Garuda arc

Republic Warship

Ryoka and Julia's room

Ryoka had woken up from her slumber. Stretching her and letting out a loud yawn. Her hair was a mess and she was completely naked under her blanket. She looked down and saw Julia peacefully sleeping on her chest. Ryoka blushed and smiled as she gently brushed her girlfriend's hair.

Ryoka always would try to wake herself up first just so she could see Julia like this. But it was that time of the morning so she had to unfortunately wake her up. Ryoka gently nudged Julia's body.

"Rise and shine, beautiful." Ryoka said. Julia began to grunt and then slowly open her clouded eyes. She looked up at Ryoka and smiled.

"Good Morning Ryoka." Julia said with a bright smile. Her hair was also a mess but much less so.

"Good Morning to you too Jewel." Ryoka said back with a toothy grin.

They pecked each on the lips. Ryoka kept smooching Julia on her cheek, making Julia blushed.

"Stop it Ryoka." Julia said with a giggle.

"Stop being so damn pretty and maybe I'll think about it." Ryoka teased.

"Flattery won't get me to have sex with you again." Julia said.

"Well it's worked for me so far." Ryoka retorted.

"Try me." Julia challenged with a grin as she put on her bra.

"Okay. Did I ever mention that you are the most beautiful girl in the world?" Ryoka asked.

"You have. For the past 4 years since we've met. You can do better than that." Julia said as she put on her panties.

"Oh yeah? Then how about the deadliest?" Ryoka asked as she put on her bra.

"In battle, right?" Julia asked

"Sure let's go with that." Ryoka said. Julia lightly laughed.

"Well as tempting as that would be no. We should start breakfast and then do our morning sparring sessions while the day is still early." Julia said as she began putting on her samurai robe next.

"True. Just you, me and a training room waiting to be destroyed. Haha!" Ryoka laughed.

"Actually, I was going to ask Emilia and the others to join us this time." Julia said.

"Oh. You really wanna fight Emilia that badly after she challenged me huh?" Ryoka asked with a smirk and raised eyebrow.

"That's part of it. But I am genuinely interested in how capable a Garuda warrior is. And I'd like to test my skills against a Fallen's power as well." Julia said.

"Oh I wouldn't waste my time on that loser. He's so weak you could just blow on him and he'd shatter into glass." Ryoka said.

Julia frowned at Ryoka's comment.

"You shouldn't speak about him like that Ryoka. He may be part demon but like it or not he's on this team along with us. You can at least show him the proper respect." Julia said.

"Oh come Jewel you know what I'm saying is true. He talks big but he'll never back up. Plus I've seen his magic. It's nothing special and neither is he. That guy is beneath you." Ryoka said.

"Enough." Julia said sternly.

"What?" Ryoka asked.

"I have tolerated your ill behavior towards Ziera because you had reasoning behind it. But I'm not going to stand here and listen to you ridicule Henro because you look down on his kind." Julia said harshly. Ryoka raised her hands defensively.

"Jewel come on. I was just joking. It's not a big deal." Ryoka said.

"It is a big deal. You shouldn't judge him because of his race or how he fights. It would be one thing if he were a coward but that's not the case. And furthermore, not everything is a joke Ryoka. Working with this team is important to my mission. The last one I received from both my master and my empress. Is that a "joke" to you too?" Julia asked with an angry look on her face.

Ryoka looked hurt but she understood how Julia felt. She may be harsh but she would never dare try to hurt Julia's feelings on purpose. Let alone get in the way of her goal.

"No! No it's not. Jewel, I'm sorry. I know how much this mission means to you. I won't mess it up for you I promise." Ryoka said as she gently grabbed Julia's hand.

"So you'll behave?" Julia asked with a raised eyebrow.

"As best I can!" Ryoka said with a toothy blushing grin. Julia sighed.

"Fair enough. Just please take this more seriously, okay? For me?" Julia asked.

"Anything for you Jewel. I promise." Ryoka said sincerely. Julia blushed back at her.

"Thank you." Julia said with a smile.

"Just you wait. From this moment on I'll be the most serious girlfriend you could ever ask for on this mission." Ryoka said proudly.

"I appreciate it but that's really not necessary-."

"Yep I know you're speechless. I promise you there will be no more fuck ups from me on this ship." Ryoka said enthusiastically.

Not a moment later the couple heard a knock at the door. Ryoka sniffed to see who's scent it belonged to.

"Oh it's Em. Wonder what she wants?" Ryoka asked.

Julia was about to finish tying up her hair into a ponytail when suddenly she smelled something. While she couldn't see, her sense of smell was much stronger than that of a regular dragon kin. Even stronger than Ryoka's.

