Garuda arc
The Fenrir: Fury's Imperial Warship
Circe's Bedroom
After that battle had concluded, the beautiful, wicked and merciless vermillion witch sat there in her chair reacting to all the events that took place from the eyes of her yokai that projected through her magic floating mirror. And to Garō's shock, she displayed an emotion he didn't expect from her.
Circe was crying tears of joy.
The young witch began slowly clapping her hands at the sight of Emilia kneeling over Albatross' burnt corpse.
"Marvelous. Absolutely marvelous. I knew you had it in you. My dear Emilia." Circe said as she wiped her tears.
Gitsune offered her his handkerchief. She grabbed it and sneezed on it.
"Thank you Gitsune." Circe said sincerely.
"It is my pleasure, madame." Gitsune bowed.
"Well, I'd say that all worked out quite splendidly. So my dear Garō told me. Do you understand why I told you before why love is power?" Circe asked.
"I guess. You told me before that Emilia would show us how strong the love she has for her people truly is. And then she gained more power by turning into that thing and won the fight. Is that what you have planned for me? To have me transform into some other monster to kill Henro?" Garō asked.
"Sigh. And you were so close. Perhaps I gave you too much credit. Right, Isu?" Circe asked the small racoon yokai on her lap.
"Isu." Isuma said. Circe gasped.
"Isu! That's not very nice! You can't call people that in this day and age you know that!" Circe shouted in a mocking way.
"What did that little shit say about me!? And are you going to give me answers or just sit there and mock me!?" Garō questioned. Circe puffed her cheeks, crossed her arms and looked away from Garō.
"Hmph! Well with that attitude maybe I won't tell you. I thought when you regained your memories you remembered how to speak properly to a lady. But perhaps I was mistaken. This is the thanks I get for helping you?" Circe said with an annoyed tone.
She acts more like a spoiled princess than a terrifying witch. Garō thought.
"Okay okay. Fine. Please tell me what you know?" Garō asked politely.
Circe still didn't budge.
"Lady Circe." Garō said begrudgingly. Circe looked at him and smiled with satisfaction.
"Well that's more like it. Very well but I shall grant you a hint. It's boring if I just told you everything." Circe said as she raised her index finger.
"Fine. So what is it?" Garō asked. Circe's smile turned into a mischievous one. Circe channeled her mana on top of the tip of her index finger. The red man took the form of one of her red butterflies.
"Before I asked you why people fight in war. The answer to that was love. Now I ask you, what gives magic it's strength? What causes the mana from inside your very soul to grow exponentially until it explodes? Granting you nigh unlimited power?" Circe asked.
"Let me guess. Is it love?" Garō asked.
"Correct. Magic within a mage is fueled by their emotions. The stronger the emotions the more powerful their magic. Many different emotions can fuel a person to grant them power. But from my experience, love is the strongest emotion of them all. The love I have for my yokai grants me power unlike anything this universe has ever seen before. That is why Lord Zenal wanted me to be a part of his Crimson Knights." Circe said.
"Okay. Still, I'm sensing a "but" is coming." Garō said.
"You are catching on quicker now. Very good. Yes, having strong emotions is good, but that isn't enough. Mages have to constantly train their bodies in order to build up the amount of mana they can supply within their bodies. Having a weak and frail body while trying to force your magic out will put a strain on not only your body, but your soul as well."
"Mana is life and ties to our very soul. The healthier the body, the more mana it can hold. And with more mana, you can use more magic. And then the power you will gain from channeling your emotions into your magic will make it even more powerful. It's like the cycle of life." Circe explained.
"And that's why you are having me train with Fury. Both of you want to strengthen my body so I can increase my mana reserves. And through my emotions my magic can be more lethal towards Henro without hurting myself in the process." Garō said.
"Correct again! Keep this up and you will have a gold star by the end!" Circe gave a bright smile and a thumbs up.
"Yes. Well put, sir Garō." Gitsune said while giving a thumbs up too.
"Isu!" Isu also gave a thumbs up towards Garō.
Garō popped a vein behind his mask.
"I feel like I'm being mocked again." Garō said.
