The Fallen arc

The Azalea Forest

A few minutes earlier

The group had successfully infiltrated the Azalea Forest without alerting the imperials within the area. They were currently making their way to Oak Village to find Luca when Henro had fallen behind.

"Hey, where's Henro"? Emilia asked.

The trio looked back and noticed Henro had stopped following them. He was just standing a boy far behind them looking at his surroundings.

"What's he doing? Looking for the enemy?" Jayden asked.

Ziera looked around and scanned the area with her eyes.

"I don't detect any imperials around us. Nor any dangerous yokai or other wildlife. Then again it is hard to fully grasp what's out there when this forest is interfering with my scanning. So maybe Henro managed to sense something?" Ziera inquired.

"Well I'll go check on him. You guys can go on ahead, we'll catch up." Emilia said.

"Hang on. Shouldn't we stick together?" Jayden asked.

"It'll be fine. Me and Henro have survived worse together. Besides Luca needs us right now and the empire is closing in on him. Don't worry. We'll catch up before ya know it!" Emilia assured.

Jayden looked to Ziera. She didn't like it because they were in new territory but she wanted to trust Emilia's judgment. "Alright. But be quick about it. And be careful." Ziera ordered.

"Promise." Emilia said with a small smile. The two watched as she ran back to the direction of where Henro stood.

"Come on. Let's get moving." Ziera said.

"Right." Jayden said complying.

***

Current Time:

Jayden and Ziera continue on towards the path to Oak Village. So far they haven't encountered any imperials but they remained on high alert all the same. During their walk, Jayden heard birds above him squawking. Jayden looked up but they weren't like any kind of bird he's seen before. These birds resembled pheasants but there was one big difference. They had two heads.

"Whoa! Ziera look! What are those birds?" Jayden asked. Ziera looked up and saw what Jayden was referring to.

"Those are Gumyōchō. It's said that they have beautiful voices which they use to sing songs. Those who listen will achieve great enlightenment." Ziera explained.

"Damn. That's so cool. Man I've never even known about yokai but I'm actually in a forest full of em. Though I'm surprised we haven't seen more than that." Jayden said.

"They are probably hiding. Some yokai aren't that violent. They just want to live in peace. Though I'd be cautious of the more violent yokai. They are not to be trifled with." Ziera explained.

"I'll take your word for it. Must explain why the Machina Empire hasn't burned it all down yet then right?" Jayden asked.

Ziera grunted. "Well, they tried before. The Azalea Forest is very ancient. Filled with powerful yokai that even Zenal is wary of. Many troops were killed just trying to make it past a few kilometers within the forest. The Empire can't afford to waste time trying to conquer something that's akin to conquering another nation."

"For real!? Wow, that's amazing! And there's only one forest like this in the world?" Jayden asked.

"There are other magical forests throughout esos. Especially if you look at the Republic of Midgard. But for yokai specifically, yes. Only here within the western continent."

"Ha! Suck it Zenal! Man, I can't believe the empire would even try to destroy something so beautiful. What kind of person ruins the homes of innocent people? Heartless jerks." Jayden spat in disgust.

Ziera grunted again. She had just remembered what Cozar told her about what her elder siblings did to Jayden's hometown, Lockwood. She wanted to desperately tell him but..

"Hey Ziera? I know it's none of my business but mind if I ask you something?" Jayden asked, getting her attention.

"Shoot." Ziera replied.

"What's up with Henro and Em? I know I haven't known them that long but they seemed like they were friends for a long time. But they still haven't made up yet. Is there something else going on?" Jayden asked.

It was then that Ziera had stopped walking in front of Jayden. She had an idea but Ziera felt like she shouldn't tell Jayden about Henro's past without Henro's consent.

"All I can say is that Henro lost someone he cares about to the Empire and he doesn't want to lose Emilia next." Ziera answered.

"Lost someone he cares about?" Jayden asked.

"Yes I can't say more than this but three years ago, I met Henro at the capital right as I was leaving the empire. Both him and Emilia. When we met him he was.....broken." Ziera said sadly.

"What?" Jayden asked with shock and concern.

