Garuda arc

The Fenrir: Fury's Imperial Warship

Circe's Bedroom

Garō was sleeping on a long red and golden yellow colored sofa chair that was next to Circe and her coffee table. He was stirring and grunting in his sleep.Dreaming of when he was back at the citadel.

With Silas.

"Come here now. Subject 6166." Silas said.

"NO! STOP IT GET AWAY FROM ME!" Garō said in his draugr form.

"Do not fret. Today we are going to see how many times your head can regenerate after it's been crushed into jelly with an excessive amount of force. Please try to refrain from screaming this time." Silas asked politely.

"I SAID GET THE FUCK BACK! YOU MONSTER! YOU PIECE OF SHIT I'LL KILL YOU!"

"Sigh. It seems I have to teach you another lesson. But that's fine. I'm not angry with you. Truly I am not. I enjoy our time together 6166. While you are a failure compared to 6167, I am still grateful to you. Because of you, I can always find new ways to educate you and your kind on how to act towards their masters." Silas said.

Silas slowly walks to Garō. Garō was so afraid he started having a panic attack.

"Which is why I think it would be prudent for us to have another trip at the daycare center within the citadel. Wouldn't you agree?" Silas asked sadistically.

"No please! Not again! Don't make me do it again! NO! AGH!" Garō begged.

Silas had already swiftly pierced his skin with his tail and injected the serum into his body. The serum didn't just paralyze him, it began affecting his mind. Making him more angry and bloodthirsty.

"You should thank me. I do this all in the name of science. For evolution." Silas said.

"Somebody! Somebody...help...me..please. HELP ME! RAAAAAAAAAH!" Garō roars like an animal.

"Isu?" The small badger yokai was on Garō's chest staring at his face.

"Let him be Isu. He needs his rest." Circe said sternly. She drank what was left from her tea cup. Gitsune stood next to her with a teapot.

"More tea mistress?" Gitsune asked.

"Yes. Thank you Gitsune." Circe said and allowed Gitsune to pour more tea into her cup. Circe drank from her tea cup while she sat back and relaxed on her red and golden yellow colored armchair.

In front of Circe was a large square brown coffee table. And next to Circe was Garō sleeping on a long red and golden yellow colored sofa chair. All of that, including the tea set, looked really expensive. Stuff you would see in a mansion or a castle.

Circe drank from her tea cup as she watched through the eye of her bat yokai of the battle between both Tenjin's and Albatross' forces unfold.

"Isu?" Isuma was worried about Garō's health and sniffed his face. He licked Garō's face. Garō gasps as he wakes up frantically in a cold sweat. Scaring Isu in the process.

"Isu!" Isuma cried out as he ran over to Circe and jumped on her lap.

"Oh bother." Circe said as she gently rubbed Isuma's back to calm him down. "Well good afternoon to you my dear Garō." Circe greeted.

"Yes. Good afternoon sir Garō." Gitsune slightly bowed his head in respect.

Garō stood up and looked at Circe in anger and confusion.

"Where!? Where am I!? What's going on!?" Garō questioned in a fit of rage.

"Calm down. You are in my room. And as you can see, you are perfectly safe." Circe said as she drank more from her tea cup.

"What?" Garō looked at his surroundings and saw that she was telling the truth. "Why am I here?" Garō asked.

"After your little sparring match with Fury, you were in really bad shape. I had Tama literally put your body parts and organs back together. Then I had Jorōgumo make you new clothes. And finally had Gitsune bring you here. Do you not remember?" Circe asked.

Garō began thinking back. He did remember fighting Fury and not getting a single hit in. He was torn apart. Piece by piece. It was awful but not nearly as horrible as what he dreamed about a minute ago.

"Yeah. I do." Garō said.

"Were you dreaming about that? You looked like you were having a nightmare." Circe asked out of curiosity.

Garō didn't answer. Circe could sense that Garō's soul was in turmoil. Pushing the question any further could do more harm than good. Deciding to change the subject, Circe asked a different question.

"It's fine you don't have to tell me. To answer your question from earlier, I brought you here to show you something." Circe said.

"Show me what?" Garō asked.

Circe pointed at the floating magic circle in front of them. Garō looked and saw the battle between Tenjin's and Albatross' forces unfold.

"Sit down. Relax. And enjoy the show my faithful benefactor. For I wish to show you how to strengthen your resolve." Circe said with a bright smile.

"Really? And how would seeing all of these people kill each other strengthen my resolve exactly?" Garō asked.

"Before I answer, tell me why you think people fight in war?" Circe asked.

"What?" Garō asked.

"Come now it's a simple question. Why do you think people fight in war?" Circe asked again.

