Garuda arc

Flashback

Both Jayden and Julia were sitting on the ground with their legs crossed and eyes closed so they could meditate. Ziera herself was sitting on a fold up chair from a distance playing on her phone.

Julia's idea was that Jayden would have an easier time learning to control his emotions and the flow of mana inside his body by having a clear mind through meditation.

However, Jayden and Julia had been sitting on the ground for over two hours straight and Jayden wasn't feeling anything but stiff.

Jayden poked his one eye open at Julia to see if she had moved but she hadn't. She was practically a statue. A really pretty one at that he thought to himself. But Jayden shook his head. No time to get distracted with cute girls. He had to take this seriously.

Well he would if he wasn't bored to tears and getting more stiff by the minute. He shifted his behind a bit so he wouldn't get a cramp but he was getting tired. But now he was just getting tired of this and sighed.

"Is there something troubling you, Jayden?" Julia asked.

Jayden straightened himself up and looked at Julia with anxiety. She hadn't opened her eyes or moved from her position once. Like he had thought, she was almost like a statue. A true pro at this.

"Uh no! I uh...". Jayden couldn't find an excuse.

"I thank you for the compliment but I wouldn't say that I am a pro as you would say on this. Meditation doesn't require any skill, just patience." Julia said.

"Wait, how did you-? But I didn't think-." Jayden began to speak in shock.

"Yes I know. You didn't think that. The narrator of this story did. And how did I know? It was just a lucky guess." Julia said.

A lucky guess she calls it. WAIT JUST A MOMENT! You can hear me?

"Yes. Hello there." Julia said.

"WHAT THE FUCK!? Who said that!? Are you a ghost!?" Jayden began freaking out.

Uhhhh and like that. I shall take my leave.

"What the hell was that!?" Jayden asked as he looked at Julia with fear.

"Nevermind that. Now Jayden, tell me what's on your mind. What's keeping you from relaxing?" Julia asked as she opened her eyes and looked at Jayden.

"Sigh. I don't know. It's not that it's hard, I just...I just can't find myself to relax." Jayden admitted.

"Go on." Julia pressed on.

"Ever since Ziera nearly killed herself with her ascension....it pushed me further into wanting to get stronger. But all I've done so far was either fail or get lucky enough to help anyone. I just happened to find Ziera in the middle of the street and take her in, Ragnarok chose me by chance to help me. I needed help in defeating the draugr. I saved an imperial soldier from a dragon only to end up needing to save myself and I needed the spirit of this gauntlet to help me save Ziera."

"Heh. It's just depressing to think about how I haven't once stood accomplished something on my own like you and everyone else have." Jayden said with a sad smile.

"You don't consider saving the lives of your friends an accomplishment of your own?" Julia asked.

"What!? No! I mean! Ugh! I'm not trying to deny the good things I've done but I just feel like that on my own I'm not of any real use in this war yet. You said it yourself when you first met me. I wasn't worthy of your help or your respect. Henro saw it too when he first met me. He hated me for it. Not that I blame him. Hell, I hated myself for quite a long time."

"Ever since I was a kid I wanted to become a hero who saves others and fights the evil empire. But not because I cared. Because I wanted people to think I was cool. I never realized how horrible I sounded until I lost my father." Jayden said.

"I see. Jayden, a few days ago you told me that you realized your own shortcomings. But you have yet to truly face them, haven't you?" Julia asked.

Jayden couldn't answer. She already knew the answer.

"Very well. Then let's try something else. Grab my hand." Julia reached her hand over to Jayden.

"Huh?" Jayden asked in shock.

"Do you trust me?" Julia asked.

"Well yeah." Jayden said without hesitation.

"Good. Then take a step further, and learn to trust yourself again. Whatever trials you may face, I shall be there to help you face them. We all will. So please, take my hand." Julia asks with a gentle smile.

Jayden was a bit nervous by what she meant but he understood shortly enough. He may have recognized his own shortcomings but he was still too afraid to cross the next step. He had to take a risk. But he wouldn't do it alone.

Jayden reached out his right hand and gently grabbed hers.

"Now take a deep breath, close your eyes and relax." Julia instructed.

Jayden did just that. He closed his eyes, took a breath and didn't feel stiff anymore.

"Focus only on my voice. And when you've focused on that, focus on your surroundings. The air, the dirt, the wildlife, the people around us, and yourself. Your own body and soul. Take your time and focus." Julia said.

Jayden did as she instructed and felt them. All of them. As he relaxed, he felt like his mind was entering a trance. Or even a dream-like state where he finally felt the flow of mana pour into him.

"I....I can feel it. I can feel all of it." Jayden said in slight shock but not enough to break his concentration.

"Good. And what do you see?" Julia asked.

"What do I see?" Jayden asked.

"Yes. What do you see inside your soul?" Julia asked.

