Dragon-Kin arc
The Border between Machina and Titus
The group had entered the battle. While the republic warship tries to slip through the battle, our heroes did their very best to defend it from enemy fire.
"Kid! How are you holding up!?" Tenjin asked through coms as he slashed down an Omni-Fighter.
"I'm doing okay! Still not used to fully flying yet but I've gotten faster than before. Makes it easier to avoid these bozos! OH SHIT!" Jayden yelled as he barley dodged a wyvern coming at him and the wyvern ended up crashing into an imperial warship. "Meant to do that." Jayden said.
"Take this seriously! You won't survive if you keep fighting like that! Focus on the little guys attacking our ship. If you see a big target coming at you then do what you just did but intentionally. Do whatever it takes to stray them away from our ship. Without dying of course." Tenjin instructed.
"Yes sir! You got it!" Jayden complied.
OH SHIT! Tenjin just gave me an order! I've always dreamed of fighting alongside him but this is too good to be tru-RAAAH! Jayden's thoughts were interrupted as almost ran into a warship without paying attention.
Phew. I need to get serious. Jayden thought.
"Ugh. Damn kid. Emilia! Ziera! How are you two holding up!?" Tenjin asked.
Emilia and Ziera were engaged in battle against both the imperials and the dragons that came and attacked the ship. Emilia shot them down with her tempest arrows while Ziera fought in her Omni-Fighter.
"We're fine! Great actually! Me and Ziera always make a great team!" Emilia said.
"You can say that again!" Ziera said as she shot down more fighters.
"Good! Let's keep it up! Emilia, let's clear a path! It's time for a combo!" Tenjin ordered.
"OKAY!" Emilia shouted cheerfully. Both Tenjin and Emilia formed up mid-air. Tenjin charged up his sword with lightning while Emilia charged up her small blades with lightning as well.
"GARUDA STYLE: TEMPEST THUNDER CLAP!"
Both Tenjin and Emilia's lighting slashes combined to create even bigger lightning slashes and take out multiple Omni-Fighters, smaller dragons and even some warships.
"What's going on!?" A fleet admiral questioned.
"It's an enemy attack sir! Our systems are being fried!" A soldier responded.
"But that could only be the work of...oh no. IT'S TENJIN NAKAMURA!" The admiral shouted as he saw him and Emilia on his holo screen.
***
Fury's Imperial Warship
The Bridge
Near the Border
Fury's fleet had been tailing Tenjin's group for over a week and have finally managed to catch up to them at the border. Though while his fleet was still far away, he had no intention of making it easy for them.
"Heh. Not bad Tenjin. I knew the moment we fought that you were worthy prey. But let's see how long you and Ziera last out there. Attention fleet. This is General Fury of the Crimson Knights. Target that republic warship and it's defenders. I want them taken down." Fury ordered.
"Yes sir!"
"Let's see what you'll do to get out of this mess now. My prey." Fury said.
***
The Border between Machina and Titus
"Omni-Stream!"
Jayden shot a massive energy attack knocking down an incoming wyvern.
Ziera flew around in her Omni-Fighter going after incoming wyverns. "Let's see what this baby can do now that I've upgraded it with a mana link system!" Ziera said. The fighter began to reconfigure.
Mana Link is a useful magi-tech invention created by Perseus, the leader of the Guardians of Esos thousands of years ago. By linking her mana to her fighter, Ziera can use her abilities through the fighter. Ziera can already do this without the link but Ziera it's less consuming of her mana then her reconfiguring the ship on her own.
"OMNI-BLADE!" A large Omni-blade came out from the face of the Omni-Fighter and it sliced down all the wyverns in Ziera's way.
"Damn! That was badass Ziera!" Jayden said in aw.
"Thanks! But don't lose focus! You got more dragons on your tail!" Ziera said.
"On it!" Jayden said as he transformed his arm into an Omni-Cannon and aimed it at the dragons approaching him. But suddenly....
"AHHHH!"
Jayden heard a scream. His scanner followed the source and he saw a large red fire dragon grabbing onto an Omni-Fighter and pulling the pilot out of the fighter.
"OH SHIT! OH SHIT! Please don't eat me!" The pilot panicked.
