The Fallen arc
The Azalea Forest
Oak Village
Jayden and Ziera followed Arkin towards one of the houses within Oak Village. While they walked, Jayden pondered his thoughts.
I can't let this go on. It's not just me and Ziera. Henro and Emilia aren't on good terms either. And it's not like me and Henro are buddy buddy either. But what can I do!? How can I fix this!?
["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].
["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!?" Henro yelled].
["I want to fight. I want to fight alongside you guys. That's why I want us all to get along, because I don't want to just be your teammates, I want to be your friends". Emilia said].
["I don't know what issues you kids are having but work through them. That especially goes for you Jayden. You said you wanted to be a hero like the Guardians right? Then it's time to man up and prove yourself here and now." Tenjin said].
["It's not too late to make amends. Just start over and you two can work this out." Said Ziera].
["You can't live in the past forever Jayden. You must face it head on and conquer it. Only then can you move forward. And when you do, don't let anyone shame you for who you are. You are both my and your father's son. You are Jayden Cortez. No matter what I'll always love you". Said Maria].
["Jayden".]
Jayden gasped. He remembered the words his father spoke to him years ago.
["A real man always takes care of his own. Remember that. Alright?"].
Jayden smiled. Yeah you're right. I should have known that from the start. Thanks dad. Thank you everyone.
Jayden, Ziera and Arkin had reached their destination. The house where Henro and Emilia were staying at.
"This is where you will find your comrades. Ziera, a yokai inside will attend to your injuries. I must be off to attend to my other duties." Arkin said.
"Right. Thank you Arkin." Ziera said.
"Seriously, you really saved our butts back there. We can't thank you enough for this." Jayden said.
"Think nothing of it. It's my pleasure to help the next wielder of Ragnarok and his companions. I just hope that you all can learn to help each other before the next battle." Arkin said.
Jayden and Ziera looked at each other, but then looked away feeling upset. Arkin sighed.
"Jayden. Ziera. Don't make the same mistake I did. You can't win this alone. To survive you all must stand together. And to win, you all must be united." Arkin said.
"You sound like Tenjin." Ziera said.
"Wise man. Now then I shall be off." Arkin said, giving a bow.
"He really does sound like Tenjin." Jayden said.
"Yeah because they're both old." Ziera sneered.
"Tenjin isn't that old. Is he?" Jayden questioned.
"I'll tell you about it another time. Come on. Let's go see Henro and Emilia." Ziera suggested.
"Right." Jayden complied.
Jayden and Ziera entered the house where they found Henro, Emilia and a beautiful woman with white fox ears and nine white large fox tails. She had red eyes, long white hair, red lined tattoos that went over her eyes and down her cheeks and wore a white and blue kimono.
Henro was back to his human form lying on a bed while Emilia and the woman sat in chairs next to him. The three took notice of Jayden and Ziera entering the house.
"Guys! You're okay!" Emilia said feeling relief. She got up from her chair and paced towards them. When Emilia noticed Ziera, she gasped. "Ziera! Are you okay!?" Emilia took her hand and held it in hers.
"Yeah Em. I'm fine, don't worry. You should have seen the other guy." Ziera chuckled.
"How are you guys feeling?" Jayden asked.
"I'm okay. I wasn't injured. Henro however was in really bad shape. And we still can't use magic in this forest. But on the bright side, Ms. Reisha here is a kitsune and easily healed Henro with her magic!" Emilia said cheerfully.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Reisha and I am happy to attend to any injuries you have had on your way here." Reisha bowed.
"The pleasure is ours. Thank you so much for healing our friend." Ziera said.
"Of course. You probably already know this but Yokai may have been born from negative emotions but we aren't always evil. We are capable of feelings like compassion. After Arkin told us about you people we would gladly help you. Especially when we heard that you were trying to save that young boy Luca." Reisha said with a smile.
"Speaking of. Forgive me for being blunt but do you know where he is?" Jayden asked. Reisha had a sad look on her face.
"I am very sorry but Arkin has ordered me not to give that sort of information to your group yet. Please forgive me." Reisha said.
"Oh no it's fine. Don't worry about it. But that means he does know here Luca is but won't tell us. Man that old deer does not make it easy huh?" Jayden asked.
"No kidding." Emilia chuckled.