"Yes. What Henro went through, it's not something you can easily come back from. Not at all. So me and Emilia got him out. After that I was sent away by The Order on other missions to prove my loyalty and hadn't seen either of them since. Not till the mission to retrieve Ragnarok three years later. When I reunited with them Henro seemed a lot better. But judging by how he acts towards Emilia, I think she had something to do with it." Ziera inquired.

"Wow. I knew they were close but it does explain why he lost it when she almost sacrificed herself." Jayden said sadly and looked down at the ground. Ziera sighed and turned to face Jayden.

"Look I know Henro can be a jerk but Emilia was right when she said that he's not a bad person. Despite what he's been through and despite his grievances with the Republic, Henro still became a doctor so that he could help others. He truly does care. He just has his own way of showing it." Ziera said.

Jayden thought about it and looked back at some of his interactions with Henro.

Flashback:

When Henro healed Anna:

["Don't worry Ms, I'm a doctor. Just let me check on her." Henro said].

With her consent, Henro gently grabbed and lifted up her right arm. Anna grimaced in pain and closed her eyes but she stayed strong. Henro then closed his eyes and a bright glow emitted from his hands. He chanted something in a language I couldn't understand. But after he was done, the bruise from Anna's arm, along with any scratches she had prior were completely gone.

["Alright, finished. How do you feel, Anna?" Henro asked].

Anna looked at her right arm and was in awe. "My arm! It doesn't hurt anymore! I don't feel any pain anywhere else either! I feel much better now! Wow, you're amazing! Thank you Mr!" Anna was overjoyed. Mom hugged her and was tearing up a bit. She was so glad that Anna. I was too. Wow. This guy, he healed her like it was nothing.

Henro just nodded. ["Nah don't worry about it. It's my job. Though I don't get paid so that's neat I guess"].

When we were escaping Lockwood:

["You heard the lady! You two boys get out of here and meet with Tenjin!" Ziera ordered].

["Tsk! Whatever. You two better just come back alive you hear me!" Henro shouted as he flew ahead].

When he gave me sleeping pills:

[Henro pulled something out of his pocket. They were pills. "Here." Henro said as he threw the pills at me].

[I caught them and looked at them. These were sleeping pills and they had my subscription. "Wait. How did you-?"].

["I had a chat with your mom over the phone. She told me you've had issues with sleeping ever since you were a kid and take sleeping pills a lot to just get some rest. I got her consent and conjured some up myself with magic. These are a special kind that'll help with those scary dreams of yours. Well, there you go." Henro said uncaringly. He turned around and walked away].

["Hey wait!" I called out. He stopped and looked back at me. "Why?" I simply asked. Henro had a blank expression at first but he then just smirked].

["Don't look too much into it. I just can't stand all your boo hooing when I'm trying to get some sleep. I mean hell, I don't really sleep at night myself anymore but since I was beat from that mission I didn't really have a choice. But anyways, I didn't do it for your sake. I'm just doing my job as the ship's doctor. Nothing more, or less. Later loser.]"

Now that I think about it, Ziera is right. I mean I still can't fully figure Henro out but I never once got the vibe that he was a total jerk. That's why he fought to come save Luca. Even when Henro made fun of me all those times, he still looked after me. He may argue with Ziera a lot but he didn't want her to die back at Lockwood either. And whatever issue he's got going on with Emilia, he's clearly just concerned about her life because he cares about her." Jayden thought.

Maybe....Maybe I should have tried harder to get to know him? That's why Tenjin even sent us on this mission together to begin with. Then it finally hit him. Wait a minute. He thought.

["Oh yeah I do! You're the type of person I hate the most! A guy with empty promises!" Henro spat].

["WHAT!?" Jayden yelled out].

["You heard me. You're just some ignorant bastard who doesn't give a shit about what's going on here! You don't even know half the shit we've been through because of the empire! But now you think you can solve everything just because all of a sudden you're the chosen one now!? And by doing what!?? Just rushing in with nothing but courage and hope!?" Henro shouted].

["How are you gonna become the hero you dream of!? How will you make the lives of everyone here better!? Well!? Answer me! HOW ARE YOU GONNA HELP US, HERO!?"].

Now Jayden felt terrible. Shit. Henro is right about me. I still don't know what Henro went through. I just dismissed him as a jerk and didn't bother to get to know him better like I did with Ziera and Emilia. I hadn't really spoken to him the week I jumped on the ship. How can I even think of becoming a great hero when I won't even listen to others and their problems?

