Garuda arc

Ziera's Team:

"Ten hut, cadets!" Ziera shouted.

Jayden and Julia stood in attention. Jayden did so out of fear. Julia just played along for the fun of it.

"Alright, listen up. Before you two embark on this obstacle course, we're gonna run some drills first. So I'll lay out the plan of attack. Cadet Cortez!" Ziera shouted.

"Yes sir! I mean ma'am!" Jayden saluted.

"Good. I'll get straight to the point then. You suck at fighting, cadet. Do you deny this!?" Ziera questioned.

"No ma'am! You are right! I do suck!" Jayden shouted.

"That's right. But that stops now. I've been too lenient on you for a while so it's time for some real discipline. Cadet Tatsuya! You are going to mentor Jayden for a bit. Teach him how to work with others properly and help him get his shit together! Is that understood, cadet!?" Ziera questioned.

"Yes. Understood." Julia said calmly.

"Is that understood, cadet Cortez!?" Ziera yelled out.

"YES MA'AM!" Jayden shouted.

"Good. But remember in battle anything can go wrong. The enemy won't play by your rules so be prepared for anything. Now get moving!" Ziera shouted with a confident smile. Ziera then noticed that Jayden was staring at her. "What's with that look? You gotta a problem?"

"Nah. It's just uh..well." Jayden couldn't find the right words.

"Just spit it out already. If you have something to say to me then say it." Ziera demanded.

"It's just after everything that's happened, it's nice to see you smile again." Jayden smiled back.

Ziera blushed. Feeling a bit embarrassed. Julia took notice of both of their feelings.

Ziera coughed and turned away.

"Whatever. I'm hanging back so get started already." Ziera walked off not wanting Jayden to notice her slightly flustered face.

While she walked away, Ziera thought back to Emilia's words.

"Me, Henro and even Ryoka and Julia see it and they're new. You've had your eyes on Jayden for a while." Emilia pointed at Ziera.

Ziera's face grew more red as she began to growl to herself.

"S-Shut up Emilia!" Ziera said to herself.

Meanwhile, Jayden and Julia were left alone with each other. Julia giggled to herself.

"Hey. What's so funny?" Jayden asked. Julia had her eyes shut and smiled when she responded.

"Nothing. It's just adorable. The bond you two share. It reminds me of my relationship with Ryoks. Though much less violent." Julia said.

"I bet. But Ziera and I are just friends. That's all." Jayden said.

"Is that so? Last time I checked, friends don't stare at each other's butts when they get the chance." Julia said. Jayden's face was flushed red.

"I DON'T STARE AT HER BUTT! And how would you know anyway!?" Jayden questioned.

"I don't. That was just a lucky guess. So I was right then?" Julia asked.

"NO! YOU WEREN'T!" Jayden yelled out. Julia giggled.

"Right. Well, let's not waste anymore time. Transform if you please." Julia asked as she pulled out her sword and aimed it at Jayden. Jayden calmed down and sighed.

"Right." Jayden said.

"RAGNAROK: Omni-Suit"

"Good. Let's start with your reflexes. Try not to lose your limbs this time will you?" Julia asked with a smirk.

***

Emilia's Team:

Back to Emilia and her team. Henro was punched hard in the face by Ryoks. Cracking his jaw.

Henro was sent flying back, Ryoka while laughing maniacally, dashed towards Henro trying to punch him again.

Henro went into his shadow and dodged the attack. Leaving Ryoka to punch and destroy a stone pillar. Henro reappeared from his shadow behind her. He healed his jaw.

"Fucking psycho! Are you trying to take my head off!?" Henro shouted. Ryoka turned to face him.

"Uh duh? That's kinda the point isn't it?" Ryoka asked sarcastically. Ryoka then picked up a large piece of the pillar and threw it at Henro.

"Whoa!' Henro shouted as he dodged the pillar. Ryoka followed it up by throwing fireballs at Henro.

"Dark Magic: Black Curtain!" Henro casted a giant black shadow that swallowed the flames. It went down to swallow Ryoka but Ryoka propelled herself with her flames to dodge the shadow.

In a split second Ryoka was right next to Henro. Henro tried to cast another shadow but he wasn't fast enough. Ryoka punched Henro in the gut. Then follows it up with five more punches in the stomach and then sends him flying with an uppercut. Henro spat out blood.

Ryoka then jumped up and grabbed Henro by his leg and tried to throw him down onto the ground. Before he hit the ground, Henro casted a shadow from below and fell in. Ryoka turned to face him.

