Chapter 41: Return

Jade brushed his dark pants flat, forcing out the wrinkles. His hair was combed neatly and coat hanging low by his feet. Buttoning his shirt, then adjusting his tie, he turned to face his little sister.

Her long dark hair was messy and red eyes looked misty. Her mind was off in the distance, as if she was so lost in her thoughts.

Lost she was.

Garuga's passing had struck a chord in her heart. The Father she never got to meet was stolen from her, and they were only separated by piles of dirt and gravel. She missed him so dearly, so much that it hurt.

"Tell me again," She spoke to Jade, playing with the hem of her frilly grey dress he bought her. It had been a while since she was on the surface, so long since she saw the open world. "What was his name? The bastard that took Father from us?"

"Takabi," He said dryly. "I understand how you feel, but you have to have some patience. The ceremony is tonight and I can't have you throwing a tantrum and revealing yourself just yet." Jade rolled up the sleeves on his arms to his elbow, eyes flicking at the mirror across from them in the hotel room. His dark eyes looked tired, and an image of Garuga rooted in his vision.

For the past week, that image has haunted him. The look of disapproval from his father's eyes, something he thought he didn't care about, always found him in everything he looked at.

From random Dragons who spoke to him to his mirror image. Garuga's eyes, his shape, would simply stand and stare at him. Most times his face would remain blank, dead and emotionless. Other times he would simply smile. Not a smile of a proud parent, but a smile that spoke karma was coming.

He shuddered, before looking at Lillac and patting her shoulder. "I'll be back in a little while." When he excused himself from the room, Lillac stopped him with a question.

"Do you think he'll show up tonight," She asked her brother.

Jade paused in the doorway, fingers digging into the wood of the frame. Shutting his eyes, he nodded and faced her. "Without a doubt, Little Sis. You'll be ready?"

"Of course," She replied. Jade smiled at her, then shut the door behind him, strolling down the hallway with a false confidence. Without a doubt, Takabi and his friends would arrive. Garuga's service would be something none of them would want to miss. That is, if they were still breathing.

Of course they are, Jade thought. That boy is a walking pile of luck.

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Takabi stirred.

Once his eyes fluttered open, he was greeted by a bright light above. At first assuming it to be the sun, he rolled on his side and shielded his sight. The stunning brightness dimmed as his vision adjusted, and he took a closer look. It wasn't the sun, but something white.

His violet orbs scanned around, taking note of the sphere overhead. An intense flow of mana was within the area, so much he couldn't help but allow his body to absorb it and nurture himself.

While he has an amazing healing factor naturally, there are limits to how much he can do without the aid of magic.

"Kairas," He called out, standing straight. His head was pounding hard, and the rhythm of his heart felt off faintly. "Nana? Hailey? Anyone?" His voice echoed. Crossing his arms, he sat back down and crossed his legs. "Where'd they all go? Don't tell me they died."

The floor shook faintly. From his left, a hand reached out from the soil. Pulling itself up, Nana's head popped into view, hair caked in dirt as she crawled to the surface. Her chest rose and fell in strained breaths, but upon opening her eyes, she gave a throaty howl of irritation.

"What the hell happened!"

"Jade happened," Takabi said numbly. "Anyone with you?"

"I think. Give me a second." She got to her feet and glanced around.

Air gathered around her palms, and she spun, using the current to blow away most of the soil that had piled up. Sure enough, everyone was present and accounted for.

Among them, the only ones conscious were Kairas and Porrelth. Hailey was out cold with Shine and Frannie, and behind Nana, Jewel and Aqua were huddled together. "They're okay. For the most part."

"What about you," He asked, getting to his feet.

Nana gave him a thumbs up. She was exhausted, but her energy would come back.

"So, care to explain how you manage to do that," She asked, referring to the sphere of light around them. Kairas and Porrelth soon joined them, placing the girls side by side.

"I didn't," He told them.

Porrelth examined the sphere closely, his eyes lighting up and a smirk touching his lips. "She did in the nick of time. We should seriously stop cutting it so close like this."

No one noticed Porrelth smiling until Kairas addressed him, his throat dry and voice strained. "What are you so happy about?"

Porrelth looked at them, then shut his eyes. "Simply put, we got lucky. I sensed her during the fight but she wasn't close by." Opening his eyes, his gaze focused on something in the distance. He clapped softly, and whistled loudly. "Thank you, Princess. Certainly saved our asses."

