Dragon Kin arc

Ziera's Room

Ziera had invited Ryoka over to her room so they could talk in private. Ziera wasn't very fond of Ryoka off the bat, but she had to accept that Ryoka was a part of their team now. The last thing she wanted was to stir up more conflict amongst the group so she could at least hear the fiery woman out.

In Ziera's room there was her work desk, her bed, her own bathroom, a flat screen tv magnetized to the wall, a fridge with a touch screen, and a couch that Ziera let Ryoka sit on. Ziera went to her fridge and pressed on the touch screen.

"Want a drink?" Ziera asked.

"Sure. Got a beer?" Ryoka said.

Ziera nodded and pressed the button which had beer as an option. The fridge made a DING sound and a hole opened up in the fridge which let the beet bottle out. Ziera grabbed it and tossed it to Ryoka.

"Nice! You know it's funny. For a nation that practically worships magic, Midgard sure doesn't shy away from using magitech huh?" Ryoka asked.

"Well there are many who are still against it for traditional reasons but the Republic was created to unite all the races from across the realms. That obviously includes machines and their technology. It's why the C.C.T (Cyber Tech Company) exists.

The C.C.T also known as the Cyber Tech Company is an independent organization that was founded thousands of years ago when the republic was founded by the guardians. Despite being an organization run by machines they hold no allegiance to the Machina Empire. They fully believe in using their resources to aid the other races with their technology.

They aren't nearly as equipped or advanced as the empire but are still able to provide warships and other technology to aid the republic. However, they are not on good terms with the Mage Foundation for their cultural differences cause them to clash.

"True. Can't say it's the same for my nation. We don't have stuff like TV, gaming consoles or even basic electricity. We're more old fashioned that way. We just spend most of our days in Ifrit hunting, eating, drinking, conquering and killing. Oh and fucking. Lots of fucking." Ryoka said.

"Sounds fun." Ziera said sarcastically as she got her own beer.

"Oh you don't know the half of it. Though even among them I in particular was what you call a "problem child"." Ryoka said.

"You don't say. What did you do?" Ziera asked as she sat down on the couch beside Ryoka.

"Well besides beating the shit out of my cousins or setting the castle on fire on a daily basis. When I was 15, I got caught fucking one of the maids around my age. On my uncle's bed. Which was also on his birthday." Ryoka said with a satisfied smile.

"Pfft! What!? Ahaha. Are you serious!?" Ziera laughed.

"Yep! Now granted he beat the shit out of me till I was out cold for a few days but man was it worth seeing the look on his face! And as payback for the scars he left on my neck, I ate the rest of his cake. I just did everything in my power to make his life a living hell." Ryoka raised her glass in satisfaction and then chugged it down.

"Ha! Well I admit that does sound funny." Ziera giggled.

"Well?" Ryoka asked.

"Well what?" Ziera questioned.

"Well what about your family life? Got any fun tails to share?" Ryoka asked.

"Not really. Not much to tell." Ziera took another sip of her beer.

"Try me." Ryoka persisted as she rested her head on her hand. Ziera sighed.

"Well, let's just say the empire isn't nearly as "fun" as your kingdom. While you got reactions from your uncle, Zenal wouldn't even see or talk to me unless it was about a mission." Ziera said as she spun her glass bottle in her hand.

"Sounds rough." Ryoka said. Ziera shrugged.

"It's whatever. I'm over him. But it wasn't just with him, everything back at the empire felt dull for me. It just felt, I don't know, too perfect." Ziera said.

"Perfect? Ha! We are talking about the same empire? Or are you already drunk?" Ryoka asked jokingly.

"Shut up. It takes a while for me to get drunk. Are you gonna listen or not?" Ziera asked with an annoyed tone.

"Okay you have the floor your highness." Ryoka retorted.

"Anyways, all my people ever did was help my sister fight in our wars, kiss up to my brother for his political influence, enforce Zenal's laws, or best of all, deal with me." Ziera said with a hint of satisfaction.

"Oh yeah? And what did you do? Throw a party at the palace or something?" Ryoka asked. Ziera chuckled.

"When I was fifteen, sure. But before then I actually did something more bold. When I was nine years old, my friend and I took a joyride in Zenal's personal shuttle. We ended up getting chased by the police until we finally crashed into the senate building. No one got hurt but...it was quite the mess." Ziera said. Ryoka bursted out laughing.

"AHAHAHA! NO WAY! How much trouble did you get in!?" Ryoka asked with excitement.

