[ he comes to a stop so abruptly that he nearly stumbles, white noise whining through his head, the squirming creature in his arms completely forgotten. ] What? But-- I-- How?

[ he turns toward clive, a little wild-eyed, breath hitching unsteadily in his chest. how had he missed it? he couldn't have, could he? the scar, the prison, is still present. if that's true, then ultima still lives.. does he not? ]

We just returned from Ash. Ultima is in Origin.. is he not? [ his fingers curl in his tunic over the ugly mark. ] This should not be here if-- [ his eyes dart from clive to the hall they were walking, down to his own chest, back to clive, face pale and confused. he doesn't understand, but founder, more importantly: ] You're alright? [ his fingers uncurl, and he reaches out, grasping at his brother's forearm. ] You're certain you are?