The night in Alden City was a portrait of tranquility. A chilling breeze swept through the cobblestone streets, illuminated by the soft glow of electric lamps, casting long, dancing shadows among the ancient buildings.
Guards patrolled the city gates, their spears resting on their shoulders, eyes scanning the vast, dark expanse of the sky.
"Nearly midnight," one guard murmured, stifling a yawn. "Seems like nothing untoward will grace us tonight."
His words were swiftly contradicted as the wind shifted its gust becoming more forceful, as if something was tearing through the air above.
A guard in the watchtower squinted, attempting to pierce the darkness.
"Something's in the sky," he announced.
The other guards snapped to attention. Some drew their weapons, while others strained to see through the gloom. A massive shadow, barely discernible, moved across the night sky.
The thunderous roar of colossal wings echoed through the air, vibrating in their chests. From behind the clouds, a gigantic bird emerged a golden Garuda, its eyes piercing the darkness.
Its wings spread wide, eclipsing a portion of the sky, and each beat sent a gust of wind that nearly toppled the guards.
"A… Garuda?" one guard gasped.
The Garuda swooped down, descending rapidly towards an open field near the city park. Its final wingbeat sent dust and leaves swirling before its powerful talons touched the ground.
The wind it carried made the street lamps flicker, as if trembling in the presence of this mystical beast.
Upon its back, Jade and the others were visible. As the Garuda came to a halt, one of them leaped down—a figure with silver hair, immediately drawing attention.
"Lady Hinabi! Lady Hinabi has arrived!" A ripple of excitement ran through the ranks, and several guards hurried to report.
Jade, preceding Hinabi, offered his hand to the beautiful priestess. Hinabi blushed at his gesture, a courtesy Jade extended to all the women, including Luna and Mei Mei, who appeared to struggle with the descent.
Once everyone had disembarked, the troops formed a neat line to welcome them. A female knight approached Hinabi and the group.
"Lady Hinabi, welcome." The knight bowed. "Where is Queen Yukihiko?" Hinabi placed a hand on the knight's shoulder, halting her reverence.
"They are still in the council chamber. Lady Hanabi arrived from the Sun Temple in Mandaraka this afternoon, accompanying Duke Herman, who departed to confront the Ramon forces."
"My sister came? Why didn't she contact me?" Hinabi's brow furrowed with concern.
"The Lady departed with her Phoenix to follow Duke Herman, who had left earlier," the knight explained.
"Very well. We shall see the Queen first," Hinabi declared.
"Jade, Gala, and Luna, take Mei Mei to rest. I will attend to the Queen."
Jade nodded, "As you wish, Lady Hinabi." Gala and Luna, escorting Mei Mei, followed suit.
"General Guan, you will accompany me to meet the Queen."
Hinabi led Jade, Gala, Luna, General Guan, and Mei Mei into the temple, where they parted ways.
Jade and his companions were shown to their quarters.
They were treated with courtesy by the temple's attendants. However, due to the temple's predominantly female population, they were lodged in the guard barracks, reserved for visiting dignitaries.
The barracks were located outside the temple grounds. Jade lay on a bunk bed with Gala below him.
"Gala, I can't stop thinking about General Lance…" Jade's brow creased. Why was Gala silent? He turned to see Gala fast asleep.
Jade sighed, gazing at his comrade. "Look, this noble's face is no different from a farmer's son when he sleeps." Jade chuckled softly.
He turned back to face the ceiling. "Rest well, friend. Today, we almost missed the sunrise…" Jade murmured to the sleeping Gala.
He pondered the day's events, the monumental shifts in his life. Jade fell into a deep reverie.
***** *****
Meanwhile, in the council chamber,
The atmosphere was serene yet heavy with concern. The spacious room featured a large, round table at its center.
Queen Yukihiko Regania, Duke Hector Valeria, and Duke Takeshi Hiroshi sat there, their faces etched with worry. Across from them, Jenderal Guan and Hinabi were seated.
The room was empty save for the temple knight guarding the entrance.
Hinabi recounted the day's events, including Lance's situation. Queen Yukihiko fixed a stern gaze on General Guan.
