Garuda arc
Emilia Pov
8 Years Ago
Year 2,303
Flying Kingdom of Ventus
Cardinal City: The Capital
Remember when I said I was spoiled back when I was younger? Well add angry and impatient to the list as well.
I was 10 years old at the time. Five years have passed since I began my training with Tenjin. As far as my speed, reflexes and flying capabilities are concerned I definitely improved significantly. But my use of martial arts still needed work. I had the power to back it up but neither the temperament nor patience to utilize it well.
Whenever I sparred with other kids my age during practice I'd always lose because I'd get hit and then get angry and trip over myself. It was humiliating. The other kids I sparred with laughed at me and the adults gave me looks of pity or annoyance.
"Man, talk about pathetic. You haven't won a single match this past month." A boy laughed.
"I know right? What a loser!" Another boy laughed out loud.
"Do we really have to follow this weakling someday?" A little girl asked.
"I must say this is rather embarrassing to witness." An adult man said.
"What is General Tenjin doing? He should have had the princess ready by now." An adult woman said.
"Honestly I feel sorry for his majesty. Imagine having someone as weak and powerless as their daughter." Another adult man said.
"RAAAH!" I roared as I punched a cobblestone wall and left a big crack on it with my fist.
I was so angry and annoyed with these people that I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't make any friends due to my weaknesses. And I don't just mean my strength. Like I said I was spoiled and with that comes a horrible personality that drove people away from me.
Bragging about my strength and then losing a fight didn't garner much respect from anyone. Not to mention throwing a fit and making excuses whenever I lost a fight. It was no wonder that I felt lonely and bitter back then.
After I lost that fight I flew off and snuck inside my father's study and stole one of his books. Back then I thought he was too busy running the country to care what his daughter is going through so I doubt he'll care about one little missing book. How I wish I could smack myself in the face back then for being so insensitive towards my family.
But karma has a way of getting you back when the moment calls for it and that's what happened here. I took the book to the training grounds within the castle. I wanted to learn my father's strongest sacred technique.
Sylphion Style: Dance of the Four Seasons
During the war between mortals and gods, my father Edwin Sylphion created this style to defeat the late god of wind, Zephyrus. It was said in the history books that while Zephryus remained in control of the capital within the west, he had 3 younger brothers that helped him govern the north, east and southern quadrants of the skies.
My father through years of hard work managed to create a style that was made to counter each and everyone of their fighting styles and strike them down one by one. The style was like a dance itself and the winds that came from it made noise that sounded like beautiful music. So unbelievably fast and deadly but also beautiful and a sight to behold. And when the dance was done, his opponent's body would become one with the wind.
I desperately wanted to learn that technique and show it off so that I could prove to everyone that I deserved their respect and admiration. But my father forbade me or anyone else from learning it. It was too powerful for any one sky warrior to learn and if I was to eventually learn it I would have to wait until I was at the proper age. But I was impatient as I was foolish.
I neither had the experience or mana amount to even try that technique. All I did was horribly damage my body and cough up blood. If Tenjin hadn't shown up when he did, I would have been in a coma or worse.
After I woke up in the hospital Tenjin rightfully chewed me out.
SMACK
Tenjin angrily slapped me across the face. I held my cheek in shock of the fact that he actually hit me like that. He was never that angry before. That's when I knew I really blew it that time.
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING!? You knew that technique was off limits until you were older! It could have killed you! Why would you do something so selfish!? So stupid!?" Tenjin roared.
He was right. I went too far. But my pride was hurt and I felt embarrassed again. What made it worse was that even Tenjin saw how weak and pathetic his student was. At least that's how I saw it. How I still see it. I wanted to apologize. To admit that I was wrong and promise to never do it again.
But I couldn't. I was just....so....angry.
"SHUT THE HELL UP! Who do you think you are anyway!? You're not my father! He's the one who should be lecturing me, not you! You're just lowborn trash he took pity on! I hate you!" I yelled out with an ugly expression.
Tenjin didn't scream back. He didn't say a single word. He just stood there in silence and disbelief. It took me a moment to realize what I had said. And I felt so horrible.
No. I didn't mean it. I swear I didn't mean it. Why are you just sitting there Emilia!? Apologize! Apologize to him right now! DO IT!
And you want to know the worst part? I never did. I never apologized for what I said to him.
