Garuda arc
Tenjin Pov
Before I was Tenjin Nakamura of The Order. I was Tenjin Nakamura of King Edwin's royal guard. And before that, I was just some punk kid living in the slums within one of the flying cities. Fighting and struggling to survive.
Both of my parents are long gone. My father was an avian warrior who spent most of his days as a guard for King Edwin's castle and then sneaking off to get drunk at the local bars within the human realm in the western continent. In the bar he spent the most time in was where he met my mother.
She was a waitress and she fell for his charm. Skip to months later and they fell in love. She went with him to Ventus where they happily lived with each other and then down the line they had me. And we became one big happy family right?
Well we were, for a short while.
When I turned six, my father mostly ignored me. He liked my mother but he didn't really want a kid. When it happened, he didn't care. He stayed with us so he could have someone to cook for him and to fuck. But as for me, my father didn't have a high opinion of garuda. Least of all one for a son.
He only did the bare minimum to take care of me so he wouldn't hear my mother complain. She foolishly believed that one day he would love me. That he would accept me for what I was. For who I was.
Sometime later, he was drunk and late for his shift. His superiors found out and suspended him for it and temporarily replaced him with a garuda warrior to take over his duties. My father was still drunk that day and lost it.
He called the garuda guard all kinds of slurs and started a fight with him. He ended up accidentally cutting the guard and my father was fired for it.
After that, my father became worse. He was barely home. He would take his anger out on my mother and beat her. And if I ever stepped up to him he would kick the shit out of me. I wanted to kill him. To make him pay for hurting me and my mother. But I couldn't. Because my mother, despite everything, still loved him.
Eventually, my father stopped coming home. I didn't find out until years later that he killed himself. My mother kept it from me so she could spare me the pain I guess. But I didn't care. I was just glad he was out of our lives. But my mother wasn't.
She tried her best to look after me but she was broken. She barely made ends meet before because humans living among some of the avian cities weren't looked upon fondly by the avian tribe. And we didn't receive any help from the government at the time so I had to step up and take care of her. I stole as much as I could from other people. Even threatened them at knife point if need be.
This went on until I turned 9 and I tried to mug the wrong person on the streets.
My former king, Edwin Sylphion.
***
Tenjin Pov
Flashback
18 Years Ago (Year 2,295)
Kingdom of Ventus
The Capital: Cardinal City
Edwin's Castle
I was sleeping soundly on the roof of his majesty's castle under the great blue sky. I was wearing my dark and light green long sleeve tunic garuda military uniform. During that time my left eye was still intact.
Ever since I enlisted in the military I would always go here instead of drinking with my subordinates or the other royal guards. To either nap or think. Today was the former. And it was going well until...
"HEY TENJIN!"
"AHHHHH!" I freaked out and swung at whoever screamed in my face. But that person dodged and laughed at me.
"HAHAHAHA! You should see the look on your face. Classic Tenjin! Always letting your guard down!"
The idiot who was laughing at me was none other than the man I hated most. But back then....
Actually, no. I still hated him. But he was still a brother to me all the same. Albatross. He was 24 years old back then and I was 22.
"Oh shut up, Albatross! What the hell do you want? I was sleeping." I said out of annoyance.
"What do you think? We're going to miss the grand ceremony because you decided to sleep in ya moron." Albatross said.
"Oh. It's not over yet? Wake me when it is." I said as I lied back down.
"Oh come on get up! His majesty is expecting you most of all. Everyone knows you're practically his golden boy. Everyone but you apparently." Albatross argued.
"Like I care. I only took the job so that I could have a roof without a hole over my head. I couldn't care less about being some shitty royal guard and babysitting his royal majesty." I spat.
"Wow. You are so ungrateful. You don't realize how blessed you are compared to the rest of us. All that potential and you're throwing it away for no reason. But okay. If you don't want the position I'll just take your spot and be his golden boy." Albatross said with a smug smile.
"By all means. Now get lost."
"And when I do, you'll have to call me sir-HEY! Where are you going!?" Albatross screamed at me. I had flown off fast.
"LIKE HELL I'M ANSWERING TO YOU! I'D RATHER DIE!" I shouted with a big smirk on my face as I flew off. Albatross smirked back at me.
"OH YEAH!? DON'T TEMPT ME NAKAMURA! AND WAIT UP!"
***
Great Hall
Inside the great halls of his majesty's castle where he sat on his throne, Albatross and myself arrived and readied ourselves to be appointed as members of his royal guard. Hundreds of garuda and avian soldiers had arrived to see us be appointed. Including the four other members of the royal guard.
Rancourt Cova: The strongest of the royal guard. He was a buff middle aged man with brown spiky hair, the same green tattoo markings all garuda have on his face, and carried one large black blade on his back.