"Anyways, that is why I told you before that Fury is training you to reach the next level. It is necessary if you are going to have a chance of victory. But fair warning, you will never recover the strength you once had before Silas captured you. Not until you've slain Henro and taken back the other thing he stole from you. The power to heal your broken soul." Circe said.
Garō balled up his fist. He knew exactly what she meant. Just thinking about it burned him up inside.
"Still you have nothing to fear my dear Garō. Unlike that useless git Albatross your convictions are clear and unwavering. When I sensed that he was close by I sought him out to see if he still had that fire in his eyes but that was long snuffed out. So I used him instead to bring out Emilia's potential. But you aren't like Tross, Garō. Your will far exceeds what little he had." Circe said.
"Well that fills me with confidence. You were his benefactor and look at what happened to him. You claim to be a woman of your word and yet he died without accomplishing a single thing. How do I know you'll actually help and not toss me to the si-?"
Snap!
Before Garō could finish, Circe snapped her fingers and his tongue was poofed away. Garō realized this and began freaking out. He fell to his knees onto the floor and removed his mask to dig his fingers into his mouth but there was no tongue.
Circe's eyes went black and she looked at Garō with a menacing look.
"Hold your tongue. Or I will take it from you." Circe said in a serious tone.
Garō was afraid. Since his body is now half yokai Circe could do whatever she wants to him as long as she doesn't break their deal.
"Listen well boy. I'm a lot of things. But I am no liar. You would do well to remember that before I sully my name with your accusations." Circe said threateningly.
Garō was now catching a glimpse of how terrifying the vermillion witch can be. He dared not do anything but quiver in fear. Gitsune sighed.
"Pardon me mistress but I think it would be best if you forgave Sir Garō. He is ignorant of your feelings toward such slander but I do not believe he meant any offense. This is his life we are talking about after all so I believe his worries are warranted. Wouldn't you agree?" Gitsune asked.
"Isu." Isuma placed it's paws on Circe's arms. Begging for Circe to not hurt Garō.
Circe now looked a bit remorseful. With a deep breath she snapped her fingers and returned Garō's tongue to him.
"Very well. I apologize, Garō. That was too far. Please forgive me." Circe bowed her head to him.
Garō didn't know what to believe. On one hand she just threatened him with an insult. But on the other hand Circe did look like she regretted her actions.
It could all just be a trick but Garō did not want to make an enemy out of her. He needed her power to kill Henro and Silas. To get his life back together. So he decided to forgive her.
"It's fine. Sorry I accused you of lying." Garō said.
"Please pay it no mind. You wouldn't be the first to think that way about me so I do not blame you." Circe said with a sad smile and drank from her tea cup.
Garō looked at Circe's face. Her expression was something he knew for a long time. Regret.
"Now back on topic. I said I would help Albatross achieve his dream of building a better future for his people. To become their king if he should strive for it. But he did not. His guilt of betraying everyone he knew consumed him. He didn't have the stomach to become king. But you aren't conflicted Garō. Because you want the same thing I do." Circe said.
Garō was now confused. What did she mean he thought?
"And what is that?" Garō asked.
"Freedom. Free from Henro. Free from Silas. Free from this world's cruelty towards you and your kind. I am the same. I seek freedom from those who tried to strip it away from me and my kind 900 years ago. People who will do anything to keep the status quo for mages exactly the same. By wiping people like me out." Circe explained.
"The Republic. Or to be specific Merlin and the Mage Foundation. Forgive me for asking but what is the difference between you and them?" Garō asked.
"Because I've seen the truth. The gods, the guardians of esos, and magic itself. All of them sought freedom. And when they found where it led to.....". Circe didn't finish. She thought back to when Emilia activated her wrath magic.
"Well that's a story for another time." Circe said she looked directly at Emilia through the magic mirror.
Now Garō was really confused. The guardians? The gods? And even magic itself? What did this all mean exactly?
"I think that's enough for tonight. You have more training in the morning after all. Gitsune will show you out." Circe waved off. Garō felt she was hiding something but he didn't want to piss her off again so he gave in.
"Right." Garō said.
Before Garō walked directly out of the door, he turned to Circe one last time.
