Dragon-Kin arc

Ziera Pov

3 Years Ago

I had woken up in the medical bay feeling nothing short of terrible. I had bandages wrapped around my head and arms. Scratch marks on my cheek, bruises on my stomach and my left eye was still damaged from the fight.

My big sister wanted to stay by my side but was called for an emergency meeting between the Crimson Knights. So I was alone in my hospital room with two guards stationed at my door.

I looked at my blood stained hands with nothing but grief. I couldn't stop shaking them. Tears started to fall down my face as I began to cry. I clenched my fists and covered my face with my arms. I couldn't bear to even look at myself right now. And why should I? After what I've done. What I failed to do.

Why? Why am I not strong enough? Strong enough to stop my father? Strong enough to protect the people I love? And why wasn't I strong enough.....

.......to save you?

***

Ziera Pov

The Present

Republic Warship

Ziera's Room

I gasped. I sat back up in my chair and breathed in and out. I placed my hand on my forehead feeling the sweat on my face.

It was just a dream. Great. Now I'm having nightmares too. Henro's gonna get a kick outta of this one.

I sighed and looked at my work desk. Falling asleep during your work? How unprofessional of you Ziera. Well whatever. I can just finish tinkering with my toys tomorrow in the afternoon.

I yawned and stretched my arms. Then I checked the time on the clock sitting on my work desk. It's 4:00 A.M. Two hours before I have to wake Jayden up for his training. Guess there's no point in going back to sleep then. Funny thing is, I don't even need sleep or even food.

I was designed to just not need it and work 24/7 at full capacity without fail. But seeing as how I'm not working on the clock I enjoy my R&R. Besides, Tenjin would lecture me again about needing rest. I swear he worries too much sometimes.

But even so his concern for my health is appreciated. Other than Emilia he was the first to welcome me into the republic with open arms. I got up from my chair and went to my personal bathroom where I stepped into my shower pan and turned the facet letting the water rain down on my body.

It has been three days since we've left the Azalea Forest. We managed to save it from that draugr and avoid imperial forces for this long but we're not out of the woods yet. We have to cross the border into the Kingdom of Titus' territory first. Though knowing Zenal, he won't give up on obtaining Ragnarok and me so easily. No doubt he's already sent a crimson knight after us.

I just pray that the knight he sent isn't my sister. Zariah. It's been 3 years since we last spoke and it wasn't on good terms. How is she doing? Is she still out there fighting off the dragons? Is she safe? Does she miss me? Does she hate me? If I saw her again what would she say? What would I say? And what of......

An image of a girl with pink hair, headphones and a pretty smile flashed through my mind.

I sighed. I just hope she's okay too. But right now, my main priority is to help Jayden obtain the spirit relics and win this war. It won't wash away my sins but I'll commit every waking moment of my life defeating Zenal once and for all.

"Zenal". I snarled and grit my teeth. I clenched my fist in anger and punched the shower wall in front of me leaving a small hole in it. I was brimming with hatred. Absolute hatred for the monster I once called my father. As I stared at the wall my eyes glowed bright green again.

"I swear this from the bottom of my heart. No matter how long it takes, and no matter what I have to become....

I will kill you."

***

The Next Morning

Republic Warship

The Training Room

Jayden grunted as he was knocked on his back on the training room floor. He breathed in and out exhausted and sweaty from the one sided beating he took from Ziera during their sparring match. He was wearing a t-shirt and gym shorts.

"Again." Jayden said. Ziera held out her hand to Jayden. She wore a sports bra and yoga pants. Jayden grabbed her arm and pulled himself up.

"We've been training for two hours non stop, Jayden. You should take a break." Ziera said.

"I can't. I have to get stronger. That draugr whooped my ass back at that forest. If I'm gonna fight those spirit relics and eventually Zenal, then I need to improve now." Jayden said.

"Relax. There's no need to rush. Don't forget, you're only using a fraction of Zenith's power. But even with that you've been doing good. You'll get better in no time." Ziera assured.

"But that's not enough. I would have been killed if you hadn't shown up Ziera. I can't keep getting saved all the time I need to do more. So that what happened to both Henro and you will never happen again." Jayden said.

"Is that what's bothering you? That we got hurt on the mission?" Ziera asked.

"That's part of it. The other is...".

"Go on?" Ziera inquired.

"I don't...I don't know what kind of hero I want to be." Jayden said.

