Chapter 21: The Mountain Peak

"So, you're going to completely ignore what I told you in the hospital room?"

Takabi stiffened visibly,his bag halfway packed. As he turned to face Nana, he could see the irritation blooming in her face, brown eyes holding a stern gaze. Her arms were crossed, silk shirt undone at the top three buttons. Her hair was curled up, loosely falling over her shoulder, spilling into her folded arms. "You can't go. You're still healing."

"Don't care if I'm healing or not," He said back. "Garuga needs help. I'm helping him."

"By going to a place you're not supposed to?" She asked, walking around the bed and grabbing clothes from his nightstand. "Of course, you're going to go regardless if I try to stop you or not."

He smiled at her warmly, before pointing to the closest behind him. "Your winter gear is in there. I did some rearranging earlier."

Nodding, she closed the drawer and hopped over the bed, landing on her feet softly and pulling the door open. Searching through layer after layer of clothes, she settled on a bright blue wool jacket. Small and compact, but able to hold an intense amount of heat and regulate it depending on the person wearing it.

With it, she pulled out her own bag and slipped on layers of sweatpants inside, followed by thick boots.

"Expecting the mountains to be cold. Prepare the essentials for warmth." Nana paused, looking up at his expression. Feeling embarrassed about speaking to a user of fire about warmth, she closed her mouth and continued packing.

Takabi chuckled at her, slipping off his shirt. His eyes fell on his reflection, tracing over the bandages and gauze that hugged his torso tightly.

The last time he was in this kind of pain was a while ago, where he actually died at his brother's hand. He hadn't thought about it for months, but he's come a very long way in such a short amount of time. If things were different, maybe he would've had a father to be proud of him.

Maybe his mother would be with him now, praising him and his siblings for all they've gone through and walking away alive. The thought of his mother Myra is what stirred a tear in his eye. He hadn't realized how much he missed her until she appeared in his mind.

Vague, but the memories of their good times remained planted in his soul. The happiness of a child with his parents is something that isn't easily extinguished.

Nana noticed, making her way over silently and touching his shoulders. She could sympathize with very little words. She hadn't had time to mourn her own parents' death. Stolen from her in WaterSlum's destruction, while that very incident forced her into a coma for months. When she woke, Takabi called her. In woe, in agony, in the need to have her by his side, to be alive and okay.

It was what stirred her in her deep slumber, what woke her. What drove her to go find him and sedate his anguish. In a way, she was the piece that kept him whole. Without her, and without him, they have nothing.

Friends and family are always locked in their hearts, but the pair's bond was something that can't be replaced in any sense. What was a childhood crush, blossomed into a love that burned brighter than God's light.

As they looked at one another, they wondered what it was that drew them so tightly together, but figured it was best to assume it to be fate. To be the will of God above and leave it at that.

Takabi wasn't super religious, or religious in any sense, but even he had prayers. One of which to always have Nana at his side. The other, right now, was to find Syrreth, and hopefully, find the flower so Garuga could get better.

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"Out of the question," Porrelth said sternly. His arms were folded, and he faced the group with fire in his eyes. "The mountains are off limits to anyone who is not Dragonborn."

Takabi, Kairas, Nana, Aqua and Jewel all eyed him down. Aqua, fearful of the Dragon, took a small, subtle step back.

Takabi stepped forward, fists clenched, "I'm not going to let him die."

"And he won't. Syrreth will be back with the cure."

"And you know that how?"

"Boy, I know you're worried, but do not be irrational. It can get you in serious trouble with the Elder Spirits."

"Elder Spirits," Kairas chimed in. "You mean those mountains inhabit the spirit of dead Dragons?"

"It's a gravesite," Jewel said. She had been quiet about the whole ordeal, as she agreed they needed to do more to help out, given Takabi lost his authority. "I heard those mountains are where young Dragons become warriors, or simple folk."

"Please, Porrelth." Nana choked up. "Let us through. We have to help Garuga."

Aqua bit her lip, tapping her foot impatiently against the metal floor.

Takabi had his eyes locked on Porrelth's, and as the fire Dragon looked around at the group, he ran a frustrated hand through his hair and said, "Now is not the time to be reckless. It isn't, but I can see how determined you are. He'll be happy to hear that." Porrelth turned, opening the exit to the Bunker. "I'm coming to guide you. After you're there, I'm afraid you'll have to search on your own."

He was the first out. Aqua slipped between Takabi and Nana, rushing up the stairs. The pair followed, with Kairas and Jewel the last two out to shut the door. Once outside, they looked around, before breaking into a sprint. Faster and faster they all dashed through the trees and bushes, eyes locked firmly on the snowy peak towards the north.

Upon his eyes seeing the mountains, Takabi grit his teeth. Violet overcame him faintly, lightning surging around his body before his next hop sent him soaring past Porrelth. Something inside him was stirring. It caused his frustration to swell more than he allowed it.

With it came darkness in his left eye. It went black, all vision ceasing, replaced by a new, split image. He couldn't make out too much of what he saw, but it seemed to him to be a land of snow. In front was a cave, lit by multicolored flames that illuminated the pathway. He could see a gas like aura in the air, coating the open space with a thick cloud that a knife couldn't even cut through.

What is this, He thought.

A hand clamped down on his shoulder. Looking back, Kairas was staring at him, eyes full of questions. He averted his gaze and looked away. "I don't know what just happened… But I think I had a vision. I saw a cave. Somewhere up the mountain."

Porrelth's jaw grew tense, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Jewel looked at him, taking note of his reaction, but choosing not to question him.

"Any idea what it could mean," Aqua asked. "Maybe someone wants us to find the cave."

"Possibly," Takabi replied before they fell into silence.

Porrelth flicked his eyes between the group, then settled his yellow orbs on the mountain peak. He inhaled sharply, drinking in the cooling and sharp airs, willing his flames forth a bit before stating, "This is as far as I go." He landed on a branch, listening to everyone else's feet clamping down on bark one after another. "You guys can pave the rest of the way. I'm going to head back. See Garuga for myself."

"Try to talk to Jade if you can," Takabi said, standing upright from his hunched over crouch position. "Maybe you can convince him to help Garuga out before we get back."

"Takabi," He said, with a sense of dread. "You understand, realistically, there's a chance none of you won't be coming back. I…" He paused, clutching his chest. "I'm not permitted to say much more… Just... Just have a strong mind, a strong will, and a strong heart."

He turned on his heel, and began leaping back towards the Bunker. They listened to his words, replaying them over and over in their minds, before Kairas leapt ahead of the group. Jewel followed after with Aqua on her heel. Nana watched Takabi for any sort of reaction. While he had none initially, he looked at Nana and gave her a warm smile. She smiled back, and the two dashed off, feeling a stronger determination grow in their chests.