"Ugh! Those shadows are so damn annoying." Ryoka complained. Henro appeared a few feet behind her trying to catch his breath. "Tired already? What a joke. Ziera gave me a better fight than this. You won't even make a decent appetizer." Ryoka said.

"Sorry that I'm not meeting your expectations, but fighting in close quarters against a dragon-kin isn't my speciality." Henro said.

"Oh? So what is your speciality then horn head? Running away? Like a coward!?" Ryoka roared as she dashed towards him again.

Henro readied his shadow and Ryoka engulfed her fists with flames. But before they could make contact with each other, Emilia flew down in between them, stood on her hands and swiftly kicked both Henro and Ryoka in their faces.

Henro fell over while Ryoka staggered back a little. Emilia swiftly ran up towards her, stood on her hands again, wrapped Ryoka's head with her legs and threw her whole body back towards Henro crashing into him.

Emilia stood back up and wiped her hands. She then turned and faced the two on the ground with a bright smile.

"Congratulations! You both failed miserably! I'm completely and utterly disgusted with both of you!" Emilia said in a cheery voice.

Henro didn't know if she was being sarcastic. And that only scared him more. Ryoka was just annoyed at the whole thing.

"Oh come on! How is it my fault this wimp is holding me back!?" Ryoka complained.

"Says the girl who can't follow simple directions. Now get off me you're-"

"If you finish that sentence I swear I will rip off your-"

"Enough! Ryoka, maybe Henro wouldn't be holding you back if you actually worked with him instead of fighting against him. I told you at the beginning. In a battle, you must be prepared for anything. Like sneak attacks for example. But you two would rather fight each other than the enemy. How is that in any way better?" Emilia asked sternly. Ryoka got off Henro and stood up in a huff.

"Bah! Whatever. This whole thing is a farce. I would never have this problem if I was fighting alongside Jewel." Ryoka had her hands on her hips.

"Well sorry I'm not your girlfriend princess. But I got my limits. There's only so much I can do to reach your standards." Henro argued.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"Cry me a river. That's not your problem. Ziera and Emilia over here are not nearly as strong as me but I can fight alongside them just fine. They are real warriors. So they get it. Jayden's a novice and he's got Jewel and Ziera to teach him. But you? You're so weak you're practically a liability." Ryoka argued.

"Oh you wanna talk about liabilities!? You've got so many problems I can name a whole list!" Henro pointed at her.

"Oh-ho! This I gotta hear! Alright half and half hit me!"

"Okay. Why don't we start with your temper hmm? Because you call me a liability when you go around picking fights with everyone or everything you see! Oh let's not even talk about your prejudice. Wow you hate demons? How original. You want a medal? And you keep hyping yourself up like your hot shit. News flash? Nobody here cares how strong, or hot, or badass you are. You're nothing special. You are the most violent, obnoxious, self centered, egotistical, and psychotic woman I ever met in my entire life!" Henro said.

"..........................So you think I'm hot?" Ryoka asked with a grin.

"For fucks sake!" Henro cursed. Ryoka shrugged and looked at her nails boredly.

"Look tall, dark and gloomy. I appreciate the compliments but frankly, I don't give a shit what you think of me. I do what I want. When I want. That's how it's always been for me and my kind. Unlike yours." Ryoka pointed at him.

"Watch it." Henro warned.

"Or what? You gonna run to your girlfriend over here? Let's get something straight, loser. Without that fancy healing magic of yours, you're just dead weight." Ryoka sneered and poked his chest. Henro smacked her hand away and growled at her.

"Call me that again." Henro warned. Emilia got in between them again and pushed both back.

"Alright that's enough! Both of you! For crying out loud can't we go one week without infighting!? Look Ryoka, you promised me that you would try to behave and work with us did you not?" Emilia asked.

"Yeah? But he's not making that easy." Ryoka argued.

"I'm not making it easy!? You tried to take my head off!" Henro yelled out.

"So what? You would have grown it back anyway. Don't be a baby." Ryoka responded.

"Actually Henro has a point, Ryoka. The point of your two sparring was for you to both know what you can and can't do so that you may work together in overcoming your weaknesses." Emilia said. Ryoka crossed her arms and laughed.

"HA! Weaknesses!? I don't have any weaknesses sweetheart!" Ryoka said with a smug smile.

"Oh really? How about you going gung ho without any regard for your teammates? Acting like that puts the lives of your comrades in danger. Do you really care so little for those around you?" Emilia asked.

Ryoka looked angry but didn't answer. She just huffed and looked away. Emilia then turned to face Henro.