Because....I was scared that if I brought it up again, that it would turn out he never forgave me.
***
Now
Year 2313
Emilia vs Julia
Emilia and Julia's blades clashed against each other. Both women then went in and crossed swords faster than the speed of light.
She can keep up with me at this speed. No. It feels like I'm the one who's barely keeping up with her. Emilia thought.
Emilia slashed at Julia with her dagger but Julia dodged and kicked Emilia. Emilia managed to block her kick with her arms but was still thrown back. Emilia let out her wings and caught herself mid air landing on her feet.
But by the time she looked forward, Julia was already gone. Emilia gasped. Wondering where Julia had gone. Then she felt a presence behind her.
From behind! Emilia thought.
Before Julia cut her down Emilia swiftly turned her body and countered with her own blades. Emilia pushed her back and slashed at her and finally made contact with Julia's cheek.
But when she did, Julia's body turned into ice and shattered into pieces.
A CLONE!? Emilia thought.
Emilia felt Julia behind her again and just like before she turned around to counter. Julia was physically stronger than Emilia so she struggled trying to push her back. Julia maintained her cold stoic demeanor during the battle.
Ryoka was right. She is faster than me. And has good reaction time. However, that's not good enough. Julia thought.
Julia pushed Emilia back. She then sheathed her blade, stretched her legs and got into a sword drawing position. Her blue katana glowed brightly.
"Moon Dragon's Icy Fang!" Julia unsheathes her blue katana and slashes at Emilia's blades. She then sheaths her sword again and Emilia's daggers were being encased in ice. Emilia threw them before her hands were frozen too.
Emilia brought out her wings again and flew up into the air away from the ship to keep a good distance away from Julia. But Julia grew her wings on her back and gave chase by flying off the ship towards Emilia.
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The blonde summoned wind and conjured her green wind bow and lightning arrow. Emilia pulled the lightning arrow and aimed at Julia from the air.
"Garuda Style: Piercing Storm!" Emilia shoots out a lightning arrow which splits into hundreds of lightning arrows towards Julia in the air.
Julia effortlessly dodged all the lightning arrows targeting her like it was nothing. Even when the arrows gave chase from all directions she dodge each and every one of them.
Even though I can see her movements coming with my garuda vision, I can't land a single hit on her!
As said earlier during Ziera and Ryoka's battle, both the Garuda and Avian tribes have enhanced vision which allows them to see people or objects from miles away and help them see incoming attacks.
Emilia can see all of Julia's moves but Julia's abilities make it harder for Emilia to counter.
Julia flies through the air towards Emilia. Emilia points her bow at her again.
"Garuda Style: Tempest Hurricane!" Emilia releases her wind arrow. It reaches Julia and circles around and around her until it forms a gigantic lighting hurricane trapping her inside.
I'VE GOT HER! Emilia thought.
Inside the lightning hurricane Julia with her wings hovers and is calm as can be. Hundreds of lightning arrows formed inside the hurricane and shot at her simultaneously.
Julia sighed. She drew her sword and chanted.
"Moon Dragon's Diamond Shards!" From Julia's katana comes ginormous ice shards that form around her whole body and break through the hurricane. It forms a gigantic ice tunnel that leads up to Emilia.
"NO WAY!" Emilia shouted.
From that tunnel appeared Julia who was on her in a second. Emilia was in too much disbelief to counter.
She was trapped inside the hurricane. So she created a giant ice tunnel to throw herself in and make her way towards me. My hurricane wasn't strong enough to shatter it. I knew she was powerful from her fight with Jayden but....she's on a different level! Emilia thought.
"Moon Dragon's Icy Fang!" Julia unsheathed her blade and slashed Emilia's stomach. Inflicting ice upon it.
'GAAAH!" Emilia cried out. Julia wasn't done. She grabbed Emilia by her ponytail, yanked her over and kicked her straight in the stomach. Emilia gagged as she was sent flying back towards the ship.
Julia flew towards her and grabbed Emilia by her face and then slammed her back onto the roof of the ship. She pinned Emilia's right arm down with her foot, grabbed Emilia by the throat with her left hand to keep her head down and pointed her sword at her face.
"Do you submit?" Julia asked. Emilia grunted and looked up at Julia defiantly.
***
Inside the Horus warship
Two minutes earlier
"For the last time you crazy bitch! Let me go!" Henro demanded.