"Sigh. I don't know? For power, land or resources?" Garō guessed.

"Good answers. Yes everyone has their own reasons for going to war but I came to realize over a millenia ago that there is but one thing that they all share." Circe said and then drank from her tea cup.

"Oh yeah? And what's that?" Garō asked. Circe finished drinking and then smiled.

"Love." Circe said.

"Love?" Garō asked.

"Yes. Love. Passion if you will. Love for one's self. Love for one's family. Love for one's religion. For their country. For power, knowledge, honor, and so on and so forth. War has existed ever since Esos came to being, did you know that?" Circe asked.

"I've read a history book or two, yes." Garō said.

"Well, what those books don't tell you is why the gods really died." Circe said.

"What do you mean?" Garō asked.

"What I mean is while the gods, as cruel as they were, had love in their hearts for a time, there was something deep inside of them that overpowered their love. Something we all share. Fear." Circe said in a serious tone.

Garō felt her tone shift. His nerves started to kick in and he felt intimidated by her presence.

"Fear is what drove the Gods to enslave mortals. Because they feared their potential to threaten them. Then those fears came to pass when Ragnarok and the guardians showed up. But make no mistake Garō. Fear was not the only reason for their downfall. It was also love. Fear is powerful but love.....love is far stronger. More powerful than any god that lived on this planet. The love that Perseus and the Guardians had for each other and for this world is what pushed them past their limitations and led them to victory." Circe said.

Circe looked down at the frightened Isuma on her lap and gently pet him. Isuma purred happily and began resting his head on her lap. Circe smiled happily. Garō looked at her with disbelief.

She's.....strange. I can't tell if she's manipulating me or not. I've heard stories about how cruel and sadistic the vermillion witch was when I was young but... Garō thought.

"You're not like how people described you to be in those stories I heard when I was young." Garō said.

"Oh really? What did they say? Good things I hope." Circe said optimistically.

"Sure. Anyways, is that what you're trying to tell me? That love will help me get my revenge?" Garō asked.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Correct. Love is power Garō. Remember that as you watch this battle unfold. For I have no doubt that my prey will show us both just how strong her love for her people really is." Circe said with a smile as she watched the battle continue before her, Gitsune and Garō.

***

Horus: Tenjin's Republic Warship

Rooftop

The young heroes engaged in battle against both the garuda and giants.

Jayden and Ziera were flying across the sky assisting the warship in focusing their fire power on the garuda. Since they were Emilia's people Jayden and Ziera set their guns to stun.

"This is wrong. I can't believe Emilia's own people would turn on her like this." Jayden said.

"I know. Take it from me. I've been where she's at right now. But all we can do is support her and stop this battle before it gets any worse." Ziera said. Jayden tried shooting at them with his energy blasts but kept missing.

"Right but damn! These guys are so fast! It's like shooting at hundreds of Emilia's!" Jayden shouted.

"Stop complaining. If they are moving too fast for you then just slow them down." Ziera instructed.

"Okay but how?" Jayden asked.

"Remember what we worked on during training? Being more creative with your powers. You are a technopath Jayden. So fight like one." Ziera said as she shot down a garuda soldier.

Fight like one huh? Easier said than done. Ever since I got my powers, all I've done was get my ass kicked. I haven't beaten a single strong opponent on my own yet. I don't think I'll ever be good at this stuff like Ziera is.

But that doesn't matter right now. Emilia is counting on me. I still haven't paid her back for everything she's done for me since I'v come here. Time to return the favor. Jayden thought.

Jayden slightly reconfigured his arm cannon and shot a large green ball at a nearby garuda soldier. The garuda soldier saw it coming and sliced it with his dagger but in doing so the green ball exploded and captured the garuda in a slime trap.

"YES! I got one!" Jayden cheered.

"Huh. Not bad. What made you think of that?" Ziera asked.

"Guardians of Esos Issue #84. Perseus uses a slime cannon to restrain the earth god's movements and take him down! It was a really cool and creative strategy and....". Jayden stopped talking when Ziera gave him a "really?" look.

"Okay it does sound very contrived and silly but if you read the supplementary material it actually makes sen-OH SHIT!" Jayden shouted as he dodged an incoming attack from a garuda soldier.

"Thank the guardians." Ziera said.

"What?" Jayden asked.

"Nothing. Get back to the fight already you goofball." Ziera instructed.

"Yes ma'am." Jayden said, hunched over midair in defeat.

***

And finally, Emilia was fighting Tross' second in command Sef. Emilia's daggers clashed with Sef's green sword.

"Sef! Why would you do this!? This is wrong!" Emilia shouted.

"I could ask you the same thing. Joining the republic? What have they done for our kind in all these years?" Sef questioned.