"Had I not sensed Garuga's magic disappear, I certainly would not have rushed over."

Takabi snapped his head towards the voice first. Her white hair had grown longer, down to the back of her knees. Her fit figure was graced by her chainmail armor and sword on her back. The armor itself looked faintly worn down and dirty, with pieces of metal exposed. She was barefoot, and white skin and eyes held a glow under the light above. How she hid her presence, no one knew or bothered to question.

Syrreth waved at her comrades, greeting them passively. "What happened? Where is he?"

At that question, it all flooded back. Takabi avoided her eyes, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth. The White Dragon studied his reaction, as well as Porrelth's change in attitude and chose not to pry further. It was obvious based on how they all looked. They survived the worst of it, but lived with a hole in their hearts.

"Explain," Syrreth said. "Now."

Takabi did, recapping the events of the past few months since her departure. Syrreth absorbed his words, tapping her finger against her bicep.

"I see," She replied when he finally finished. "Jade. I had not expected this kind of thing from him. He was a good officer, but I guess even he hid his true intent well. Did you ever find out his end goal?"

"No," Kairas said. He stood to her right, hand on his hip. "The chaos was too much, and he kept his plans hidden tightly."

Syrreth dropped her eyes. Humming, her mind mulling over the information, she muttered, "If he's a part of the Kult now, things have progressively gotten worse than we thought." Pausing, she looked at the group and asked, "Do you know how long you guys have been out?"

Shaking their heads, she said, "A week. During that time, they worked tirelessly to prepare a service for Garuga. I wasn't sure what for at first, but based on what you just told me, it's obvious now. I'm also fairly certain Jade will make an appearance, and try to out us as the ones who murdered him."

"What should we do then," Nana asked, joining the three.

Porrelth looked up from the other girls, only turning his attention back to them when they all started groaning and opening their eyes. "We're not turning tail and running away are we?"

"Wouldn't dream of it," Takabi said.

"Our best bet now," Syrreth began. "We'll just have to be blunt and attack head on before he can expect us. Don't take him prisoner." She looked Takabi in the eye, speaking harshly. "Go for the kill."

He nodded, opening his mouth to speak. Syrreth cut him off, knowing what he was going to say. "We'll worry about Lillac. The girl is young, innocent in this whole situation. Likely has been spoonfed a bunch of lies by Jade. When we find her, restrain her as fast as possible. She's dangerously powerful, and truthfully, a head on fight would be suicide."

"Why," Hailey chimed in, stumbling over and holding her side. Pain ripped through her muscles, but she toughed it out and ignored it as best she could.

Syrreth's face grew somber then. She touched her chin, trying to think of a simple way to describe what she knew. "Basically," She began, making sure everyone was listening. "I don't know if Julius told you. He must've, since the only way you could even get up the mountain is through him. Anyway, Dreulara has a stone full of power. It's been around since the planet formed, probably even longer, and it holds the immense mana of every Dragon who is born here.

"I searched the mountains for that and the flower, and found neither. Not finding the flower was something I expected, but for the stone to be missing sent many red flags through my mind. I have an idea that it was Lillac who has the stone now. For what purpose, I don't know, but if she does have it, she also has damn near unlimited power under her belt. Combine that with the fact that she's still a child in her mind, and you can see why that would be a problem to deal with."

"So," Takabi said, "We're basically fighting the God of Dragons then?"

"Simply put, yes."

Despite his emotions, excitement boiled in his gut. A smile grew on his face, and flames ignited around his knuckles. "Fun. So, our plan is to strike when he least expects it."

"During the service. Gavin won't be happy, but it's a price worth paying." She stood, touching Takabi's shoulders. "Can you do this? Truly. Garuga was like a father to you, so I understand any hesitation."

"I can," He replied. "Jade can't be forgiven, no matter what."

Syrreth smiled, removing herself from his shoulders and gripping the hilt of her sword. "Very well. Those who are too injured, return to the bunker and gather troops. We will attack later tonight once you've all fully recovered. Until then, if you must go in public, hide your face well. I shall return to the White Kingdom and gather back up."

"As shall I," Porrelth finally said. "Fire is loyal. Not a chance they would turn against my word."

Nodding, they bumped knuckles, a cackle of mana flowing around them in the air.

Garuga, Takabi thought, his fist balling up tighter. I'll be strong. For you.