"Silence! Pathetic machines! You won't even make a good appetizer to satisfy me! Burn to ashes!" The dragon roared.
"No! No! No! That's a worse idea! Shit! Help! Somebody!" The pilot cried out.
That guy. He's gonna be burned alive. Jayden thought.
"Jayden! What are you doing!? Stay focused!" Ziera yelled from her coms.
"That guy. He's gonna be burned alive." Jayden said.
"And so we'll we if you don't get your head in the game." Henro said through the coms.
"Jayden look I get how you feel but right now we have to get out of here! We can't let everything we've worked for to go to waste. People are counting on us." Emilia said.
"Yeah but..". Jayden tried to argue.
"Jayden please. You can't save everyone." Ziera said.
"I...". Jayden stuttered.
["He acts before he thinks and doesn't think about how it'll affect others. He just wants attention."]
No. That's not why I do this. Jayden thought as he bowled up his hand.
"Help! Somebody help me!" The pilot cried out.
["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. 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." Jayden said flat out].
["Just focus on being your own hero. You are Jayden Cortez." Ziera said.].
["You are Jayden Cortez. My sweet boy." Maria said.].
["Jayden."].
Dad! Jayden thought.
Jayden flew off towards the dragon and the screaming pilot.
"Jayden, what are you doing!?" Ziera questioned.
"Are you out of your fucking mind!?" Henro questioned.
"Jayden turn back!" Emilia pleaded.
Tenjin didn't say anything, he merely observed Jayden.
"JAYDEN!" Ziera shouted.
"I CAN'T TURN MY BACK ON SOMEONE AGAIN OKAY!?" Jayden shouted. Everyone from the group were caught off guard. Even Tenjin.
"I can't! Before I met all of you, that's all I ever did. When someone needed help I turned my back and kept walking. When someone cried and pleaded for someone to save them I didn't care. I just wanted to save my own skin. I was a coward before and I still am now. But I want to change! I want to make a difference. And if I can't be like the guardians, then I'll be my own hero and save those in need. No matter where they come from. Because that's who I am! I'M...." Jayden began.
"AAAAAAH!" The pilot screamed.
"DIE!" The dragon roared as it began to fire off it's fireball but then Jayden came in and kicked it in the jaw throwing it's aim off.
"I'M JAYDEN CORTEZ!" Jayden roared.
"GAAAH!" The dragon grunted.
"Whoa! What the hell!?" The pilot cried out. He fell from the dragon's grasp but Jayden swiftly scooped him up.
The others were in shock while Tenjin just calmly observed while fighting.
So this is the kind of hero you want to be Jayden? Tenjin asked himself.
Jayden safely flew the pilot on top of an imperial warship.
"Holy shit! Whew! I'm...I'm alive! I actually made it!" The pilot said in excitement. He turned to Jayden but Jayden already flew off back to the battle.
The pilot removed his helmet. He was young, around Jayden's age. He was hispanic, he had curly black hair and earrings. As he watched Jayden fly off he asked himself this.
"Why did you save me?"
***
"Phew. That was close. See guys, nothing to it-." Jayden almost finished but then..
"JAYDEN WATCH OUT!" Emilia shouted.
"Wha-."
"YOU!" A large red dragon roared as it came up from behind Jayden.
Jayden hadn't noticed in time but a large red dragon knocked him back hard causing him to crash through an imperial warship and fly through the air. Jayden was in a daze, his armor was severely damaged already from just the one strike and he started coughing up blood.
Fuck! This thing hits twice as hard compared to that draugr. This isn't good. Jayden thought.
The red dragon caught Jayden while he was in mid air and squeezed him tightly. It was the same red dragon he kicked a moment ago.
"GAAAH!" Jayden cried out.
"How dare you strike me! Know your place, you pathetic machine!" The dragon roared. Jayden retracted his helmet and spat out blood.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
"Technically....I'm a cyborg hehe." Jayden chuckled. He tried to move but the dragon had a tight grip on him.
"JAYDEN!" Ziera shouted. She tried to reach him but she was being chased by dragons. Emilia and Tenjin were in the midst of battle against both forces.
