The Fallen arc
The Azalea Forest
Oak Village
After the battle with the draugr, the group had gone back inside the house where Luca rested. Henro was finally going to heal him and wake him from his slumber.
"Divine Light Magic: Radiance"
The bright yellow glow enveloped Luca's entire body, erasing any trace of the draugr serum. He began to stir and slowly opened his eyes. When his vision became more clear, Luca saw Henro.
"Henro?" Luca asked. Henro began tearing up a bit but held it in as best as he could.
"Luca!" Emilia cheered.
"Whew. Don't scare us like that little man." Jayden said feeling relieved.
"We're glad you're okay Luca." Ziera said with a smile.
Henro placed his hand on Luca's head. "Yeah. It's me, kid. Your loser of a doctor. Sorry I took so long to help you." Henro said with a sensitive smile. Luca began tearing up and then hugged Henro tightly.
"I knew you'd come." Luca said.
Henro gasped a bit. He began crying for real this time. The others smiled at the exchange. Henro took notice of this.
"Oh what are you losers looking at? Go screw yourselves! Nothing wrong with comforting a kid!" Henro said with a blush as he looked away.
"Oh don't act so tough Henro it's okay to be sensitive." Emilia teased.
"Yeah, be sensitive in front of your bestie over here. He was worried sick over you." Ziera snickered as she elbowed Jayden.
"I WAS NOT!" Jayden shouted.
Henro ignored their teasing and remembered what he told his mother. He never kept his promise but he managed to do so with this kid. This kid who looked up to him. For now, Henro could be a little happy about that. That he saved this boy's life. Henro cried his tears out and hugged Luca back tightly.
And I promise I'll save you next, mom. Henro thought.
***
Fury's Imperial Warship
The Bridge
"Well well. They actually defeated it. I expected this from Ziera and the other two but even that boy? Jayden was it? He was smarter than I gave him credit for." Fury said with a smirk.
"I'm glad you are satisfied, General Fury. However, Lord Silas will be most displeased with the failure of retrieving both subject 6167 and subject 6193." SIX said.
"Then you better go report to your master then. I couldn't care less about his little experiments. I have my own mission and it's to hunt these brats down." Fury said.
"General Fury. Lord Silas humbly requested that subject 6167 is not to be killed. He is a highly valuable research specimen and-." SIX was interrupted as Fury stood up and faced the hologram of her before him.
"Maybe you're defective in your programming so I'll say this one last time. I don't give a shit about what Silas wants. The only orders I follow are that of his majesty, Emperor Zenal. And the mission I was given was to hunt. That is all. Am I clear?" Fury said threateningly.
SIX had no emotional change on her face. It remained as stoic as before and her tone was the same. But nonetheless she bowed and deactivated the call. Fury sighed and sat back down in his chair.
"Turn the ship around. Return to intercepting the Republic Warship. I know where they'll be going next." Fury ordered.
"Yes sir!"
Fury rested his head on his hand as he watched the video replays of Jayden fighting the draugr over and over again.
"Will you be worth hunting? Jayden Cortez?" Fury asked as he licked his blood stained teeth.
***
The Azalea Forest
Oak Village
The ghostly woman Amira sat on the bench outside of the house alone. She looked sad.
"Luca." Amira said sadly.
"There you are."
Amira looked over and saw Ziera approaching her. "I was wondering where you ran off to. Mind if I sit?" Ziera asked. Amira stared at Ziera for a moment but eventually nodded and so Ziera sat right next to her on the bench.
"Mind if I ask you something? Why didn't you go see Luca when he woke up?" Ziera asked.
Amira didn't answer.
"That big draugr that attacked Luca, it spat out a smaller draugr. A draugr that used to be a ghoul. After I fought and killed it, I found traces of DNA that matched the DNA of someone I know. Wanna know who it is?" Ziera asked.
Amira still didn't answer.
"Luca's. It matched Luca's DNA. And the draugr was female. Not only that but Luca's parents were said to be captured and killed a long time ago. But now that's not fully the case. So I wanted to tell you that the draugr was actually Luca's biological mother. But what I want to know from you is, are you that mother's yokai?" Ziera asked.
"What business is that of yours?" Amira finally asked.