"What have they done for us? When the capital fell, the republic gave me a home. Gave our people a home. A chance to start over and build a better future for all of us. A future you and Albatross are trying to destroy for your selfish reasons!" Emilia shouted.

Sef in anger kicked Emilia back. Sef went at her with his sword but Emilia ducked her head back and dodged the swing. He took another swing at her but she backflipped. Milia mid-air let out her wings and floated in the air as she kicked Sef away.

Emilia conjured her wind bow and shot multiple green lightning arrows at Sef. Sef flew around the sky and dodged every one of her lightning arrows.

"A future!? You call being in servitude to these people a future!? It's no different than how it was back with the avians! The garuda being loyal dogs to these self righteous hypocrites! It's an endless cycle! One you refuse to break!" Sef shouted and began charging up his mana.

"Garuda Style: Wind Barrage!" Sef shouted as he released a large multiple wind slashes from his blade at Emilia.

Emilia couldn't dodge in time and was forced to block the wind slashes with her arms.

"AH!" Emilia winced as the slash attacks cut into both her arms and parts of her head. Spilling out some of her blood.

He's still as fast as ever. He used to beat me all the time during training back at Ventus when we were kids. But times have changed. Emilia thought.

Emilia conjured her wind bow again and charged up another green lightning arrow and pointed it at Sef with a deadly look in her eye.

He may be fast. But I'm faster. Emilia thought.

"Die false princess!" A garuda soldier shouted as he flew down towards Emilia with his daggers pointed at her.

"BLACK TENDRILS!" Henro shouted. Shadowy tendrils wrapped around the garuda soldier's body.

Henro spun him around and around and around in the air hitting other garuda soldiers. THe garuda soldiers who got hit also got caught in Henro's black tendrils and were being knocked around.

"Blackened Soldier Costume Magic: Garuda Warriors!" Henro used his giant shadow beneath him to form 30 faceless shadowy garuda warriors. They flew up and engaged in battle with the garuda from above.

"What the hell!?" A garuda soldier shouted in shock.

"Tendrils and weapons aren't the only things I can create with my shadow assholes." Henro said with a smirk.

"Thanks Henro!" Emilia shouted. She didn't take her eyes off her opponent but still thanked Henro.

"Don't mention it. Finish this loser off already. I got your back." Henro said.

"I know. You always do." Emilia smiled.

"Yeah." Henro said with a smirk.

Suddenly, Henro's nose started bleeding a little.

Damn. I don't know what's causing this. But not now. Not when she needs me. I can't let her down. Not again. Henro thought.

Meanwhile, Ryoka and Julia continued their assault against the army of giants.

"Sun Dragon's Inferno Slash!" Ryoka shouted as she swung her sword and released a giant fire slash attack and knocked back five giants at once.

"Moon Dragon's Diamond Shards!" Julia swings her sword and casts ginormous ice shards that pierced the skin of six giants and pushed them back.

Ryoka and Julia stood back to back. Facing both sides of the giant army before them.

"Hey Jewel. I took out five and you took out six. You trying to one up me?" Ryoka smirked and asked playfully. Julia didn't lose her serious composure but played along.

"I don't know what you mean. Perhaps you're just getting slow." Julia remarked.

"Wanna bet? First person who knocks out the most giants wins. And the loser has to do all the cooking for a week." Ryoka said.

"And they must give the winner messages for a month." Julia added.

"You're on, beautiful. May the best fighter wi-HEY!" Ryoka suddenly called out to Julia who fled back to the battle.

"Like I said. You are getting slow!" Julia playfully smirked back at Ryoka. Ryoka was flustered and steaming.

"Oh you little! That's it! No more playing around!" Ryoka shouted as she charged at the army on her side.

"I can't believe this. Those dragon-kin aren't even taking us seriously!" A giant soldier shouted.

"How dare they look down on us!" Another giant soldier shouted in frustration.

"Damn dragon-kin! Think they're so much better than everybody! It pisses me off!"

The captain of the giant battalion drew his gigantic sword and aimed it towards Ryoka.

"Captain!" One of the giants shouted in excitement.

"The captain will win this for sure!" Another giant shouted enthusiastically.

"Teach that runt a lesson captain!" Another giant cheered.

"HEAR ME LITTLE ONE! You may be strong but we are stronger in numbers. Do not look down on the giant race! For now you face me! ROGAR OF THE IRON FIS-!" The captain shouted.

SLICE! Ryoka had cut through half of Rogar's body like butter. From half his face all the way down to his crotch.

"SHUT UP! I NEED THAT FOOT MASSAGE!" Ryoka shouted.

"CAPTAIN NOOOOO!" One of the giants cried out with a cartoonishly over the top expression. As half his body began splitting, Rogar realized something.