"I see....I-I see." Jayden saw a person. But they were too blurry to make out.

"Yes? What do you see?" Julia asked.

"I-I see! I see! I see!" Jayden started to feel anxious. The person was starting to become more clear and it was frightening him. It looked like a small child.

"Jayden. It's okay. I'm here. Just follow my voice." Julia said with comfort.

"I-I-I CAN'T! I can't face him! I-Make it stop! Make it stop!" Jayden shouted.

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Jayden! It's okay! Calm your mind!" Julia shouted.

"MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOOOOOOOOOOP!"

Visions started playing inside Jayden's mind.

Visions of his younger self.

Of his father.

His younger self fighting with his father and saying something horrible.

Zenal arriving.

Zenal killed Jayden's father.

His mother crying alone in the kitchen and his younger self on the floor in a fiddle position and crying his tears out.

All of those negative emotions were too much for him to handle. It caused the gauntlet's blue core to glow and the mana inside Jayden to spike. He felt like he was about to explode when he heard:

"JAYDEN!"

That voice belonged to Ziera. She tackled him onto the ground and fell on top of him. She hugged him tightly. Refusing to let him go regardless of the risk.

Ziera!? Jayden thought.

Jayden gasped. The mana inside him and ragnarok dissipated. He took deep breaths and realized the nightmare was over. He looked over and noticed that Ziera was still on top of him.

"Ziera?" Jayden asked. Ziera moved her head away from his neck and looked down at Jayden face to face. She looked more than worried. She looked terrified of what could have happened.

"Jayden! Are you okay!? What happened!? Are you hurt!? Talk to me!" Ziera demanded.

"I...uh...I" Jayden couldn't find any words. He was still in shock over the visions but truth be told, Ziera's complete worry over his well being is what kept him in aw.

"I'm okay. Really." Jayden said nervously.

"Are you sure!?" Ziera shouted. She wasn't convinced. And not only that, she brought her face down closer to Jayden's. Their noses were almost touching. I don't think Ziera realized how embarrassing this was for both of them. If she even cared.

"Yep! Totally sure! Scouts honor!" Jayden shouted nervously. He went from being flustered to outright scared now. Those visions weren't looking so bad in comparison to a pissed off Ziera.

Ziera took a breath and felt relieved.

"Thank the guardians. Don't scare me like that you dummy. I thought you were...I thought...". Ziera couldn't finish. It was too sad to think about. Jayden gently touched her cheek with his right hand. Ziera looked back down at him.

"I made you a promise right? I'm not going anywhere. Ever." Jayden said with a smile. Ziera blushed and smiled back down at him. Julia coughed.

Both looked up at Julia who was grinning at both of them.

"I must say I feel nostalgic. This takes me back to my first year with Ryoka. Though you two are making far better progress than we did." Julia teased.

Jayden and Ziera looked back at each other and blushed so much their faces were more red than omni beams. Ziera swiftly released herself from Jayden and stood up. To Jayden's slight dismay. Ziera fake coughed.

"Anyways! I'm glad you're fine! But scare me like that again and I'll kill you myself!" Ziera shouted sporadically while twisting a strand of her hair. As previously noted, Ziera twists her hair strands whenever she is embarrassed.

"Rodger. Rodger." Jayden groaned. Julia gave Jayden a hand to stand up.

"Well that actually went better than I thought it would." Julia said. Jayden raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean? I broke my concentration and almost exploded. I failed." Jayden said.

"But you did not. Yes you didn't confront your past yet, but Jayden that takes time. Some wounds take years to heal. I should know. I'm still healing from mine." Julia explained.

"You too?" Jayden asked.

Julia nodded. Ziera then chimed in.

"She's right. I'm the same. We all are. Jayden, I know what you are going through. But just like you've told me many times, I'm not alone. And neither are you. You know we can help you face whatever is you are afraid of. But just like with Henro, and like with me, you must take the first step to want to help yourself." Ziera explained.

"It's never easy. I've carried an immense wait on my shoulders ever since I was a child. Of all the lives I've lost. The one's I've taken. All in service to my nation. For my mission. But after I was separated from my mentor, I began to fall apart. As you did." Julia explained.

Jayden was a bit taken back. Julia at first to him felt like someone he wasn't. Someone who was strong and proud of who she was without shame. But as he heard her story, he began to realize that she was like him and the rest.

"What changed?" Jayden asked. Julia smiled and blushed.

Ryoka's silly toothy blushing smile entered her mind. Julia placed her hand on her chest.

"Ryoka. She became my world. It may be difficult, but if you have someone that you wish to protect. Someone you wish to fight for. Someone you are willing to give your life for. Then think of that person and you will find strength greater than that of any magic. I say this with absolute certainty." Julia said.

Someone to protect? Jayden thought.

Jayden looked at Ziera. It was no secret that he deeply cared about her.

But as a friend? Or...

