The night in Alden City was a tableau of tranquility. A chilling breeze, like a sigh from the ancient world, swept through the cobblestone streets, their surfaces illuminated by the soft, ethereal glow of electric lamps, casting long, dancing shadows that writhed amongst the venerable buildings.
Guards, clad in the livery of the Queen, patrolled the city gates with measured tread, their polished spears resting upon their shoulders, their keen eyes scanning the vast, dark expanse of the heavens.
"Nigh upon the midnight hour," one guard murmured to his companion, stifling a yawn that spoke of the long watch. "It would seem that naught untoward shall grace us this night."
His words were swiftly belied as the wind shifted its course, the gentle gust becoming more forceful, as if some great presence were tearing through the air above, unseen.
A guard stationed high in the watchtower squinted into the inky blackness, attempting to pierce the veil of night.
"Something stirs in the sky," he announced, his voice carrying a note of unease.
The other guards snapped to attention, their weariness forgotten. Some instinctively drew their weapons, the steel gleaming faintly in the lamplight, while others strained their eyes to see through the gloom.
A massive shadow, barely discernible against the star-dusted canvas of the night, moved with silent grace across the heavens.
Then came the thunderous roar of colossal wings, echoing through the air and vibrating deep within their chests, a sound that spoke of ancient power.
From behind the veil of clouds, a gigantic bird emerged, its plumage the color of burnished gold – a majestic Garuda, its eyes piercing the darkness like twin beacons.
Its wings spread wide, eclipsing a portion of the starry sky, and each powerful beat sent a gust of wind that nearly toppled the guards from their feet, a testament to its immense size and strength.
"A… Garuda?" one guard gasped, his voice filled with awe and a touch of fear.
The Garuda swooped down from the heavens, descending rapidly towards an open field near the tranquil city park.
Its final, powerful wingbeat sent dust and fallen leaves swirling in a miniature whirlwind before its mighty talons touched the hallowed ground.
The wind that accompanied its descent made the street lamps flicker and dance, as if trembling in the very presence of this mystical beast, a creature of legend made real.
Upon its broad back, the figures of Jade and the others were now clearly visible.
As the Garuda came to a graceful halt, one of them leaped down with an agility that belied the journey – a figure with hair the color of spun silver, immediately drawing the attention of all who beheld him.
"Lady Hinabi! Lady Hinabi has returned!" A ripple of excitement ran through the ranks of the guards, their earlier weariness forgotten, and several hurried away to report the Lady's arrival to their superiors.
Jade, ever the courteous knight, preceded Hinabi and offered his hand to the beautiful priestess, assisting her with the dismount.
Hinabi blushed faintly at his chivalrous gesture, a courtesy Jade extended to all the women in their company, including Luna and the young Mei Mei, who appeared to struggle slightly with the descent from the magnificent creature.
Once everyone had disembarked from the Garuda, the temple troops formed a neat and respectful line to welcome them back to Alden. A female knight, her armor gleaming in the lamplight, approached Hinabi and the weary group.
"Lady Hinabi, welcome back to Alden." The knight bowed her head in respectful greeting.
"Where is Queen Yukihiko? We were expecting her return with you." Hinabi placed a comforting hand upon the knight's shoulder, halting her further reverence.
"Her Majesty and the Dukes are still within the council chamber. Lady Hanabi, my sister, arrived from the Sun Temple in Mandaraka this afternoon, accompanying Duke Herman, who has already departed to confront the advancing Ramon forces in the east."
"My sister came? Why did she not send word to me of her arrival?" Hinabi's brow furrowed with a sudden concern for her twin.
"The Lady departed swiftly with her Phoenix, following after Duke Herman, who had left earlier in the day to bolster the defenses in the east," the knight explained, offering a reassuring smile.
"Very well. We shall see the Queen first and learn of the tidings," Hinabi declared, her voice firm despite her underlying worry.
"Jade, Gala, and Luna, I would ask that you take Mei Mei to rest. The young one has endured much. I will attend to the Queen and the matters of state."
Jade nodded his assent. "As you wish, Lady Hinabi. We shall see to the young princess's comfort." Gala and Luna, gently escorting the tired Mei Mei between them, followed suit, their steps weary but their resolve firm.
"General Guan, your presence is requested. You will accompany me to meet with the Queen. There are matters that must be discussed forthwith."