"Man, you're right Ziera. Now I feel like a real jerk. I know he judged me but I didn't bother to give him a fair shake either. And that's not fair." Jayden said sadly.

"Jayden, don't worry. Even if that's true Henro still went too far back there. He should have handled that better than how he did. Besides, it's not too late to make amends. Just start over and you two can work this out." Ziera said with sincerity.

Heh. Ziera's right once again. All I have to do is apologize and then me and Henro could try to work it out. Hopefully, Henro and Emilia can do the same with each other. But speaking of working things out.

"Then what about you and me? Can we do the same?" Jayden asked. Ziera's face dropped and backed away a bit. She looked down at the ground with a slightly sad expression.

"Like I said before Jayden it's fine. You have nothing to apologize for." Ziera said dismissively. At this point Jayden was getting frustrated.

"Why not!? Ziera, why can't you just talk to me about this? It's not just Henro and Em, we've been having our own issues with each other for about a week too. I just want things to go back to the way they were." Jayden said.

Ziera felt bad and wanted nothing more than to reconcile but she thought after how things went the last time can she even take her own advice and do it herself? Was getting close to Jayden and the others the right move? What business does she have to poke into other people's lives when she can't share her own? Whether it be out of guilt, shame and what she's done. Could she do it? Would she?

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Jayden. I....." Ziera began to speak.

"Yeah?" Jayden asked. Hoping they could resolve this.

But Ziera then shook her head and turned away from him. "Never mind. Come on Luca needs us." Ziera said, brushing the matter off and walking ahead of Jayden.

"Oh. Okay." Jayden said with disappointment.

"Ugh. What is taking Henro and Emilia so long? They should have caught up to us by now." Ziera groaned.

Jayden was wondering about that too but right now his mind was trying to figure out Ziera.

Man I just can't understand what is going on with her. One minute she helps me, then she shuts down, then she stands up for me, gives me good advice but then shuts down again. Seriously, what is going on with her? Was it because I blew up at her before?

When I first met Ziera, she came off as very cautious and closed off. Which makes sense as she was in the run from the empire and I was just a complete stranger to her. But maybe that's it? Ziera was on the run from the empire for three years now and hadn't really gotten to know the others until just recently. It must be hard for her to open up until Emilia got all three of us to hang out with each other that day. That's the moment when all three of us really became friends.

[You both showed me that maybe I don't have to distance myself so much around here. Like you said we're all friends now yeah?"]

[Also, I may not be good at this sort of thing like you two but......well. IF YOU GUYS EVER NEED TO TALK I'M HERE OKAY!?"]

Jayden facepalmed himself. It was at that moment Jayden felt it. Complete regret and self loathing at his own foolishness.

Dammit! It's just like how I messed up with Henro. Ziera had been alone this whole time. And while she was still a bit closed off she took a chance to open herself up a bit and be there for us. She's always been there for me. Even when we first met. And what did I do to show my appreciation? I spat in her face. All because I can't handle my own grief. My guilt. Jayden thought, scolding himself.

GODDAMMIT! I can't let this go on! I have to apologize! Ziera has always been there for me! Now it's my turn!

"Ziera!" Jayden called out. Ziera stopped in her tracks and turned to face Jayden. "Ziera listen I-."

Without warning, Ziera loaded up an Omni-Cannon on her right arm and aimed it at Jayden's direction.

"WHOA! WHOA! ZIERA HOLD ON! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY OKAY!?" Jayden panicked.

"Jayden duck!" Ziera ordered.

Jayden didn't question her and ducked his head without hesitation. In that moment something flew over Jayden's head. It was....a person? A woman actually. And she looked absolutely terrifying. Pale white skin, fully black eyes, long black hair, and wearing a white robe. She was screaming and ....flying towards Ziera.

"RAAAAAHH!" Screeched the pale woman flying towards Ziera.

"Omni-Blast!"

Ziera fired the blast at the person but the strangest thing happened. The blast went through the woman's body. Not shooting a hole through her but literally went through her like it phased through her body.

"What the!?" Ziera shouted. The woman tackled Ziera onto the ground and started strangling her.

"Ziera!" Jayden shouted.

"RAGNAROK!"

Jayden transformed into his metallic suit and dashed towards Ziera and the pale woman.