Her eyes blazed with anger, as if she could devour him whole. He had slaughtered countless Jindara soldiers during the previous war with Xiangdu, a wound still fresh.
Duke Takeshi, sensing the tension, spoke up after Hinabi finished her report.
"Duke Hector, could you send out Myth Panzer vehicles to locate General Lance?" he suggested. "We desperately need Lance at this juncture."
"I am concerned for his safety, given Hinabi's account. Though I am confident Lance can manage, considering Umbra's flight was akin to a Wyvern's."
Duke Takeshi's words drew the Queen's attention. There seemed to be a history between Lance and the former Baranesta leader.
"Duke Hector, Duke Takeshi speaks true. Can we borrow Baranesta's latest vehicles?" the Queen asked, her concern for Lance evident.
"Your Majesty, there is no need to ask. I will see to it. Earl Freed shall lead the search, as it falls within his domain."
"Thank you, Hector." The Queen offered a grateful smile before continuing. "As we know, our continent has been invaded by forces from Ramon. They wield powers we do not comprehend."
The Queen proceeded to brief Hinabi, who had been absent from the earlier strategy meeting.
"Currently, all Jindara troops are deployed to defend Fort Asyr in the east and northeast. Half the forces are stationed at Fort Hanan, the outermost fortress of Baranesta, bordering the southeast."
"Duke Takeshi has also secured the borders with the aid of the Thousand Flower Islands' forces. They are stationed at Fort Yevhan, near Yevhan City, the outermost fort in Yamashiro."
"Duke Herman Syailendra has directly moved to Fort Asyr in the east to stem Ramon's advance into Baranesta."
"As the Queen mentioned, I will depart tonight for Fort Yevhan to flank Ramon should they bypass the north," Duke Takeshi added.
"And Duke Hector will remain outside Jindara Palace as our last line of defense. Fort Gallysium, the final bastion, will be protected by the remaining royal troops and the Adventurers' Guild," the Queen concluded.
Yukihiko then addressed Jenderal Guan. "General Guan, accompany me to the palace to aid in its defense."
Jenderal Guan, who had been silent, appeared lost in thought.
Seeing his hesitation, the Queen continued, "I have much to discuss regarding Ling Mei… and you know me well, don't you?" Jenderal Guan sighed in response.
"Very well, but I have one condition… Protect Mei Xiao Garudeya, my niece, who survived by her own stubbornness."
"Ling Mei had a child?! And a Garudeya?" The Queen was taken aback, as were the Dukes and Hinabi.
Jenderal Guan had only mentioned her as his niece during their confrontation with Jade's group.
***** *****
Meanwhile…
Jade, unable to sleep, ventured out of his room, haunted by dark thoughts. He worried about General Lance and the possibility of Ramon breaching Hanan.
His family was within the fort's confines, near their old training grounds and the village of Arun.
Jade wandered through Alden City's silent, cobblestone streets. The night air was biting, yet his thoughts were colder still.
The memory of his defeat by General Guan returned unbidden. The arrival of Rivotra and the inexplicable events—the sudden emergence of the Grand Aeons—left him deeply unsettled. He felt like a stranger in his own world.
Unknowingly, his feet led him to a small park at the city's edge. Moonlight bathed the dew-kissed grass. Under an old tree, its leaves rustling gently, sat a woman.
Jade halted. Her hair was a shimmering white-gold, glowing in the moonlight. Her form was delicate, yet what truly shocked him was her complete lack of clothing.
He averted his gaze, flustered. "You…" he stammered, unsure what to say. The woman looked at him with clear, innocent eyes, as if newly born.
"Who are you?" Jade finally asked.
She tilted her head, as if trying to decipher his words.
Then, in a voice as soft as the night breeze, she replied, "Who are you? You should introduce yourself."
She frowned, adding, "Where are your manners? You are quite rude!"
Jade was struck by her beauty, oblivious to her rebuke. However, there was a more pressing matter.
Quickly, he removed his cloak and approached her. "Wear this," he offered.
She regarded the cloak, then Jade, seemingly puzzled.