"Still, here I thought you would look worse for wear." Jayden quipped. Henro didn't answer. He just continued to stare at the ceiling with an annoyed expression. The silence in the room began to make things awkward.
"Hey Jayden. You can set me down now. I can walk from here." Ziera said.
"Right." Jayden replied. He set Ziera down and she got on her two feet. She stumbled a bit but Emilia caught her.
"Thanks, Em." Ziera said. Emilia nodded
"Please allow me to heal your wounds Ms. Ziera." Reisha offered. She placed the palm of her hand on Ziera's forehead. Out came a bright glow and instantly Ziera's wounds were albeit gone. Ziera can now stand on her own two feet without trouble.
"I'm.....I'm completely healed! Even the poison is gone!" Ziera said with shock.
"No way! Ziera you're really okay!?" Jayden asked.
"Yeah! I'm really all better now! This is incredible!" Ziera said happily.
"Hooray! Ziera's all better!" Emilia cheered as she hugged onto her tightly.
"That's awesome!" Jayden cheered.
"Yes. Other than fallen and angels, kitsune have special healing properties that can heal their targets from any ailment. They are also known for bringing good fortune." Reisha winked.
"Yeah? Sounds nice. Would have been great if we had some earlier." Henro finally spoke but it was with a sarcastic tone.
"Henro! Don't be rude!" Emilia lectured.
"Tsk!" Henro didn't retort.
"Sorry about him. He's just been through a lot today." Emilia said apologetically.
"Of course. No offense taken at all. But I should leave you all to your own advances. Let me know if you need anything else." Reisha bowed. The group nodded as Reisha opened the door and left the house. With her gone, Ziera then turned her head to Emilia.
"So did Arkin tell you guys about what really happened here? What Circe did to the humans who lived here?" Ziera asked. Emilia looked down at the floor saddened. While Henro kept looking at the rough but now angrier than before.
"Yes. He told both of us when he brought us here. It's terrible. How could the empire have done such a thing?" Emilia asked. Ziera placed her hand on Emilia's shoulder and looked her in the eye.
"We'll make them pay for this. The villagers deserve justice. Right?" Ziera sounded serious. Emilia dropped her sad expression and turned serious.
"Right! Of course we will!" Emilia shouted. Ziera smiled and then turned her attention to Henro.
"Listen Henro. You should know that the draugr we fought had limbs coming out of it's body when I fought it." Henro's eyes widened and he finally sat up looking at the group.
"What!?" Henro asked in shock.
"Yes. I don't know how it's possible but this draugr is not like the others we faced in the past. It can use both light and dark magic, has multiple limbs and is not to mention intelligent enough to speak and adapt. I didn't think it was possible but Silas somehow managed to create the ideal weapon to use against angels, demons and even fallen." Ziera stated.
"Tsk. No way! That can't be possible! That fucking bastard Silas doesn't have me so he couldn't have done it!" Henro shouted.
"Yes but.."
"Didn't you just hear me!? I said it's not fucking possible!" Henro shouted.
"Hey back the hell off her! She's just trying to help your sorry ass!" Jayden shouted.
"What did you say, Cortez!?" Henro growled.
"Jayden, stop!" Ziera ordered.
"No Ziera, I'm sick of this! You almost died fighting that draugr off while this big baby was over getting carried by Emilia to this village so that he can get healed! But instead of thanking any of us he spits in our faces!? I never met someone so ungrateful. It's pathetic!"
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"I'm pathetic!?" Henro roared. He got up from his bed and stomped towards Jayden.
"Both of you stop!" Ziera ordered.
"Now is not the time to fight each other!" Emilia shouted as she got in between both Jayden and Henro.
"You're right Em it's not. But at least allow me to say this to him
just this once! I got my wake up call and now it's his turn. There's been a lot of shit I've been waiting to say to your face for a long time! So now it's your turn to listen!" Jayden demanded.
"Oh is it now!? Man I gotta hear this! Well don't keep us in suspense Mr. Hero! Let's hear it! Let's hear how you really feel about me! I'm just dying to know! Just what am I to you, Cortez!?" Henro yelled out. Jayden smirked.
"What are you to me? Well that's an easy one. You're the jerk who saved a little girl from a rundown town." After Jayden said that, Henro calmed down a bit and was left confused.
"Huh?"
"You heard me. You're also the jackass who was worried for Emilia's life back at Lockwood. No scratch that, you worried for all of our lives back there and didn't want us to die."
