Jadus was growing impatient. "Why are you defending them? Shouldn't you be helping the world instead?! Have you forgotten what happened a million years back then? Clover was destroyed by what you call mere children. Because of that, all the surviving races did everything they can to create Harmonia. But now our world is once again facing the same threat as before, yet your defending them? Have you totally lost your mind?--"
"That's not something for us to do. As a parent I 'am merely protecting my children. And for sure you wouldn't even spare the third." He laid a hand on Airi's head "And even if you did, I promised my sister that I would take care of her children on her stead. And no matter what, I 'am willing to risk my life for them. So, you back off"
"I shall not until I've done what I came her for"
James eyes glimmered and turned to what look like an endless universe with thousands of starts shining. A golden sign of the zodiac of Leo also appeared, and a majestic golden lion appeared before him.
Jadu's eyes also glowed but turned black. He was known as Black Jade Jadus because his power is different from most jades.
As the lion growled and attacked him fiercely, he easily fended it off with his sword.
James only watched the sight as he controlled the lion. Suddenly, he felt his sleeve being slightly tugged. When he looked behind, he found Kira clutching his sleeve while her hands trembled, with her other hand holding Kishi's. She looked at him with bloodshot eyes with tears flowing uncontrollably. She spoke to him with a trembling voice. She's obviously scared, but there's still something more she's scared of than the fear of death.
"Uncle, stop this." she pleaded "don't die, not for us, you don't have to die. Please stop this now" When she received no reply, she said with all her remaining strength. "Stop this, that's an--"
But before she finished, James pressed a finger on her lips and smiled at her.
"Don't say anything more. If you do, then I won't be able to protect any of you. Just bear with me alright, I could not possibly live with myself if I failed at protecting you after Amira gave her life for it."
Struggling to fight his fear and anxiousness, Airi mustered all his strength to stop his father.
"But dad, you can't do this. There must be another way, you don't have to die, you don't have to leave me!"
James turned his gaze on him. He simply smiled at him with his same empty smile that annoyed Airi a lot. Gritting his teeth, he gave his father a tight hug, trying his best not to let go.
"Airi, I'm sorry. Things like this is bound to happen one day" he told him while creasing his hair.
Tears started to well from his eyes and he hid his face on his father's broad chest.
He was pampered child since birth. He was born in a kind and wonderful family. He had the power, the riches, the brains and talents, and even the beauty the world can give. He had everything.
His parents loved him so much, and so are the family servants adored him a lot. He also had wonderful friends that there's nothing more he can ask for.
He was showered with so much love that he barely knew any pain. Every time he felt weak or troubled, his mom and dad will always be there for him along with all his friends. He felt like everything was going to be alright as long as their all with him.
As time goes by, without realizing it, he took things for granted and became too dependent. Right now, he was so scared to wake up from reality and realize that in the end, he was all alone. He doesn't want to let go of anything, he wanted to stay in this dream forever, he wanted to be there with all of those dear to him and live a happy life. He can't face anything; fate is just too cruel.
As the child whimpered, James can only sigh helplessly. He tried to make him let go, but Airi refused to and held him even tighter.
"Son, don't cry"
"I'm not crying!" Airi retorted, not willing to admit the truth.
Kira also refused to let his hand go. Only Kishi among them three who didn't do anything. But James also knew him a lot as he watched over the two of them just like Meijin did, but unlike him, he didn't have the courage to actually speak with them. Yet, he can still see through his eyes that were silently pleading him, but dared not to make a sound or do anything.
"Kishi, would you mind? The two of them will only listen to you" James said to him still.
Kishi avoided his gaze. "No, they don't" he said
Although he looked like he denied, he answered truthfully. Neither Kira, nor Airi listened to anything he says. As a matter of fact, he's the one who listens to them.
"just help me, okay?" James smiled at him.
"Why?" Kishi questioned
"Because there are things we must and must not do" He simply answered.
"Why should we sacrifice lives?"
"It is the only way you can survive. I did my part; this life is meant for you children anyway. It's the guilds purpose as cursed dragons. Now hurry, we don't have much time" He glanced as his majestic golden lion was on the brink of losing against the Black jade.
Kishi looked at it first before he made his decision. With a helpless sad sigh, he tightened his hold on his dear sister's hand and pulled her toward him, forcing her to let go of James's hand. He then looked at Sychi who was hovering just beside of him who silently gave her approval.
James then forced Airi to let go of him and spoke to him one last time.
"Airi listen, I'm sorry that I never been a great father to you. I can't give you the joy you desire, nor can I protect you and stay with you forever. I can only bring you pain just as what I 'am doing now. But this just one last time, let me protect you with the last that I have. However, don't you ever forget, your dad has always loved you with all my heart. Now the three of you should go, take good care of each other."
With the help of Sychi, they were teleported away from the place. They were quickly surrounded by darkness and can no longer comprehend what was happening. They just found themselves standing on fresh grass and black roses all around the place.
On the other hand, James straightened himself and turned to face Jadus once again who just defeated the golden lion.
"What's the point in this? You know you're not going to be able to kill me anyway"
"Maybe not, but killing you is not my purpose for being here"
"Are you going to make them run away in the end? What's the point of you staying here?"
James smiled. "You already knew why"
"Ashamed to let them see this pitiful state of yours, huh? I don't understand and will not understand why you all choose to waste your immortal life on pointless things" Jadus sighed
"It isn't pointless at all"
"Oh really?"
"You know Jadus, being an immortal doesn't make you invincible at all. I dare say it only lengthens your life time to millenniums, but if you're lucky perhaps more. And it also makes your life worth a thousand of normal people despite it being a curse. As for me, I wasn't a true immortal at all. My life is much weaker than my step siblings. And besides, I'm a failure, a disgrace to the Sacred realm. Being the so-called prince of the Celestial kingdom, leader of the Celestial zodiacs, born from the heavens, yet couldn't even master such simple spell that will bring spirits of the starts here on Harmonia. Airi may be a lot worthier of that name rather than me."
James coughed out blood and his mind started swirling. Wobbling, he walked to nearby tree and slumped down, laughing to himself.
He sighed, "Looks like my time's already up. Do me a favor and finish me off already"
"Do you not regret to leave your son and your younger brother alone? What about your wife?"
"I don't regret anything at all. The king is calling me already, and I don't want them to feel even more worse as I bring them trouble. My clover is already been dyed black, my light as a star and rose had already faded. There's no longer any need to stay here any longer and dye all my love ones' clovers dark as well."