Rancourt has the strongest destructive magic among the royal guard and is his majesty's strategist and has served King Edwin during the rebellion against the gods. He is also the chief of the garuda tribe but directly pledged his loyalty to King Edwin and wanted to serve as his royal guard.
Sylvia: The second strongest of the royal guard. She was a beautiful middle aged woman with black hair, purple lipstick and brown eyes. She is the fastest among the royal guards.
Corban: A avian and the third strongest of the royal guards. He had a yellow beak, light blue feathers, black claws, was an overweight old man with smooth brown hair on his green feathered head. With his wind barrier magic he has the strongest defense amongst the guards.
Asier: An avian and the fourth strongest of the royal guards. A short stack with a black beak, light green feathers, black claws and is proficient in creating hundreds of wind clones to attack his opponent.
We both took a knee and bowed our heads as King Edwin approached us both.
"Tenjin Nakamura. Albatross. Do you two solemnly swear to pledge your full and unwavering loyalty to not only myself but to the people of this kingdom? From this day until your last day, will you give your life to be true guardians of the realm?" Edwin asked.
"We swear." We said at the same time.
Edwin smiled at us both. He attached golden badges on her uniforms with an eagle symbol on them.
"Rise." Edwin said with a smile.
We did as he commanded and stood proudly at his majesty. But in truth, his majesty was the one who was proud of both of us.
"Tenjin Nakamura. Albatross. I hereby appoint you two as members of my royal guard! Well done my boys! I couldn't ask for more worthy warriors like you both to stand beside me." Edwin said with a warm smile.
Albatross was ecstatic and had so much to say. I didn't give a fuck and wanted to leave.
"Yeah. Can I go now?" I asked impatiently.
The other royal guard members gave me the stink eye but again I must reiterate, kiss my ass.
"Tenjin! Come on! Show some respect!" Albatross shouted.
I knew I was being disrespectful but his majesty didn't seem to mind.
"HAHAHA! It's fine! I have asked a lot of you so I owe you that much. Please both of you. Go enjoy yourselves. I have to check on my queen right now anyways. And soon you two will have another member of my family to look after." Edwin said.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
"I would be honored to look after the future heir of this kingdom, your grace." Albatross said.
"Kiss ass." I said. Albatross growled at me.
"YOU LITTLE!"
"Oh and Albatross. I haven't forgotten what we had discussed. After my child is born, I will take the time to help you and the people there in any way I can." Edwin said.
"I-Thank you! Your grace! I couldn't be more grateful to you!" Albatross said.
That deal they were discussing was about mine and Albatross' hometown, Roten. A floating island a bit far from the capital. It's not a wealthy town by any sort of stretch. Most of the garuda living there are in poor living conditions or worse on the street. It was especially bad for bastard garuda children who had no parents to take care of them.
Meanwhile, the rich and powerful live in luxury there. And they were all avians who had deep pockets within the avian tribe. Albatross grew up there his whole life with his bedridden mother. His situation was like mine. Like me King Edwin found him and recruited him into his army so that we could both find better lives.
When we first met as kids at the capital, Albatross and I now like butted heads. But he always told me his plan to help his people. He wanted to rise up in the ranks so he could pay for his mother's living conditions.
And then once he becomes a member of the royal guard, he would ask the king to help him save his town and make their lives easier. King Edwin agreed and was happy to help. It took years but after working endlessly through blood, sweat and tears it looked like Albatross was finally achieving his goal.
I didn't care about the place because I had no one left to go back to. But Tross did and I was happy for him. We had our differences but he was a brother to me. I always supported his goal. In my own way of course. But there was a problem.
"Your majesty."
I, Albatross and King Edwin turned to see a man approaching us. A man I and especially Albatross really disliked. This man's name was Kaiber Rohan. Chief of the avian tribe. He was a tall and buff avian standing at 6'8. He had black feathers, a white beak with some black on the tip of it. He donned a mostly black with some green tribal tunic.
Kaiber was more than just unpleasant. He was a real piece of shit who, unlike Rancourt, didn't want to serve directly under the king but still maintain relations and peace so he could grab power for himself. In fact, Kaiber has been trying for years to sell one of his daughters off to his majesty so she could become his queen and strengthen the avian's influence within the nation.
King Edwin was going to finally give in but he broke his promise and married a human woman instead. Kaiber was furious but King Edwin reminded him of his place and that he wouldn't be forced to marry one of Kaiber's daughters. Kaiber had no honor. No respect. Even King Edwin found him unpleasant.
"Chief Kaiber. Thank you for coming. What is it you need?" Edwin asked.
"Forgive me your grace but I was hoping to spare a minute of your time?" Kaiber asked.
"It will have to wait, Kaiber. I'm going to see my wife. Your queen is giving birth today." Edwin said in a serious manner.