"It's not but the way you've been acting up to now adds up. You attacked me cause I was from the empire. You were with Luca this whole time and even risked your life against the draugr to protect him. There's no doubt in my mind that when Lucas's mother was captured by Circe and being....tortured by Silas, her negative emotions bloomed and you were born as a result. The spirit of his mother protecting her son against the empire. You Amira. You have been watching over Luca because he is your son." Ziera said softly.
"He's...I'm not his mother. Look at me. I...I'll terrify him." Amira said sadly.
"I think we both know that isn't true. Especially not when he knows you protected him." Ziera argued. Amira looked at her with shock. "Oh yeah I told him you did before I got here sorry." Ziera said, rubbing the back of her head.
Amira growled.
"He wants to talk to you. I think he senses something between the two of you. And I think you should take the chance to tell him the truth." Ziera said.
"Why? Why are you doing this for me?" Amira asked. Ziera stood up and stretched. She then looked up at the sky.
"I left people very dear to me back at the empire. But things got bad. We had a falling out and I left them behind. So I know what it's like to lose the people you love. But I don't want you to make the same mistake I made. Please Amira. If not for yourself, do it for Luca. He needs to know that his mother is still out there watching over him." Ziera said with a small smile.
Amira gasped a bit and her face began to change. Her skin went from scary and wrinkled to more smooth and decent looking. Her eyes weren't fully black anymore and her hair looked better. "What..what is this?" Amira asked as she began tearing up. Ziera grinned with a blush.
"Seems like you are finally accepting who you are. There's a lot of that going around today." Ziera said. Amira watched as she walked off and waved goodbye.
"Um Ms. Amira?"
Amira turned around and saw Luca nervously standing before her.
"Can...we talk?" Luca shyly asked.
Amira hesitated at first but she began remembering. Remembering her life as Luca's mother. The happy days they spent together as a family. She remembered her and her husband hugging her son tightly. Amira began to cry and then embraced Luca.
"Yes. Yes we can Luca. For as long as you want." Amira cried out as her voice returned to normal.
***
The Azalea Forest
Oak Village
Jayden had entered the house where he would find Riesha treating Arkin.
"Yo! How are you feeling, Arkin?" Jayden asked.
"Much better. Thank you, Jayden. I just wish someone else got the picture already." Arkin grumbled. Reisha puffed up her cheeks in anger.
"Hmph! With all do respect Elder! As your doctor I forbid you from doing any work until you are fully recovered. That is not up for discussion!" Reisha ordered.
"But I have so much work to-GUH!" Arkin freaked out as Reisha got up and close towards him.
"Is that understood?" Reisha asked darkly.
"Y-yes. Understood." Arkin sweated.
"Good. Now I'll take my leave and attend to the others. Jayden, keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn't do anything rash." Reisha ordered.
"Uh yes ma'am." Jayden said nervously. Reisha smiled and then left the house, closing the door.
Both Arkin and Jayden sighed.
"Whew. Woman am I right?" Jayden asked.
"You don't know half of it." Arkin grumbled.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Jayden asked. Arkin turned his attention back to Jayden.
"You asked me before if I knew the Guardians, yes?" Arkin asked.
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"Oh well yeah." Jayden replied. To be honest he had forgotten about that given everything that has happened. Arkin sighed.
"Well to be honest I did but...the truth is....I don't remember anything about them. Nothing but one thing" Arkin admitted.
"WHAT!? Wait, by that you don't mean literally right?" Jayden asked.
"Yes. That's exactly what I meant." Arkin stated.
"But how can that be!? And what do you remember!? The day you guys first met!? Or what do they look like? How did they act? Or how they sound or anything!? Jayden questioned.
"Calm down. It's as I told you I don't remember. It's...all foggy. I know that I knew them but I don't remember anything beyond that. How I met them, what we discussed or anything. The only thing I'm certain that I remember was this. I made a promise to Perseus." Arkin said.
"To Perseus? What was it?" Jayden asked.
"I don't remember the details but it's something related to Ragnarok. Something I could never tell anyone. Something the world can never know about. That I'm certain of." Arkin said.
Something the entire world can't know about? What the hell!? I knew that when I found out my comics weren't accurate that I didn't really know much about the Guardians but now? I don't think I know them at all! Just what did Perseus keep hidden from everyone? And why? Jayden thought.