"Dammit! Hang on kid!" Tenjin yelled out. Tenjin and Emilia tried to fly after jaydne but the warships were shooting at them and at the republic's warship. Even in his Fallen form, Henro tried his best to block the cannon fire with his shadows but he was getting overwhelmed.
"I can't keep this up forever!" Henro yelled out.
"Tch. Damn imperials. They really noticed us now. Emilia, get to Jayden and bring him back to the ship! I'll hold off the warships." Tenjin ordered.
"On it!" Emilia said as she flew off.
Tenjin turned his head towards the four imperial warships shooting at him and the ship from a distance. He raised his swords, charged up his blades again and then striked.
"Garuda Style: Tempest Thunder Clap!" Tenjin rained lightning slashes down on both the four warships and even some incoming dragons that fired at him and his comrades. Knocking both forces out of the sky simultaneously.
This won't be enough. I sure hope those reinforcements from our allies show up quickly. I could use that but only as a last resort. I'll be spent if I use it too quickly. And with the amount of warships and dragons in the area it wouldn't take out most of them. Not without leaving the ship exposed. Heh. What a pain in the ass. I hope I'm not getting too old for this. Tenjin smirked.
"You're not touching these kids! Not while I'm still breathing!" Tenjin declared.
I won't fail my comrades again. Never! Tenjin thought.
***
"GAAAH!" Jayden coughed up more blood as the dragon squeezed him tightly and charged up it's fire ball.
"Perish! Machine!" The dragon roared.
"Garuda Style: Tempest Thunder Strike!"
Emilia shot a tempest arrow at the dragon's face causing him to roar and release Jayden from his grip. Jayden fell but Emilia swiftly caught him and held him to the bridal style.
"Jayden! I got you!" Emilia said.
"Em. Sorry..I screwed up." Jayden winced.
"Nonsense! You tried your best!" Emilia said, trying to cheer him up. But that was interrupted when they heard the dragon roar.
"RAAH! Damn Garuda! This does not concern you! Begone!" The dragon roared as it shot fire from it's mouth at Emilia and Jayden. Emilia out maneuvered over the flame attack with Jayden in her arms.
"Emilia! Jayden! I'm coming!" Ziera shouted as she flew towards the pair in her Omni-Fighter.
"Ziera!" Emilia shouted.
"Mana Link: OMNI-SWORD CANNON! FIRE!"
This time instead of turning the front of the fighter into a sword, Ziera reconfigured the front and turned it into a cannon that can fire Omni-Blades at her targets. She launched the blade at the dragon and stabbed it through the chest.
"RAAAAAAAAH!" The dragon roared in pain.
"Quickly! Get out of there!" Ziera shouted.
"Behind you!" Emilia shouted back. Ziera looked behind her and saw two big dragons simultaneously shoot fire at her fighter. Ziera grunted as she barely managed to dodge out of the way of fire. But her ship's shields gave out and her fighter took major damage. "SHIT!" Ziera cursed.
"ZIERA!" Emilia cried out.
"Dammit! I have to..gah!" Jayden coughed.
"No! You're still hurt Jayden!" Emilia lectured.
"Jayden! Don't you dare do anything stupid! I'll be fine! Emilia, take Jayden and run!" Ziera ordered. But even more dragons including bigger ones appeared and surrounded the three.
"YOU WON'T BE GOING ANYWHERE! HOW DARE YOU KILL OUR COMRADE!" The dragon roared.
Henro saw the group surrounded by dragons and began to panic. "GUYS!" He yelled out.
The dragons surrounding the group sadistically laughed.
"The machines won't satisfy me but it's been a long time since I've had Garuda for a snack. Hahaha." The second dragon laughed.
"No she's mine! I haven't eaten anything but metal in days." The third dragon said as he licked his lips.
"All of you be quiet! There's plenty of meat to go around. After all, I smell plenty in that warship over there. You insects aren't with the empire are you?" The fourth dragon questioned.
Dammit! We're surrounded. I could use a flash bang but would that be enough? And even if Emilia got back to the ship these bastards would follow and that would put everyone on board in danger. My fighter took serious damage and I don't have enough time to fix it and draw them away. There's nothing I can do! We're going to die. I'm going to let everyone down again! I'm...