Hinabi led Jade, Gala, Luna, General Guan, and Mei Mei towards the imposing temple gates, where they parted ways, each heading towards their respective destinations within the sacred grounds.
Jade and his companions were shown to their designated quarters within the temple complex.
They were treated with the utmost courtesy by the temple's attendants, who moved with quiet efficiency.
However, due to the temple's predominantly female population, they were lodged in the guard barracks, a sturdy building usually reserved for visiting dignitaries and officials.
The barracks were located just outside the main temple grounds, nestled amongst ancient trees. Jade found himself assigned to the upper bunk of a simple bed, with Gala settling onto the lower one beneath him.
"Gala, I cannot still my thoughts concerning General Lance…" Jade murmured into the darkness, his brow furrowed with worry for his friend's fate.
Why was Gala so silent? He turned his head to see Gala already fast asleep, his breathing deep and even.
Jade sighed softly, gazing down at his comrade's peaceful face. "Look at him," he thought, a faint smile touching his lips.
"This noble's face, when sleep claims him, is no different from that of a farmer's son, weary from the day's toil." Jade chuckled softly to himself.
He turned back to face the ceiling, his gaze lost in the shadows above. "Rest well, my friend. Today, we almost missed the sunrise amidst the chaos…" Jade murmured to the sleeping Gala, his voice filled with a quiet affection.
He pondered the day's momentous events, the monumental shifts that had occurred in his young life. The weight of it all, the battles fought and the revelations made, soon lulled Jade into a deep reverie, his worries fading into the realm of slumber.
***** *****
Meanwhile, within the solemn council chamber,
The atmosphere was serene, yet heavy with an undercurrent of deep concern. The spacious room, adorned with tapestries depicting ancient battles and legendary heroes, featured a large, round table crafted from polished oak at its center.
Queen Yukihiko Regania, her regal bearing evident even in her weariness, sat at the table, flanked by Duke Hector Valeria and Duke Takeshi Hiroshi, their faces etched with worry and the weight of responsibility.
Across from them, Jenderal Guan, his usual stoicism replaced by a troubled frown, and Hinabi were seated, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation.
The room was empty save for a lone temple knight, clad in shining armor, who stood as a silent sentinel guarding the entrance, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Hinabi recounted the day's harrowing events, including the perilous situation of General Lance and his battle against the Umbra Stryx. Queen Yukihiko fixed a stern and unwavering gaze upon General Guan, her expression unreadable.
Her eyes blazed with an inner anger, as if she could devour him whole for the countless Jindara soldiers he had slaughtered during the previous bitter war with Xiangdu, a wound that still festered in the hearts of her people.
Duke Takeshi, ever perceptive to the shifting tides of emotion within the chamber, spoke up after Hinabi had concluded her report, his voice calm and measured.
"Duke Hector," he began, addressing the former leader of Baranesta,
"could you dispatch several of Baranesta's swift Myth Panzer vehicles to locate General Lance? We desperately need his strength and leadership at this critical juncture."
"I, too, am deeply concerned for his safety, given Hinabi's account of the battle."
"Though I hold a firm confidence in Lance's abilities, considering that Umbra's flight, as described, was akin to that of a swift Wyvern, a formidable foe indeed."
Duke Takeshi's words drew the Queen's attention, her brow furrowing slightly. There seemed to be an unspoken history, a shared past, between Lance and the former leader of Baranesta that piqued her curiosity.
"Duke Hector," the Queen interjected, her voice carrying a note of both authority and concern,
"Duke Takeshi speaks true. Can we perhaps borrow a few of Baranesta's latest and fastest vehicles for this urgent task?" Her worry for Lance's well-being was evident in her tone.
"Your Majesty, there is no need for a formal request in such dire circumstances."
"I will see to it personally. Earl Freed, whose lands border the region where Lance was last seen, shall lead the search party. It falls within his domain and his capabilities."
"Thank you, Hector. Your swift action is greatly appreciated," the Queen offered a grateful smile before continuing to address the assembled council.
"As we all know, our continent has been invaded by a formidable force from the Ramon continent. They wield powers and employ strategies that we do not yet fully comprehend, making them a most dangerous adversary."
The Queen then proceeded to brief Hinabi, who had been absent from the earlier, initial strategy meeting due to her urgent journey.
