Jayden Pov

Jayden's apartment

A few minutes before Ziera's call to Emilia

"Jayden Alejandro Cortez, there better be a damn good explanation for all of this!"

Like I said. Can this day get any worse? The answer? Yes, it very much can. I mean sure saving a pretty girl from imperial scumbags and getting the same superpowers of the heroes you have admired since you were a kid had its perks. But having to now face your very pissed off mom while standing in your now messed up apartment which by the way now has a gigantic hole in the wall, yeah not very promising.

"What happened to our apartment!? Why are there imperial soldiers here!? Who is that girl and what is that on your arm!?"

"Whoa hold on mom! We both can explain everything okay? Okay let's start over! First introductions! This is Ziera! Ziera say hi so she won't kill us herself." I whispered to her. Ziera looked at me and looked back at my mom. Hopefully she understood the dangers of a mother's wrath.

"Uh hi I'm Ziera." She understood!

"It's very nice of you and I must say you have a very.....lovely home." Okay dial it back Ziera you're just killing me now.

"Ziera? Wait as in princess Ziera!? The princess who went rogue!?"

"Yeah! But don't worry she's good! And don't let this gauntlet scare you, it saved me and her from those imperial jerks. Look it's harmle- huh?" I tried to take it off my left hand but I couldn't. Was this thing stuck? I didn't feel that tight on my wrist. What the hell?

"What? Jayden what's wrong?" My mom asked in concern.

"Jayden?" Ziera inquired

I kept pulling and pulling but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get it off. Oh shit. It's not coming off.

"Hehe. Okay both of you don't freak out but....it's stuck to my hand and I can't get it off." I nervously chuckled, playing it off as a joke to take off the tension in the air. Hopefully this strategy will pull off.

Both my mom and Ziera just stood in silence. Both just staring at me, eyes wide and all. "WHAAAAAAAAAAAT!?"

In truth, my strategy had the opposite effect. If time travel was possible, I'd go back and slap past me from 2 minutes ago.

***

After that whole ordeal, we had to leave the apartment before more soldiers arrived. Mom drove all three of us downtown to the homeless shelter. I didn't want to bring any danger to the shelter but we had nowhere else to hide that was safe. Plus, I was confident that I could fend off any imperial troops that could show up to stir trouble.

Before we left, me and Ziera changed clothes so we wouldn't stand out in our tattered outfits. I wore a black t-shirt and my black and blue hoodie. Man, I love this hoodie. Ziera borrowed some of my old clothes. She wore jeans, some sneakers and a black turtleneck.

Before we left, Ziera told me to conceal the gauntlet with something since I couldn't take it off. She didn't want the imperials to see it. So for the time being I hid my left hand in my hoodie. While in the car Ziera was talking to I assume one of her partners. Looks like they got a plan on how to get Ziera out of here which is good at least.

When we made it to the shelter, mom treated my wounds with a mana crystal. We then sat in her office and basically gave her the full rundown of what happened. Everything outside of any secrets about Ragnarok that Ziera wouldn't share. After that mom just sat there in silence processing everything. She looked exhausted. Can't say I blame her though I would be too. She clasped her hands and looked us in the eyes.

"So let me get this straight. You fell from the sky after stealing that...that weapon, my son finds you, brings you into our home, imperial soldiers show up ready to arrest you but then my son, somehow activates that weapon, knocks out an imperial officer, ends up blowing a gigantic hole through our apartment and now your trying to escape before they find you?"

Me and Ziera simultaneously just looked at each for a sec and looked back at my mom.

"Well, yeah. That's the gist of it." My mom sighed.

"Well, that's a lot to take in all at once."

"Mrs. Cortez, I sincerely apologize for getting your son involved in my affairs. That wasn't my intention but that's what happened. I begged him for help and because of that he got hurt and became a wanted fugitive. For that, I am truly sorry."

