Hey guys, here is the next update of this fanfic. Hope you have enjoyed the read so far.

Anyway, here is the next chapter so enjoy.

Chapter Cover: Kaguya seating by herself as she was holding upon a fence looking up at the blue sky.

Chapter Twenty-One

Steps toward the Future

Aesyr stood there looking at the new arrival across them. She had placed herself in front of Kaguya, feeling the little girl holding upon her back from where she was standing. She narrowed her eyes lightly as she stared at the newly named Fallen God. She could also feel the power that was radiating around the woman's form and the smirk upon her lips seems to widen when their eyes met.

What is that absurd among of power radiating from her, she thought, I can tell by just looking at her…she is on a whole different level than Minotaur ever was…

She chanced a glance toward Shinji's direction and saw that the young man was trembling where he stood and the fear that was in his voice earlier was all too clear for everyone that was present. She turned her gaze back toward Azura, who was still standing in place as the dust that was dancing around her had completely dissipated.

A fight is the last thing we need right now…but why would she be here? Is she here to get revenge for what happened to Minotaur?

"How do you know who I am?" she asked.

Azura let out a scoff.

"One of my…informants told me about you," she answered, "You see, for the past five years ever since Minotaur annihilated the Dragon Knights base at Dragmount I have been keeping an eye upon that Dog."

A small smile worked its way upon her lips.

"You see, Minotaur seemed to be after something to gain more power," Azura explained, "Something that I am sure that you are well aware of. While I don't really care what it was, I am curious about how powerful he could really become…so I allowed it to happen, thought I did keep tabs upon him until something happened two months ago."

She raised a hand and pointed straight toward Aesyr.

"You managed to defeat one of his Commander in Port Aslyr."

Aesyr blinked for a few moments thinking back to that day.

I did feel a presence there…when I defeated Karmer…so it was her…

"I had felt someone watching me that day," Aesyr explained, keeping her attention upon the woman across them.

A flash of surprise appeared upon Azura's features, but it was for a brief moment. Then, the smile returned.

"You're sharper than you look," she said, "But then, you went and defeated Minotaur in combat. While many had tried ever since he became a Fallen God, I must admit, I was disappointed that he failed…I wanted him to gain that power."

Shinji stared at the woman.

"Then…you were working with him?" he asked.

Azura then laughed.

"As if would ever work with that Dog," she said, "I wanted him to gain that power so that I could destroy him at his best."

Aesyr was confused.

"Destroy him?" she repeated, "Weren't you allies or something?"

"Allies?" she said tilting her head, "Please, he was less than a worm in my eyes. I crave battle and I wanted him to gain power and I would have destroyed him, just to show him how weak he was. I bet that would have infuriated him more. I wanted to soak the ground in his blood…to turn his bones into dust and to grind his flesh into paste."

A demented grin had appeared upon Azura's face at those words and a pinkish red glow had appeared all around her body causing her eyes to glow a bright red.

"So when you defeated him, I wanted to meet you in person," Azura continued, " I wanted to see just how strong you are, the girl who has the power of the Dragons…and I must say…I'm intrigued by you."

She was walking toward Aesyr now, her smile disappearing as a light frown appeared upon her features.

"You are a human," she said, "I can smell it upon you and yet…I can sense that there is something more…something primal lying just beneath the surface…"

She came to a stop right in front of the silver haired girl, and Aesyr find the woman's face barely inches away from her own. The red gaze was penetrating almost like she could see right through her and see all the secrets that were hidden within her mind. There was a light interest within that gaze as well, and there was something else as well within that gaze.

A gaze of a hunter looking at it's prey.

"Just what are you Aesyr Assan?" she asked, her voice having taken a soft turn.

Aesyr stared back into those red eyes for a few moments of silence.

"I am exactly what you see in front of you," she answered.

Azura stayed silent for a few moments, her red eyes searching her face but then, she must have found what she wanted for the grin was back. She stepped back and suddenly started to laugh.

"Oh…so this is what this is about," She said, "To think that something like that has happened."

Aesyr was confused.

"What?"

Suddenly, Azura pointed straight toward her.

"From this point forth, you are my prey understand?" she declared, "If we were to fight now…I would completely eradicate you and I won't be able to have any fun. When I feel that you've become strong enough…I will come for you Aesyr."

Aesyr's eyes widened lightly at the threat.

"Then, we will have our battle," Azura continued, a dark look appearing upon her features, "So grow strong during your stay here in my beloved country…and I can't wait to see what type of monster is hidden within you…"

With a dark chuckle, Azura turned away from them and as she was walking, two bat-like wings grew from her back until they were twice as big as her. Her braided hair danced in the wind that was growing around her for a few moments as she gave a backward glance.