"The fuck is going down memory lane have to do with anythi-."
"You are also the punk ass doctor who gave this poor soul sleeping pills so he'd stop waking the whole ship up with his screaming. Not to mention the show off who wanted to save an innocent kid from getting kidnapped by the empire. You even followed it up by giving me a huge ass wake-up call. For a guy I've only known for a week, combine all of those and you leave a pretty big impression on me man." Jayden said.
At that point both Ziera and Emilia stopped holding Jay and Henro back and Henro had gone from angry to being confused and annoyed.
"Wow. All of that sounds nice and all but what's your point?" Henro asked.
"The point is that if we combine all of those aspects and mash them together, we'd get you. Henro. Our glorified shit doctor. And also....a guy I consider a friend." Jayden said with sincerity. The other three were in shock. Especially Henro.
"Huh!? What are you talking about!? We're not friends!" Henro yelled as he got up close to Jayden's face.
"Yeah. But we can be. And I think you want to as well." Jayden replied.
"Ha! Me? Friends with you!? And why would I? You don't even know me!"
"Exactly. You told me do yourself back at the ship remember? I'm just an ignorant bastard who doesn't know anything. That's why I want to change that. Because despite our differences, I actually kinda respect you." Jayden said.
"Oh really now?" Henro asked with sarcasm.
"Yeah. I mean kinda. You helped both me and my family without asking for anything in return. It's my turn to give back. Not because I expect anything back or because I'm the wielder of Ragnarok. It's because that's what teammates...".
[He may be ignorant now but give it time and he'll learn more and more as time goes on. Because I'll be there to help him understand. That's what teammates, no, friends do for each other." Ziera stated].
["Because you're my friend you idiot! I told you that you could tell me anything because I care about you!
"No. Because that's what friends do for each other." Jayden smiled. Henro still wasn't convinced.
"Tsk. Like I said, I'm still not your friend." Henro spat.
"You're right. I'm not expecting you to start sharing your past with me or whatever off the bat. Hell I don't know why you even hid the fact that you're a Fallen from me but I won't pry. But Ziera and Emilia are our friends. And man I gotta be real, we've been taking them both for granted." Jayden said with sorrow.
"Jayden." Ziera said as she looked at him with a sad expression. Emilia didn't say anything but looked sad as she clasped her hands together and looked down at the ground.
"A couple days ago I couldn't sleep. They were nightmares, about the day I lost my dad. The truth is...Zenal killed him." Jayden said.
Ziera, Emilia and even Henro were caught off guard when they heard this. Ziera already knew Jayden lost his father but she never thought Zenal himself was responsible for the death of Jayden's father.
"I was a kid when it happened. I'm still not ready to tell you guys the whole truth but I can tell you it was all my fault. I'm the reason my father died. And the reason why my mom became a widow."
"Jayden, wait! Whatever happened, I know it wasn't your fault. That was Zena-." Ziera tried to plead.
"Please just let me finish Ziera." Jayden asked. Ziera had stopped talking over him. "I'm sorry but it's the truth. My hometown turned on me after that. Not that I blame them. I haven't forgiven myself since. That's why I keep having those nightmares. Ziera tried to help me just like you did. But I pushed her away. I took her friendship for granted. And I can never apologize enough.
"When we first met, Ziera tried to help me when she didn't even know me. She even called me a hero. And after we left Lockwood, she helped me because she's my friend. A friend I took for granted." Jayden turned his head to Ziera and looked at her face to face.
"Ziera. I am so sorry that I hurt you the way I did. You were right. I had no right to lecture you about being honest when I won't be honest with myself. It's like you said I can't have it both ways. But all I want right now is to be by your side in all of this." Jayden said sincerely.
Ziera blushed. She couldn't muster any words to respond. Jayden then turned his head to Emilia.
"And Emilia I'm sorry I took your friendship for granted too. You said the day all three of us hung out together that we should all fight together as friends. I should have listened to you instead of sorrowing in my own guilt." Jayden said.
"Oh no Jayden. It's okay really." Emilia assured.
"No it's not. I didn't appreciate what any of you did for me this past week but that's going to change. My dad always told me that a real man takes care of his own. That's what I'm going to do now. I don't want to be the guy who brings people down. I want to become the hero that lifts people up. A hero that both my family and friends can rely on." Jayden declared as he stood tall with a fierce look in his eyes.