Jayden wasn't sure. Or perhaps he was and simply denied it. But either way he knew what drove him forward. So Jayden took a breath and smiled. He faced Julia. Feeling more confident than ever.

"Okay! Then let's keep going! It's like I alway say after all!"

***

Current Time.

Jayden was unconscious from the brutal attack laid upon him by Sef. He was still being held up mid air by Sef. Sef was about to swing his blade through Jayden's left arm so he stole Ragnarok away.

However.....

"Find someone you are willing to protect."

"You're my sweet little boy."

Mom!

In Jayden's mind he saw other faces.

Emilia. Henro. Ryoka. Julia. Tenjin. And then.....

Ziera. Ziera kissing him on the check and showing off her beautiful blushing smile. That stayed in Jayden's memory forever.

"Z-Ziera." Jayden said weakly.

Blue mana began emerging from Jayden's body. A huge amount.

Then Jayden's finger's began twitching. And then he closed his fist. His lips began to move as he shouted:

"Never...give...up! And never.....SURRENDER!!!!" Jayden roared as the mana from his body intensified. The mana shined so brightly that Sef had to shield his eyes.

"What!? How is he still movi-!?"

WHAM! Jayden punched Sef hard in the jaw before he could finish his sentence.

WHAM! Jayden punched Sef hard in the jaw before he could finish his sentence [https://img.wattpad.com/dc556df456bbb6faa5661c0feda4ed028a2ff026/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f676638785171633734574e594c773d3d2d313435383237393236352e313765643565323430626437336133623834323234363937303838322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

"GAAAAAH!" Sef screamed in pain as he was sent flying back through the air. Sef recovered and charged up another attack.

"Garuda Style: Wi-!"

Before he could cast his spell Jayden was already behind him. Jayen reconfigured his arm into an omni-blade and swung it at Sef.

Sef swung his blade to counter Jayden's energy blade but instead Sef's blade went right through it. It wasn't real.

A hologram!?

"Misdirection bitch." Jayden said. Jayden's eyes flashed and released a powerful flash bang blinding Sef. "I finally got ya!"

"GAAAAAH!" Sef cried out.

He can use flash brands through his eyes!? How is that even possible!? Sef thought.

While Sef was blinded Jayden grabbed into Sef's blade.

"You're probably wondering how that was even possible." Jayden said.

"What!?" Sef questioned.

"Don't ask dude. It was just a lucky guess. But the short answer to your other question is simple. I'm a technopath so I have to be a bit more creative in how I fight. But really, it's because I have two badass teachers and they taught me how to kick your ass!" Jayden shouted as he kicked Tross hard in the chest, sending him flying back.

Sef managed to still recover mid air but realized his sword was gone. He looked up and saw that Jayden had it in his hand.

"You know the cool thing about Emilia is? You call her all these horrible things like false princess and shit when she does nothing but try to lift people up like she did for me when I first came aboard Tenjin's ship. Or for Ziera. Or Henro. She doesn't try to tear others down like you guys. You call Emilia a fraud, when she's more humane and honorable than you'll ever be." Jayden said as broke Sef's black blade in half with his bare hands and he stared him down.

Sef's eyes widened as Jayden effortlessly broke his blade in front of him. He grit his teeth in anger.

"SHUT UP! You don't know me and you don't know what happened all those years ago! To our people! To my family! You are just an ignorant fool!" Sef roared as he flew up towards Jayden!

"Yeah you're not the first to say that. But I get it. I don't understand what happened back then. I don't pretend to. But I do understand two things." Sef tried to punch Jayden but Jayden caught it easily.

"One you hurt my friends. And second...". Two holes inside both of Jayden's shoulders opened up and out came two mini cannons that shot slime onto Sef's wings.

MY WINGS! Sef thought.

Jayden reconfigured his arm into an omni bazooka and aimed it directly at Sef's chest.

"You really should get a grip on your emotions.....bro!" Jayden said seriously.

"DAMN YOU!" Sef roared.

"OMNI BAZOOKA 100%: FIRE!" Jayden roared as he fired the bazooka and unleashed a massive explosion capable of destroying a large mountain. It completely engulfed Sef and sent him flying down onto the ground.

The explosion left a huge crater in the ground. Inside was Sef knocked out. Jayden flew above him looking all menacing.

But then....

"HOLY SHIT! I DID IT! I BEAT SOMEONE ON MY OWN! YES!! I mean [cough]. Yes. All in a day's work. Guardians that is so lame. If I'm going to be my own hero I need to say something iconic. How about? "Justice was served. But at what cost? No. Maybe? "This is the price of power for those scared to wield it. That doesn't even make sense here. And I'm wasting time. I gotta get back to Ziera and Julia!" Jayden shouted as he flew back towards his teammates.

But seriously. Ziera. Julia. Thank you both. Jayden thought.

HYBRID