"What do you mean?" Ziera asked. Jayden went to the bench in the room and sat down. Ziera followed suit.

"It's just that I've looked up to the guardians ever since I was a kid. I've read all their comics, watched all their cartoons, movies and even that god awful live action film that bombed at the box office. But when I joined you guys, I found out that everything I knew about them was a lie. Even Arkin couldn't remember anything about them. I just don't know how I can be as great as them when I don't even know who they were."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Were they the heroes I thought they were? Were they more ruthless than I imagined? And if they were, should I become like that? I helped kill that draugr because you told me it was putting it out of it's misery but what if I have to kill someone that's not a draugr? And if I can't, will I fail as the next wielder?" Jayden asked with a sad tone. Ziera placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Jayden. You can't put so much pressure on yourself. Listen no matter how hard you try you're going to make mistakes. We're only people. It's natural. Heck I've messed up plenty of times in the past. But you can't let that get you down." Ziera said. Jayden stared at Ragnarok and saw his reflection in the mana crystal gem on the gauntlet.

"But this is different. I'm the next wielder of Ragnarok. A lot of people are counting on me right now. You, mom, Emilia, Henro, The Order, everyone. And if I can't figure out what kind of hero I need to be in order to help anyone then I don't know if I have what it takes. That I'll fail. Just like before." Jayden said.

"When you say fail, you mean what happened with your father?" Ziera asked.

"It was my fault. I couldn't do anything. I was too weak to stop Zenal. And I'm still too weak to stop him now. That's why I have to get stronger with Ragnarok so I don't lose anyone else I care about." Jayden said.

Ragnarok. Ziera thought. She looked at her own left hand and then bawled it.

"Uh Ziera are you alright?" Jayden asked.

"Oh. Yeah I'm fine. Just thinking about home I guess." Ziera partially lied.

"Hey uh, if you don't mind me asking and you don't have to answer but, what was it like? Being the princess I mean? Before you left?" Jayden asked.

Ziera still wasn't fully comfortable talking about her past but she feels like she's known Jayden long enough to talk a bit about her homeland. And maybe talking about her issues would help Jayden with his. Ziera sighed.

"Well I'll tell you this, it's no fairy tale. Nor was it even a "normal" life for a princess. Back at the Machina Empire, I was under a lot of pressure. And I mean A LOT! It all began when I was born. I never knew my mother and didn't start out as a baby like you humans do either. I started out as a core." Ziera explained.

"A core?" Jayden asked.

"Yep. That's how all machines are born. Mana crystals that are turned into circular objects and have data implemented into them giving them life. Long story short, when I came to being the first person I saw was my father, Zenal. And the first thing he said to me was:".

"[Your name is Ziera. You are my daughter and the 2nd princess of the machina empire. From this point forward you will do what is expected of you. Nothing more. Do not disappoint me]." Zenal said.

"He said that to you!? Jayden asked in frustration.

"Yeah. Zenal only cares about results. Especially from his children. He was never the comforting father I wanted when I was younger. But despite that, from the moment I got my body, I worked nonstop trying to live up to his expectations. Because I truly did admire him at one point. I wanted to be just like him." Ziera said.

"But then I found out what kind of man he truly was. The draugrs, how he treated non robotic citizens, what he made my siblings do, what he made me do! I...... ." Ziera stopped herself and shut her eyes while balling up her hands.

Jayden didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say and he hated that. He wanted nothing more than to comfort Ziera so she wouldn't be hurting anymore. But he didn't know how. Ziera took notice of Jayden's sad expression and wiped her face.

"But that's fine. Besides, it wasn't all bad. My big sister, Zariah. She practically raised me like I was her own. From birth I knew how to manipulate technology and be Zenal's weapon. But Zariah taught me how to be well...human. How to talk to others, how to make friends and just live my life. She's the reason I am who I am." Ziera said with a small smile on her face.

"Wow. She sounds amazing. If we weren't on opposite sides I would be down to meet her." Jayden said enthusiastically.

"Yeah I don't think my sister would like you." Ziera jokingly said.

"Hey what's that supposed to mean? I can be likable. I mean you like me right?." Jayden asked.

"I tolerate you. There's a difference." Ziera said.

"Oh come on!" Jayden shouted. Ziera then laughed it off.

"I'm just kidding. Don't get so worked up, Cortez." Ziera said with a smirk as she nudged Jayden's arm.

"Haha, very funny." Jayden responded. Ziera chuckled.