Ziera, Henro and Emilia gazed at Jayden with different reactions. Emilia had a bright smile, Henro looked conflicted and Ziera...had the look of someone who appeared sad but that was far from the truth. She was feeling all types of emotions.
Emotions she hasn't felt in a very long time. She couldn't understand them, but one thing's for certain, she felt proud of her friend. She smiled and blushed.
Jayden...you.
"Henro. I can't tell how to fix your relationship with Emilia. That's up to you guys two to work it out. But what about us man? Can we start over? I'll prove to you that I'm not worthless. And that ragnarok didn't choose wrong. Not as long as I have you guys helping me. We can all still save Luca together!" Jayden asked as he reached his hand out to him.
Henro looked at Jayden like he was crazy. But then he relaxed and brushed the back of his head. "Geez. Who wrote you that script you recited? That was so cheesy." Henro sneered.
He then looked at Jayden to see if he got a reaction out of him but Henro got nothing. Jayden stood there without wavering or snapping back once. Henro then thought back to when Jayden stood up for him at the ship.
["I mean don't get me wrong, yeah Henro over here can be annoying and a real pain in the ass but for once he's not wrong. I didn't join you guys just to go find some relics, or to even just fight Zenal, I came to make a real difference in the world. To give people hope and become a hero just like the Guardians were. That includes standing up for the little guy"].
["You guys may be The Order but you don't get to dictate where I go just because it's a matter of priorities. If a kid like Luca needs my help out there then screw your mission because I'm going to help him whether you like it or not. If you guys still think that saving a kid who's crying for help is insignificant, then you're no better than Zenal. And not the people I looked up to at all." Jayden said flat out].
Heh. I gotta say for a greenhorn that took guts. Then he had to go drop his whole backstory on me. What's with this weirdo? Save Luca together huh? Henro sighed.
"Alright. Alright. Fine!" Henro took Jayden's hand and held on tight. "But don't think for a moment I'm just gonna drop my sad backstory on the drop of a hat, Cortez!" Henro smirked.
"Ha! Your ass should be thankful I even told you mine, Akumura!" Jayden smirked back.
Emilia started crying. "They're finally getting along! I'm so happy that you guys are friends now!"
"WE'RE NOT FRIENDS!" Jayden and Henro shouted in unison.
"Aw what's wrong Jayden? Aren't you two besties now?" Ziera chuckled.
"Ziera come on." Jayden groaned.
"Yeah go handle your girlfriend!" Henro snapped.
"She's not my girlfriend! Why don't you worry about yours!?"
Jayden snapped back.
"Oh no! Me and Henro aren't-." Emilia held up her arms feeling embarrassed.
"Are you stupid!? Emilia isn't even into guys!" Henro shouted.
"Wait, you're not?" Jayden asked. Emilia giggled nervously.
"Hehehe oh no. I'm 55% gay."
"Huh?" Jayden was baffled.
"55%?" Ziera questioned.
"Uh huh! 55% gay! Followed 25% warrior and 20! Happiness!" Emilia gleefully said.
"Multiplied by 0% cooking skills." Henro sneered. Emilia started tearing up.
WHACK. Ziera had kicked Henro from beside his head knocking him to the floor.
"OW! The fuck Ziera!?" Henro cried out.
"That was for being an ass! The next time you run your mouth about Emilia's cooking the next thing you'll taste is my foot down your throat!" Ziera threatened.
"Yeah well I bet Jayden would enjoy your feet much mo-GAH!" Henro howled in pain. "Ziera! GAH! STOP! GAH ! AH!" Ziera just kept stomping Henro out.
"But you kept saying you liked my cooking Henro!" Emilia cried out.
"Gah! I didn't mean it Emilia! Ow! I was just kidding! Ow!" Henro winced in pain as Ziera had him in wrist lock and twisted his arm. Emilia immediately recovered.
"Oh good! Cause I was planning on giving you three bowls of my cooking after this is all over!" Emilia said cheerily.
"I'm curious on how it'll taste too. Never had Em's cooking yet." Jayden said.
"Well good for you. GAH! ZIERA! MY ARM! YOU'RE BREAKING MY ARM!" Henro cried out.
"Ah hem!" The group heard a voice at the door. They turned around to see who it was. It was none other than Arkin.
"I assume you all made peace with one another?" Arkin asked.