"Currently, all available Jindara troops are deployed to defend Fort Asyr in the east and northeast, the first line of defense against this invasion."
"Half of our remaining forces are stationed at Fort Hanan, the outermost fortress of Baranesta, bordering the contested lands to the southeast."
"Duke Takeshi has also secured the borders of Yamashiro with the crucial aid of the valiant forces from the Thousand Flower Islands."
"They are currently stationed at Fort Yevhan, near the strategically important city of Yevhan, which serves as the outermost fort in Yamashiro."
"Duke Herman Syailendra, ever vigilant, has directly moved to Fort Asyr in the east to personally oversee the defenses and stem the tide of Ramon's advance into the heart of Baranesta."
"And as the Queen mentioned," Duke Takeshi added, his voice grave, "I will depart from Alden tonight for Fort Yevhan to personally oversee the defenses in the north and to be in position to flank the Ramon forces should they manage to bypass our eastern defenses."
"And Duke Hector, with his wisdom and experience, will remain just outside the Jindara Palace here in Alden as our last line of defense, a bulwark against any unforeseen threat."
"Fort Gallysium, the final bastion of our kingdom, will be protected by the remaining royal troops and the brave members of the Adventurers' Guild, who have pledged their swords to our cause,"
the Queen concluded, her gaze sweeping across the worried faces around the table. Yukihiko then turned her attention to Jenderal Guan, her expression softening slightly as she addressed the former enemy.
"General Guan, I would ask that you accompany me to the palace. Your knowledge of warfare and your experience will be invaluable in aiding its defense."
Jenderal Guan, who had remained silent throughout the council's deliberations, appeared lost in his own troubled thoughts, his gaze distant.
Seeing his hesitation, the Queen continued, her voice taking on a more personal tone,
"I have much that I wish to discuss with you regarding Ling Mei… and you know me well enough, do you not, General?" Jenderal Guan sighed deeply in response, the weight of his past actions heavy upon him.
"Very well, Your Majesty," he finally replied, his voice low and somber,
"but I have one condition that I must insist upon… You must promise to protect Mei Xiao Garudeya, my niece, who survived the fall of Xiangdu through her own stubborn will and resilience."
"Ling Mei had a child?! And of the Garudeya lineage?" The Queen was visibly taken aback by this unexpected revelation, as were the Dukes and even the usually composed Hinabi.
Jenderal Guan had only ever mentioned her as his niece during their tense confrontation with Jade's group, never revealing the full extent of her parentage.
***** *****
Meanwhile…
Jade, his mind racing with unanswered questions and troubled by the weight of responsibility, found himself unable to find solace in sleep.
He ventured quietly out of his assigned room in the guard barracks, his thoughts consumed by worry for General Lance and the chilling possibility of the Ramon forces breaching the defenses of Fort Hanan.
His own family resided within the fort's sturdy confines, near their old training grounds and the familiar village of Arun, a place of fond memories now threatened by the encroaching darkness.
Jade wandered aimlessly through Alden City's silent, cobblestone streets, the rhythmic click of his boots echoing in the stillness of the night.
The night air was biting, carrying the crisp scent of autumn, yet his thoughts were colder still, a chilling premonition of the dangers that lay ahead.
The vivid memory of his humiliating defeat at the hands of General Guan returned unbidden, a bitter taste in his mouth.
The sudden, terrifying arrival of Rivotra and the inexplicable emergence of the legendary Grand Aeons left him deeply unsettled, a profound sense of unease clinging to him like a shroud. He felt like a stranger in his own world, adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
Unknowingly, his weary feet led him to a small, secluded park nestled at the very edge of the sprawling city.
Soft moonlight bathed the dew-kissed grass in an ethereal glow, casting long, silver shadows that danced amongst the ancient trees. Under the sheltering branches of an old oak, its leaves rustling gently in the night breeze, sat a solitary woman.
Jade halted in his tracks, his breath catching in his throat. Her hair was a shimmering white-gold, glowing with an otherworldly luminescence in the soft moonlight.
Her form was delicate and graceful, yet what truly shocked him, and made him avert his gaze in flustered embarrassment, was her complete lack of clothing.
"You…" he stammered, his voice barely a whisper, unsure of what words to utter in such an unexpected encounter.