Ziera bowed her head to my mom. Truth be told I held nothing against Ziera. Yeah I got hurt and my apartment got wrecked which sucks but it's because of her that I have a new goal now. Though my mom isn't as forgiving as me. Even so I can't let Ziera take the fall for this. It's the empire's fault I got hurt not hers.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Mom, listen. I understand if you blame Ziera but please don't hold it against her. It wasn't her fault, it was the empire. They broke into our home and beat the crap out of me. Ziera even tried to defend me when she didn't even really know me. I'm sorry I scared you but please, please forgive her."

I turned my head to Ziera. She didn't stop bowing but she looked at me with a shocked look on her face. I just nodded my head showing that I had her back. She looked away and I think her face is red? Crap! I hope she didn't get sick, that mana crystal should have cured her of all ailments and injuries.

"Alright stop. My gods you're both being dramatic, it's giving me a headache. Please raise your heads." We did what she asked and looked her straight in the eye. My mom turned her head to face Ziera who looked nervous and then back at me.

"Look Jayden, why don't you go see if any of the people here need help with something while you let me talk to Ziera alone for a bit okay? I can't have a woman to woman talk with you over here playing lawyer."

I looked at Ziera and she nodded in agreement. Well mom does have a point. Ziera can handle herself and I don't think mom will bite her head off right? Right? In all honesty when my mom was pissed, she was scarier than Zenal himself. But nonetheless I accepted. "Okay, I'll be down stairs if you guys need me." I got up and left the office. Hopefully there will be an office by the time they're done.

***

Ziera Pov

After Jayden left, both I and Mrs. Cortez just sat there in her office in silence for a minute or two. But to me it felt like hours. I didn't want to show it but this whole ordeal is insanely nerve wracking.

I looked back up to meet her gaze. Yikes. I can barely look her in the eye. This truly is a terrifying opponent you've encountered today huh Ziera? I can see why Jayden was scared out of his mind. Honestly, I could relate. I grew up with my big sister after all. Pissing her off was not fun.

"Ziera? Are you listening?" I snapped out of my daydream and looked back at her.

"Oh! I'm sorry I was distracted. Forgive me."

"Enough apologizing, it's fine. But now I need you to listen because I'm only gonna say this once. Understand?" I nodded. Whatever she says goes. She could have turned me in but she didn't so she deserves my respect.

"Good. Now listen up, nothing, and I mean nothing comes between me and my son. Accident or not you brought danger to both my home and to Jayden. If he had been killed because he was trying to help you, we'd be having a very different conversation right now."

I tensed up a bit, cringing to myself and balling my hands. She has every right to hate me. I don't deserve less. If I had been smarter on the mission, if I hadn't gotten myself injured, Jayden wouldn't have found me and he wouldn't have gotten hurt.

Yes he unleashed Ragnarok's power but what if he hadn't? I wanted to fight those soldiers myself but what if he had gotten killed in the crossfire? No, that's just an excuse. I should have tried harder. Why? Why does this keep happening when I let people in?

["It's your own fault for being born Ziera"].

No!

["He died because of you. You have no one else to blame but yourself"].

Please stop!

["How many more have to die in order for you to live, Ziera? Do you really think your life matters!?"].

STOP IT!

"Hey! Stop spacing out!" I snapped out of it and looked back at Mrs. Cortez. God dammit. Why now of all times did that have to happen?

"I'm sor-." I couldn't finish nor look her in the eye anymore. I forgot she didn't want to hear any more apologies. What's wrong with me? I've been showing too much emotion lately. I need to control myself. If she condemns me, I have to accept it. Mrs. Cortez sighed.

"What I was going to say was while all of that is true, my son is right." Instantly I looked back at her. What did she say? Is she...is she serious?

"What? Don't act so surprised I'm not a monster ya know? You were in danger and needed help. So my son helped you. If I were in his position, I can't say I wouldn't have done the same. Heh. I'll admit he gets his stubbornness from me. He's a Cortez after all. It's in our blood. We don't give up or surrender, no matter who or what stands in our way." I was stunned. I had already accepted that she would curse me and condemn me for putting Jayden in danger. Why? Why was she not cursing me? I don't..

