Dragon-Kin arc

Back near the ship, Emilia was hovering high in the sky watching Ziera and Ryoka's fight from afar. Garuda have incredible eyesight. Far better than that of any other race in esos. Even though Ziera and Ryoka were five miles away, Emilia could still make them out just good enough and see their fight.

"Well Em!? How's it looking for Ziera!?" Henro shouted from below. Emilia saw the exchange between the two princesses go down and looked worried.

"I'm not sure. It looked like Ziera couldn't do much damage to Ryoka and was forced to flee into some cavern. I lost track of them." Emilia said as she flew back down.

"That bad huh?" Henro asked.

"I don't think so. Ziera must know it's not in her best interests to fight Ryoka head on. She must have a strategy in place." Emilia said.

"Makes sense. Fighting a dragon-kin in a head on fight without a plan is suicide. Any guess as to what Ziera's plan could be?" Henro asked.

"I can't say for certain, but if it were me I would try to mess with Ryoka's senses." Emilia said.

"Her senses huh?" Henro inquired.

"Yeah. Dragon-Kin rely on their senses even more than their magic. Sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch. It's both their greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses. Even if you can't match them in strength or in magic, if you can just throw off their senses then you can theoretically have a better chance." Emilia stated.

"A better chance. But not a guaranteed win?" Henro asked.

"That's what I said. It's terrifying but it's also incredible." Emilia reiterated. Henro whistles.

"Is that so? Sounds like you admire them." Henro said.

"Oh believe me as a member of my own warrior tribe it's frustrating to admit this but Dragon-Kin are truly different breeds. When I was a little girl, my father and Tenjin would tell me stories of both the Garuda and Avian tribes facing fire dragon-kin in battle. It was always a bloodbath."

"Yeah I did hear some stories about them myself. Even the demons of hell are wary of them. From what I've seen today, I can guess why." Henro said.

"That's right. Dragon-Kin were born and bred to be the most ruthless warriors in Esos. They can fight for days, weeks even without food or rest. I even heard from Tenjin that some dragon-kin, if strong and motivated enough, can keep fighting even without their heads attached." Emilia said.

"Wait, are you serious!? No way! Come on! I know they're strong but that's just insane! Even demons would be stunned for a bit after losing their heads!" Henro shouted in denial.

"It's true. You know Tenjin wouldn't lie about something like this. He's fought his fair share of dragon-kin over the years. It's scary to think about but that's just the reality. Dragon-Kin are true apex predators." Emilia said plainly.

"That's just....wow. When you put it like that, I almost feel bad for the Empire. They've been at war with these freaks for five years. But what are Ziera's chances against Ryoka right now from what you've seen?" Henro asked.

"That's tricky. Neither have gone all out but Ryoka so far has the advantage. She's been taking all of Ziera's attacks like they were nothing. If Ziera wants a chance she'll have to keep Ryoka off her toes and even that won't be easy." Emilia explained.

I say that but that huge surge of mana from Ziera earlier today. It was unlike nothing I've ever felt before. Was she holding out on us about how strong she really is? Emilia thought.

Emilia and Henro then heard a large explosion go off in the distance. They turned around and saw it came from Ziera and Ryoka's fight.

"Shit. And Jayden?" Henro asked. Emilia sighed.

"Honestly, he's going to lose." Emilia said.

Henro stiffened up. I know Emilia doesn't take Jayden's abilities lightly. It's not that he's weak, it's just.....

His opponent is a monster.

***

Jayden switched his arm into a machine gun and fired rapid shots at Julia. But Julia brought out her katana and swiftly deflected all of the energy bullets.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"She can deflect Omni-Bullets!?" Jayden shouted in shock. He did a scan on her sword and saw the reason as to why it was possible.

Man that's up with that sword? It's got mana of it's own inside of it. Jayden thought.

Jayden then airched his arm into an Omni-Cannon.

"Omni-Stream!"

Jayden fired his attack at Julia. But Julia flipped over his attack with ease. Jayden kept trying but he just couldn't land a single hit on her. While she kept dodging, Julia made a dash towards him.

She's too fast! Jayden thought.

Jayden reconfigures his arm into an Omni-Blade to strike her but Julia easily avoids his attack and swiftly slashes at Jayden in the chest, cutting his armor.

Not deep enough. His armor is tougher than I thought. Julia thought.

That was close. Ever since the fight with the draugr I've worked on increasing my defense. Ziera even says the suit's durability can be improved if modified enough. Jayden thought.

"Sorry but I won't be easy to cut." Jayden quipped.

"Then it's good that cutting you wasn't my only intention." Julia retorted. Suddenly ice began to form onto Jayden's arms.

"SHIT!" Jayden cursed. Julia slowly sheaths her blade.

"Moon Dragon's Icy Fang!"

Jayden's chest was instantly encased in ice.

"GAH!" Jayden cried out. He took a knee and held his chest.