"Till next time…. Dragon girl."

With those parting words, Azura flew upward into the sky and was gone.

Aesyr stayed standing for a few more moments, looking up toward the sky in front of her. This was a situation that she wasn't expecting to happen at all. When she had heard about the Fallen Gods after battling against Minotaur, she had simply believed that they were some powerful mages under the Imperium's control but from the looks of it, things seem to have been far more complicated than it seems.

And she came straight at me, she thought, She knew exactly who I was and where I was…but I haven't noticed any presence following after us so far…

A soft whimpering drew Aesyr from her thoughts as she glanced down toward Kaguya who was trembling against her side. The small Demon child had tears falling from her eyes as she clung to her cloak. Aesyr instantly turned toward her, kneeling in front of the small child.

"Hey, it's okay," she said, in a soothing tone, "She's gone."

"Scary…," Kaguya said falling into her arms, "She's so scary."

Aesyr smiled lightly as she hugged the child close to her.

"Don't worry," she said softly, "I won't allow her to hurt you okay, I promise."

Kaguya nodded from her spot at her shoulder as she was slowly starting to calm down and it wasn't long before she stepped away from the hug giving a light smile. Kaguya still had red eyes from crying earlier but the tears had stopped rolling down her cheeks.

From beside her, Shinji had fallen upon his butt upon the middle of the road, his breathing coming out a little heavily.

"To think…someone of her caliber would seek us out like that," Shinji said.

Aesyr glanced at him.

"You okay?" she asked, "You were shaking pretty heavily back there…"

The blonde nodded.

"Yeah…I'm okay," he said, "I was just not expecting to run into her of all people."

The white-haired girl let out a small hum.

"Then she is popular, I'd reckon?"

Shinji glanced at her.

"All the Fallen Gods are powerful," he said, "But I thought Minotaur was just as strong as them…but she said she could have destroyed Minotaur even if he had managed to gain the Dragon Heart…thought I am surprised that you weren't affected by her Aesyr."

Aesyr frowned lightly.

"She was strong," she said, "There is no denying it…however, the Dragons are much…much stronger than that…"

She trailed off, the words Azura spoke to her returning to her mind.

I can't wait to see what type of monster is hidden within you.

Aesyr frowned lightly as she remembers the abominations that the Dragon Slayers became when they were started to transform into something that resembled dragons…

"Something's up?" Shinji asked her.

Aesyr gave him a light smile, shaking her head lightly.

"No…it's nothing," she said, "C'mon, let's head back."

Shinji simply gave her a nod as the group started to walk forward again. Aesyr could feel a cold chill within her. She don't want to grow stronger and become something like that and from how Azura reacted to her, she must sensed something about her….

I can tell there is something more about you…something primal lying just beneath the surface.

What are you Aesyr Assan?

Aesyr didn't really know the answers to those questions.

Five years ago, she'd say that she was a soldier.

Half a year ago, she'd answer that she was a Dragon Slayer.

But four minutes ago, when Azura asked her that question.

She has no answer.

The familiar lands that surrounded Hyades Village were a welcoming sight after being on the road for three days. The encounter with Azura had been pushed into the back of their mind, thought despite being shaken by her sudden appearance, Aesyr still felt a little more normal now, with Kaguya holding her hands as they were getting closer and closer to the village.

"This is where you're staying right now?" she asked, glancing up at her.

Aesyr nodded.

"Yes," she said, "It's not much, but it's home for now."

"Yeah," Shinji smirked, "I'm sure the Mayor will be pleased when we tell them Valdes will be able to help us rebuilding it quicker….thought, are you serious about rebuilding Dragmount?"

Aesyr glanced at him.

"I was serious," she said, "If we are planning to rebuild the Creed, then we are going to need a home."

Shinji let out a small hum.

"The mountain base could help," he said.

"Not a whole lot of people even know that place exist," Aesyr told him, "I'd rather we keep it that way. From what you said about the Dragon Knights, they were a symbol of hope to the people. I think turning them back into those symbols once more could be exactly what Atlasia needs right now."

Shinji nodded, showing that he understood the reasoning but he was keeping silent.

"Aesyr," Kaguya spoke out drawing the woman's attention toward her, "Are the people going to like me?"

That stumped the dark-skinned woman for a moment.

"Why wouldn't they?"

Kaguya looked down toward the ground.

"I am one of the Demon Tribes," she said, "And I was…Exiled. Are you sure I am not going to be a burden to you?"

Aesyr let out a small smile, ruffling the kid's hair.

"You'll never be a burden," she said.

Kaguya gave her a small smile at the kind words.

"Thank you."

"The village should be just over that ridge," Shinji told her indicating the road ahead.