The woman looked up at him with clear, innocent eyes, as if she had just been born into the world, untouched by its harsh realities.
"Who are you?" Jade finally managed to ask, his voice a little steadier now.
She tilted her head slightly, as if trying to decipher the meaning of his simple words, her brow furrowed in innocent curiosity.
Then, in a voice as soft and gentle as the night breeze rustling through the leaves above, she replied, "Who are you? It is customary to introduce oneself when making an acquaintance."
She frowned slightly, adding with a touch of playful reprimand, "Where are your manners, young man? You are quite rude!"
Jade was struck speechless by her ethereal beauty, so much so that he barely registered her gentle rebuke. However, there was a more pressing matter at hand, a sense of propriety overriding his initial shock.
Quickly, he removed his warm cloak from his shoulders and approached her cautiously. "Wear this," he offered, extending the garment towards her.
She regarded the cloak with wide, curious eyes, then looked up at Jade, seemingly puzzled by his gesture and its purpose.
Jade sighed softly, a hint of a smile touching his lips. "To cover yourself. It is rather cold out here tonight." His tone was gentler now, understanding her apparent innocence.
The woman blushed faintly, a delicate rose tinting her cheeks.
She accepted the offered cloak, examining the soft fabric with fascination before donning it with slow, unfamiliar movements, as if she had never worn clothing before.
Jade sat down beside her on the cool grass, maintaining a respectful distance. He retrieved a simple loaf of bread from his pouch, originally intended as a light snack for his solitary stroll, and offered it to her.
"Eat," he said gently, extending the bread towards her. "You must be hungry, being out here in the cold."
She stared at the bread with wide eyes, then took it cautiously, biting into it with a tentative nibble.
Her golden eyes widened in surprise, a look of pure delight spreading across her face as she savored the simple taste. "It's… warm," she murmured, as if discovering a wondrous secret.
Jade nodded, a smile returning to his own face. "Where did you come from? And why are you out here all alone, without any clothes?"
Ave paused in her eating, looking up at the star-dusted sky, her expression thoughtful. "I don't know… It was dark, silent, and so very cold. Then I saw the light of the city, and I found myself here."
She turned her gaze back to Jade, her eyes filled with a disarming innocence. "I forgive you for your rudeness. And I will even allow you to talk to me. I believe you are the first truly kind person I have ever met."
"People thought I was crazy and chased me away from every town I wandered into. Until I saw that!" She pointed a slender finger towards the towering temple, its emblem clearly visible against the night sky.
"The people here in Alden have been friendly enough. But you… you are the first one who has truly spoken to me." She smiled innocently at Jade, a radiant expression that lit up her beautiful face.
Jade studied her closely, taking in her striking beauty and the air of profound innocence that surrounded her. "What happened before you came here to Alden?" he asked gently, his curiosity growing.
"I miss my mother… and I hate the past! It was filled with so much pain and darkness," she replied, her words disjointed and filled with a sudden sorrow. Jade was perplexed by her fragmented memories.
She answered his questions randomly, her thoughts seemingly flitting from one subject to another, ignoring his attempts to understand her past.
"My life was miserable and filled with fear until you found me here in this peaceful place." Jade was startled by her directness. "Me?"
She nodded her head, her golden hair swaying gently in the breeze. "Yes, you. You are quite handsome, much more so than my annoying little brother."
She reached out a delicate hand and touched Jade's chest, directly over his beating heart. "I can feel your heartbeat, the rhythm of life flowing through your veins."
Jade felt a strange warmth spread through him at her touch, an unfamiliar sensation that made his heart race. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure and make sense of this bizarre encounter.
"I… I don't understand any of this…"
She smiled faintly, a knowing look in her eyes that belied her earlier innocence. "You will, in time. Especially if you let me kiss your neck. It will help you understand."
Jade was rendered speechless by her bold proposition, his body trembling with a mixture of nervousness and an unfamiliar desire. This was uncharted territory for him, a situation he had never encountered before.
Silence fell between them once more, broken only by the gentle rustling of leaves in the ancient oak above. Jade looked up at the star-dusted sky, trying to process her strange words and even stranger actions.
A mysterious woman, appearing from nowhere and possessing an otherworldly beauty, was attempting to seduce him in a way that was both unsettling and strangely alluring. He finally found his voice, his words carefully chosen.