"Well my father didn't care, my brother couldn't be bothered to lecture me but my sister......was livid. I never saw her so angry before then. It was honestly terrifying. I got the punishment of a lifetime back then." Ziera shivered as she took a sip of beer. Ryoka continued laughing.

"Ahahaha! Wow I underestimated you! I thought you had a stick stuck up your ass but you're a real rebel aren't you, Ziera?" Ryoka asked. Ziera cracked a small smile as she stared at her empty beer bottle.

"Guess so. My sister says it's both my best and worst trait. Apparently I got it from my mother." Ziera said. Ryoka was intrigued.

"That so?" Ryoka asked. Ziera sunk into the couch and looked up at the ceiling.

"I don't know. Never met her. She died before I was created. I only ever heard stories but she's...practically a stranger to me." Ziera said sadly.

"I see." Ryoka said as she also sunk into the couch and looked up at the ceiling.

The two sat there in silence for what felt like a minute or two. Not wanting to kill the mood, Ziera coughed and decided to get back on topic.

"But since we're on that topic, why don't you tell me what you really want to talk about?" Ziera asked as she sat back up. Ryoka did the same.

"Fair enough. So I don't have to tell you why war broke out between our two nations right?" Ryoka asked. Ryoka had dropped her playful demeanor and her tone was more serious. So Ziera didn't beat around the bush out of respect for her feelings.

"Because of Aurora." Ziera answered.

"Yeah. Aurora, "The Knight of Dawn". She murdered the former queen. My mother." Ryoka said in a low tone. The beer bottle she held in her hand began to slightly crack. Ryoka put down the bottle on the table and turned her head to face Ziera with her eyes being slit. "So I'd like to know your relationship with her." Ryoka said. Ziera stared right back at her.

"Not much of a relationship. She was kind to me because she's close with my sister but we weren't friends." Ziera said.

"So that's all huh?" Ryoka asked.

"Yeah. I know how you must feel about her but I promise that we aren't friends. Especially not now." Ziera said.

"Heh. You don't have a clue about how I feel. But the same could be said with you. Throughout our conversation I've slowly begun to learn more and more of what kind of person you are Ziera. And yet there's still so much I still don't know about you. You're almost a complete mystery." Ryoka said.

"You're exaggerating. But that said, why do you want to know so much about me anyway?" Ziera asked.

"Three reasons. For one you're not boring. Secondly, you're a princess who left her homeland behind like me. The only difference is I'm going to one day go back to mine and take over. But what about you?" Ryoka asked

"Isn't that obvious. I'm going to take down Zenal." Ziera said.

"But what happens next?" Ryoka asked.

"Huh?" Ziera asked.

"Don't play dumb you heard me. What do you plan to do about the Empire after you've taken away it's emperor? Are you going to let your siblings take over? Or will you rule yourself? And even if you do, how would you change the empire for the better?" Ryoka questioned.

"I... ." Ziera couldn't answer. Of course she knew that a new ruler would be required after Zenal had been defeated.

But she hadn't thought much about what she would do after beating him. Her ruling an entire empire and changing it for the better? Despite her words, Ziera didn't feel confident in her abilities to do it at all. And that made her sick. Ryoka had been sitting there waiting for an answer but grew annoyed when Ziera wouldn't give one.

"Oh come on! Don't tell me you haven't thought about it?" Ryoka asked.

"Of course I have! It's just...I haven't found a solution yet." Ziera said with hesitation. Ryoka wasn't satisfied with her answer at all but moved on.

"Sure. Anyways, the final reason is because you're strong. I felt that the moment me and Jewel entered the battlefield. That huge surge of mana came from you right?" Ryoka asked.

Ziera froze up. Her hands trembled and she didn't answer. But Ryoka didn't need her to. She could tell from her expression.

"Thought so. You're a powerhouse. I knew from then that you could have obliterated those fodder and yet you held yourself back. Why is that?" Ryoka asked.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"That's none of your business." Ziera said in a serious tone.

"Oh did I strike a nerve? Didn't peg you for the sensitive type, Ms. Runaway." Ryoka jeered.

"I warned you twice not to call me that." Ziera growled.

"Then get over here and do something about it." Ryoka said with a grin. Ziera stood up abruptly.

"What the hell is your problem!?" Ziera questioned.

"You're my problem. You wanna know what I think?" Ryoka said.

"What?" Ziera questioned.

Ryoka stood up and cracked her neck. She walked over towards Ziera and got in front of her face. The two glared at each other.