"My sister would tease me like this all the time when I was little. I guess that comes with being the older sibling. As for my brother...". Ziera frowned.

"The one that sent a psycho to kill you?" Jayden asked.

"It's complicated between us. But that aside, there's something else I should tell you Jayden. Something I should have told you a week ago. My brother, Ziren, is responsible for Lockwood's current state." Ziera said.

"Yeah I kinda figured." Jayden said.

"Wait, you knew?" Ziera questioned.

"Yeah. Given he sent that weirdo after you I figured he or Zenal had to be involved. You telling me about your sister only confirmed it now because no way would she ever mistreat the people in that town. But that aside, why didn't you just tell me before?" Jayden asked. Ziera looked away from Jayden.

"Well I partly blame myself but the truth is I didn't want you to get the wrong idea about her. But after a while I realized how selfish I was. I should have told you sooner". Ziera said with regret.

"Oh is that it? No worries." Jayden said nonchalantly.

"What!?" Ziera questioned with annoyed expression.

"You were just protecting your sister. I can't blame you for that.

"I mean sure but.."

"Look I may not have siblings but I know how important family is. It's not like your sister was the one that hurt my family that was Ziren. So trust me Ziera you got nothing to apologize for." Jayden said. Ziera blushed a bit and turned away and twirled her hair.

"Whatever." Ziera said.

Jayden chuckled lightly.

"Anyways the point is don't get so stressed out on trying to be like the guardians. Just focus on being a hero in your own way. I stopped trying to be like Zenal because I'm nothing like him. And you should do the same. You aren't the second Perseus. You are Jayden Cortez. The idiot boy who saved my life." Ziera cracked a bright smile.

This time Jayden blushed. "Well when you put it like that, how can I refuse?" Jayden asked with a smile.

"Atta boy. Now no more sulking." Ziera stood up and pulled Jayden up by his hand. "Okay let's get back to traini-kyaah!" Ziera suddenly cried out as Jayden tripped her and mounted her. Pinning her arms down to the matted floor.

"Ha! Finally gotcha! You let your guard down, princess!" Jayden said with a smug look. Ziera was flustered and blushed heavily at first. But then she calmed down and grew an evil grin on her face.

"You little...". Ziera said venomously.

"Wait Ziera! It was just a jo-gah!" Jayden couldn't finish as Ziera headbutted him and threw him off. Ziera then put Jayden in a painful arm bar.

"You should watch how you treat a princess, Cortez." Ziera said harshly.

"Gah! Ziera..I can't..breathe." Jayden gasped out.

"What's that? I can't hear you." Ziera asked mockingly.

Unbeknownst to Jayden however, Ziera wasn't really upset. But she was very competitive.

"Oh my what do we have here?"

Ziera loosened her grip on Jayden's neck and both looked over and saw none other than both Henro and Emilia standing by the entrance.

"Oh my guardians! Henro, are you seeing what I'm seeing!?" Emilia asked with her hand on her mouth.

"Why yes, Emilia. I didn't believe it but we're in the presence of....".

"A LOVERS SPAT!" Both said simultaneously.

"A FUCKING WHAAAAAAAAT!?" Ziera screamed as she finally released Jayden letting him breath.

"There's no need to get so upset, Ziera. It's natural to be embarrassed but don't worry. Me and Em support you two love birds." Henro grinned.

"Agreed! You two just make an adorable couple!" Emilia cheerily said as she clasped her hands together.

"Oh Jayden! Thank you for saving me! You looked so handsome, strong and sexy when you carried me in your arms! AHAHAHA!" Henro laughed. Ziera's eyes glowed green and she created an Omni-Cannon.

"I'm gonna murder you." Ziera said with a threatening tone.

"Uh oh! Jayden, your woman has gone off the deep end! Stop her quick! WHAA!" Henro yelped as he dodged Ziera's energy attack. He then sprinted out of the training room with Ziera following suit.

"Get back here!" Ziera yelled out as she chased Henro down the hall.

"Why are you chasing me!? Wouldn't you rather be with your man!?" Henro made kissing noises as he ran.

"I'll kill you!" Ziera shouted. Emilia ran after them.

"Ziera, stop! We just want you to be honest with your feelings! We support you!" Emilia shouted.

Meanwhile Jayden was still lying on the matted floor of the training room.

"A hero in my own way huh?" Jayden asked himself. He placed his arms under his head and rested on the matted floor as he smiled up at the ceiling.