"Let her go!" Jayden shouted. He punched the woman but his fist went through her body. "What!? What the hell!? Is she a ghost!?" Jayden asked.

"GAH!" Ziera grunted and coughed. She tried to shove and swat the pale woman away but her hands only went through her body as well.

"RAAAAAHH!" The woman screeched on Ziera's face while still strangling her. Grunted in pain and shut her eyes. Then opened them and out came a green flash of light that blinded Jayden and the pale woman.

"RAAAAAHH!" The pale woman screeched, releasing Ziera from her grasp to cover her eyes.

Ziera sat up and coughed while rubbing her neck. She got up and grabbed Jayden by his arm.

"Come on! Let's get out of here quick!" Ziera shouted.

"Uh right!" Jayden said.

The two ran past the pale ghostly woman and back the way they came. The pale woman eventually recovered her sight and flew down the forest chasing after the duo. It should be noted that while Jayden is wearing a metallic suit, the suit itself which comes from the goddess of machines, Zenith, is not like any other ordinary suit.

Looking at it you would think Jayden's movements would be much slower but that is the opposite. Zenith's suit increases Jayden's speed, evasion and agility. But there is one trick that can help Jayden move faster. One that Ziera taught him during training.

"Jayden! Use it now!" Ziera ordered.

"On it!" Jayden replied.

"Agility boost!"

Suddenly Jayden's speed increased exponentially and allowed him to zoom faster through the forest with Ziera right next to him. This boost allowed p Jayden to run at supersonic speeds if not more with training. At his current level Ziera was much faster than him but she slowed herself down so Jayden wouldn't get left behind. The two were zooming down forest but the ghostly woman was still on their tail.

"We're running back to the ship!?" Jayden asked.

"No! Back to Henro! We have no way of combating that thing but he does with his magic!" Ziera explained.

"But how? He can only use dark magic right?" Jayden asked.

"...."

"Ziera? What are you not telling me!?" Jayden asked with frustration.

"Look, it's not my place to-HENRO!" Ziera suddenly shouted as she looked on ahead.

***

Henro Pov

Ten minutes earlier

Me and Emilia are walking through the forest trying to catch up to the princess and her valiant knight. They were further down than I thought. That's fine, I get it. Luca needs our help right now so they couldn't wait. I would have done the same. As for me and Emilia well...we haven't spoken since our fight a few minutes ago.

Ugh this is so stupid. Of course I don't want to fight with her. Or hurt her feelings but she needs to understand that what she did wasn't okay. I know how important the mission is but it's not worth throwing your life away. Especially not for bastards like Odysseus. Tenjin seems to actually care about Emilia but the rest? If we're just expendable pawns for Odysseus, the Order, or even the entire Republic, then they could all go to hell. Fucking scumbags.

And Emilia herself? I know she never meant to do it. I know she's just trying to help but that doesn't excuse it. Can't she realize that I need....that she means....gah what the hell am I thinking? Emilia doesn't owe me anything. I know that. And she's right when she says she's not my responsibility. That is true. But even so......why did she have to be so stupid? Then out of nowhere I heard something. It sounded faint but it sounded like...a scream?

I signaled Emilia to stop by putting my arm right in front of her direction. She didn't say anything and instead guarded up and went back to back with me. Looking at anything behind my blind spots. Emilia and I had trained enough together over the years so we knew what the other was thinking in these situations. Emilia being a Garuda, also has better eyes than me and can see farther in the distance so she can cover my blind spots.

While she focused her sight on the forest behind me, I focused my gaze toward my direction. I don't think that screaming belonged to that thing. It sounded way different. Like the scream of a woman. But not the type of scream you hear when someone is in pain and or afraid. It sounded like one of pure rage and it was heading in the direction of Jayden and Ziera.

Dammit. I don't know what it could mean but my instincts were telling me that it probably wasn't good. Shit. Why is it always something? Well no point in complaining. It seems that whatever that thing is it isn't here so we have to keep moving and get to those two quickly.

"Hey Emilia let's-."

"HENRO MOVE!" Emilia shouted as she summoned her wind bow and arrow towards my left side. I turned my head to the left and saw what Emilia was aiming at.

I see it.