"For now," Jade said gently but firmly, "your safety is paramount. We can try to figure out the rest of this… later, when things are less uncertain."
She regarded him with an unreadable expression, then nodded her head slowly. "Fine. I will stay with you, then."
"Why?" Jade asked, his curiosity still piqued by her enigmatic nature.
She smiled warmly, a genuine and heartfelt expression that reached her golden eyes. "Because I feel… you are the only one I can truly trust in this strange new world."
Jade remained silent, unsure whether this unexpected development was a good omen or a sign of further complications to come. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept through the park, causing the leaves to swirl around them.
A large shadow swooped down from the towering temple, its form unmistakable against the moonlit sky.
The shadow was the majestic Garuda, its golden plumage gleaming in the night!
Hinabi leaped gracefully from the Garuda's broad back, landing lightly but with a sense of urgency before Jade and the mysterious woman.
"Jade! Stay away from her! Her aura… it is unsettling and dangerous!" Hinabi warned, her voice sharp with alarm, her violet dagger already drawn and gleaming menacingly in her hand.
"Hinabi, what is wrong? Why are you saying such things? She has done nothing."
"Who are you! What do you want here?" Hinabi ignored Jade's bewildered questions, her attention solely focused on the enigmatic woman.
Jade turned to the woman, who merely offered a faint, knowing smile, as if amused by Hinabi's reaction. "Why is Hinabi acting like this towards you? Who are you, truly?" Jade hesitated, taking a step back, a sense of unease creeping into his heart. But the woman, with surprising speed, embraced him tightly.
"You cannot leave me! You are kind, the only kind person I have met. I want to stay with you always!" she said, clinging to Jade with unexpected strength. He struggled to break free from her grasp, a growing sense of dread washing over him.
"Who are you?! Answer me! Let him go this instant!" Hinabi approached them, her dagger raised and ready to strike. The woman, her earlier playfulness vanishing, provoked Jade to leave her side with a swift and brutal action.
With blinding speed, she punched Jade squarely in the stomach, the force of the blow knocking him unconscious and sending him sprawling onto the dew-kissed grass.
"What have you done!" Hinabi cried out, witnessing this sudden act of violence, and attacked the woman with lightning speed, her earlier caution forgotten in her fury.
Wielding her violet dagger with practiced skill, she struck with the enhanced force of her temple training, her movements a blur of righteous anger.
The woman, however, leaped away from Hinabi's attack with astonishing agility, her jump surpassing even the incredible leaps of Lance's famed dragon slayers.
She landed gracefully upon the back of the waiting Garuda, which seemed to have anticipated her movements. Hinabi stared in stunned disbelief.
"Garuda!" she cried out to her loyal companion, but the mystical beast ignored her plea, its allegiance clearly lying with its soulmate.
From the Garuda's broad back, the woman spoke, her voice now carrying a regal authority that had been absent before. "Garuda, is she truly your soulmate, the one you have searched for?"
The Garuda responded with a series of guttural roars that seemed to confirm her unspoken question.
"I see. Very well, then," she replied, a thoughtful expression on her beautiful face.
With another incredible leap, she descended from the Garuda, landing with a ground-shattering impact that sent tremors through the park.
Dust and small pebbles billowed outwards as Hinabi was thrown violently against the trunk of a nearby tree, the force of the shock leaving her momentarily stunned.
In the blink of an eye, the woman was standing before the dazed Hinabi, her golden eyes now glowing with an ancient power. "Garuda has told me everything, Hinabi. Rise, Priestess of Alden."
"I am Ave, the Night Princess, and the second child of Laila. Let us now make plans to teach my insolent little brother, Rivotra, a lesson he will not soon forget!"
Hinabi's eyes widened in utter shock and disbelief. If this truly was Ave, the legendary Night Princess, then she was a Grand Aeon of Laila's first lineage! The second child born after the mighty Bahamut himself!
The very Grand Aeon who, in ages past, had slaughtered the descendants of Demantra Ent'tra, who now existed as the colossal tree sustaining the entirety of the Thousand Flower Islands.
The Grand Aeon, Ave the Vampiress, the ancient and powerful ruler of the night, stood before her, and the fate of Bornika had just taken a dramatic and unforeseen turn.