uncomfortable and for the left side of his face to start itching. Finally, after an agonizing small eternity, she spoke again.

"You are an odd man, Jack," she said, clasping her hands together in front of her legs.

"Odd? Most people would've used something more severe," Jack replied.

"I find you odd because you have so much knowledge - perhaps now I should use 'had' - and yet, you never used it for your own ends," Ivy continued, placing a hand to her chin. "You could have used it as a bargaining chip with Queen Lumera and ensured you'd never have to see a battlefield, and perhaps after the war was over, even received a comfortable stipend for a lengthy amount of time. I wish to ask: why?"

Jack rolled his shoulders. "Why what?"

"Why did you decide to do all of this?" Ivy elaborated. "Why did you put yourself out there, on the battlefield? Why put yourself at risk for a people that are not your own?"

"Well, because I'm just that great, clearly," Jack replied.

"Yes, yes, a funny joke. Now, the real answer?"

Letting out a sigh and shrugging, Jack said, "Would you believe me if I said I have no idea?"

"I would, but go on," Ivy said.

"That's… all there is to it, really," Jack continued, scratching the left side of his face. "I can't tell you why because I don't know myself. I've got a dozen different reasons why I shouldn't have - it was dangerous, I could get killed before I had a chance to pass on my foreknowledge - but honestly? The minute I saved Queen Lumera, everything else would have fallen into place with or without me."

Ivy raised a brow at that. "How so?"

"Well, you guys won in the universe I saw anyway," Jack responded, looking past Ivy at the street that surrounded them. "So really, I'm… unnecessary. I don't need to be here. The only things I've really done are save Queen Lumera and help Veyle get rid of her brainwashing. Outside of that? Yeah, I warned them ahead of time about what could happen, but in the end, it happened anyway. Now the timeline's all outta wack and I'm just another combatant. Maybe not as bad as I used to be thanks to the Emblems, but just a regular soldier nonetheless."

"...I see," Ivy said after a moment. "My apologies, Jack. I appear to have misjudged you."

"Oh? In what way?" Jack asked, crossing his arms. "Because if you judged me as a moronic jackass with a chip on his shoulder, you're actually probably dead on the money."

"My, but you really have a low opinion of yourself, don't you?" Ivy commented. "But, no, that is not what I think of you. I think you are a… genuine person."

Jack tilted his head. "Are those really so rare that you didn't get that kinda read on me the first time we talked?"

"Rare indeed, especially where I grew up," Ivy murmured, looking around. "You are a rare breed, Jack. And perhaps that is for the best; Elyos would not survive an army of you."

"I… okay?" Jack replied, looking around awkwardly. "I can't tell if I'm being complimented or insulted."

"Hmhm, that's for you to decide, I believe. I, personally, have dealt with enough snakes and cutthroat politicians that a genuine person such as you or the Divine One are… hm, how do I put this? I don't know how to act around you. I find myself at a disadvantage."

"Have you tried being genuine yourself?" Jack asked.

"If I had done that in Elusia, I would have been eaten alive," Ivy replied, her voice little more than a harsh whisper. "If there is one good thing that has come about with Sombron's return, it is that the royal court, when I have rebuilt it, will not fall into decadence and debauchery as it did under my later father. That, I will guarantee, even if it kills me."

Jack didn't know why, but a faint dagger of ice cut through his chest at that last remark.

"Well, we're not in Elusia anymore. We're in Solm," Jack said, patting his chest. "And so far, I'm liking it here."

"I fail to see your point," Ivy admitted.

"My point is that if there was any time for you to let loose and be yourself, it's here," Jack continued, "Look around. Look at the people we travel with. They won't judge you for being yourself. So, you know, be yourself! I'm sure you're just as beautiful on the inside as on the outside."

Ivy raised a hand to her chin, notably hiding her lips. "Beautiful, am I?"

Jack blinked once he realized what he said. "Well, uh, yeah. Did you think you weren't? I mean, your long hair, your height, your voice - it's all there and it-"

"I-I believe I started this conversation by saying we were trailing behind the others," Ivy suddenly said, turning around so Jack couldn't see her face. "We must be away now. Before they enter Solm Palace without us."

"Actually, you said something about me being distracted by the pretty streets or something, when really I was distracted by-"

"Come along now, Jack, we have a meeting to attend," Ivy said, a bit more forcefully. "If you do not follow me, then I will be forced to leave you behind."

Jack chuckled to himself. "As you command, Princess Ivy."

Solm Palace was as grandiose as the city that surrounded it. Ivy and Jack were a little farther behind - and Jack did not miss the dirty look Hortensia gave him - but when they arrived, he couldn't help but admire it.