"I think you're a fool. You ran away from home with the plan of fighting your father one day but you don't even have a plan to save your people? Your empire has made a lot of powerful enemies including from your own kind, and yet all you can think about is getting even. You're so shortsighted it's sad." Ryoka said.

"You don't know anything about me." Ziera snarled.

"I know enough. Heh. But I shouldn't be surprised. You imperials are all the same. You act all high and mighty by flashing all of those fancy toys in our faces but really you're just cowards who use your weapons to destroy lives. Of course my people are no different but at least I'm trying to make a difference. Can't say the same for you or your family." Ryoka said.

"Don't you dare talk about my sister!" Ziera shouted. She was reaching her boiling point.

"Or what? You gonna cry? Or tattle on me? Ya know what? It makes sense now why you're an idiot. You must get it from your lousy sister-."

Ryoka was then met with a swift punch to her jaw from Ziera. She took one step back from the punch but didn't lose her balance. Small blood dripped from Ryoka's lip. With her pupils slit, she glared back at Ziera who glared back at Ryoka with her eyes glowing bright green.

"Say one more thing about her and I will kill you." Ziera threatened.

Ryoka just wickedly grinned and licked off the blood from her lip.

"I knew it. I knew I'd like you." Ryoka said with excitement.

"Tsk. You're crazy." Ziera spat.

"And you're just what I've been looking forward to." Ryoka retorted.

"Which is?" Ziera asked. Ryoka smikred and pointed at Ziera.

"My new prey. Former 2nd Princess Ziera of the Machina Empire, I, Ryoka Pendragon, the third princess of Ifrit and rightful heir to the throne, hereby challenge you to a duel!" Ryoka declared.

Ziera was baffled.

"Excuse me?" Ziera questioned.

"You heard me." Ryoka said bluntly.

"You're joking right?" Ziera asked.

"Dead serious." Ryoka said bluntly again.

"Why?" Ziera asked.

"Because I want to see what you're made of. And I wanna see if you can prove me wrong. Whether or not you and your sister are all talk." Ryoka sneered.

Ziera growled and glared at ryoka again.

"If you wanna shut me up then do it in battle. In fact I'll make it interesting. The winner gets to make the loser do whatever they want for one whole day. If you win I'll happily apologize and grovel before you. But if I win, maybe I'll have you bow before me and kiss my foot." Ryoka said jokingly.

Ziera took a breath and ignored Ryoka's immature insults.

"So if I win, you'll do anything right?" Ziera asked.

"Well anything but give you my life. I can't die just yet until I take the throne. So what will it be, former princess? You down to fight or what?" Ryoka said.

This bitch really pisses me off. Just when we were getting along she had to go and push me too far. But you know what? This works out fine for me. Because now I have an excuse to beat her ass until she begs me for forgiveness. No one insults my sister and walks away with their teeth still attached. Ziera thought.

Ziera smirked as she stared back at Ryoka. She raised her fist and aimed it at the red head.

***

The Mess Hall

"Wait hold up! You want a duel!? With me!?" Jayden was baffled. As were Emilia and Henro.

"Correct. Words alone will get us nowhere so I wish to test your skills in battle." Julia said.

"But how will that determine if I'm worthy of your help? What do you even expect to see?" Jayden asked.

"Everything. Not just how you fight, how you think, how you feel, what you are willing and unwilling to do. Through battle one can learn a lot from their opponent even if they had just met them. It is why fighting is integrated into both mine and Ryoka's cultures. We are a warrior race. This is how we dragon-kin communicate. This is how we understand people. Through pure battle!" Julia declared as she pointed her sword at Jayden.

The three before Julia just stood there in awkward silence for about 30 seconds.

"This bitch is crazy!" Henro blurted out.

"Uh...". Emilia wasn't freaked out, more so slightly shocked.

What the hell!? Her personality went from being chill to battle hungry quickly! Even when she's still speaking softly I can still feel the bloodlust. Jayden thought.

"Now I shall hear your answer Jayden Cortez. What say you? If you decline, that's fine. But then you will forever be a coward who shamed yourself and your family. Only by committing seppuku can you redeem yourself." Julia said in a deadly tone.

"THAT'S WAY TOO HARSH!" Jayden shouted.

"It is a mercy." Julia said in a icy tone.

"This is what happens when you just let anyone on the ship." Henro said.

"Okay why don't we all just relax? No one needs to get hurt or commit any seppuku, okay?" Emilia asked.