I see it hanging on the trees and I...I can't move. I can't move. I can't think. I can't talk and I can barely even breathe. All I could do was stand there sweating. Petrified at the very sight of it. It was twice my size with its hulking presence. It's deformed mutated body, its gray skin, it's giant horns sticking up on its forehead, it's long tail and unlike the other ones I've seen in the past, this one didn't have a face. No eyes, nose or anything. Just a big mouth with sharp teeth, licking its lips with it's long tongue in my direction.

Seeing that thing brought back so many bad memories. Bad memories of all those times I spent being under his thumb. Of all the horrible things he did to me, my mother and so many other people. All for his twisted experiments. All so he could create that thing.

"Draugr". I said aloud.

"HENRO!" Emilia shouted my name again. But I still couldn't move. I couldn't move at all. The Draugr noticed that and grinned. It saw its chance and lept towards me and Emilia. I was still frozen in fear but Emilia took initiative.

"RAAAAH!" The Draugr shrieked.

"Garuda Style: Thunder Strike!"

Emilia shot a lightning arrow at the Draugr. The Draugr couldn't dodge in time so it blocked the attack by shielding it's face with it's arms. It went flying back onto the ground but immediately recovered and landed on it's feet. Emilia was ready to shoot another one but then something happened. The lightning from her arrow began to go haywire.

"AAH!" Emilia cried out. Then both her arrow and her wind bow disappeared from her hands. She tried to conjure them again but she couldn't. "Huh? Why? Why can't I use my magic!?" Emilia asked, panicking.

The Draugr didn't understand what was going on either but to them it didn't matter. It grinned again at this new opportunity before it. The Draugr then leaped towards Emilia and brought out it's sharp claws.

"RAAAAAH!!!" The Draugr shrieked.

It was then I finally snapped out of it. Emilia saw the attack coming but she didn't plan to avoid it but face it head on with her blades. The Draugr was attacking her so naturally she would dodge out of the way but if she did, it would target me next. My instincts are telling me that if Emilia tried to fly me away she wouldn't be fast enough to avoid either one of us from getting slashed. She probably thinks the same.

So since I refused to move and she couldn't use magic right now, Emilia would have no choice but to.......but to....

An image of Emilia getting slashed by the draugr went through my mind. Her getting infected from its attack and...and.....

"RAAAAAH!" Screeched Emilia

It was then I finally moved. I shoved Emilia away and then leapt towards the draugr so it would focus on me. Emilia hit the ground with the thud but looked up at henro.

"Henro don't!" Emilia pleaded. But I ignored her. I wasn't going to let this thing touch her in my place.

"Divine Dark Magic: Black Curtain!"

Henro is half demon so his first elemental magic type is darkness. His however is special. It is known as Divine Darkness. A rare type of dark magic where the user can manipulate shadows. Henro can slip in and out of shadows whether they be his own or from other people to hide or travel.

He can manipulate the shapes of shadows and cast attacks such as this. Black Curtain. The ability to cast a giant dark cloak over himself or over his opponent and send them away in a shadow. Black Curtain was fast enough to land on the draugr and engulf it in darkness. Entrapping the creature within the shadow on the ground.

"Henro please! We'll face it together!" Emilia pleaded.

No way. Not when you can't even use magic right now. You've done enough reckless crap for one day! Besides as long as I can trap this thing in my shadow we'll be-

Then out of nowhere, the shadow I threw upon the draugr zoomed towards me.

"What!?" I shouted. The draugr then leapt from inside the shadow towards me and...

SLASH

"GAH!" I wailed in pain.

"HENRO!" Emilia cried out.

"It...controlled....my..s-shadow!?"

I felt onto the ground with that thing on top of me pinning me to the ground. It then sunk it's sharp teeth right into my neck and bit down hard.

"GYAAAAAAAAH!" I wailed in pain.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Emilia shouted in anger. She made a dash towards the draugr with her blades.

"S-stop! E-Emilia!" I barely cried out. This thing was crushing my throat and I was choking on my own blood. If my instincts were right that thing is planning on her to lunge at it so it can slash at her too. Emilia is fast but she's emotional and this thing is intelligent.

I grew my claws and tried plunging my hands through its side but it's skin is tougher than I thought. And it wouldn't let go. I tried using my darkness again but....