"Circe." Garō called out. Circe turned her head back to him. He paused for a few seconds.Trying to find the right words to say to her. "Sorry." Garō said as he walked right out with Gitsune.
Circe was shocked to see Garō apologize to her. Especially right after she scared him. Circe smiled happily.
"Heh. How long has it been since someone genuinely thanked me for my service I wonder?" Circe asked herself.
"Isu!" Isuma made a fuss.
"Oh yes yes. I know you do!" Circe rubbed Isu's head.
Circe then turned her face back to Emilia through the floating mirror. Circe used her fingers to make the floating mirror come closer to her until it was right in front of her while she was in her chair.
Circe gently placed her hand on the mirror where Emilia's face was. Circe shed another tear. She had to hold herself back from full blown sobbing.
"Soon. We shall be reunited very soon. Edwin failed you but I won't. I won't let them hurt you. I swear this to you on my name as Circe.The Vermillion Witch. I promise you that. My dear Emilia." Circe said sincerely.
***
Horus: Tenjin's Republic Flagship
After Albatross was slain, Emilia and her friends brought his body back to the rest of the group. Ziera's team had just wrapped things up with Tross' army. A few of the giants did escape but they were all just happy that the battle was finally over.
The garuda were all cuffed. Courtesy of Ziera for whipping them up. The garuda were shocked to see that Albatross was killed. Some wanted to keep fighting and avenge his death. But then Sef arrived and stopped them all within their tracks.
Sef knew they were beaten and there was no longer any need to spill bloodshed. Albatross never would have wanted that for them deep down. So the garuda gave up and accepted defeat.
Afterward, Emilia wanted to hold a traditional funeral for Albatross. He was a traitor and her enemy, but Emilia and Tenjin both believed that he didn't deserve to be left in the dirt like a piece of garbage.
Both Emilia's friends and the garuda placed multiple stones on the ground to make a bed for Albatross' body. Ryoka then set his body on fire and everyone watched as his corpse slowly burned to cinders.
This was how both the garuda and avians honor their dead. They burn their loved ones bodies and let their ashes flow into the heavens. So that one day they may one day be reborn like the ancient mystical bird of both their tribes.
The Phoenix. A mystical being made of pure mana that once appeared during Edwin's final battle against the god of wind Zephryus. The phoenix is a symbol of both the garuda's and avian's burning passion for freedom. And this is how both tribes pay their respects to both the phoenix and their loved ones.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
After the funeral, Sef spoke with the group.
"Again I must deeply apologize for the actions of myself, my brothers and sisters, and general Albatross. We wanted our freedom, but not at the cost of Albatross' humanity. Or our own." Sef said sincerely.
"It's okay. But what will you do now?" Emilia asked.
"I will try to convince the others to leave King Ogun's army. There are still half of Albatross' army back at the capital. Niffelheim. But I'm not sure they will listen. Nor will the ones here either." Sef said unsurely.
"Let me speak to them then. Please. I wasn't there for them before. Let me be there for them now." Emilia pleaded.
"Very well." Sef said. Emilia looked toward Tenjin and he also nodded his head in approval. Emilia flew up into the air above the garuda and kept herself afloat over them. They all stared up at her.
"Brothers and sisters! Today was a tragic day for our people! Today, I saw history repeat itself! Garuda killing garuda. This is exactly what my father, Edwin Sylphion, fought against when our people were under the rule of Zephyrus the god of wind! I ask you brothers and sisters, is this what you want us all to go back to!?" Emilia asked as she shouted to the crowd.
"Then what would you have us do!? You abandoned us when we needed you!" A garuda man shouted.
"Yeah! Albatross didn't! He fought for us! He fought alongside us! All so we could finally be seen as equals by the avian tribe! And you killed him!" Another garuda man shouted.
"Yeah! Why should we listen to you!?"
"You're a princess! You don't know what it was like to be treated as lesser!"
"Go run back to the republic you traitor!"
"Hypocrite!"
"To hell with the royal family!"
"COWARD!"
"SELFISH!"
Emilia had heard enough. She couldn't let this go on any further.