"Emilia. With all respect I ask you not to interfere. As a fellow warrior you should understand the gravity of this choice. This isn't just for Jayden's sake, but all of ours. Yours especially." Julia said softly.

Emilia blushed and gasped. "She's worried about me!" Emilia thought.

"Since you are a princess after all." Julia said. Emilia instantly deflated and slumped her arms.

"Oh. Of course." Emilia said feeling let down. Henro softly padded Emilia's head.

"There. There. You'll be okay." Henro said.

"Now then, enough stalling. What is your answer, Jayden Cortez?" Julia questioned. Jayden was still sweating from her sheer presence.

Her mana is insane! I hadn't felt mana be this intense since Tenjin's. She really is on another level compared to me! She may even be stronger than Ziera! Can I even come close to matching her!?

Jayden shivered from Julia's powerful gaze. Part of him was afraid but the other part wanted to fight. Jayden then slowly started to regain his confidence when he remembered what he was fighting for.

What am I thinking!? I can't quit now! I've worked too hard to get to this point! This isn't for me, but for all of the people who are relying on me. Ziera, Emilia, Henro, Tenjin, the other members of The Order, the villagers from the Azalea Forest and most of all mom.

I made a promise that I would become a hero they could look up to. A hero who would defeat Zenal and save this world! That's right! I can't give up! Not now! Not ever! Jayden thought.

Jayden smirked and stood up. Henro and Emilia were taken back while Julia stood there still pointing her sword at Jayden. Jayden raised his hand, closed his fist and aimed it at her sword.

Both Jayden and Ziera were challenged by the two dragon-kin and both gave the same answer.

"I ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE!" Jayden and Ziera shouted simultaneously with a smirk on their faces.

***

Later that night

Outside of the Republic's Warship

Jayden, Ziera, Ryoka and Julia all stood outside of the ship down below on the rocky plains within Titus' territory. Jayden and Ziera were on one side while Ryok and Julia were on the other.

"Man, I didn't think you'd get provoked into fighting Ziera." Jayden said.

"Oh yeah? I didn't think you'd get into a fight with every new person you meet." Ziera retorted.

"Hey come on, that's not true! Not always." Jayden rubbed the back of his head. Ziera sighed.

"Sorry. It's not you, it's just...". Ziera started.

"Nah I get it. She made fun of your sister. Even I would get upset and-."

"IT'S JUST THIS BITCH REALLY PISSES ME OFF! ALL SHE DOES IS FLEX, TALK SHIT, AND ACT LIKE SHE'S BETTER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE! LIKE WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!? AND THEN SHE HAS THE GAUL TO GO AND INSULT MY SISTER! LIKE I HAVE HALF A MIND TO TAKE MY GUN AND SHOVE RIGHT UP HER-!" Ziera ranted until Jayden covered her mouth with his hand.

"Whoa down girl! I think she gets the message!" Jaden tried to hold her back as best he could.

I've never seen Ziera this mad before. Not even when we had our fight. She's usually much more level headed but Ryoka really lit a fire inside of her. Jayden thought.

Ryoka laughed. "Ahaha! She's really fired up ain't she Jewel?" Ryoka asked her girlfriend with a blushing smile. Julia however was not amused.

"Ryoka. I told you not to start any trouble and then you go and do just that. Why did you have to insult her sister? That's too far even for you." Julia lectured. Ryoka put her hands behind her head.

"Alright I'll admit I took it too far but there's a method to my madness you'll see. Just trust me!" Ryoka said cheerily.

Julia sighed. "I know you wouldn't have said those things without a reason so I'll trust you. But I hope you make things right after this." Julia said.

"I will. I promise." Ryoka said.

I didn't like what I said but I had to say it. Because.... Ryoka thought.

Meanwhile, Henro and Emilia were watching the coming fights outside near the ship.

"Is this really the way to resolve things between all of them?" Emilia asked with eeriness in her voice.

"We don't have a choice. Once dragon-kin want to fight there's no stopping them. Plus Jayden and Ziera want this fight too. So all we can do is watch." Henro said.

"Still, we should have at least told Tenjin before we did this." Emilia said.

"Ryoka said he'd get in the way and they wouldn't be able to go all out. Plus he's busy talking to the order so best to leave him be." Henro shrugged.

"But still....". Emilia wasn't convinced.

"Don't worry Em. We'll stop the fight from going too far. I'll use my shadows to pull Jayden and Ziera out while you use your wind to make sure our new friends behave. And if neither work, we'll snitch on them." Henro said with a confident smirk.

"I wouldn't call that something to be proud of, Henro." Emilia groaned.