Henro from the floor looked at Emilia and she looked at him. They hadn't resolved anything between them yet so their feelings were conflicted. They looked away from each other feeling awkward. But now wasn't the time for this.
"More or less yeah." Henro said to Arkin.
I have to make things right with Emilia later. I can't believe I'm saying this but that idiot is right for once. I lost a lot of things in my life. I can't lose the one good thing I have left.
Emilia was thinking the same thing. Henro. I swear I'll make things right between us. I promise!
"Good. If you are all ready. It's time to see the boy, Luca. He's waiting for all of you." Arkin said.
"So he is here huh? How is he?" Henro asked as he got up.
"The boy is fine physically. Our healers looked after him. But it's his mental state I'm concerned about. Especially in regards to his latent abilities." Arkin said.
"Latent abilities? I thought we couldn't use magic in this forest" Henro asked.
"You are half right Henro. You people cannot use magic but for us yokai it is a different story. However, there is a trick to get past this problem, one that Luca is unintentionally doing. Which is why we would like you Henro to talk to him. You are the one he trusts the most." Arkin said.
"Right. Okay take me to him." Henro said.
"You mean take us to him right?" Jayden cheekily asked.
"Tsk. Don't get cocky, Cortez." Henro spat. Ziera and Emilia just giggled at the two.
"Alright. Let's go!" Jayden said with courage.
***
13 years ago
The Midgard Republic
"Mom? What is this place?"
12 years ago, Mary Akumura and her nine year old son, Henro Akumura, escaped the depths of Hell to the surface world of Esos. They are immigrants who are looking for a safe place to stay while avoiding any unwanted attention from the humans.
Mary was a thousand year old demonic woman who had transformed into a human disguise herself. She had long black hair, red eyes, a mole on her cheek and wore a long black dress. In front of the pair was the entrance to a cathedral. It was none other than the cathedral of the Holy Church. A sacred place that used to worship the god of light, Asmodeus, before his passing.
Now they worship one of the late guardians of esos and the son of ambrosius, Gabriel. A hero who gave his life to help free the mortal, angel and demon realms from the god's tyranny. Unlike the old church that followed the religion of discriminating against demons or people with demon blood.
The people of the holy church follow the new religion of accepting those with demon blood as to follow the example left by the Guardians of Esos. To unite all the races and coexist with one another. That is why Mary was confident that the church would protect both her and more importantly her son from harm.
"It's our new home sweetie. This is where we'll be staying for the time being." Mary said.
"I don't like it. I thought we were going to Arcadia?" Henro asked. Mary frowned. She wanted nothing more than to take her son to Arcadia, the city of magic, as that would be the safest place to raise her son. But she had neither money to travel nor was it safe to fly. Not with those people searching for them. Mary smiled again to reassure Henro.
"We will. Someday I promise. Like I said, this is only temporary." But Henro still didn't give in.
"But what if the people here hate us? What if they try to hurt us?"
"Henro, what makes you say that?" Mary asked.
"Lord Lucius hated us. That's why we left Hell. So he wouldn't hurt us. Mom, why do people hate demons? And why do people hate what I am? Am I... a mistake?" Henro began tearing up. Mary immediately giggly embraced her son and held him tight.
"No Henro. Don't ever think like that. You are no mistake. You are my beautiful boy. You did absolutely nothing wrong." Mary said sincerely.
"But." Mary cupped his face with both her hands and looked him straight in the eye.
"Listen Henro. I know it may be hard to understand now but there are people out there who will accept us for who we are. I've met them. They were wonderful people. And like me they would want you to live a long happy life. Someday, you will find people like that as well. People who will accept and love you for not what you are. But who you are. Henro Akumura. Don't let anyone take who you are away from you. Okay?" Mary gave a warm smile. It made Henro happy whenever he saw her smile. It gave him a reason to keep going.
"Okay!" Henro gave a big toothy smile back.
"That's my little boy! Now let's go. We have to meet the pope." Mary said as she held Henro's hand.
"Okay. But if he starts flirting with you I'm gonna bite him!" Henro threatened. But Mary just laughed.
"You will do no such thing young man!"
"I will if it means I can protect you from weirdos mom! I'll always protect you!" Henro declared. The two went through the door past the guards. As the two left, one of the guards pressed down on his earpiece.
"General Silas. The new subjects have arrived. Awaiting your orders, sir."