While he was down Julia dashed at Jayden and swung her sword at his head from behind. Jayden managed to dodge in time but she then kicked him square in the chest sending him flying back. Julia then sheathed her sword and got into a drawing stance.

"Moon Dragon's Ice Shards!"

Julia slashed the ground and released huge ice shards that swiftly went towards Jayden. The ice hit Jayden square in the chest and sent him flying back even further.

Jayden grunted as he tumbled across the ground hard and then finally landed on his back.

"Ugh. Maybe if I play dead she'll leave me alone?" Jayden said to himself.

"Not on your life!" Julia shouted while flying mid air.

"Moon Dragon's Winter's Roar!"

Julia unleashed her ice breath attack at Jayden. Jayden avoided her attack and flew up into the air. Below Jayden, a large portion of the area was encased in ice.

"Gods. She's powerful. I would have been done if that attack landed. No. Don't freak out. Just just concentrate and you can get through this." Jayden said to himself.

Jayden's suit began to heat up and the ice began to melt. While in the air floating in front of Jayden Julia can feel the heat radiating from his suit.

He's heating up his suit? So he can manipulate his entire body. This must be the power of Zenal and Zenith, goddess of machines. Julia thought.

Phew. That was close. But still that sword is no joke. If I'm gonna have any chance here I gotta deal with that sword of hers. Jayden thought.

"Jayden." Julia said, getting his attention. "Tell me again. Why do you fight in this war?" Julia asked.

"Like I already said, because I want to help people and give them a hero they can believe in." Jayden said.

"Then why are you still hesitating? Do you really have so little faith in your own abilities?" Julia asked.

"What!? No that's not it I just.."! Jayden tried to refute.

"*Sigh*. Pathetic." In the blink of an eye Julia blitzed right in front of Jayden. "And you dare bare your fangs at Zenal?" Julia questioned.

Before Jayden could counter he was backhanded by Julia and sent flying back.

"You dare lead your comrades into battle?"Julia hissed as she slowly drew her sword. It glowed in a bright blue color. "WITH SO LITTLE CONVICTION!?" Julia yells out as she unsheathes her blade.

"Moon Dragon's Crescent Moon!"

Julia swings her blade and unleashes a large ice slash attack towards Jayden. Jayden blocks with his arms but it cuts through his armor.

Jayden grunts as the strike pierced his armor cutting his arms and taking off parts of his mask showing his left eye.

"Shit she breached his armor!" Henro shouted.

"It's over. No matter what he does he can't attack, counter or defend against her attacks." Emilia said.

"Damn it! Jayden, just call it quits!" Henro shouted.

"He can't." Emilia said.

"What!?" Henro questioned.

"It's a duel between warriors. That means everything to a dragon kin. Their pride is on the line. The same goes for their opponent. She won't stop until he submits or is unable to continue. I understand. My tribe is just as prideful." Emilia explained.

"But what about Jayden!?" Henro questioned.

Emilia didn't turn her head away from the fight once. She nearly stiffened up a bit but dared not look away. Because this was his fight. Jayden's fight to prove himself. So she dared not disrespect the honor and pride of her friend by looking away or interfering.

Jayden. Don't give in. Please. Emilia thought.

"GAH!" Jayden grunted as Julia slashed through him again while mid air.

"You say you want to be a hero but you don't have the stomach for it! You're just a coward playing pretend aren't you!?" Julia questioned.

"Y-Your wrong! I do this to help people!" Jayden shouted as he shot a laser at her. She dodged and sliced him again.

"Don't insult me. You can lie to yourself all you like but don't you dare lie to me. I told you I don't need my sight to read you like an open book." Julia said as she flew towards Jayden again. All Jayden could do was block. She was too fast for him and her sword kept cutting through his armor.

"You are weak!" Julia slashed him.

"No." Jayden said.

"You are a coward!" Julia slashed him again.

"No!" Jayden said.

"You are undisciplined! Shortsighted! Naive! Childish! Selfish! And worst of all.."!

"SHUT UP." Jayden roared. He turned both his arms into cannons and was about to shoot her but she was gone.

"And worst of all...you're sloppy." She appeared above him. Jayden turned and tried to attack but the worst had happened.

"Moon Dragon's Crescent Moon."

Julia had unsheathed her sword and sliced off both of Jayden's arms.

"RAAAAAAAAHH!" Jayden screamed.

"JAYDEN!" Henro roared out.

Emilia's expression had scrunched up a little while she bawled up her fist.

Julia wasn't done with her assault as she did a flip and kicked Jayden square in the chest down from the sky. Before he hit the ground, Julia grabbed onto his head, pulled it down and crashed Jayden face first into the dirt causing a huge eruption.

The dust settled and there lay Jayden on his back out cold without his arms attached. Standing over him was Julia who had the moon over her head. She placed her foot on Jayden's chest and pointed her blade at her face.

"You are unworthy, Jayden Cortez." Julia said in a deadly tone.