Garuda arc

Emilia Pov

Horus: Tenjin's Republic Warship

1:50 A.M.

After I got done talking with Tenjin, I felt upset. Frustrated even. To clear my head, I decided to fly up atop of the roof of the ship. Whenever I feel sad or lost in thought I would either fly above the clouds or sit atop something really high up. Stuff like that helped me think.

Lying down on the roof of the ship with my head resting on my hands, I gazed up at the beautiful starry night sky and was lost in thought.

I can tell from Tenjin's tone that he was disappointed in how I led my team today. Not that I blame him. I barely held it together. No. Maybe I'm just overthinking it right?

Yeah that has to be it. It was only the first day. I just gotta keep working hard. Yeah. I'll figure this out! Right? Right?

Doubt started to cloud my head again. No matter how hard I tried to push those thoughts out, they would never fail to return.

Part of me was wondering what Tenjin and Ziera were talking about earlier? Was it about me? About how he doesn't trust me?

I sat up and shook my head in denial.

What!? No! Pull yourself together Emilia! Not every conversation is about you! Besides you and Tenjin have been working together for years. Of course he trusts you! He just can't tell you everything!

Yeah! Not even things regarding your teammates' condition. Ziera's life was in danger and he didn't tell me.

No! It was Ziera's choice too. She has a right to her privacy. But still, as her teammate and as her friend I should have known. Things could have gone worse and when Ziera almost ascended I felt helpless. She was saved because of Jayden, not me. Because I didn't know what was going on! I didn't know what to do!

But it's not Tenjin's or Ziera's fault! I get why they hid that stuff from me. But even so, Tenjin pushed Ziera to be the leader instead of me. Because she's stronger, smarter and more mature than I am. Because she knows what she's doing. And I.....I....

"Because that's your problem! That idiot over there doing it is one thing but you've been doing it ever since I've met you!

"You didn't even think of the promise we made together years ago! You think this is what Tenjin would have wanted!? What would your people have wanted!? What I wanted!? You think that I.....that I...wanted to lose you?" Henro said sadly.

I began to tear up. My feelings were in turmoil. It was like I was being pulled from one side to another. And if I didn't pick a side, I'd be torn in half.

Henro's words cut straight through me like a knife that day Because he was right. I.......I!

8 Years Earlier

Year 2305

Kingdom of Ventus

Cardinal City: The Capital

"EMILIA!"

That voice belonged to my father. He screamed my name at the top of his lungs as he flew towards me. Shielding me from the incoming attack of one of the warriors that betrayed him.

The civil war between the garuda and avian tribes broke out that day. The battle was intense. Many casualties on both sides.

One of the leaders of the garuda rebel faction was a man named Albatross. A highly skilled garuda warrior and former member of my father's royal guard. He was in the top 5 of the mightiest warriors of the kingdom. If Tenjin was number 1, Tross was 5. And like Tenjin,he was taken in by my father at a young age and welcomed him into his army.

Tross was deeply loyal to my father for years but like many garuda who faced discrimination and unjust treatment from the avian tribe just like that, he betrayed him. The Avian tribe still had more pull in Ventus than the garuda did.

My father tried his best to fix the system the gods left behind and give equal rights to both tribes, but the higher ups within the avian tribe refused to share their authority with the garuda. If my father forced it, he would have been seen as a tyrant and the civil war would have broken out sooner.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

So he played the long game and worked extra hard all those years so that both sides could come to an understanding. But that wasn't good enough for Tross or the other garuda that followed him and the other rebel leaders.

Thus Tross led an attack on the capital. My home. Because of his actions, the capital was destroyed and thousands of garuda and avians died. One of them being my father who shielded me from his attack towards me.

"E-Emilia. R-Run!" My father said chokingly. He coughed up a lot of blood. The blade went right through his heart.

My father was already in a terrible state due to a previous battle that day. Covered in head to toe with gruesome injuries. Including a damaged wing to the point where it showed bone.

"F-Father?" I began tearing up. I couldn't believe my eyes. My father, King Edwin Sylphion of Ventus, was dying before my very eyes.

"FATHER!!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Now

Year 2313

"I feel......like I'm failing them. My people, Jayden, Ziera, Ryoka, Julia, Henro, Tenjin.....Father. How can I preach about wanting to be strong like them, when all I'm doing is failing them?" I asked myself in anguish. I began crying and hurdled up. Hiding my face in my knees.

"It seems to me the only person you are failing is yourself."