"Of course. Forgive me for my insolence, your grace." Kaiber bowed.
"We shall speak again soon. Until then." Edwin nodded and then left the three of us alone in the halls. While everyone else chatted Kaiber stayed to look at us with disgust.
"Hmph. I can understand why his majesty ignores me to go talk to the queen, but I will never understand why he would waste his time on anointing you two pieces of trash as members of his royal guards over my sons." Kaiber snarled.
His words were horrible but I didn't care what he thought of me. I made the cut so he can say what he wants. But for Albatross it was different. It was personal. Albatross growled at Kaiber and looked at him with pure hatred.
"Yes you sure know a lot about raising sons don't you?" Albatross asked venomously.
"You have something to say to me, boy? Royal guard or not I will never acknowledge you. You're just a piece of trash spawned from your whore of a mother." Kaiber said.
Albatross was about to punch him but I held him back.
"LET GO!" Albatross demanded.
"Don't let him provoke you, you idiot!" I yelled.
"Hmph. I see you fight like her too. Pathetic." Kaiber said.
"YOU PIECE OF GARBAGE!" Albatross shouted.
"ENOUGH!"
That voice belonged to Rancourt.
"This is his majesty's great hall! You fools will not desecrate it with your nonsense!" Rancourt shouted as he approached us.
"Rancourt." Kaiber said.
"You forget yourself, Kaiber. I don't care if you're the avian chief. These men were appointed as his grace's royal guards. Today, you will show these men the proper respect. Is that clear?" Rancourt asked.
Kaiber glared at Rancourt but Rancourt didn't care. He knew Kiaber wouldn't try anything. Especially not today. Kaiber glared at Albatross one last time before leaving in a huff. Rancourt turned his attention back to us.
"As for you two, no more trouble from here on out. Understand?" Rancourt questioned in a serious tone.
"Yessir!" We said at the same time.
"Good. Now.......ENJOY THE PARTY!!!!!" Rancourt screamed in our faces in a terrifying manner. He then walked off without saying another word.
"I don't know if I should feel thankful or terrified. But in his own way he's not a bad guy. Tross?" I asked.
Albatross looked enraged. He was gritting his teeth and was sweating profusely. He was whispering something. Something about killing. It wasn't because of Rancourt. It was because of Kaiber. I grabbed onto his shoulder and shook him.
"Hey! Snap out of it!"
Albatross broke out of his daydreaming and looked at me with a cold sweat on his face.
"T-Tenjin?" Albatross asked me.
"You okay?" I asked. Now I'm really concerned. I used to worry about Albatross and his anger issues. I was afraid back then he would snap.
"Uh. Oh yeah. I'm fine. Sorry about that. I don't know where I go sometimes hahaha." Albatross awkwardly laughed it off.
"Right. Well next time take me with you alright? I could use a vacation from this shitty place." Tenjin said.
"Are you kidding!? You still have responsibilities! And so do I! You can forget it!" Albatross said jokingly.
"Oh yeah? Screw you then! I'll just go to crazy town by myself! Population, me!" I declared.
"I'm not crazy!" Albatross said frantically in a cartoonishly goofy way.
It looked like we were about to duke it out but we just laughed it off. I looked at Tross and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Crazy or not. No matter what, we're still brothers, Tross. Whatever you go, I go. And that's a promise." I said with a grin.
Albatross looked at me with shock. He grinned back at me.
"Yeah. It's a promise from me too."
WHAM!
The door to the main hall slammed open. In came King Edwin's royal advisor. Topher Grain.
"ATTENTION! ATTENTION EVERYONE!" Topher shouted. Catching the attention of everyone in the great hall.
"Is it about the princess?" I whispered.
"QUEEN ROSA SYLPHION HAS GIVEN BIRTH TO A GIRL! HER NAME IS PRINCESS EMILIA SYLPHION! FIRST OF HER NAME AND HEIR TO THE THRONE OF VENTUS!" Topher shouted.
The hall was now chaotic. Everyone was talking about the news. There were those happy for the king and queen. Others were bitter that the garuda had more power than ever within the royal family than the avians did. Others who planned to make themselves political allies to the future heir to the throne.
As for me, I was just wondering if the brat was gonna be a goody two shoes pain in the ass like her old man.
"PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE! WHILE THIS IS THE JOYOUS OF DAYS! IT IS ALSO THE MOST TRAGIC OF DAYS! FOR QUEEN ROSA SYLPHION HAS PASSED AWAY AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO THE PRINCESS!" Topher shouted.
And just like that the room fell to silence. No one said a word. The king had just lost his queen. And little did I know at the time that her death would lead to the end of this kingdom.
