Chapter 24: True Colors

Their descent into the Bunker was slow and steady.

Takabi felt nervous, his clammy hands holding onto the Huntress tightly as he carried her into the compound. He was confident in his decision at first, but the closer they had gotten to the structure the more he feared Nana was right, and it was just a ploy to take advantage of the good part of his heart. The part that cared for life, regardless if they deserved it or not.

Nana kept flicking her eyes between Takabi and the Huntress.

She loved him, and trusted him without a doubt, but her worry still plagued inside. She fought this creature, nearly dying to it not too long ago, so it was mind boggling as to why the one she loves would even bother taking the creature in. That was a part of him she never understood. Even though it was for the greater good, the days after he took Erodon's life, Takabi looked riddled with feelings of guilt and disgust. His hands would shake constantly in fear that he would get what he thought he deserved, a swift death for the sin of killing.

It never came, and she figured he suppressed the feeling. In her view now, he must've conquered it in a different method. Giving second chances to those who may not need it.

Takabi stopped and looked back at Kairas, the older twin keeping his hands in his pocket as his green eyes scanned around the hallway. "Before we go in, Kairas, take her." The black haired boy looked at him, taking the Huntress into his arms. "I'm pretty sure everyone is going to flip their shit once you and her go in there."

Kairas looked down at the woman in his arms, then between his twin and Nana. "Should I be worried? At all?"

"Well," Nana began, "If you're good, maybe they won't hurt you too bad." She tried to make light of the situation, but all three could feel the tension was thicker than molasses. They were bringing an enemy into their base of operations. If they slip up, at all, it would be on their heads, and the punishment wouldn't be simple.

"Kairas could possibly pass through and be fine, but the Huntress is a different story." Takabi moved towards the retina scanner, holding his eye open so the red beam would run over his violet orb. "At any rate, we take her to any holding areas and interrogate her once she wakes. Keep her restrained as best we can, and hope that she can't blow her way back out." The metal door slid open with a heavy thud.

Takabi stepped in first, looking at the usual crowd in the cafe.

His hands gripped the railing tightly, eyes scanning over each and every spot, making sure no one was paying any attention to them. Once the coast seemed clear, Takabi waved Nana and Kairas in, the two quickly running up the staircase to the higher level and past the computer room. Beowulf glanced out as they passed by, but shrugged and focused on whatever was on his screen.

Takabi counted the seconds, then began to pace after them, counting each slow step, heart ramming around in his ribcage. His feet carried him to the computer room, but he stopped and turned around, heading towards his room.

Something called to him in the back of his mind. Someone called to him subconsciously.

He opened his door, eyes wide when he spotted Aqua face down on the floor, whimpering in pain and fear. A man was standing over her, and at first he didn't recognize him, but once he caught sight of the sides of his aged face and grey hairs, a wave of confusion washed over him. A lump formed in his throat, and he was unsure of what to say or if they even noticed he was watching them.

"Shink? What are you doing," He croaked, questioningly.

Shink snapped his gaze at the boy, then back to Aqua, who was wiggling under his grip. She bit Shink's finger, running towards Takabi as Shink rubbed his red skin. "He's… He's a bad guy! He tried to take me away!"

Takabi looked down at her, then back to Shink, hardening his gaze and moving Aqua behind him. "Shink. Explain."

"N-no! You don't understand! That child is… She's a plant! She's going to lead them to us!" His voice was full of shaky lies. Something had him extremely spooked. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead, his skin was paler than normal, and his own hands were shaking. "Give her to me." He said, sternly, holding his hand out.

Takabi narrowed his eyes. He tightened his jaw, and kept his stance relaxed. "Look, I don't know what has you so intimidated, but you're not taking this girl. She's my responsibility." Shink sucked his teeth, lowering his hand.

"Since when? Sorry to say, but you've abandoned that girl here while you ran off. Raia and I have been taking care of her." He rolled the chair around from the desk, sitting down and crossing his arms.