"Will you be the cause of their deaths too?"
Ziera gasped. Who said that!? Ziera thought.
She then looked at Jayden and Emilia. The pressure was starting to get to her. She was afraid. Afraid of losing them. Afraid of losing more people she cared about. Afraid of...afraid of.....
Suddenly, Ziera's mana started to increase and her eyes began to slowly glow green again.
"NO! I WON'T FAIL! I WON'T LOSE ANYONE ELSE!" Ziera roared with her voice sounding altered and her eyes shinning green.
"Z-Ziera?" Jayden asked.
"What the fuck? What is this mana?" Henro questioned.
"Ziera. What's happening to you?" Emilia asked.
Jayden, Henro and Emilia could feel Ziera's mana increase exponentially. It was unlike any mana they've ever felt before. It was so intense that it made them sweat but above all else it made them worried for Ziera.
"What!? What is this mana!?" One of the dragons questioned.
"Who cares!? Kill them!" The other dragon ordered.
Tenjin while fighting took notice of the group getting surrounded by the dragons and Ziera's mana spiraling out of control.
"ZIERA!" Tenjin yelled out. He broke through any ships in his way and soared down towards the group.
Shit! Of all times why now!? I've got no choice! I'll have to use it! Tenjin thought.
"ZIERA WATCH OUT!" Jayden yelled out. A dragon breathed a massive fireball at her. The other three shot at Jayden and Emilia as well. Ziera looked like she was about to do something.
"ASCEN-!" Tenjin almost yells out but then....
"Sun Dragon's Slayer's Inferno Slash!"
"Moon Dragon's Slayer's Icy Fang!"
In a flash, all four of the dragons that surrounded Jayden, Ziera and Emilia were cut to pieces. Then half of the dragons burst into flames while the other half were encased in ice. The group and even Tenjin could not believe their eyes.
"Yo!" A feminine voice called out. The group looked up and saw two figures flying in the air above them. The first was a beautiful young woman wearing a smirk on her face. She had long messy red hair, orange eyes and dawning black armor that covered most of her lower body except her arms and stomach which showed off her well toned abs. On her breast plate is a red dragon insignia and around her neck was a necklace with a red jewel. She carried a large red sword that was sheathed and hung it over her shoulder.
The second was also a fairly beautiful young woman wearing a stoic look on her face. She had clouded blue eyes, long blue hair tied in a ponytail and she wore a long blue kimono with white snowflakes and a purple corset wrapped spring her waste. In her hand was a light blue katana.
"Need a hand, wielder of Ragnarok?" The red headed woman asked with a grin.
"What the? Who are they?" Jayden asked.
"Dragon-Kin. And not just dragon-kin but dragon slayers too!" Emilia shouted, feeling nervous.
"No way! You gotta be kidding!" Jayden shouted
Dragon-Kin. Hybrids between Dragons and Humans. Thousands of years ago the sun dragon god, Prometheus and the moon dragon goddess, Selene had their own individual children mate with humans by force to create a mixed race of both species with the purpose of being their soldiers. It was only until the Guardians of Esos rebelled against the gods and freed the Dragon-Kin from their slavery.
Dragon-Kin are extremely powerful hybrids and are the most feared hybrids in all of Esos. With their monstrous strength matching that of pure blood dragons and powerful fire and ice abilities, it's because of dragon-kin that the twin dragon nations the Kingdom of Ifrit and the Kyoshi Empire are as feared and powerful as they are today. Even compared to the Machina Empire.
Dragon Slayer are those who hunt dragons. Thousands of years ago dragon slayers were created to combat the might of dragons and dragon-kin. Either to defend themselves or for sport. Humans would wield anti dragon weapons, enchanted armaments that can cut through a dragon's scales. But after peace was brokered thanks to the Guardians, Slayers are now rare within esos.
Jayden, Ziera and Emilia weren't sure what was going on. They had just been saved by those two but they weren't sure of their true intentions. Ziera finally calmed down from her sudden rage but she was still on guard.
"Who are you!? What do you want with Jayden!?" Ziera demanded.
"We're the ones asking the questions, princess." The red headed woman shot back.
"Ryoka." The bluenette said in a serious tone.