***
Later that evening, we held a quick funeral for the queen. Queen Rosa was a kind and gentle woman. A year ago she was a human Edwin met one day when he flew to Aracia. The city of magic and capital of the Midgard Republic to visit the great wizard Merlin.
She was an archaeologist who explored various ruins and researched the history they had. She and Edwin had many conversations about them and eventually they fell in love and he asked her to be his queen.
King Edwin was a benevolent ruler who tried his best to bring peace between the garuda and avian tribes after the gods were defeated. He divided all of their homes among all the floating islands within the kingdom. Along with giving as many of them jobs and income for their families.
The avians though believed the garuda were being favored way more than they were. While the garuda believed the avians still had more influence than they did. King Edwin was strong but he could only do so much. Some believed that he was overwhelmed.
But others spread rumors that King Edwin was in reality a weak king. If I ever found those people I'd break their teeth. Luckily, when Rosa became queen she was very sweet and benevolent to the people of ventus. She helped take the load off for King Edwin.
Rosa found their culture interesting and tried her best to rule by his majesty's side. She was even nice to a punk like me. And to be honest, it hurt to see her go. With her death, the kingdom was in mourning. And something inside the king broke inside. His spirit.
After the funeral, I went to the king's room to check on him. He did so much for me it was the least I could do. However, I heard something from beyond his door.
"IF YOU COME NEAR HER AGAIN I'LL KILL YOU DEAD! NOW GET OUT! GET OUT NOW!"
"YOUR GRACE!" I shouted as I kicked down the door. I ran in and saw King Edwin in his pajamas standing in front of his open window.
It was strange. There was no one in the room and I didn't sense any traces of mana either. But at the time and it was only for a moment but I thought I saw a red mana butterfly leave the bedroom for a second. Little did I know what it meant back then.
Ignoring it, I turned my attention back to his majesty. He looked furious but also....remorseful.
"Your grace?" I asked.
Edwin turned his head to me and finally realized I was here. He looked terrible. He had been crying a lot and all his life was practically drained from his eyes.
"Tenjin. What uh...what brings you here this hour?" Edwin asked.
What is going on with him? And just what happened here?
"Apologies, your grace but I heard screaming and I thought you were in danger." I said sincerely.
"Oh. Oh no sorry it was just a nightmare. Nothing more." Edwin waved off and laughed nervously.
"A nightmare, your grace?" I asked, not feeling convinced.
"Yes I...I haven't been feeling too well since the funeral. It seems the stress got the better of me. I'm sorry for worrying you but I'm fine now. You may go." Edwin said as he sat back down on his bed.
"Right uh..". I didn't believe him. His outburst didn't sound like just a nightmare. Not to mention the fact that he was standing up. His majesty was never a good liar. But I felt like I shouldn't push it. He had just lost the queen after all and was in remorse.
I was about to leave but I couldn't. I had to make sure he was okay.
"Your grace." I said.
King Edwin looked at me.
"Yes?" He asked.
"I just wanted to. I am truly sorry for your loss. She was an amazing woman. But I also wanted to say thank you. You took me in and practically raised me. And after my mother died......you were the reason I kept going. You are my king. And.....you're like a father to me. No matter what anyone says, that will never change." I said sincerely.
Edwin looked at me with hope in his eyes again. He shed a tear and quickly wiped it.
"Thank you, Tenjin." Edwin said with a broken voice.
I nodded and was about to leave the room.
"Wait!" King Edwin shouted. I stopped and turned back to him.
"Shut the door. There is something we need to discuss. It's about my daughter Emilia. There's something I need to tell you. And....I'm truly sorry I keep asking so much of you but...".
"You're majesty. I am your knight. I am yours to command." I said proudly. I shut the door.
"Thank you. Please sit." King Edwin said.
I did as he said and sat on his bed next to him.
"What I'm about to tell you, can never leave this room. You mustn't tell anyone. Not even the other members of the royal guard." King Edwin said.
"I understand your grace but why me? Why not Rancourt?" I asked.
"Because....I think you understand what it is I'm going through more than anyone. What my daughter will go through in the future." King Edwin said.
"What do you mean?" I asked. Now I'm very curious.
"First promise me you won't tell anyone. And I mean anyone. Not the guard. Not even Albatross. I know he is your friend but this is a delicate matter. It could mean more than the fate of my family or even this kingdom. It could mean the fate of this world. And if the wrong people found her they would kill her. Promise me Tenjin. Please." Edwin said in a serious tone.
Fate of this world? What the hell is he talking about? This is all happening too fast. But I couldn't refuse him. He needs my help and I had to pay him back for everything he's done for me.
"I swear on my life." I said.
"Good. Now first when Emilia comes of age, I want you to train her personally. She will need help controlling her power. And second.....it's about her mother. And who she really was." Edwin said.
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