His and Takabi's eyes were locked now. A thick tension filled the air, but that might've been the mana between the two simmering so intensely as they tried to keep from attacking one another.

"Aqua. Go find Raia."

She looked up at him. "Big brother Takabi.."

He glanced down at her and gave a warm smile, patting her head and rubbing it softly. "Don't worry. I won't let the bad man take you away from me, okay?"

She was hesitant to leave, but nodded and scurried down the hall, her small voice calling out for Raia or anyone to help her.

When she was out of view, Takabi looked at Shink, stepping into his room and letting the door shut behind him. Neither said anything at first, the air growing increasingly thick and difficult to breathe in.

"Ya know," Shink finally began, "I like that look of yours. It's strong, the look of someone who's ready to fight, and itching to kill."

"I don't kill," He said, but knew he was lying through his teeth.

The boy from the orphanage, Jewel's ex-boyfriend Blake, Erodon, the Hunter from the other day, in addition to the SWAT team he murdered when he lost control and his old neighborhood. So many lives on his hands, and two of them were evil. The guilt was still there, despite him knowing it was the only thing he could do. In the Hunter's case, he killed in cold blood and he knew that.

The one who kills isn't him. It's the dark part he so desperately tries to suppress. When he snaps, it breaks free, and he struggles so much to push it back down.

On instinct, he placed a hand on his right side, as if searching for the dark gem subconsciously.

"You've gotten your hands dirty a couple times. Like hell you don't." Shink stood, smiling as he paced around. "It's okay though. To take a life. You're a creature of the highest power. YOU pass judgement on those who deserve it."

"I don't remember becoming a grim reaper."

"Yeah, well, we all sign up for things we don't like."

They fell into silence again. Takabi felt a small burning sensation in his side well up. The longer he observed Shink, the more some things began feeling strange. He could sense a presence in the room behind him, yet saw nothing in the reflection of the windows.

Shink's eyes looked different. Colder, more hateful. He dissected the old gaze, and knew Shink didn't see a comrade right now.

He saw two Gems full of godly power, and he was wondering how he was going to take them without alerting anyone.

That's why the room was so tense. That was why Shink had tried attacking Aqua.

He wanted the Gems for SOME reason.

For himself? For someone else?

"If you keep staring at me like that, you might actually burn my face into your mind. Did you pick that up from Riki, despite how much you hate him?"

"I didn't…" He blinked. "Why are you bringing up Riki now?"

"Sorry, was that disrespectful? All these people are the same to me. They grow up the same, learn the same, and die the same. Some more gruesome than others." He sighed. "I built this place as a haven for kids like them…. Over the years, I've seen much bloodshed. Many things can open a person's eyes, and I realized…" He bit his lip, pausing to take a deep breath and look down.

"I realized none of what I have been doing matters. She's going to come and claim what's hers, and kill all who stand in her way. I don't know about you, but I value my life, despite whatever time I have left. I'd rather spend it on the winning side than the losing side."

"I hear you," Takabi replied, Shink's eyes widening in surprise. "I do, and I don't fault you for thinking that way, but these people are your family. You raised these guys, grew with them. They all look at you as a father, a role model. How could you turn your back on them so easily?"

"I don't know," He replied tiredly. "I guess this old dog would rather take orders versus giving them when it'll all be in vain. I'm sorry, Takabi, for whatever that's worth."

"Jack shit now," He said, lowering his arms to his sides. "You know I can't let you go."

"You're going to fight me? On your own? Really now?" He laughed, shaking his head. "No. Fight isn't right. You're going to get yourself slaughtered by me. Well, it saves me the trouble of hunting you down later."

The air thickened more. Shink raised his palm, a gentle yellow glow outlining his hand. "I'll make this quick." He released the mana, Takabi taking a deep breath and evading sharply, the magic ripping through the metal in a heavy explosion.

The alarm began to blare behind his back, Takabi slamming his elbow into Shink's throat, the two smashing through the desk window and out into the Canyon, the heavy pressure and magic air rushing through them as they fell into their battle of ideals.