"I'm sorry Jayden. That is all I know. Everything else is a blur." Arkin said apologetically.
"Hey it's okay. I appreciate you for telling me anyway. Though man I grew up admiring the Guardians as my idols. I still do but it's strange to find out they kept secrets like this from everyone." Jayden nervously chuckled.
"It is strange. But whatever it may be I have faith that you and your friends will find the truth eventually. I still can't thank you enough for protecting this village and it's people. You have my eternal gratitude Jayden Cortez." Arkin bowed.
"Oh stop no need to butter me up!" Jayden chuckled. He then remembered something. "Oh by the way. One more question. Before you said the forest was your guardian but I thought you were the one guarding the forest?" Jayden asked.
"Well I am but the forest itself chooses a guardian to protect it and the yokai living here. Originally we had another guardian, Tamamo no Mae. The mother of the azalea Forest. She was among the most powerful yokai among us. Not just strong but also beautiful and kind. She had treated all of us with nothing but respect and protected this forest for over thousands of years. But then...Circe invaded and captured her using that horrible magic. And I failed to protect her. I failed to protect our queen." Arkin explained.
"That's..awful." Jayden said.
"And so the Azalea Forest appointed me as the next guardian of the forest. But even then I failed at that. I'm dying and I won't last very long in this world. And when I die, I'll die as a failure" Arkin said sadly.
"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Jayden shouted, catching Arkin's attention. "Look I'm sorry that happened to you and your people Arkin. But you are far from a failure. Look at what you did these last two days! You saved me and Ziera from that draugr. Hell you protected this whole village from those warships and took them down easily! As far as I'm concerned you're a hero!" Jayden preached.
"A...hero? Me?" Arkin asked.
"Yep. Trust me man I know what it's like to feel like a failure. But a great friend of mine told me the same thing I'm telling you. You made mistakes but you can't let them defy you. You just...you just have to keep on going. Keep on fighting. Never give up and never surrender! That's the motto my family follows! And Arkin I'm asking you to not give up and hold out a little longer. Because me and my friends will find and beat Circe. Then we'll give you back your life force so that you can keep on living! So don't give up Arkin because I won't let you!" Jayden declared as he pointed towards Arkin.
Arkin was in awe. This boy.
"You just can't stop yapping jeez?"
"What the!?" Jayden questioned as he saw a shadow appear from under the door and out of the shadow came Henro, Ziera and Emilia.
"Wait! Were you guys listening the whole time!?" Jayden asked in disbelief.
"Duh. Like we'd miss out on this juicy Guardian gossip." Henro snickered. Ziera wasn't amused and had her arms crossed.
"Actually I'm more so surprised you didn't include us in the briefing, Jayden." Ziera said with a grumble.
"Yeah we're a team remember!" Emilia lectured.
"Now guys hold on! I was planning on telling you honestly!" Jayden pleaded. Ziera stepped up to Jayden.
"Oh really? Well just to be safe, how about you and I have a private chat just to make sure you won't leave anything out huh?" Ziera asked with a smirk as she cracked her knuckles.
"Now Ziera, let's be civil about this. HENRO SOME BACKUP HERE!" Jayden cried out.
"Nah I'm good off that. Good luck buddy." Henro waved away.
"We'll never forget you Jayden!" Emilia waved away as well.
"EMILIA!!!-OWE" Jayden cried out as Ziera pulled him by the ear.
"Let's go." Ziera said as she pulled Jayden out of the house by the ear.
"Ow! Ow! Ziera, please let's talk about this!" Jayden pleaded.
"Wow." Henro said.
"Yep." Emilia replied.
"Five bucks that they won't get together for a while." Henro said.
"10 bucks that they'll get together by next year." Emilia said.
"Deal." Henro replied as he and Emilia shook on it and then left the house.
Arkin was still sitting there in disbelief at the whole thing.
"Youth sure as a way of still surprising me in any era." He said.
***
The Azalea Forest
"H-Henro".
Crawling on the dirt of the forest was but the small remains of the draugr. Unbeknownst to the group the draugr wasn't killed. At the last second it swapped out it's last heart with the heart of one of the draugr's it ate.
And after it plummeted to the ground it took it's remaining heart and escaped while concealing it's mana from the others. The draugr was too weak to go back and fight and it would take a good while for it to regenerate so it had to accept that it lost this battle.