She hadn't noticed at first when talking to Ryoka but when Julia went under the bed she smelled a familiar fragrance. She went under the bed and pulled out...

"Oh no. RYOKA WAIT!" Julia shouted. But it was too late. Ryoka had already opened the door in front of Emilia.

"Sup? What do you want?" Ryoka asked casually.

"Good morning Ryoka! I was wondering if you and Julia could-OH MY GUARDIANS!" Emilia screamed and jumped back when she looked down. Her face was more red than a tomato. Ryoka raised an eyebrow at Emilia.

"What's with you?" Ryoka asked.

"Ryoka." Julia said sternly.

"What did I do?" Ryoka asked defensively.

What Julia had in her hand and held up for Ryoka to see were her panties. Ryoka had forgotten to put them on. Ryoka looked down and realized why Emilia freaked out.

"Oh." Ryoka said in disbelief. Ryoka then looked back at Emilia who laid flat on her back on the floor out cold. Blood poured out from her nose. "Fuck." Ryoka cursed.

Julia groaned and facepalmed. Ryoka laughed nervously.

"Okay. Starting now, no more fuck ups." Ryoka said as she rubbed the back of her head.

***

Republic Warship

Command Center

Emilia and Ziera had gathered all of their teammates and Tenjin at the command center where they would announce their idea to the group. Emilia had two large paper towels clogged up her bleeding nose.

"Seriously, is Em okay? Why is her nose bleeding so badly?" Jayden asked.

"Who could say!?" Ryoka asked and whistled it off nervously. Julia merely rolled her clouded eyes.

"Quiet everyone. Now thank you all for coming. Earlier this morning me and Emilia talked and we decided that in order for us to improve our teamwork, we shall be hosting, are you ready Em?" Ziera asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be! We are here to announce..." Emilia said excitedly.

"TEAM BONDING EXERCISES!" Ziera and Emilia shouted simultaneously.

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The group stood there in silence. Ryoka coughed.

"I'm out." Henro said as he walked away. Ziera stretched her metallic arm and grabbed onto Henro. Making him stay.

"Sorry but this is mandatory. As your leader I'm asserting my authority and having you all participate whether any of you like it or not." Ziera said sternly. Emilia laughed nervously.

"What she meant to say is that we would both appreciate your cooperation. Now that Ryoka and Julia have joined us we'll have to adjust how our team operates so that we can be ready for the challenges ahead." Emilia said.

"And not just for upcoming battles, there will be situations where you can combine your skill sets to survive. But you can't be comfortable and stick with the same partner like always. In war you have to adapt. Which means during this exercise we are going to switch things up and have you work with a member you are not in sync with. Tenjin, we would like you to witness this event personally." Ziera explained.

"Okay. I'll bite. If you two think this will be effective then I'll leave it in both your hands." Tenjin said.

Ziera and Emilia smiled at each other and nodded.

"So for this exercise, we'll have two teams individually led by the two of us." Ziera said.

"After that, we'll assign our team's trials to complete." Emilia said.

"Well that makes sense. I'm down. I'll take whatever experience I can get." Jayden said.

"I don't know. I just know a catch is coming." Henro said.

"Aw you scared of getting paired with me horn hea-uh" Ryoka stopped herself when she felt a deadly aura coming from her girlfriend. "Nevermind." Ryoka said sheepishly. Henro had the biggest smug smile on his face.

"Hmph. Whipped." Henro jeered.

"What! Why you!" Ryoka growled.

Jayden unfortunately was caught in the middle of their spat.

If Perseus is still alive, just please, don't be me on the same team as these two. Jayden thought.

Ziera clapped her hands to gather their attention.

"Enough chit chat. Time to get to work. When we call your name, stand by our side." Ziera said.

"Julia." Ziera said. Julia nodded and went by Ziera's side.

"Ryoka." Emilia said. Ryoka shrugged. She went and stood by Emilia's side.

"Jayden." Ziera said. Jayden had a breath of relief.

"Wait. No." Henro said.

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me!" Ryoka shouted.

"Henro!' Emilia called out.

The teams were set. Ziera would lead her team consisting of both Jayden and Julia. While Emilia would lead her team consisting of both Henro and Ryoka.

"FUCK ME!" Ryoka and Henro shouted simultaneously.

***

Fury's Warship: The Fenrir

Hours after Garō was healed and restored to his original form, Fury had him relocated to one of the guest rooms. Garō was to not be disturbed by anyone other than Fury or Circe.

By that very morning, Circe and one of her yokai with a tray of food in his hands paid him a visit.

Red butterflies made of mana fluttered around Circe as she was humming to herself and lightly knocked on Garō's door.

"Garō. It's me. I'm with a friend of mine. We have brought you breakfast. May we come in?" Circe asked.