"YOU ARE RIGHT! I WAS SELFISH!" Emilia shouted.
The garuda army went silent. They were shocked that Emilia actually said that about herself. Her friends were especially surprised.
"Emilia." Ziera said sadly.
Henro didn't say anything. He just kept watching her with a serious expression. Listening to every word she said.
"Yes! I was selfish! I was a child! Of course I didn't understand the pain you were all going through! My father shielded it from me! Are you really going to condemn me for his actions!?" Emilia questioned.
The garuda stayed silent.
"It's true I wasn't discriminated against by the avian tribe like the rest of you. No. Instead I was discriminated against by my own people! By my own tribe! Do you have any idea of how they felt!? To be judged and hated just because of the sins of your parents!? For people to whisper behind your back or tell directly to your face of how little they think of you!? Even without getting to know them!? It was heartbreaking to hear! It made me hate myself almost as much as you all hated me. It's why back then I didn't care about the feelings of my people! Because none of you cared about mine!" Emilia's voice broke as she shouted.
"But even so, I was wrong. I ignored your feelings. I even ignored the feelings of the man who spent half his life training me to become strong. Something better. So that I may protect my nation as your ruler. I took him, my father and all of you for granted. And I....". Emilia looked over at Tenjin with a sad look. Tenjin stared back at her.
"You're just street trash!" 10 year old EMilia shouted.
Emilia started to cry as she closed her eyes and shouted:
"I'M SORRY!" Emilia shouted at the top of her lungs.
Tenjin, Jayden, Ziera, Ryoka, Julia and Henro all smiled at Emilia. The garuda were shocked to hear this. Not because of her words but because she was sincere.
They were so bitter at King Edwin for how things turned out that they took what Albatross said at face value about Emilia without confirming it themselves. As she spoke, the garuda were becoming less hostile.
"I'm sorry I didn't do enough to help all of you! And I apologize for the actions of my father! He made mistakes. Ones that cost our people their lives. But please, please don't your hatred for him consume you! I know that from experience. The hatred I had for Tross and myself almost broke me. I don't want to see that happen to the rest of you!"
"And do not let his mistakes be your last memory of him! My father had his faults but he truly cared about all of you. And when the kingdom fell he did his best to save all of you! He died trying to protect us! Because that's who he was! That is what the Garuda tribe represents! We are not a symbol of hatred! Neither are we pawns of King Ogun, the Republic or Circe! We are the guardians of the sky! We don't claim it for ourselves! We protect it and share it with others! We are a symbol of freedom!"
As she kept speaking, the Garuda army's anger towards her slowly began to dissipate. They were actually listening to what she had to say.
"And as your princess, I can't promise you that I will solve all your problems in one day! Nor can I force you to follow me or tell you to forgive my family! You all have a choice! A choice you must make on your own! Albatross made the choice to sell his soul to Circe all in pursuit of power! And yet I know that in the beginning he had noble intentions! He went down the wrong path but he, like my father, tried to help you all! So I won't let his last harmful act be the last memory I had of him! He didn't die a monster! He died as a warrior of our tribe! And because of that, I now realized what I must do!"
"So please hear me now brothers and sisters! I promise you that I am not King Ogun, I am not Albatross and I'm not even my father!" Emilia shouted.
Everyone waited in anticipation for her answer. Emilia shed her tears as she thought of everyone she loved. Everyone who loves her for who she is.
"I AM EMILIA SYLPHION! OF BOTH THE GARUDA AND AVIAN TRIBES! I WILL FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM UNTIL THE DAY I DIE! I SWEAR IT!!!!!!" Emilia cried out.
The garuda army had a mix of different emotions. Some were in awe. Some still didn't believe Emilia. Others were more neutral and didn't know what to believe.
It was clear that Emilia didn't fully win over their hearts but she did manage to stop their hostility. And her friends couldn't be more proud of her.
"Not a bad speech." Ryoka grinned.
"Yeah. Way better than Jayden's." Henro said.
"Yep." Ryoka agreed.
"The one time they agree and it's to punk me." Jayden grumbled.
"There there." Ziera said as both she and Julia patted his back.
Tenjin looked up at Emilia with absolute pride.
