Emancipation

"Captain Jade!" Stellar exclaimed.

Leon was in a state of shock, unable to process what was happening around him. Just like Stellar, Jade seemed human but there was also something unnatural about him.

As he stood erectly and the dust settled, Leon saw that there was white wings protruding from his back. Jade was dressed in a white suit, wearing black slacks with a metal chain accessory and leather boots. He's around 6'3 in height. He has black hair with green highlights paired with his green eyes. He also wears multiple piercings on both of his ears.

"Stellar! I finally found you! After our last mission, they gave an order to return immediately, which I did. But you were nowhere to be found. I insisted to go back and look for you, they stopped me, but I searched the entire area and felt a weak presence." Jade rattled on as he walked towards Stellar and Leon.

"The truth is… I…" Stellar started.

"She's not leaving." Leon interjected.

"Huh? Oh. Who's this brat?" Jade queried Stellar.

It seems like Jade has just noticed Leon. As Leon proudly put himself in front of Stellar he uttered, "I'm the owner of this house you just damaged and the guardian of this girl. If you want to leave, leave by yourself. I'm not handing her over to someone as suspicious as you."

"I see. That's it. You were the one I sensed, not Stellar. It seems you already infected him by the Glarievel Virus, Stellar." Jade remarked.

"It was not my intention to… I thought my rune was taken by DOMA but… Leon saved me and the virus was transferred." Stellar responded.

'Virus? I knew it. Damn. Am I dying?' Leon pondered.

As if sensing Leon's internal turmoil, Stellar turned to him and said, "It's not anything dangerous or terminal. It's hard to explain but…" Stellar faltered.

"He just needs to die. Get your powers back and leave this place. I need you Stellar, SORA needs you." Jade claimed.

'So, I'm not dying from the virus, yet this Jade guy wants to kill me. Nice.' Leon thought sarcastically.

After a brief pause, with Stellar hiding behind Leon's back, Leon countered, "I won't just stand here and die just 'cause you said so. I'm not about to just lie there and get myself killed for no reason. If someone's dying, it should be you. So, please stop talking as if I'm not in the room." Leon taunted Jade.

"Enough of this bullshit, Stellar. Get in here. They'll forget all about you anyways." Jade concluded.

Leon smirked, "If you're paying us a visit, why do you have to leave so early? Don't tell me you're scared?"

Even Leon was scared of the unknown being before him, but in order to mask this, he chose to mock his opponent instead, thinking that if he saw him unafraid, he would just leave without any more conflict.

"Hey, you're just a kid who knows nothing. This is not your business." Jade warned.

"This is my house. Whatever happens in here is very well my business, you home wrecker." Leon retorted.

Taking it as a challenge to a fight, Jade placed his hands on his side, materializing a black hilt which appeared out of nowhere. He unsheathed it and a jade sword manifested. "Save your breath for next life kiddo!" Jade jeered as he swung his blade vertically, with enough intent to kill; but it was a lazy blow. He underestimated Leon.

Because of this, Leon was able to swiftly moved back while he placed his hand on the table, eyes still locked on his opponent. Leon observed the length of Jade's sword which is approximately thirty inches, like a typical Japanese katana. Average length and lightweight, Leon concluded that it will be easy for his opponent to maneuver in their moderately spaced home.

'Damn! There was nothing that can help me fend off this guy, I mean, he has this sword and I on the other hand, nothing! What in blazes did I put myself into? The corner of his eye spot Stellar clasping her hands, praying. For me or for Jade? I should've just let her go…' Leon thought.

"Looking somewhere else, kid?" Jade mocked Leon and swung directly at him, causing the dining table to be split and destroyed in half. Leon quickly rolled at his side, and sat up as he felt the wall behind him. "Are you just gonna run? Where did your spunk go? Huh?!" Jade taunted.

'Now, I realized how powerless and weak I am against this guy, this guy who isn't even human to begin with. Since when have I been this stupid?' Leon agonized over his bad decisions.

With nowhere to hide, Jade easily took a hold of Leon's neck and gripped hard, lifting Leon off his feet.. He slammed Leon to the cold marbled floor and started punching the hell out of him which Leon swore he could see stars. He could hear Stellar screaming, but he can no longer understand her words, his ears busted from all the beating. He can no longer feel his face or his upper body. Jade stood up, as he dusted off his suit and proceeded to get Stellar.

"Wait. I'm not… dead yet, I can still… fight." Leon slowly rose to his feet, unsure if Jade really heard what he said.

"Oh, don't worry, you won't be living for long. I'll let the lower squad clean up after this mess, I'll take Stellar home and wait for her powers to return."

Leon's head was all messed up he can't understand what Jade was saying. All he knows is that he's still alive.

'I can't die, and I can't let him take Stellar. Specially when she looks at me like this… Pity? Loneliness? Are you asking me to rescue you again?' Leon finally stood up and faced Jade again.

"Leon, I'm sorry…" Stellar cried.

'Again. She cried again.' Leon saw her tears despite the blur of his own vision. He spat some blood from his mouth and felt a sudden burst of heat, a surge of energy filled his body.

"What the-? How's this possible? Don't tell me you gave him your sacred rune, Stellar?!" Jade momentarily froze in his tracks when he realized what was happening.

"No! I didn't! I swear he's human, and it's just the Virus that got transferred!" Stellar explained.

"Get away from her!" Leon screamed at the top of his lungs, as he thought that it was the easiest way to release that strange surge of energy he felt. Everything was too bright, and after a split second of total whiteness, everything turned black and quiet.