"Still no. And if you try hitting me with another shadow, I'll slap you. Hard." Ryoka threatened.
"ABUSE! I CALL ABUSE!" Henro shouted.
Ryoka was currently dragging Henro by his collared shirt. At first Ryoka asked him to come to the roof with her. Henro asked why but Ryoka said it was a surprise.
Henro refused so Ryoka did things her way. Henro was too tired and sick to fight back but he did decide to drag his feet by the floor as Ryoka dragged him.
"Seriously, what's so important that it couldn't wait until tomorrow!? It's 2:00 A.M. for fucks sake!" Henro shouted.
"Shut up and stop whining. You'll see." Ryoka responded.
Through minimal struggle Ryoka flew out the ship while carrying Henro over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes and flew up to the top of the ship. She and him landed on the roof of where the bridge of the ship would be.
"Why did you bring me here?" Henro asked.
"Shush! Look above and stay quiet." Ryoka said.
Henro looked up in the sky and saw Julia and Emilia flying down. Or rather, Julia flying down and slamming Emilia onto the roof of the ship. Julia was on top of Emilia keeping her pinned and had her sword pointed at her face.
"WHOA! What's going-!?" Henro shouted until Ryoka covered his mouth.
"I told you to shut it! Don't let Emilia know you are here. Jewel wanted me to bring you here for something you have to see. So sit back, relax and listen. This is for me too." Ryoka said.
Man this sucks. I enjoy seeing Julia kick ass as always but I wanted to fight Emilia. Not be a babysitter for this loser. I hope this shit is worth it Jewel. Ryoka thought.
Emilia vs Julia
"Do you submit?" Julia asked.
"N-Not yet." Emilia coughed out. She flicked her fingers with her left hand. Suddenly Emilia's two daggers came flying toward Julia but Julia swapped them away with her sword.
Her daggers were frozen before. She must have used two of those lightning arrows to destroy the ice while I was trapped in the hurricane. She wanted me to let my guard down. Not bad. But still not good enough. Julia thought.
"Now do you surrender?" Julia asked.
"NO! I'm not giving up! I'll keep fighting until I win!" Emilia shouted. Emilia grunted trying to pull herself up but she was stuck.
"You can't. The battle has already been decided." Julia said calmly.
"No it hasn't! I'm not done!" Emilia shouted in defiance.
"Quit being stubborn. You lost. If this were a real battle you would be dead already." Julia said.
That was Emilia's breaking point. She couldn't hold it back anymore.
"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP! I can't lose! Not anymore! I'm the princess of Ventus! My people are counting on me! Someone like you wouldn't-!"
But then Emilia stopped herself. She realized something.
Wait. What am I saying? Emilia thought.
***
Emilia Pov
What am I doing? Why do I keep doing this? It's just like before. All of these negative thoughts just kept building up inside me until I exploded and screamed at Tenjin. Saying all of those horrible things to him.
And now here I am. Almost doing the same thing to Julia. Someone I really like and respect. Why do I keep hurting the people I care about?
I snapped back to reality and looked back up at Julia. Looking into her clouded blue eyes I began to cry again. Feeling nothing but shame.
"No. No I...I'm not that person anymore." I said in anguish.
"Emilia." Julia said out of concern. Julia's expression softened and looked down at me with sympathy.
"Julia I...I didn't mean...".
"I know." Julia said. Julia rose up off of me and sheathed her blade.
She extended her hand out to me. I hesitated at first but I grabbed on and she pulled me up with relative ease.
"Did that fight help you blow off some steam?" Julia asked.
I nodded.
"Then are you ready to talk about what's bothering you?" Julia asked. I sighed. I lost the fight so I had no choice but to comply. I was too tired to argue anymore. So I nodded again.
"Then let's start at the beginning okay?" Julia asked genuinely. She placed her arm on my shoulder as a way of showing comfort. I blushed when I felt her gentle touch.
This isn't fair. This isn't fair at all.
"Okay."
***
Henro and Ryoka
Henro immediately tried to rush over to Emilia but Ryoka hugged him from behind and kept him back.
"Let me go!" Henro demanded.
"No. I told you to keep quiet!" Ryoka said.
"Let. Me. GO! I can't just leave her like-!"