Jade sighed. "To cover yourself. It's cold." His tone was gentler. The woman blushed.
She accepted the cloak, examining it before donning it with slow, unfamiliar movements.
Jade sat beside her, maintaining a respectful distance. He retrieved a loaf of bread from his pouch, originally intended for his stroll, and offered it to her.
"Eat, you must be hungry," he said.
She stared at the bread, then took it cautiously, biting into it.
Her golden eyes widened, surprised by the taste. "It's… warm," she murmured.
Jade nodded. "Where did you come from? Why are you out here without clothes?"
Ave paused, looking at the sky. "I don't know… dark, silent, and cold. Then I saw the light, and I was here."
She turned back to Jade. "I forgive you. And I'll let you talk to me. I think you're the first kind person I've met."
"People thought I was crazy and chased me away from every town. Until I saw that!" She pointed to the temple's emblem on Alden's tower.
"People here are friendly. But you're the first I've met." She smiled innocently at Jade.
Jade studied her closely, noting her striking beauty. "What happened before you came here?" he asked.
"I miss my mother… and I hate the past!" she replied, her words disjointed. Jade was perplexed.
She answered randomly, ignoring his questions. "My life was miserable until you found me." Jade was startled. "Me?"
She nodded. "You're quite handsome, compared to my little brother." She reached out, touching Jade's chest, over his heart. "I can feel your heartbeat and the blood in your veins."
Jade felt a strange warmth spread through him. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. "I don't understand…"
She smiled faintly. "You will, if you let me kiss your neck."
Jade was speechless, his body trembling. This was uncharted territory for him.
Silence fell between them, broken only by the rustling leaves. Jade looked to the sky, trying to process her words.
A mysterious woman, appearing from nowhere, was seducing him in an unfamiliar way. He finally spoke.
"For now," Jade said, "your safety is paramount. We can figure out the rest later."
She regarded him, then nodded. "Fine. I'll stay with you."
"Why?" Jade asked.
She smiled warmly. "Because I feel… you're the only one I can trust."
Jade was silent, unsure if this was good or bad. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew. A shadow swooped down from the temple tower.
The shadow was the Garuda!
Hinabi leaped from the Garuda's back, landing before Jade and the woman.
"Jade! Stay away from her! Her aura is unsettling!" Hinabi warned, her violet dagger drawn.
"Hinabi, what's wrong? Why are you saying this?"
"Who are you! What do you want?" Hinabi ignored Jade's questions.
Jade turned to the woman, who smiled faintly. "Why is Hinabi like this to you? Who are you?" Jade hesitated, stepping back. But the woman embraced him.
"You can't leave! You're kind. I want to stay with you!" she said, clinging to Jade. He struggled to break free.
"Who are you?! Answer! Let him go!" Hinabi approached. The woman, annoyed, provoked Jade to leave.
She punched Jade in the stomach with blinding speed, knocking him unconscious.
"What did you do!" Hinabi, witnessing this, attacked with lightning speed.
Wielding her dagger, she struck with the force of muscle enhancement.
The woman, however, leaped away, her jump surpassing even Lance's dragon slayers.
She landed on the Garuda, which seemed to await her. Hinabi was stunned. "Garuda!" she cried, but the mystical beast ignored her, its soulmate.
From the Garuda's back, the woman spoke, "Garuda, is she your soulmate?" The Garuda responded with guttural roars.
"I see. Very well," she replied.
She leaped again, landing with a ground-shattering impact. Dust billowed as Hinabi was thrown against a wall.
In a blink, the woman was before Hinabi. "Garuda told me everything. Rise, Hinabi."
"I am Ave, the Night Princess. Let us plan to teach my insolent little brother, Rivotra, a lesson!"
Hinabi's eyes widened. If this was Ave, the Night Princess, she was a Grand Aeon of Laila's first lineage! The second child after Bahamut!
The Grand Aeon who once slaughtered Demantra Ent'tra's descendants, now a tree sustaining the Thousand Flower Islands.
The Grand Aeon, Ave the Vampiress, ruler of the night.