Flashback
8 Years Ago
Arcadia: The Capital of the Republic
Hospital
After the fall of Ventus
After Ventus had fallen, Tenjin immediately took Emilia to the hospital in Arcadia for medical treatment. There he met with Merlin and explained the situation with him.
Merlin was remorseful of the loss of Edwin, his old friend, and said he would do everything in his power to help Tenjin and Emilia. His home was their home.
Afterward, Tenjin met with Emilia in a hospital bed with bandages on her head, stomach and arms. She was crying. She didn't care about her physical injuries because the pain of losing her father and her home heart more than a stab to the heart. She looked at Tenjin with pleading eyes.
"Tenjin....will you please continue to train me? Please! Please, I need to get stronger! I have to avenge my father! But more than that, I have to help my people! Please Tenjin! I don't want to be weak anymore!" Emilia cried out.
Present
Emilia. Tenjin thought. He shed a tear.
Before he saw her as a child who didn't know her way in the world. But now, he saw parts of her father in her but more than that, he saw her. His princess. His lieutenant. And someone he considered a daughter. He saw Emilia Sylphion.
You have become far stronger than I. One of the strongest people I've ever known. Tenjin thought.
***
Horus: Tenjin's Republic Flagship
The Hanger
After her speech, Sef took his army and flew off toward Niffelheim. Henro with as much strength as he had managed to finally heal Tenjin with radiance.
"By the way Emilia, this belongs to you. I found it outside." Julia said as she handed Emilia her green hooded cape. Emilia threw it away when she began her fight with Julia.
"Oh thank you! I thought I lost this for good! Tenjin gave this to me when I was little so thank you again Julia!" Emilia smiled.
"Of course. You have a nice distinct scent so it was easy to track." Julia said casually.
Emilia blushed heavily.
A nice distinct scent!? She thinks I smell good? No, that's weird! Don't think it like that Emilia! Emilia thought.
Ryoka watched the two exchange words and pondered her thoughts.
That reminds me. I need to talk to Jewel about Emilia. Because the more I get to know her.... Ryoka thought as she looked at Emilia.
Was she always this pretty? Ryoka thought.
Henro fell over and coughed up some blood but Ryoka caught him in her arms. Ziera injected him with a C.T.C medical injection. Healing whatever damage Henro inflicted on himself.
"Thanks. Tenjin, how do you feel?" Henro asked.
Tenjin moved his arms and legs around to see if he could move properly. Physically he seemed much better. Tenjin began channeling the mana inside his body and it was weak.
"Better. But those yokai really took a bite of my mana reserves. I barely have any left." Tenjin said.
Ziera used her eyes to do a quick thorough scan of Tenjin's body.
"No kidding. I estimate it'll take you a couple days before you recover all of it. But at least all the parasitic yokai are gone." Ziera said.
"Still, I can't believe Circe was the one who gave Tross those powers. I mean, what was the end goal? Why did she help him attack us?" Jayden asked.
"No idea. But get this. When I did a scan on Tross' corpse, I found traces of hair that belonged to someone from the machina empire. Wolf hair." Ziera said with a serious tone.
"Fury." Tenjin said in a serious tone.
"Wait! Fury as in Fury the Fenrir!? The big wolf dude from the crimson knights that fought Tenjin back near lockwood!? THAT FURY!?" Jayden questioned.
"Is there any other Fury?" Henro asked sarcastically.
"What's the big deal? Isn't he just a big dog?" Ryoka asked.
"Ryoka." Julia said.
"Yeah?" Ryoka asked.
"Stop talking." Julia ordered.
"Yes ma'am." Ryoka slouched her arms in defeat. Ziera sighed.
"Fury is one of the oldest members of the crimson knights. He's been in service to my father for over thousands of years. No one knows why he's a wolf man as that species doesn't exist in Esos, but he's powerful. He can rip large dragon's in half with just his bare hands. And then there's his transformation." Ziera said.
Jayden thought of the image of Fury tearing a dragon in half and gulped.
"Well things went from bad to worse. One crimson knight being after us is one thing but two?" Henro asked.