"And Henro, I get she can be...a challenge to work with but you have to try harder. The last time you had problems with your teammates it didn't go well for any of us. Do you want to repeat that same mistake?" Emilia asked.

"No." Henro answered.

"Then let's stop fighting each other and fight together. I know it's difficult but I know we can make this work. I have faith in both of you." Emilia said with a smile.

Ryoka and Henro looked at each other. Then they turned away scoffing. Emilia made the same tired smiling expression.

This could take awhile. Emilia thought.

"Why don't we shift gears and take a break? Here I got an idea! Let's all sit down and get to know each other better?" Emilia said as she made the two sit down on the ground with her.

"Oh-ho! You want to hear more of my epic tales of venture?" Ryoka asked.

"Sure I could use the nap." Henro responded. Emilia nudged him.

"Why don't we start small. So Ryoka, how did you learn how to fight like that?" Emilia asked.

"Well I always knew how to fight ever since I popped out from the womb. True story by the way. I killed a giant when I was only a few days old." Ryoka bragged.

"Wow, so exciting. Did you steal it's lunch money too?" Henro asked.

"Nah. My cousins did though. But anyways. I didn't learn how to properly fight until I turned 12 years old. That's when I met my mentor." Ryoka said.

"Your mother didn't teach you?" Emilia asked.

"..........". Ryoka stayed silent.

"Ryoka?" Emilia asked.

"No. She wasn't interested." Ryoka said bitterly.

"Oh. I see." Emilia said sadly.

Oh no. Did I go too far? Of course her mother would be a touchy subject. What was I thinking? Emilia thought to herself.

Henro noticed things were starting to get awkward so he coughed.

"So what happened next? How did you and your mentor meet?" Henro asked.

"We met after my mother died. She found me on the battlefield beaten and bruised by my uncle's knights." Ryoka said.

"You're uncle's knights? Why would he send his men to hurt you!?" Emilia asked.

"Why else? I already told you that I'm the true heir to the throne. With me and my mother out of the way, he can take the crown for himself." Ryoka said.

"But that's horribly! And cowardly! What honor could there be in killing a child after she lost her mother!? Let alone sending grunts to do the dirty work!?" Emilia yelled out.

"Why are you getting so fired up? It had nothing to do with you." Ryoka said.

"It doesn't matter if it does or not. A battle between warriors is sacred. It should be done with honor and respect. That is a creed my people have followed for over thousands of years! To desecrate it like that is.....it's unforgivable!" Emilia yelled out.

Damn Emilia. Looks like I was right about you. Your heart burns with the fire of a true warrior. Kinda reminds me of Jewel. Hmmmm. I know she's cute and all but what is this feeling? Intrigue or..... Ryoka thought to herself and smiled.

"Ryoka?" Emilia asked. Ryoka broke from her thoughts.

"Nothing." Ryoka waved off. "Anyways. Afterward I confronted my uncle and then I was banished. Even though I was a handful I couldn't be executed publicly. I am the daughter of a former guardian after all. So after that I went after my mentor and demanded that she make me stronger. She refused at first and then beat the crap out of me. But after some convincing I won her over, trained, became stronger, we parted ways and that was that." Ryoka said.

"Wow. She sounds....strict huh?" Emilia asked. Ryoka began to stiffen up a bit.

"Ha. You have no idea. She was a real stone cold bitch. LIke Jewel but not in a fun way." Ryoka said.

"And you haven't seen her since?" Emilia asked.

"Nope." Ryoka said.

"Do you miss her?" Emilia asked carefully.

Ryoka didn't answer. She just looked down at the ground.

"I'm sorry if that was too much I-!"

"Stop apologizing so much. It's annoying." Ryoka said in frustration.

"Sorry. I mean not sorry! Wait sorry hold on! Oh my guardians! I-"

"Ugh! You're about to be sorry in a second. Come here!" Ryoka shouted and jumped towards Emilia.

"Wait!" But it was too late. Ryoka leaped onto Emilia straddling her and pinned her to the ground. She began tickling Emilia on all sides.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA! RYOKA! STOP! PLEASE!" Emilia begged as she cried out in laughter.

"No way! Consider this payback for you shoving that dagger in my face!" Ryoka laughed out.

"AHAHAHAHAHAH! I'M SORRY! NO WAIT! I DIDN'T! HAHAHA! MERCY!" Emilia continued to laugh and shake under Ryoka who kept tickling her.

Henro watched the whole thing and began to laugh too. Ryoka took notice and stopped tickling Emilia but kept her arms pinned above her head.