After it regenerates the draugr plans to return to it's master but more than anything, it wanted revenge. For it finally remembered why it hated Henro so much. And the reason why the draugr remembered is because of fear. Not fear of death. Fear of failing Lord Silas. It remembered that feeling when it lost to Henro and his allies.
Now it had one goal above all else. To find Henro and kill him.
"Henro. I..will..kill you. For taking...everything away from me. For taking her away from me. RAAAAAAAAAAH!" The Draugr roared.
***
The Azalea Forest
Oak Village
At the entrance of the village were Ziera's team getting sent off by the villagers of Oak Village.
"Thank you for having us but it's time we take our leave now." Ziera said.
"Again we can't thank you enough. Please come back anytime." Arkin said as he bowed. Reisha and Rudy bowed as well.
"Luca, are you sure you want to stay here?" Henro asked.
"Yeah! It's much quieter and the people here are really cool. I actually like it here way more than in Midgard!" Luca said with a smile. Henro chuckled and placed his hand on top of Luca's head.
"Yeah me too kid." Henro said.
"Hey, cut that out already!" Luca demanded.
"I'll cut it out when you grow taller than me, kid." Henro snickered.
"Well then just you wait! I'll get taller and stronger than you! Then I'll be the one protecting you for a change!" Luca said.
"Heh. Sounds good to me. I could use a break from all the saving kids anyways." Henro said nonchalantly. Emilia giggled.
"Luca. Promise to behave and look after your mother okay?" Emilia asked.
"Okay! I will!" Luca nodded with a smile. He then turned his attention to Ziera. "And Ms. Ziera! Thank you for helping my mother! You're awesome!" Luca said.
Ziera smiled brightly at Luca and nodded. "Of course." Ziera said.
"And Jayden." Luca said. Jayden turned his attention to Luca and smiled. "Thank you for-."
"Okay that's enough! K bye!" Henro shouted as he yanked Jayden by his collar and flew off with him into the air.
"WAIT! WHAT THE FUUUUUU-!?" Jayden shouted as Henro carried him away into the air.
Ziera sighed. "Good grief. Some things never change."
"Nope! But isn't that great?" Emilia asked with a big toothy smile. Ziera smiled back at her.
"Yeah!" Ziera said happily. Both waved goodbye towards the villagers and flew off.
"THANK YOU GUYS! COME BACK SOON!" Luca shouted.
"HENRO PUT ME DOWN! YOU KNOW I CAN FLY! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!?" Jayden screamed while he was held flown through the air.
"Quit your whining! You should be thankful you're getting a free ride!" Henro quipped.
"I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO HEAR WHAT LUCA SAID BEFORE YOU WHISKED ME AWAY!
"Uh he said you smell and to throw that ugly shirt in the furnace along with your comics." Henro retorted.
"You bastard!" Jayden said venomously.
"I'm so glad that you two are friends now!" Emilia said cheerfully.
"WE ARE NOT!" They shouted simultaneously.
"Huh? But you guys shook on it." Emilia pointed out. Ziera flew up next to Emilia.
"Ignore them Em. They're just being boys." Ziera said.
"Oh right." Emilia giggled.
"Huh? What does that even mean?" Jayden questioned.
"That's women for ya. Am I right?" Henro asked.
"Ha! You said it." Jayden chuckled.
"Oh is that so? Well the last team back to the drop ship has to clean the gym for a week. Ready? 321 GO!" Ziera shouted as she flew faster ahead. Emilia stuck her tongue at them and blitzed on ahead too.
"OH WHAT!?" Jayden shouted.
"SCREW THAT! Come on Cortez, let's go!" Henro shouted.
"Wait! Wait, Henro! NOT SO FAAAAST!" Jayden cried out.
***
The Republic Warship
The Hanger
There at the hanger was Tenjin. He had just received a transmission from Ziera not too long ago. So now he waits at the hanger to personally greet the group and congratulate them on their first official mission together.
Tenjin watched their drop shop pull in and land. When the ship opened he saw the girls exit first.
"Welcome back. Glad you kids made it back oka-...where are the other two?" Tenjin asked.
Ziera and Emilia pointed toward the ship and saw Jayden and Henro crawling out of the ship looking miserable.