"Alright sorry. Sheesh." Ryoka rolled her eyes.
"Pardon her rudeness but we have not come to fight you. This is my companion, Ryoka. My name is Julia Tatsuya. I am a warrior of the ice dragon nation, the Kiyoshi Empire. It is a pleasure to meet you all." Julia said as she bowed while in mid air.
The group were even in more shock to hear this.
"The Kiyoshi... Empire?" Emilia asked.
"So the hell Tenjin mentioned was from..." Jayden almost finished.
"The mightiest empire in all of Esos." Ziera said with sweat dripping from her head.
"Heh. Classic Tenjin alright." Henro said while also sweating a bit. Ziera while in shock took another look at ryoka and pondered.
Wait a second. Julia said this girl's name was Ryoka's could she be!? Ziera thought.
Tenjin flew down towards the group.
"You've arrived at a perfect time. We could really use your aid to escape from this place. Can we rely on you both?" Tenjin asked.
"Heck ya you can!" Ryoka said with confidence.
"Leave it to us." Julia bowed.
"Good. We're almost through the border. You two, take Jayden back to the ship. Me, Ryoka and Julia will cover you." Tenjin ordered.
"Yeah go on and take a nap Mr. Wielder. It's our turn to have some fun." Ryoka said. Julia looked at Jayden.
So. This is the boy from my vision. Jayden. Julia thought.
As the group flew back to the ship, more dragons were on their tail.
"More dragons incoming!" Ziera shouted.
"We know. Jewel!" Ryoka shouted.
"Yes." Julia nodded. Both Ryoka and Julia turned around readying for battle.
"GET THEM! THEY'RE NOTHING BUT PREY!!" The dragon roared. About dozens of wyverns and huge dragons flew at the two dragon-Kim. But the dragon-kin weren't afraid.
In fact, they were hungry for blood.
Ryoka and Julia flew at the dragons and began cutting them down one by one. Ryoka cut them down with her sheathed sword. She never released her blade once from it's sheathed and yet she barbarically cut through the dragons like butter. While Julia with a more level head, gracefully cut down the dragons as if she was dancing.
"They're...they're so strong!" One of the wyverns yelled out in fear. Ryoka plunged her fist through his mouth and to the back of his head.
"Prey huh? Only prey I see are you losers." Ryoka said. She ripped off the wyvern's head and took a bite of his face. She casually chewed and then spat it out.
"Bleh. Gross. Wyverns never taste good if you don't cook them. I didn't eat much breakfast this morning so I thought you'd at least pass as a snack." Ryoka casually said.
"WHAT. THE. FUCK!!!? TENJIN WHERE DID YOU FIND THAT PSYCHO!?" Henro shouted.
"Don't ask me. I didn't invite her." Tenjin said.
"Ryoka! Stay focused!" Julia said as she swiftly cut 6 dragons at once.
"Huh? Nothing happened." One of the dragons said.
"Moon Dragon's Slayer's Icy Fang". Julia sheathed her sword and the dragons all turned to ice. Then their bodies crumbled. Leaving nothing but blue mana dust in her wake.
"May your souls finally rest, oh brave warriors. May you find peace, along with the late goddess Selene." Julia said.
"What's a dragon-kin from Kiyoshi doing here!? Wait a second! That red headed girl! It can't be!" One of the dragons said in a panic. Ryoka and Julia both then took a heavy breath.
"Sun Dragon's Slayer's Blazing Roar!" Ryoka roared as she let out a breath of fire.
"Moon Dragon's Slayer's Winter's Roar!" Julia roared as she let out a breath of ice.
Both attacks hit the rest of the dragons simultaneously. Taking them all out with both fire and ice. The group, minus Tenjin, while flying away looked back in awe. Ryoka licked her lips while Julia had her eyes closed and wore a more calm expression.
"Holy shit." Jayden said.
"They took out multiple dragons without even trying." Ziera said.
Emilia meanwhile was in a trance. She had never seen such brutality but also graceful fighting styles before. At first she was intimidated by the two but as she looked at them now....
"Beautiful". Emilia said with a blush.
"Say what?" Jayden asked.
"Oh uh nothing! Just admiring their fighting styles is all hehehe." Emilia said with embarrassment.