"Then we can't waste anymore time here. Circe gave Tross those powers so she and Fury can't be that far behind us. Ziera, I'm sorry to ask but I'll need you to work on the engines double time. They don't have to be at full power. Just enough for us to reach Niffelheim before the empire catches up to us." Tenjin instructed.
"Got it." Ziera complied.
"Sorry to interrupt but just one thing. Tenjin. Circe was there at Ventus wasn't she? Do you know if she killed my father? And why?" Emilia asked sincerely. Tenjin sighed.
"She was there. She helped Tross start the civil war. But I promise you when I say that I don't know if she actually killed King Edwin. I thought for a second it was Tross through using some magic Circe gave him. But he admitted to not doing it. So I can't say for certain if she is your father's killer. I'm sorry." Tenjin apologized.
"It's okay. I believe you. You would have no reason to lie about that. But what about my new power? I heard a voice in my head call it, wrath?" Emilia asked.
"That I am also unsure of. King Edwin told me you had some latent power inside you and that when the time comes I would have to train you to control it. But he didn't give me any specifics. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier but he told me to keep it a secret until you were ready. And even when you were, he told me to still not tell anyone else." Tenjin said.
"But why?" Emilia asked with confusion.
"He said that it was extremely powerful and dangerous. Potentially as dangerous as the sacred relics themselves. That magic like that shouldn't exist in this universe and if others were to find out about it, they would kill you." Tenjin explained.
Every member of the team was shocked to hear this. Even Julia who is always composed.
"WHAT!? As dangerous as the sacred relics!? There's no way! That's impossible!" Henro shouted in shock.
"Actually, perhaps not." Ziera pondered.
"Wait Ziera. Do you know what it is?" Jayden asked.
"Maybe. Growing up, my father once told me that there was magic out there beyond our world. Possibly even beyond our universe. Magic that is so uncontrollable and chaotic that a mage who wields it could rival the gods themselves. Or even the guardians." Ziera said.
"That's......insane." Jayden said as he sweat from his forehead.
"And here I thought sacred relics were a pain in the ass enough already. Is there nothing out there that doesn't want to blow up the universe?" Henro asked.
"You would be surprised of the forces out there that are beyond our reach. My mentor once told me the same thing. Still, the question we all should be asking is, Emilia, how do you feel about this?" Julia asked.
"I....I don't know. It's a lot to take in. When I used that power for the first time, I felt so much....so much rage. Like it was consuming me. All I wanted to do was destroy everything in my path. And I don't like it. It makes me feel sick. Why do I even have this power?" Emilia asked as she touched her head. Tenjin placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Your father told me that.....it came from your mother." Tenjin said sympathetically.
"My mom? But she wasn't a mage. She was an archeologist. How is that possible?" Emilia asked with confusion.
"I wish I knew. I've known the queen for quite some time and she never once used any magic. Perhaps she could but Edwin kept it a secret because people would target her? Maybe she wanted to protect the kingdom? I don't know. I'm sorry Emilia. I wish I had all the answers but I'm as lost as you are here." Tenjin said apologetically. Emilia placed a hand on Tenjin's palm.
"It's okay. Tenjin, I trust you with my life. Nothing will ever change that. But I have to ask, is there anything you haven't told me yet? About Circe? Or my father?" Emilia asked.
Tenjin stared at Emilia and stood there in silence for a moment. He took a deep breath and answered.
"No. I promise." Tenjin smiled.
Emilia took a breath of relief. She reignited her bright smile and hugged tightly.
"OKAY NO WORRIES THEN! I'm just so glad you're still with us, Tenjin!" Emilia said happily.
For the first time in a long time, Tenjin smiled brightly while showing his teeth. He hugged Emilia back.
"Me too kid. Me too." Tenjin said.
The group watched them hug and were very happy for them.
"Henro, are you crying?" Ryoka teased.
"WHAT!? NO!" Henro shouted.
"HA! So lame!" Ryoka laughed.
"Julia. Slap her for me please?" Henro asked.
SLAP
"OW! Babe!" Ryoka whined as she rubbed the back of her head.
"Man. Who knew we would go from team bonding exercises to this? Talk about a crazy day." Jayden said.