Impossible. Wait...could she be.... Rogar thought.

"Princess.....Ryoka.....Pendragon?" Rogar barley said aloud.

"PENDRAGON!? So she's Arthur Pendragon's daughter!?" A giant soldier shouted in confusion and fear.

"Oh Guardians! We're screwed!" Another giant soldier shouted.

"ALRIGHT! Now which one of you is the captain!?" Royoka asked with a toothy smile that screamed excitement.

"YOU JUST KILLED THE CAPTAIN!" The giants all shouted at the same time. Ryoka stopped mid air and had a confused look on her face.

"Wait................................really?" Ryoka asked.

Julia and the giants she was fighting stopped mid fight to look at Ryoka. The giants were in complete disbelief while Julia looked annoyed.

"Sigh. Please excuse her. She's an idiot. But she's my idiot." Julia bowed apologetically towards the giants before her.

***

Tenjin vs Albatross

Tenjin and Albatross continue their battle in the sky. They flew towards each other and charged their mana.

Garuda Style: "Vortex Slash!" Albatross shouted as he swung his black blade and released a purple wind and lighting slash attack.

Garuda Style: Tempest Slash!" Tenjin countered by swinging his sword and releasing a green wind and lighting smash attack.

The attacks hit each other, but Tross' attack turned into a mini vortex, absorbed Tenjin's attack, got bigger and continued it's path towards Tenjin.

Of course he'd absorb my attack. I always hated his style of fighting.

Tenjin easily dodged the attack. The vortex slash sliced a huge Rocky Mountain in two.

Tenjin went back after Tross but he was gone.

"You've gotten slower in your old age, Tenjin."

Tenjin realized that Tross had speed blitzed above him. Tross swung at Tenjin's back from above with his purple lighting. But Tenjin sheathed his swords and retracted his wings and fell below dodging the attack.

What!? Tross thought.

"And you have gotten more predictable, Tross." Tenjin said with a disappointing tone.

Tenjin shot air from the palm of his hand below him and propelled himself up faster than the speed of light. Tenjin kneed Tross in the face, making him cough up blood.

While Tross was stunned, Tenjin brought out his wings, unsheathed his black blades and swung them down at Tross with his green lighting slashes.

"Garuda Style: Tempest Thunder Clap!" Tenjin swung his blades and hit Tross with two large green slash attacks.

This attack was so strong it was powerful enough to take down three imperial warships back at Lockwood.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Albatross screeched in pain as the green lighting struck him from both inside and out. The force of the attack sent crashing down onto the ground leaving a massive crater. Tross' body was severely damaged and his eyes were colorless indicating that he was dead.

Tenjin flew down and landed right in front of Tross. Believing he killed him and that the fight was over.

"You were always strong, Tross. But I was just stronger. It's over." Tenjin said. The life in Tross' eyes came back and he smirked.

"Are....you...sure about that?" Tross said weakly.

"WHAT!?" Tenjin shouted.

That should have definitely killed him! How is he still!?

Tenjin's thoughts were interrupted when Tross sat up and began to throw up. He barfed out a black fog that enveloped both him and Tenjin. Tenjin was too shocked by Tross' unexpected survival to react in time. Tenjin began coughing sickly inside the black fog.

"What...is...this!?" Tenjin coughed.

"Your death. Old friend." Tross said.

Tenjin kept choking and coughing up blood. He tried to use wind to get rid of the fog but it was no use. No wind came from his hand.

I can't use magic!? What is this spell!? It couldn't have come from Tross! This is something else it's...wait. What's this!? Tenjin thought.

Tenjin looked at the back of his hand. With his garuda vision, he looked at the millions of tiny specimens that came from the black fog. They were tiny creatures with creepy smiles on them.

YOKAI!? CIRCE! She's behind.... Tenjin thought in shock but began coughing again as he collapsed to the ground.

"And there he is. The great Tenjin Nakamura. Powerless to stop me just like before." Albatross said with a sadistic smirk.

During her fight with Sef, Emilia back at the ship sensed something was off. That someone she cared about was in mortal danger.

TENJIN!? Emilia thought.

***

Back at Fury's warship, Circe sighed as Gitsune poured her more tea.

"Oh dear. Tross I didn't grant you my power so you could waste it that quickly. You could have at least put up more of a fight before using it. Though I suppose you were that weak compared to Tenjin. How pathetic." Circe said as she drank from her cup. She stopped drinking and then had a satisfying smile on her face as she watched Tenjin suffer.

"But he did do this job so he is good for something I suppose. The chess pieces are in play and I've already made my move. What will be yours....Emilia?" Circe asked.