"It's not fair. They cheated. I know they did." Henro complained.
"Well this wouldn't have happened if you didn't hang me by the collar like a bag of groceries." Jayden pointed out.
"Oh both of you shut it. You two list fair and square." Ziera called out.
"Yep. Sorry guys but a wins a win." Emilia said in agreement.
"Well it looks like you're all getting along now. Emilia. You and Henro are alright?" Tenjin asked.
"Yeah!" Emilia smiled and nodded. Tenjin smiled and patted her head.
"Hey guys." Henro announced himself, catching the group's attention. He blushed and coughed awkwardly.
"Uh. Thanks. For uh, accepting me and all." He said shyly.
The group looked at each other and back at him.
"Awe look he does have feelings!" Jayden teased as he wrapped his arm around Henro's neck.
"Of course! Henro's a sensitive guy. He's just a big cuddly bear!" Emilia teased as well.
"Awe look at him blush, it's adorable." Ziera teased him as well.
All this teasing just made Henro more flustered.
"Whatever. Have your fun. I don't care!" Henro spat.
"Oh don't be like that! Come on, I'll treat ya to some grub." Jayden said.
"Actually dinner is on me. You guys must be hungry so I'll whip you all up something to eat." Tenjin said.
"Yay! I love Tenjin's cooking!" Emilia cheered.
"Gee I wonder why." Henro said with sarcasm.
"Be sure to give Henro some of your cooking as well, Emilia." Ziera said.
"On it!" Emilia cheered.
"You little..". Henro grumbled.
"I don't care what it is, I'm starving! Let's go eat!" Jayden shouted.
As the group walked down the hall, Henro was in his thoughts.
["My home is with you, Henro."]
Mom. It took me a while but I finally understand what you meant when you said I'd find people who would accept me. And to be honest...
Henro looked towards the whole group that surrounded him. All of them were smiling and laughing.
I think I found them. And I feel more at home with them than I ever had in a long time. I hope someday that you'll be a part of this too.
***
The Western Continent
The Kingdom of Titus
Near the border between Titus and Machina
Ryoka and her companion Julia were above a mountain pass and had finally arrived at their destination. The border between the realm of giants and the realm of machines where they would soon find their quarry.
"Phew. We're almost there, Jewel. You sure they'll be coming through this part of the border right?" Ryoka asked.
"Yes. As I told you before, my foresight is never wrong. They will come through here and when they do we'll find them." Julia said.
"Okay. Okay I trust you. But still what you said earlier caught me off guard. The second princess of the empire is really with them?" Ryoka asked.
"It would appear so. I did not expect her to be with them either but like I said my foresight does not lie." Julia said.
"Oh well that's good. Because if I recall you said that only you would get a one on one "chat" with the next wielder of Ragnarok right?" Ryoka asked.
"That is what I said. Yes." Julia replies.
"So does that mean I could have some fun with the princess then? Right?" Ryoka asked with a grin.
"And why would you want to do that?" Julia asked.
"Oh don't be coy. You know why." Ryoka said.
Julia sighed. She knew this was coming. She managed to convince Ryoka to not mess with the next wielder of Ragnarok but she can't change her mind this time. Once her girlfriend has her full sights on someone no one can stop it. Not even her.
"Okay. Fine. But don't do anything rash." Julia said with a stern tone. Ryoka blushed and got super excited and giddy.
"YES! You're the best jewel! Mhwa!" Ryoka tightly hugged Julia and kissed her on the cheek. Julia smiled and blushed.
"Oh honestly. The things I do for you." Julia said.
"And to me." Ryoka teased as she nuzzled her nose on Julia's.
"Yes but not now. We're on the clock." Julia said as she gently pushed her back.
"Okay. Okay." Ryoka said, still feeling smug.
"But ryoka. I know how you get when you find new prey. So whatever you do, don't kill her. Please?" Julia asked politely.
Ryoka though just grinned showing her sharp teeth. "Honestly Jewel." Ryoka said as she turned around and punched the side of the mountain with her fist. The top part of the large mountain was blown away completely leaving nothing but rubble above and below the rest of mountain ryoka and Julia stood on.
"That all depends on her. I just hope she can make it fun for me. For her sake." Ryoka said with a twisted grin as she licked her lips with hunger.