"Oh-ho! So you can smile huh emo?" Ryoka asked with a toothy grin.

'Hmph. Please I'm not that emo. Have you seen me go off on this team? I'm practically the comedian around here." Henro bragged.

"Uh huh. What do you think, Emilia? Emilia?" Ryoka asked. Emilia was dizzy and catching her breath from all the excessive tickling. When she regained her composure and realized what position she was in....Emilia's face turned tomato red.

"WHAAAAAA!" Emilia screamed. Ryoka was taken back as Emilia used her legs to grab Ryoka by her neck and flip her off her body. Emilia flipped back and stood on her feet. "Oh my gosh! Are you okay? I didn't mean to overreact I-!"

"HAHAHA! Man you are a riot you know that? I was interested in you before but you're pretty cool Emilia. It's settled. I like you!" Ryoka said with a bright toothy smile. Emilia blushed heavily again but didn't freak out.

She's....so pretty. And her smile...feels so warm. Crap! No Emilia! You are past this remember!? Emilia thought.

Ryoka didn't notice but turned her head to Henro.

"As for you.......meh." Ryoka said with a trolling smile.

"Like I care." Henro shot back.

"Alright well you guys know the rest. Aurora of the crimson knights killed my mother. So once I find and take back her head to ifrit, I'll prove that I am worthy of inheriting the throne from my uncle." Ryoka said proudly.

"Cute. But for what it's worth, I hope you succeed. You are strong so your people would be in good hands." Henro said in a fake dismissive way. Ryoka saw through it and smiled.

"You going soft on me, imp boy?" Ryoka asked.

"Fuck off!" Henro yelled out.

"Yeah. Yeah. Anyways you're up. Tell us something about yourself." Ryoka said.

"Yeah come on, Henro!" Emilia said supportively.

"Sigh, fine. Emilia already knows this but outside of the citadel, I spent most of my childhood at the holy church in the western continent. I think I made friends there but I don't remember. And you wanna know something crazy? I know me and mom moved from Hell but.....I can't remember a single thing from there." Henro said.

"Really? Not a thing?" Ryoka asked.

"Nothing. Doctors and even Merlin himself tried to find out what's wrong with me. But even the great wizard himself couldn't find my lost memories there.

"Not even Merlin!? Are you for real!? He's like the most powerful wizard in midgard! Possibly even in the entire world! And even he couldn't do anything!?" Ryoka said.

"Yeah. It was a surprise for me and Tenjin too. Merlin said it might be related to the soul. That Henro's soul is suppressing that memory somehow." Emilia said.

"And as for why? We don't know. Could be psychological trauma or something. But anyways, it made me realize something. The only memories I share with my mom are at the church and.....at the citadel." Henro gripped his hands.

Ryoka said nothing and listened respectfully as Henro told his story.

"After Emilia and Ziera broke me out, I vowed that those won't be the only memories I'll share with my mom. I will go back and save her from Silas so that she can live her life. And free any other people with demon blood in their veins from that hell hole. I won't let him toy with my people any longer." Henro said with confidence.

"I see. But...uh...well. If you don't mind me asking, what about your father? Is he around?" Ryoka asked.

That was a surprisingly mature way of asking for her. Henro thought.

"Nah. My mom said he died a long time ago. He was an angel and I inherited his healing magic but I don't know anything else about him. What he looks like or even his name. Mom didn't like talking about him. I think I have an uncle too but he didn't get along with my mom for some reason." Henro said.

His magic. Actually now that I think about it, that draugr I fought back at the azalea forest used the exact same magic I used. Like it was the exact same. Hmmm. Henro began pondering.

"Damn. That's some history you got there. Well....at least your mom is still alive. So you can still save her. And uh....".

Henro raised his eyebrow at Ryoka.

"And keep your chin up or something I don't know! Just stop crying! Shut up!" Ryoka yelled out but her face was blushing out of embarrassment.

"Whatever you say, your majesty." Henro and Emilia giggled. Ryoka scoffed.

"Now this is more like it. Just the three of us sitting together and bonding!" Emilia said happily.

"Now hold on. It's your turn now EM. What juicy history do you have for us?" Ryoka asked in excitement.

"Can't believe I'm saying this but she's right Em. You can't miss out on the heart to heart here." Henro said.

"Oh! Okay! I actually have a whole list of things I could share with you guys right now!" Emilia shouted in excitement as she pulled a long list that touched the ground from her pocket.

"Ahem! I was born on a Tuesday and-!"

"Yeah we don't need the whole recap Em." Henro said.