Shiny marble floors led to intricately carved pillars, and at the entrance to the castle sat an artificial pond, allowed to bask in the bright sun complete with lily pads and fish below the surface. They traveled further, going up one set of stairs that led further inside, and before long, they stood at the entrance to the main hall. All the while, guards stood sentinel, watching them as they went but not impeding their progress.

"They've probably already started," Jack said, wiping his forehead of sweat. "Sorry for dragging you down with me, Princess Ivy."

"There is nothing to be done about it now," Ivy sighed. "Let's go."

There was another basin of water that ran the length of the throne room, and at the very end of it, Jack could see the others, talking to who must've been Queen Seforia. Jack took a deep breath and followed Ivy into the main hall.

"You know, I just remembered," Jack heard Queen Seforia say, as he narrowed his eyes. He felt as if he'd forgotten something. "Timerra took it with her when she went out to patrol. Guess looking in the doodad drawer wasn't worth it."

Jack's eyes widened as he turned around with his hands on his hips. "I can't believe I…"

"The… doodad drawer?" Ivy said, as she approached. "You kept an Emblem Ring in the doodad drawer?"

"This is one of the strongest Emblems- no, we shouldn't focus on that right now," Diamant said. "If Princess Timerra has it, then we need to get moving as soon as possible."

"I'm just wondering, Queen Seforia. Er, not to question your decision-making, but why did Princess Timerra take it?" Alfred asked, looking to the front of the main hall briefly. Jack did the same, hearing what sounded like a brief scuffle, but it passed quickly. "As far as I know, the Emblems can't be activated unless a Divine or Fell Dragon activates them."

"You'd be right, which is why she has it," Queen Seforia responded. "You know, even though this castle is very secure, where's the first place Sombron's forces would look for an Emblem Ring? We have to make sure it doesn't fall into his claws."

"I see. Yes, that makes sense," Alear said, nodding. "I understand. Thank you, Queen Seforia. I apologize for any inconvenience we might have caused with our marching in here."

Queen Seforia waved a hand. "No need! No need. It was a pleasure to have the Divine Dragon himself enter our halls. You know what, actually? Maybe I'll come with you. Let me just get my traveling clothes on."

"Aha! That's not gonna happen, mom," Fogado said quickly. "Gotta have someone here in charge of the castle, you know."

Queen Seforia scoffed. "Hmph. Maybe you're right, my son. Fine, then. Guess you'll have to go without the fabled Queen of Solm at your side. Then again, I have a feeling Timerra will be more than a match for you-"

It was at that moment that the doors, which had been closed after Jack and Ivy stepped into the room, burst open. A wolf the size of a horse charged in, making Jack's stomach sink into his pelvis as he readied his Flame Lance and prepared for a savage fight. The others did much the same, with Diamant and Alear having their hands on their swords, magic fire and lightning danced between Ivy's fingers, and Alfred stood beside Queen Seforia and Fogado, as if to guard them once he'd drawn his sword.

Jack's first clue that they weren't under attack was that Queen Seforia and Fogado barely made a move, only reacting with mild surprise, and then shock. Jack saw why a few moments later, when he finally got a good look at who was riding atop the wolf.

A woman with short blonde hair and blue and black armor looked about ready to fall off, and her mount didn't look much better. The instant they stood before Queen Seforia, they collapsed. The woman fell from her mount, her breath coming out in heaves.

"Y-Your Majesty!" the woman gasped out. "I-I-!"

Merrin.

"Steady, Merrin. Do any of you know how to use a staff?" Seforia asked, her voice low as Ivy moved forward.

"I do. Give me a moment…"

Light enveloped Merrin's form, but her breathing was still labored once Ivy was finished. Merrin looked up at everyone that surrounded her before looking down, her eyes closed so tightly Jack could see the wrinkles.

"Queen Seforia, Prince Fogado, I don't… I don't deserve to be in your presence right now, but I have urgent, dire news."

Seforia knelt by Merrin's side, her face a complete blank as she placed a hand on Merrin's trembling shoulder.

"You have proven more than enough times that you have the right to be here. Now, tell me, what's happened?" Queen Seforia asked.

Merrin looked up, and what she said next made Jack's blood run cold.

"I-it's Princess Timerra and Panette! They're being taken to the Northern Fortress by those creatures! The Husks!"

Yeah, it's by this point that Jack's foreknowledge has become essentially worthless. If not due to him fucking about, then due to other people fucking about. And soon enough, they will, in fact, find out as well.

Here's a link to our Discord server: discord. gg/u89gs745fn

See you guys next time!