Damn, things went full World of Ruin. Kefkaesque. I died at the next boss because I got mob focused and was struggling to manage my MP. It's not a particularly hard boss... but I'd spent 20 minutes beating every mob on the battlefield beforehand. Decided to invest all my returned points into attack boosts and smashed him easily.
Still dont trust the King, that dudes eyes are legitimately untrustworthy.
I hope Jade comes back soon. And where did the owls go!?!?!?!