Nothing came out. I can't use my magic! Y-You've gotta be shitting me! I can't use my magic either!? What's causing it!?

Flashback:

["What's wrong Ziera?"]. Jayden asked.

["I'm starting to lose the signal."]. Ziera stated.

["WHAT!?"]. Henro shouted.

["Could it be a jammer?"]. Emilia asked.

["I don't think so. The empire doesn't know we're here yet. They wouldn't cut off communications. My guess is it's this forest. I don't know why but I get the feeling that whatever is in there, it's interfering with both communications and Luca's signal"].

Oh you can't be serious! It's this damn forest causing this!? GAH! This thing isn't good. I'm blacking out!

I'm losing my vision but I still see Emilia still dashing towards the draugr. I couldn't talk. My throat was getting crushed. I could only voice what I wanted to say in my head.

Stop Emilia!

Emilia grew her wings and flew up. She then flew towards me and the draugr. Is she trying to take this thing with her in the sky!? No!

I said stop!

Emilia was fast approaching and I noticed the draugr was growing it's claws ready for her attack.

NO!

["Henro." My mother said smiling at me].

I SAID STOP YOU IDIOT!!!!!!!

"HENRO!"

That voice! Ziera!?

Then in a flash someone kicks the draugr off of me and sends it flying back. It was Jayden in his armored suit.

"You!?"

"Yo!" Jayden replied.

The draugr yelped as it hit the dirt but recovers. It growls getting ready to leap back into the fight.

"Jayden now!" Ziera called out.

"Right!" Jayden replied.

I saw Jayden and Ziera jump up and both shoot an Omni-Blast towards the Draugr. It dodges. Then I felt someone scooping me up into the air.

"Emilia!"

"Hang on! I gotcha!" Emilia said.

She flew me up. While Jayden and Ziera dealt with the draugr.

***

"Man what the hell is this thing!? It looks nasty!" Jayden said as he continued to shoot at it.

"It's a Draugr. I'll explain later, just keep firing!" Ziera said.

"Right!" Jayden complied.

"Emilia! How's Henro!?" Ziera asked.

"He's hurt really bad! He's losing too much blood and he's not healing!" Emilia shouted.

"What!?" Jayden was shocked.

"Dammit!" Ziera cursed.

"Wait! Can't demons heal their wounds!?" Jayden asked.

"Not when facing these things." Ziera said.

"Be careful! That Draugr manipulated Henro's shadow. I think it can use magic unlike the other ones." Emilia shouted.

"Tsk. Just our luck." Ziera said.

The Draugr grinned at the group and licked the blood off its lips in satisfaction. Seeing that made Jayden angry.

"You piece of shit! I won't let you get away with this!" Jayden shouted and dashed towards the draugr.

"Jayden, stop! Don't be reckless!" Ziera ordered.

"RAAAAAH!"

Suddenly everyone, including the draugr, stopped moving when they heard that screech. The ghostly pale woman that chased Jayden and Ziera had finally caught up to them.

"Ah crap! I forgot about her!" Jayden said.

"Tsk. You're one persistent bitch aren't you?" Ziera asked with an annoyed tone. The pale woman took notice of Ziera.

"RAAAAAH!" The woman screeched at Ziera. But Ziera wasn't intimated at all.

"Sorry I can't hear. Come closer and say that to my face you pale skank." Ziera sneered and beckoned her hand at the pale woman.

"RAAAAAH!"

The pale woman screeched and went after Ziera but Ziera dashed away and dashed towards the draugr.

"Ziera!" Jayden shouted.

"I'm fine! Just stay back and watch!" Ziera ordered.

The Draugr didn't attack. It was outnumbered, Henro was out of it's grasp and now this ghostly woman is interfering. For now it decided it would be cautious and wait for the perfect strike while Ziera came at it. But the draugr didn't see this coming.

Ziera jumped over the draugr, pulled out a disk from her thigh and placed it onto the draugr's back.

"Sup! Mind if I introduce you to my new friend?" Ziera asked jokingly. The pale woman was flying towards both of them fast.

The Draugr tried to attack Ziera but she pressed the button on the screen of the disk and it beeped. It exploded and propelled the draugr right at the pale woman. The pale woman didn't fly out of the way and instead grabbed onto the draugr and shoved it onto the ground screeching at it. The Draugr tried to swat it away but it couldn't.