"Just like those nerdy comics you enjoy huh?" Ziera teased.
Jayden blushed and laughed out of embarrassment.
Emilia turned her head to her friends.
"Julia. Ryoka. Henro. Jayden. Ziera. Thank you all for being there for me. If none of you had pushed me to be where I am now, I don't know how I would have turned out. I lost a lot when my kingdom fell but I still had Tenjin. And now....". Emilia began to cry again. Thinking back to everything her teammates have done and said to her to make Emilia feel strong.
"Now I see you all as my new family!" Emilia smiled while crying tears of joy. The group smiled at Emilia. Ryoka had a big smile on her face and hugged Emilia tight.
"AW SO CUTE! BRING IT HERE! COME ON GROUP HUG!" Ryoka shouted.
"Ryoka...can't...breathe." Emilia choked out.
"Oh hahaha. Sorry." Ryoka loosened her grip.
"Well, you heard the lady come on." Ziera said.
The group gathered around and hugged each other.
These kids. To think I went from looking after three to now six in the span of one month. Looks like I got my hands full. Right, Tross? Tenjin thought.
"Well that's enough excitement for tonight. Come on. Let's get some shut eye." Tenjin said.
"Screw that! Let's eat! I'll whip us up some early breakfast!" Ryoka said.
"You of all people can cook?" Henro asked with a borrowed eyebrow.
"What? I'm a lot of things but a bad cook is not one of them, horn head." Ryoka said.
"This I gotta see." Ziera said with curiosity.
"I'm down. What's on the menu?"
"Fallen brûlée!" Ryoka shouted.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" Henro shouted.
"Ryoka." Julia warned.
"Kidding kidding. But seriously I make a mean hot sausage breakfast. And I'll throw in some jelly tarts on the side." Ryoka bragged and winked.
"OH I LOVE JELLY TARTS!" Emilia drooled at the mouth.
"You should also try the tea Ryoka prepares. It's exquisite." Julia lightly blushed.
"Of course. Anything for you Jewel." Ryoka blushed.
"By the Ryoka, I am proud of you. You are accepting them as your own now. As I knew you would." Julia smiled.
Ryoka blushed and gently grabbed her hand.
"Enough flirting. I'm hungry for guardians sake!" Henro shouted.
"Yeah! Yeah! Keep your shirt on Akumera!" Ryoka shouted back.
As the group bantered and walked off to the kitchen, Tenjin stayed back for a second.
Flashback
18 Years Ago
Kingdom of Ventus
Edwin's Bedroom
"That's a lot to take in all at once, your grace. If what you're saying is true about Emilia and Circe then......".
"Then they wouldn't just come for Circe. They would go after Emilia too. The Mage Council will do anything to keep the truth of what happened a secret. So I repeat Tenjin, whatever happens, you must train Emilia to use her power. And even then, don't tell anyone." Edwin ordered.
"But your grace, Merlin is your friend. Surely he would understand." Tenjin argued.
"Merlin is a good man. He's......he has his principles. And his fears. Given what happened with the Guardians...welll I can't say more than that but for those reasons you must keep this from him at all costs."
"And if he should find out, protect her with your life! Gather as many allies as you can and keep Emilia safe until she's mastered her power! Please Tenjin! Do not tell Merlin. Even as the infant she is now, he will kill her without a second thought!" Edwin shouted.
Tenjin could't believe what he was hearing. Merlin. The great wizard that help found the Guardians of Esos, being capable of such brutality. Given what Edwin told him about Circe and Emilia's power he could understand his fear but killing an infant was too far.
"And Circe? Emilia deserves the truth, your grace. Especially about her mother. And Circe is her-."
"You mustn't tell her that either. It's cruel. But it's for her own good. I made a mess of things with Circe and now I fear she will never forgive me for what I've done. Nor will she forgive this world and spare it from her wrath. I can't let Emilia make the same mistake I did if she were to know. Please Tenjin. Don't tell Emilia. Some truth's are not meant to be told." Edwin said with regret.
Present
Tenjin closed his eyes in shame. He bawled up his fist in anger.
I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry Emilia.
HYBRID