I didn't have time to process as Mrs. Cortez got up from her seat and walked over towards me. I tensed up waiting for her to attack me but no she just...she just hugged me.

"You don't need to hold back. You forget, I'm a mother. I know a child in pain when I see one."

"N-no. I-I".

"Look, I don't know your situation. Or why the empire is after you, but I know that it's never a crime to help people. No matter who they are or where they are from, here in Lockwood we are a community. When there's trouble, we look after each other. When we're down, we pick each other up. When someone comes after one of us, they have to go through all of us." She pulled back, cupped my cheeks and looked at me with a bright smile.

"It's not just Jayden, all these people here whom I've known my entire life are like family to me. You never turn your back on your family." She then looked at her wedding ring.Blushing as she touched it with her finger. "The most amazing man in the world taught this whole community that."

"But...but I'm not.."

"Yes you are. You may be new but the moment you set foot in Lockwood and get treated by one of our own that makes you one of us. Don't worry, I don't hold what happened against you. Because no one should be condemned for wanting to live".

As those words left her mouth, I didn't even notice that I began tearing up. I tried to stop myself but it wouldn't let up. She hugged me again tight and I let her. Finally giving in and hugging her back.

"Let it out girl. I meant what I said. Even if it's not us, I know there are people out there who will accept you for who you really are. No one like you, deserves to be alone."

No she's wrong. She doesn't know. The things I've I've done. The lives I've ruined. The people I've hurt. The friends I've...I've.... So she can't be right in saying that I don't deserve to be alone. She can't be. Right?

Still, first Jayden and Maria, either these two are crazy or there are people out there who won't condemn my existence. Ones that will accept me. Maybe.

***

Emilia POV

"Henro, come on! We have to get going!"

"Keep your shirt on Em, I'm coming."

I just puffed my cheeks. Right now me and Henro are boarding our drop ship to head down to Lockwood. I sat in the pilot chair and turned everything on, getting ready for lift off.

Not too long ago I finally managed to get into contact with Ziera after worrying about her safety for hours. She told me that both she and the new Ragnarok weidler relocated downtown Lockwood. When our phone call ended, I immediately traced her signal and it's currently located at some homeless shelter. But that's not important.

What's important is we know where Ziera is and can get her out before the empire has both her and Ragnarok. I just wish Henro felt the same level of urgency like I did. He's just leaning back in the co-pilot seat with his feet kicked up without a care in the world.

"This is serious Henro. Ziera is in real danger. Not to mention the news about this new Ragnarok wielder, Tenjin still hasn't messaged back, and the empire is right on our tail so can you please stay focused?"

"Relax, will ya? I know what's at stake but getting stressed over it won't change anything. It's the empire we're fighting after all. Things were bound to go awry."

He has a point. The stakes were high but losing my cool will just complicate things. Even so I just wanted him to be safe. But arguing won't fix anything either so I just took a breath.

"I know. I don't mean to lecture you but at least please try not to do anything reckless okay?"

"Ha! Says you. I'm the most cautious one on the team. After all, I'm the one who does all the healing around here. So do your utmost to protect my dear knight!" He said as he gave a wink and thumbs up in my direction.

Honestly, Henro could really learn to have some tact. He has a knack for pushing people's buttons. Though I didn't mind this side of him. It's good to have a partner with some levity so I just played along.

"Hmmm. Okay, I understand! Since you're so cautious with your health I'll make you your favorite meal tonight. The Em Surprise!"

"LIKE HELL YOU WILL! You know that crap gives me indigestion!"

"Hey language! Besides you said you liked it the last time didn't you?"

"Well yeah but-." Henro was starting to sweat. Seems he's run out of shots to fire.

"Then the matter is settled! I hope your stomach is empty because after that comment I'm making two bowls just for you! Now let's be off!" As the hangar doors opened, the engines from our dropship activated and we set off flying through the skies heading to Lockwood.

"Ya know you may act like an angel but you're actually a devil yourself ya know that?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Emilia was genuinely confused.

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