"Alright prey! Here are the rules!" Ryoka declared.

Rule 1: "While there are two teams, the teammates are prohibited from working together. These will be individual battles at different locations."

Rule 2: "There is no time limit, nor is killing allowed. Winners can only be determined via knockout or if the loser submits."

Rule 3: "If these rules are broken for any reason. The loser will receive a penalty."

"Wait. What kind of penalty?" Jayden asked.

"Why don't you break the rules and find out. I'll be sure to squeeze them real hard for you." Ryoka teased and made a squeezing gesture with her hand.

"Excuse me!?" Jayden shouted and blushed.

"Ryoka's tasteless jokes aside, we should begin the test. Now then, Jayden, activate Ragnarok so that we may engage in combat." Julia ordered.

"Right." Jayden said.

"RAGNAROK!"

Jayden had transformed into his suit and stood before the dragon-kin.

"Oh shiny. Me likey." Ryoka said feeling excited.

"Don't. You already have your opponent." Julia warned.

"Yeah I know. Okay enough chit chat. Let's do this!" Ryoka said while bawling up her fists.

"Hold on. The rules say we fight at different locations. Shouldn't we do that before we beg-." Ziera started until she was interrupted.

"READY GO!!" Ryoka shouted as she dashed towards Ziera and punched her.

Ziera reacted fast enough to block the punch with her arms but she grunted in pain as she felt the full impact from Ryoka's fist hit her arms.

This...strength! I can't...hold it back! Ziera thought.

Ziera was sent flying miles away from the area through the rocky planes.

"ZIERA!" Jayden shouted.

Jayden used his scanner to calculate the distance of where Ziera would land. She had landed five miles away from the group.

With just one punch she sent Ziera flying back five miles away! And that was just her physical strength! She had no mana infused into her fist! That's insane! Jayden thought.

Ryoka raises her hand to her forward to see how far ziera flew back.

"Whoops! Looks like I overdid it a little." Ryoka said.

"A LITTLE!?" Jayden screamed. Ryoka shrugged.

"Oh well. Good look on your test Jayden! You're gonna need it. Jewel isn't nearly as merciful as I am." Ryoka grinned. She grew her wings and flew after Ziera.

Shit! If Ryoka's that strong then Julia is..!

Suddenly Jayden felt a deadly presence behind him in an instant.

"Rule one of a duel." Julia said.

Jayden turned around to confront Julia but in a flash she was already behind him.

"Never take your eyes off your opponent." Julia said.

"Shi-!" Jayden couldn't finish as Julia hit his helmet with the butt of her sword.

"GAH!" Jayden was sent flying back and tumbled across the ground until he flopped onto the ground. He groaned as he slowly picked himself up but before he could stand Julia was in front of him again.

He looked up and saw her glaring down at him.

She's fast! I can't even react! Jayden thought.

"Is that all?" Julia asked in a deadly tone.

She unsheathed her katana. Her blade was light blue and it shone brightly under the moonlight that hung directly above Julia. Jayden was both in aw and afraid.

"Get up. Kuraokami hasn't nearly begun to feast upon your flesh yet." Julia said.

Julia's mana began to increase. Soon Julia's body had ice particles flowing around her body. Jayden shivered from the feeling of Julia's mana.

Her mana. It's cold. Jayden thought.

Come. Allow me to show you the dance of the moon dragon." Julia said.

***

Five Miles Away from the Ship

Ziera had been flown back five miles away from Jayden and the group by Ryoka. She managed to recover mid flight thanks to her rocket boots and roughly landed on the ground. She winced and took a knee to expect the damage on both her arms.

"Damn. She hits hard. If I hadn't boosted my defense with mana I would have lost these arms. And not only that she sent me flying back this far away from the ship!? Just how strong is she?" Ziera asked herself.

"Stronger than you."

Ziera looked up and saw Ryoka fly down and land in front of her. A good distance away.

"I thought I overdid it but you took that punch like a champ. Good. This won't be a waste of time then." Ryoka said while smirking.

"You talk too much, you know that? We doing this or what?" Ziera said. Ryoka licked her lips.

"Let's." Ryoka said as she and Ziera got into fighting positions.

Ziera suddenly detected a huge amount of mana emanating from Ryoka. She began to sweat. Not from fear but from the heat of Ryoka's mana.

This mana. It's like being in a furnace. Ziera thought.

Ryoka's mana became so intense that flames formed all over her body.

"Let me show you the dance of the sun dragon." Ryoka said with a smirk.