"Fine." Garō said. His voice was still distorted and sounded nothing like his original voice.

Circe opened the door and entered the guest room with her yokai following her. There they found Garō sitting on a couch in the dark. He was wearing an imperial uniform which consisted of a red and black trench coat, black pants and black boots.

He noticed the two entering the room and looked up at them with his one blue eye. Circe slightly pulled up her dress and took a slight bow.

"Good morning to you Garō. How are you feeling?" Circe asked.

"About the same. Everything still hurts. I'm still not back at full strength so my healing factor isn't working yet. These clothes you gave me suck, I can't see out of my right eye and my voice still doesn't sound right. Other than that I'm just peachy." Garō said.

"I see. Well I hope some breakfast will turn that frown upside down. Allow me to introduce you to my faithful servant. Gitsune." Circe said.

Gitsune is a yokai with the appearance of a muscular old man with brown eyes, white hair, and white beard. He wore a black suit, black tie, white pants, black shoes and white gloves. He took a light bow towards Garō and presented him with his meal.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, sir Garō. I am Gitsune. The chief of staff to mistress Circe. At your service." Gitsune said as he placed the plate of food on the coffee table in front of Garō. He sniffed it.

"Human flesh." Garō said.

"Cooked well done with a touch of seasoning. Followed by rice, carrots and a cup of tea. A good nutrition to give you back your strength sir. Enjoy." Gitsune said.

"Please try it. Gitsune is my loyal and faithful servant. Besides his skilled management of the other servants, his cooking is nothing short of perfection." Circe said with a proud smile.

"I am not worthy of such praise." Gitsune said as he bowed to Circe. Circe laughed.

"Oh stop! Take the compliment Gitsune. You've more than earned it for your years of service!" Circe said.

"You honor me with your kind words, mistress." Gitsune said. Circe then turned her focus back to Garō and noticed that he had already finished eating. He had practically licked his plate clean.

"Oh. Done already? You must have been famished. How was it?" Circe asked.

"Not bad. Thanks." Garō said.

"It was my pleasure." Gitsune said. Circe clapped her hands together and got all giddy.

"Excellent! Now that you have had your meal, allow me to do you another favor and heal up that body of yours!?" Circe asked.

"I don't remember asking you for favors, witch." Garō said bitterly. Circe had an amused smile.

"You didn't have to. This is merely a kind gesture from a friend. Despite what you may think of me, I am here for you." Circe said.

"We're not friends. And I'm not stupid. You may have given me back my body but I know from stories of what your kind is capable of. Witches always want something back in return. The question is, what do you want from me?" Garō asked. Circe gasped in an exaggerated and cartoonish manner.

"EGAG! You wound me! What have I ever done for you to treat me so coldly? I even brought you the cooked flesh of those human villagers for you! Oh Gitsune! Please tell me! What's wrong with me!? Where did I go wrong!?" Circe asked with tears in her eyes and hugging Gitsune tightly.

"You have done nothing wrong, mistress. Your heart is pure." Gitsune said. Garō watched the whole exchange with utter embarrassment.

"Kiss ass." Garō said. Circe wiped her tears and coughed. She turned back to Garō and had her smug demeanor again.

"Anyways my adorable new companion. I told you before. I understand how you feel and want to offer my services to you in exchange for yours. And unlike most witches, I'll have you know that I am a woman of my word. Circe said. She reached out her right hand forward and read mana glowed around her body.

"Grant thee thy blessing. I summon thee: "Mother of the Azalea Forest" Tama!" Circe chanted.

A bright red magic circle appeared on the ground and enveloped the cell in a bright red light. Out came a beautiful middle aged woman with long white hair, red eyes, white fox ears on her head, nine long fox tails with their fur tips being red on her backside and she donned a long white and red kimono. In her right hand she carried a golden tsuge kiseru smoking pipe.

Tama was in fact the former guardian of the azalea forest. It was said by Arkin, the current guardian, that she was taken by Circe when she invaded the forest. Leaving her only child behind. Garō was a bit shocked that she was here in the flesh.

"Wait a second. Did you just say the queen of the Azalea Forest!? How did you manage to get her!?" Garō asked.

"That is correct. I found Tama in that pesky old forest. Then whisked her away to have a chance at a better life. Just like I did with you." Circe said.

"Whisked her away huh? Yeah right. You probably swindled her into working for you." Garō said feeling unconvinced. Circe waved him off.

"Details, details. Now Tama, heal our wounded friend if you please?" Circe asked.

"Tsk. Shove it. Brat." Tama spat.

"Huh?" Garō asked in confusion. Circe nervously laughed.

"Tama, what did we discuss earlier about being civil around our clients?" Circe asked in a forced polite tone.