"And then what? You'll hug and that'll magically make everything better!? Quit being a fucking idiot and face reality! This is one wound you can't heal!" Ryoka shouted.
Henro stopped himself.
"I know you want to help her. She means a lot to you. I've seen the way you look at her. And I know you don't like me or care what I have to say. But at least trust Jewel. This isn't like with Ziera. She's better at this stuff than I am. And while you're at it, trust Emilia to heal herself this time. You know her better than me don't you? Do you not think she's strong enough to face herself? Well!? DO YOU!?" Ryoka asked aggressively.
Henro was silent. He was at a loss for words. Surprised that Ryoka in this moment was being genuinely considerate. Angry that he didn't realize Emilia was hurting all this time while he was making this harder for her again.
Arguing with Ryoka which halted their progress, risking his health which made Emilia worried, and even now he didn't think about what Emilia would feel if she realized he saw her like this. Henro finally stopped resisting and watched Emilia and Julia talk from afar.
***
Emilia Pov
I finally told Julia everything. I told her about why I was so obsessed with proving myself. About how I wanted to become stronger like her, Ryoka, Tenjin and my father. She knew about the civil war but I also told her about my past mistakes with Henro, Tenjin and how I used to be when I was younger.
The only thing I excluded was what led to my father's death. But Julia didn't press me for answers on it.
"I see. Emilia. I'm so sorry. How are you feeling? Really?" Julia asked. I looked up at Julia and gave her the most depressing smile ever as tears went down my face.
"Honestly.......I'm not okay Julia. Not okay at all." I said sadly.
"Emilia." Julia reached out towards me but I stepped back. I didn't want to feel her touch. It wasn't right. To seek comfort like this from the girl I have a crush on when she's with another woman.
Not to mention that same other woman I also have feelings for. And part of me worries that if I take it too far I'll do or say something I'll regret. I couldn't bear it. I couldn't bear hurting another person I cared about.
But Julia didn't let up and placed her hand on top of mine. I looked at her and she gave me a look telling me that she wasn't going anywhere. She was so kind. It isn't fair.
"I just didn't want you to see me like this. I didn't want any of you to. I hate this Julia. Sometimes.... I hate myself. And I don't want to. I just want to be happy, Julia. I just want to be happy with all of you." I cried again. Covering my eyes with my hands.
Julia pulled me in for a hug and I hugged her back. Resting my head onto her chest and crying my tears out.
"Emilia. It's good that you want to improve yourself. And face your problems head on. But not at the cost of what makes you who you are. You said I wouldn't understand but truth be told I understand that feeling. More than you know." Julia whispered softly.
I pulled back from Julia and wiped away my tears.
"You do?" I asked.
"Yes. Listen Emilia, I.....". Then all of a sudden Julia stopped talking and turned her head towards the other direction. She looked serious now and I could feel her bloodlust.
"Julia? What's wrong?" I asked out of concern.
"WATCH OUT!" Julia shoved me back. I hit the floor of the roof and looked to see Julia unsheath her sword and cross swords with a man right above us. I looked up at the man. He had big green wings like me, brown hair, middle aged and he wore a garuda tribal uniform.
"A garuda warrior? What's he doing here!?" I asked.
Did...he just try to kill me? I thought.
Julia pushed him back and then easily slashed his chest. The man cried out but flew back to avoid any more of her strikes. Julia pointed her sword.
"Who are you? And what do you people want?" Julia questioned.
"People!?" I asked. Julia ignored me and continued interrogating the warrior.
"For a second I sensed dozens of garuda in the other direction. Where did they fly off to? And what is your goal?" Julia questioned.
"What we want is none of your concern. As to where my comrades went, don't worry....
Suddenly dozens of garuda warriors flew up and hovered above the grounded warship. And the one leading them left me frozen in disbelief. It was a man I knew all too well.
He was very tall. About 6'3. He was a middle aged man with a thin beard, dark brown hair and some grey hairs on his head. He was muscular, and like Tenjin he wore sleeveless black kevlar armor that went down to his waist, green pants, and had three green sharp facial markings on both sides of his cheeks. He wore a sadistic smirk on his face as he stared down at me.
This man was Albatross. The man who helped start the civil war and the man who killed my father.
"They are closer than you think. It's been a long time, Princess." Albatross said. In that moment, all I saw was red.
"ALBATROSS!!!" I roared.