"Damn nice!" Jayden said.

"Like I said in training use misdirection. Now hurry, let's get out of here! That thing won't hold off that ghost for long!" Ziera shouted.

"A ghost!?" Emilia shouted in shock.

"Long story! Emilia get Henro back to the ship while me and Jayden look for Luca!" Ziera ordered.

"Right!" Emilia complied.

"No! L-Luca!" Henro groggily said.

"We can't make it to him while you're like this Henro! I'll take you back to the ship first and then go look for him!" Emilia argued.

"Uh guys! Look!" Jayden shouted.

The group looked at what Jayden was pointing at and couldn't believe what they saw.

***

Imperial Warship:

The Bridge

On the bridge sitting in his chair impatiently with his head resting on his hand was Fury, the Fenrir. He had been trying to get in contact with one of his coworkers, General Silas. Fellow member of the Crimson Knights and head of the Empire's Research and Development division. He had been waiting for Silas to make contact with him but he was a busy man who really only answered to Emperor Zenal himself.

That annoyed Fury to no end. He wasn't trying to wait on Silas all week just because he wanted to play with his toys in his lab. But luckily Fury had made sure to mention that he had possibly found out where Silas's favorite pet was right now so that would surely get his attention faster. Only a day had passed since Fury had tried to make contact with Silas but it seems his ploy worked. A beeping noise came from the speakers at the bridge.

"General Fury, sir! General Silas has finally made contact back with us!" Said one of his men. Fury smirked in satisfaction.

"Heh. Answer it." He ordered.

"Yes sir!"

They opened the transmission and out came a hologram of a person. But to Fury's disappointment it wasn't Silas, but a woman. She was middle aged, caucasian, had short black hair, one of her eyes was red but the other was colorless. She had stitches going from across her face over her colorless right eye down to over her mouth to her chin. She wore a white lab coat with the empire's red insignia painted on the back and wore black heels.

"Good afternoon General Fury. My name is SIX. Lab assistant to Lord Silas at your service." Six said, bowing her head.

"Hmph. Where is Silas? I asked for him, not for his assistant." Fury said plainly.

"My deepest apologies. Lord Silas is busy with another operation at the moment. He feels he's made another breakthrough today with his latest test subjects so he can't receive your call at this time. He does however apologize for the inconvenience and means no disrespect. However, he has sent me to cooperate with you in his absence." SIX said.

"Tsk. No disrespect huh? As if he has any respect towards any living thing in this world?" Fury asked with sarcasm.

"I can assure you, General Fury, that Lord Silas has nothing but respect for this world and it's inhabitants. He simply believes it can all be.....improved upon." SIX said.

"Whatever. I don't care. Now since you're representing him, do you have what I need?" Fury asked impatiently.

SIX nodded. "Yes. Lord Silas has already sent out some of his new freshly born Draugr towards your location and should arrive towards your location by tomorrow at the latest. They have been given the command to follow your orders and will assist you with whatever you require." SIX said. Fury smirked.

"Good. Now the first phase of the plan can soon commence. Oh! But I heard there's a Fallen child in the Azalea Forest. You wouldn't happen to have some in that location already would you?" Fury inquired.

"As a matter of fact we do. And Lord Silas believes that this one in particular will be to your liking." SIX said.

***

The Azalea Forest

"RAAAAAH!" Screeched the ghostly woman in pain.

The Draugr was attacking her with some kind of light beam emitting from its hand.

"What the hell!? This can't be real!" Jayden said in shock. "My scanner, it's picking up light magic. No! Holy magic! But that's not possible! Only angels can use that!" Jayden shouted.

"Not...just..angels...". Henro said weakly.

Jayden looked up at Henro in Emilia's arms. His form began to change but it wasn't the demonic form he showed off before. It was something else. Henro's skin turned gray. Black markings formed around his body. His hair turned white and grew longer. His pupils became slit, he had sharp black claws, sharp teeth, pointy ears, large black horns on his forehead but the thing that caught Jayden off the most were his bright dark purple eyes.

His scanner picked up on Henro's new form and he realized what he truly was. The same Hybrid species that Luca was a part of. Both an Angel and a demon.

A Fallen.

Jayden now fully realized how little he truly knew Henro.

HYBRID