"This is me being civil, you stupid hussy." Tama said nonchalantly. Veins were popping out of Circe's forehead. She was practically forcing herself to keep smiling.

The hell? She's Circe's yokai and yet she talked back? Garō thought.

"Lady Tama. I please ask that you refrain from such vulgar behavior towards our mistress. It is unbecoming." Gitsune said sternly.

"Oh piss off you old geezer. Like I give a shit what Circe's number 1 bootlicker thinks." Tama said as she smoked from her smoking pipe.

"Haha. What did you say?" Circe asked with an irritated tone. Tama was looking at her nails and then gave a death stare to Circe.

"Are you deaf? Do I have to spell it out to you? I told you, my brat of a mistress, to shove it. You get me? You wannabe witch." Tama said with a smug smirk on her face.

The whole room went silent. Even Garō was kinda nervous about what could happen next. Circe took a deep breath and then ripped some of her hair out.

"WANNABE!?" Circe screamed. She finally lost her composure to Garō"s surprise. "Why you ungrateful, disgusting, spiteful, old bitc-!"

"Language. Now who's being uncivil? So childish." Tama said mockingly with a raised eyebrow.

"You started it! How dare you speak to me this way! I am your master! Circe yelled out and pointed at Tama. Tama smacked her finger away and blew her smoke in Circe's face.

"I don't remember accepting such a bratty little girl like you as my master. The other yokai may eat up your bullshit but as far as I'm concerned, the only thing you got going for you is your body. Then again, knowing you, those fat sacks of meat are probably fake." Tama snickered.

Circe gasped at Tama's insult and covered her chest. Garō chuckled.

"What!? Garō!" Circe shouted in embarrassment. Circe growled at Tama as Tama continued to laugh at her. Gitsune then coughed to get all of their attention.

"Forgive me for interrupting. But we should hurry this along now mistress. Sir Fury is awaiting our arrival." Gitsune said. Circe sighed.

"Right. Tama, heal Garō before I rearrange your soul and turn you into my footstool." Circe ordered. Tama rolled her eyes.

"Whatever you say, mistress." Tama said sarcastically.

Tama stood over Garō. The color of the smoke from her pipe became blue. She blew at Garō and it covered his body. His injuries were fully healed in a nanosecond. Even his right eye was fixed. He opened it and it was red as opposed to his left eye which was blue. Garō looked at his body and then stood up.

"So? How do you feel?" Tama asked.

"I feel..refreshed. Like...I'm almost back to who I was. Before Silas and Henro took it away from me. So this is the healing magic of the legendary kitsune of the forest. Thank you." Garō said. Tama bowed her head and turned it towards Circe.

"I take it, I'm done here?" Tama asked.

"Yes you may go. Shew, shew." Circe waved off.

"Gladly. Best of luck to you, mistress. You'll have as much success with this mission as you would at finding a man. Oh wait. Ahahaha!" Tama laughed as she disappeared in a red glow. Circe got overly angry again.

"OH YEAH!? Well have fun stalking old men at the retirement you came from! YOU LONELY OLD BITCH!" Circe screamed. She then huffed and puffed rapidly trying to catch her breath.

"Please calm yourself mistress. Remember your blood pressure." Gitsune said.

"Funny. I thought all your yokai were extremely obedient to you?" Garō asked. Gistune gently placed a hand on Circe's right shoulder. Circe looked at him and a deep breath. She fixed up her hair and then retained her confident smile as she looked at Garō.

"Yes, well, the stronger ones still try to bite the hand that feeds them. Now enough prattling. Fury wants you to meet him in the training room." Circe said as she walked towards the door.

"What for?" Garō asked. Circe turned her head at Garō and smiled at him seductively.

"To reach the next level darling. One that will get you closer to reaching your prey." Circe said. Garō clenched his fists and had a fierce look in his eyes.

"Finally." Garō said.

***

Meanwhile, in the outskirts of the rocky mountains. There was a mysterious figure hiding behind a large pillar. This person was looking directly at the republic warship where Jayden and his friends stayed. He took out his communicator and spoke.

"General. I have located the targets." The man said.

"Do you have visual confirmation on them?" The general on the other line asked.

"No. But that is the only republic warship in this area. I'm certain it's the one that escaped from imperial territory." The man said.

"Then for now stay out of sight. Observe for now until we can make our move." The general ordered.

"And what of the imperial series following them?" The man asked.

"A squad has been sent to watch them. Don't worry, when the time comes, neither the Republic or the Empire will be ready for what's coming. Now stay on task." The general spoke.

"Yes sir. For the pride of the Garuda tribe, we will not fail." The man said. He grew his wings and flew away into the air.