"Agreed. Skip to the fun part already." Ryoka complained.

"Okay! Okay! So ever since I was a little girl...I've wanted to perform a dance." Emilia said.

"A dance?" Both Ryoka and Henro asked.

"Yeah. A special dance performed on a sacred holiday for both the garuda and avian tribes. It's called "Jayanthi." This holiday was started by my father, King Edwin Sylphion. After he brokered peace and equality between the two tribes, he would have his people celebrate a holiday where the two tribes come together as family. Then members from both tribes would fly up in the sky and perform a beautiful dance to signify the love we all have for the skies and each other." Emilia said happily.

"Sounds pretty awesome. And when will this holiday be?"

"July 29th four days from now. On my birthday actually." Emilia said sheepishly.

"Wait seriously?" Ryoka asked.

"Yep. I was born on the same holiday our tribes come together. My dream has always been the same dream my father wanted for our people. For them to live amongst each other in peace. I want to end this civil war and perform the dance to rekindle that feeling." Emilia said.

"Well, quite the hefty goal you got there. I can admire it though. You want to help your people. Hell seems we all want to help our people." Ryoka said.

"I'll say. Leave it to us punks to save the world I guess." Henro said.

"Ha. No kidding." Ryoka grinned.

"It's so nice to see you two getting along for once." Emilia said with a smile.

Henro and Ryoka looked at her and then at each other.

"Nah, not really." Ryoka waved off.

"Yeah I still hate her guts." Henro waved off.

"Yeah yeah. Fuck you." Ryoka sent a middle finger towards Henro.

"FUCK YOU BITCH!" Henro yelled out.

"Fuck me? No thanks. You couldn't handle all this." Ryoka said with a smug smirk.

As they bickered, Emilia had the same tired smile on her face as before.

And we were doing so well. Emilia thought.

"Why don't we head back to the ship for the day?" Emilia asked.

***

Republic Warship

After a long day of training was over, Emilia and Ziera walked through the hallway together.

"Oh my guardians! Is Jayden okay!?" Emilia asked.

"Yeah. We had to put him back together but he'll be fine. Julia said she was going "easy" on him. If you can believe that." Ziera said.

"Is that so?" Emilia asked nervously.

"But how did you make out with your team?" Ziera asked.

"Well, it was pretty rough at first. But by the end when we all sat down and talked, things got better. I just wish I can make those two see eye to eye." Emilia said sadly.

"You'll figure out. But don't expect it to happen over night. When you first met Henro it took you a year before he fully trusted you. Just do your best, they'll get their shit together. And if not, I'll strap them both to a chair and make them see reason in a different way." Ziera said.

"That won't be necessary but thank you Ziera." Emilia sweated nervously.

"Emilia." Tenjin called out as he approached the two. "A word?" Tenjin asked.

"Tenjin?" Emilia asked. Ziera looked at Tenjin and got the message to leave.

"I'll catch up with you later. Have a good night Em." Ziera said.

"Okay. Goodnight." Emilia waved off. Leaving Emilia and Tenjin alone in the hallway.

"So, I saw how you managed those two." Tenjin said.

"Oh. Well what did you think?" Emilia asked awkwardly.

"Not bad. But you need to work on managing them when they step out line. You don't have to be cruel to them but you need to show that you are serious. That you are worthy of their respect. Otherwise they won't follow you." Tenjin lectured.

"Yes sir. Thank you." Emilia said.

"Emilia." Tenjin called out.

"Yes?" Emilia asked.

"Is everything okay....between us?" Tenjin asked.

"Of course. Never better." Emilia said with a shaky tone.

"Look about before. When I lied to you. I know I apologized but I still shouldn't have-."

"It's fine. I told you. There's nothing to forgive. We're fine." Emilia said in a neutral tone.

"I see." Tenjin said.

An awkward silence filled the halls.

"Well, if you need anymore help with your team I can-."

"No thank you. I appreciate the offer but I have to do this on my own. I can't rely on you forever." Emilia said in a serious tone.

Tenjin was a bit taken back but regained his composure and understood where she was coming from.

"Right. Well....goodnight Emilia." Tenjin said.

"Goodnight Tenjin." Emilia said as she walked off.

Tenjin sighed and walked off. As they were a far enough distance from each other, Emilia was in thought.

Sorry Tenjin. But I won't settle for only gaining Ryoka and Henro's respect. If I'm going to earn the respect of my people and from you, I have to do this on my own. My way. I won't be failure ever again.

"DADDY!" Young Emilia screams out to her father as the capital of ventus begins to crumble and fall.

Never.