"P-Princess...Ryoka." The dragon spat out as it died.
"Princess!?" Ziera thought.
"WOOHOO!!! NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT BABY! I haven't had this much fun in ages!" Ryoka cheered with a blush.
"Ryoka. We are in the middle of a war zone." Julia said.
"Exactly! Isn't it awesome!?" Ryoka asked with excitement.
"Oh dear." Julia sighed.
"Pick up the pace you two!" Tenjin shouted while flying away.
"Yeah we're coming, old man!" Ryoka yelled out. Both her and Julia flew towards the republic's ship.
"Henro! Get back inside! We're leaving!" Tenjin ordered.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Henro said.
"The rest of you get to the hanger! I'm clearing our exit!" Tenjin ordered as he flew off.
"Hey Jewel." Ryoka pointed out.
"Yes, Ryoka. That's Tenjin Nakamura of The Order. One of Midgar's most powerful warriors." Julia said.
"I wanna fight him". Ryoka said.
"You will not." Julia said sternly.
"Oh come on!" Ryoka pouted.
The rest of the group had made it to the hanger while Tenjin stayed outside preparing for one last attack.
"DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!" The dragons roared.
"TARGET TENJIN NAKAMURA AND THAT WARSHIP NOW!" An imperial admiral ordered.
"Like I said before. These skies belong to me and my comrades. You punks can kiss the ground." Tenjin snarled.
"GARUDA STYLE: TEMPEST TORNADO!!!"
Tenjin let out a massive tornado that swallowed up a good portion of the imperial warships and dragons within the area. They couldn't withstand it's power.
"Sir! We're getting swallowed in!" One of the soldiers cried out.
"No way! How can this be!?" The admiral panicked.
"Because he's Tenjin Nakamura you damn fool!" Another soldier yelled out.
"AAAAAAAHHH!" The admiral and his men screamed for their lives as they were swallowed up by the tornado and their ship was torn apart by the wind from the inside. This was all just ten percent of Tenjin's power.
Tenjin took a breath and sheathed his two black blades. He then flew back to the ship and into the hangar as it crossed the border. The group has made it to the realm of the giants. The Kingdom of Titus.
***
The Kingdom of Titus
Republic Warship
The group were all sitting on the hanger floor exhausted from the recent battle. Henro had already healed Jayden when they entered earlier.
"Phew. We made it!" Jayden said while out of breath.
"Yeah. Barley." Henro said.
"Heh. What a bunch of wussies. That was barely anything. Me and Jewel didn't even break a sweat. Right Jewel?" Ryoka asked while having her hands hang from the back of her head.
"Ryoka don't be rude. They were fighting in that battle longer than we were." Julia lectured.
"I guess." Ryoka said with a shrug.
"Um excuse me?" Emilia asked. It caught the attention of both Ryoka and Julia. "T-thank you for saving us. We were in a real bind out there before you two showed up." Emilia said with a blush. Julia smiled while Ryoka shot Emilia a toothy smile.
"Well you're welcome! You're cute, what's your name?" Ryoka asked.
"C-C-C-UTE!? I'M EM...EM...EM...EM..EMA....MA.. MA!" Emilia stuttered while as red faced as a tomato. Ryoka gave her a puzzled look.
"Hey uh you okay, Emma?" Ryoka asked.
Julia sighed.
"What? What did I do?" Ryoka asked. Tenjin then approached them
"Hey. Thanks for helping us back there but mind telling us why you have ifrit's princess here along with you?" Ziera asked.
"It's a long story. One we will share with you all. For I am on a mission. A mission to aid the next wielder of Ragnarok. You Jayden." Julia said as she walked towards Jayden. She let her hand out to Jayden and Jayden took her hand to pick himself up.
"Me? Wow thanks but uh why?" Jayden asked.
"It is my duty which was given to me by my master. But that will have to wait. For I must share grave news with you all." Julia said.
"What kind of news?" Tenjin asked.
"News regarding the ruler of Titus, King Ogun. Listen, you all must not trust him. For he plans to sever ties with the republic and go to war with the Machina Empire. And he'll do that, by using his sacred relic." Julia said with a serious tone.