"Can I go see?" Kaguya asked turning her attention toward the older woman.

Aesyr couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her lips at the eager eyes looking up toward her.

"Sure, why not?" she said, "C'mon."

The two of them started running together leaving Shinji behind to catch up. Kaguya couldn't help the small giggle that was escaping from her lips as they ran and for a few moments, Aesyr thought she looked just like a little kid. The girl had projected a maturity far beyond her age, and the Dragon Slayer knew she wasn't that mature when she was as young as Kaguya.

Must be a Demon Tribe thing, she thought to herself.

The two of them had reached their destination, finally able to see Hyades village or at least, the few repairs they have managed to do before leaving for Valdes but looking down at the village now, Aesyr instantly could tell that something was off.

Are those…knights? She thought looking at them surprised.

Sure enough, they were knights within Hyades village, all of them dressed in the same bulky looking armor which had the symbol of a Star with a sword in front of it. The symbol was shared with the banner that they had which was dancing within the wind blowing around them.

"Shinji," Aesyr called out glancing at the young man, "Something's happening in the village."

The Dragon Knight had caught up to them and glanced down at the village as well. A shocked expression appeared upon his features.

"Those are…The Wardens," he said shocked, "What the hell is the Imperium doing here?"

"The Imperium?" Aesyr repeated, remembering what Shinji said about them, "You mean…those guys who are in charge of Atlasia."

"Are they not suppose to be here?" Kaguya asked, confusion within her tone.

Shinji shook his head.

"No, they're not."

With those words, the blond man walked forward leaving Aesyr and Kaguya behind. After letting out a sigh, she took Kaguya's hand within her own before the two followed after him. Aesyr was feeling a little curious about the entire situation. Shinji had told her that the Imperium never came this side of Atlasia because of Minotaur's presence and that he was supposed to be the one who controlled this area of the continent…

Could defeating Minotaur had drawn their attention?

"Shinji, Aesyr."

It was Bartholomew. The man was walking toward them with a grave expression upon his features, probably due to the Imperium soldiers that were here within Hyades. the older man reached them.

"Bart, what the hell is going on?" Shinji asked.

"They came here because they wanted to speak to Aesyr," the old man told them.

"Me?" Aesyr asked.

Bartholomew nodded.

"Seems that whatever you did to Minotaur had reached Atlas," he said.

Aesyr frowned.

"How long has they've been here?" she asked.

"Two days," Bartholomew said, "Their presence is making a whole lot of people nervous already. The Mayor has been talking to them but The Magister seems content enough to wait for you to come back."

Shinji stilled.

"Magister?" he repeated, apprehension filling his voice.

Bartholomew nodded.

"Is that bad?" Aesyr asked.

"If a Magister is here, and given the platoon of soldiers that came along," Shinji said giving her a look, "That means he was ordered to come here by the leader of the Magisters."

Bartholomew nodded as well.

"It's never good when a Magister is sent somewhere," he said, looking at the soldiers that were within Hyades, "Er…Aesyr, why do you have a Tribe child with you?"

"Circumstances led to me taking her in," Aesyr said, "Can you take her to my tent? I'm going to have to speak to that Magister to see what he wants from me."

Bartholomew nodded and picked up Kaguya from the ground. The young child gave her a worried look but Aesyr simply gave her a light smile.

"Don't worry," she said, "I'll be with you soon."

"The Magister is staying in the large black and gold tent," Bartholomew told them, "Can't miss it."

Kaguya nodded at the two of them, thought she didn't look all that happy to be separated from her. Bartholomew walked away leaving both her and Shinji standing together. Aesyr gave the young man a glance.

"Shinji…, do you ever think defeating Minotaur would cause something like this to happen?" she asked.

Shinji shook his head.

"I never really thought about what would be done after defeating that guy to tell you the truth," he said, "He always seemed so powerful compared to me…but I should have guessed that as a Fallen God, he would have been in the Imperium's back pocket."

Aesyr let out a small sigh.

"Right," she said.

The two of them walked side by side and as Bartholomew said, it was hard to miss the tent where the Magister was saying given just how big it was. Seeing their approach, one of the Warden moved forward and blocked their path.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Aesyr Assan," she spoke out, "I think your Magister was waiting for me."

The man was wearing a helmet so it was hard to see his expression.

"Wait here," he said curtly before walking inside the tent.

He came back after a few moments but he opened the flap of the tent.

"Go inside," he said, "He is waiting for you."

Aesyr and Shinji entered inside the tent, wanting to get this entire situation over with.

A meeting with a Magister...what could this new turn of events brings?

Next Time: A Dragon's Choice.

Jacques0 out.

R&R