I raised my head as I heard a familiar voice. Julia!? I wiped the tears and snot off my face and then stood up turning around facing her.

"Julia! W-What are you doing here?" I asked nervously.

"I felt your presence on top of the ship. Are you okay? You seem upset." Julia said.

She came all the way up here to check on me? Wow. That's so nice of her.

"Um yeah I'm okay. Sorry. It's just my nerves. No biggie. I'll be fine."

"Hmm." Julia didn't seem convinced at all. I just laughed it off awkwardly.

"So.....is Ryoka not with you?" I asked. Trying to steer the conversation.

"Not yet. But she'll be joining us soon. I asked her to bring something for us." Julia said.

Huh? For us? What's she talking about?

"Bring what?" I asked.

"You'll see." Julia said.

"Uh....okay."

Well that was awkward.

"So what's up?" I asked.

Julia draws her sheath katana and shows it off to me.

"I would like to spar with you." Julia said.

"Wait what? Right now?" I asked in confusion.

"Yes. I told you a few days ago that I'm interested in facing the fighting prowess of a garuda warrior. Not to mention you managed to catch Ryoka off guard. Not many I've seen are capable of doing that." Julia explained.

Uh huh. She never minces her words huh? But that's what I like about her. Still I wasn't up to fighting anyone right now. And I really didn't want Julia to see the state I was in.

"Right. Well sorry but I'm not feeling a sparring match right now. Maybe some other time." I said sadly.

"I won't be taking no for an answer. You need this more than I do. Especially with how broken you are right now." Julia said.

"Broken? What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. Feeling slightly annoyed now. I didn't mean to let my emotions take over but what did she mean by that?

"Don't play dumb. Just like I told Jayden, I may be blind but I can read you like an open book. He didn't know what he was getting himself into. But you do and yet you let your feelings cloud your judgment. Do you think that's how not only a warrior but a princess should behave?" Julia asked me.

"Excuse me!? I'm sorry but what do you know about being a princess? Don't pretend like you know what I'm going through. It's none of your business." I said defensively.

"You are correct. But I am a member of this team. If we are going to be working together I need to know that your head is in the game. Otherwise you will put yourself or the lives of your comrades in harm's way. Is that what you want?" Julia asked.

Right then and there I lost it. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I became flustered and anger just exploded.

"OF COURSE NOT! You don't think I know what's at stake!? I know I'm a liability! I don't need you to tell me that! I've known that for a long time ever since-!" I stopped myself.

I couldn't tell her about how I messed up at Lockwood or about my past on Ventus. I thought I was over them. That I moved on. But I didn't. Not even close. Julia raised her eyebrow at me.

"Ever since what?" Julia asked.

I stayed silent.

"Emilia?" Julia asked out of concern.

"It's nothing. Look I appreciate your concern but I have to deal with this alone. I'm going to bed." I tried to walk away but Julia stood in my way.

"Please move." I asked irritatedly.

"I refuse." Julia said.

"I'm serious." I said.

"As am I. If you want me to move, then force me to." Julia said.

"Why? What is it with you guys in wanting to fight each other!? Why is violence your answer to everything!?" I asked. Getting angry again.

"This is different. I told you, this is how dragon-kin talk things out. You are a warrior like me so surely you can understand that. If you want me to leave you be, then prove you don't need my help. Here and now. Or are you afraid of failing yourself again?" Julia asked.

At that moment I got angry again. Why was I so angry I thought? I just wanted to be happy. To bring joy and laughter to people. To my friends. To lift up their spirits. Instead I was lashing out at someone I respected. Like Henro did with me. Why? Why am I acting like this? Why!?

Of course I don't know why. I was just so angry. And I couldn't hold it in anymore. I....really wanted to punch something. To just let it all out. So I looked up at Julia and gave my answer.

"Fine. I take you on." I said. I released my cloak from my neck let it fly away. I drew my two large daggers from my belt behind me and got into battle position. Julia drew her katana and did the same.

We stood there staring at each other. My eyes filled with anger staring back at Julia's blinded cold demeanor. We stood there for what seemed like forever. I was still angry but I was also nervous. Julia was like no one I ever faced in battle before. Not even against Ziera had me this nervous.

I took a deep breath but it was starting to get so cold that I could see my breath. Julia's power was incredible. The freezing cold emitting from her katana was intense. A cold sweat started to drip from my head. One sweat drop fell off and fell to the ground. Before it hit the ground the sweat drop froze up and turned into ice. When it hit the ground it shattered and that was the signal for both of us to dash towards each other. Our blades finally clashing.