Nightfall came after a long, excruciating wait.
Patience was something Takabi often dealt with, either having it or not. While things were being prepped and everyone was getting ready, he retired himself to the Canyon, picking one of the waterfalls to sit and meditate.
His mind was exhausted and shot, as well as his body. Resting within the magic waters tended to those worries, but his thoughts always brought him back to Garuga.
He lost him.
Truly lost him. He never told him, and now he wished so much that he had, but he saw the Dragon as a father. He was sure he wasn't the only one who felt a tie that deep with Garuga, positive that the pain he felt was shared amongst everyone. When they arrived back and briefed everyone on the situation, he felt the eyes watching him.
Many of pity, many of sympathy and comfort.
He chose to be alone instead. Being alone would help him gather his mind fully. It would allow him to bounce back and grow stronger. For once, Takabi would steel himself to wholeheartedly go through with something he never liked.
He was ready to kill Jade.
--------------------------------------------------
The front of the Station was full of bustling people. Dragons of all ages, standing with their heads low, dressed in all white in a show of respect.
Can't get any more respectful wearing white to a Shadow funeral, Takabi thought.
He was hidden in the wave of the crowd. Magic dyed his hair black and brown eyes. A disguise he figured he'd take so as to not stand out or go through the extra effort of hiding himself.
His eyes glanced around, finding the eyes of another Bunker mate. She nodded at him, slipping further upwards through the crowd, when Hailey's voice chimed in from the little black communicator in his left ear.
"Everyone in position?" A simultaneous yes sounded. "Alright. We know the plan. No one moves without Takabi's signal."
"Can you do this, Takabi?" Porrelth's voice held concern and doubt. He was the most wary of how the boy was feeling now. "I can take your place if you need."
Shaking his head, not that anyone could see him, he spoke low, "I'm fine. Just watch for me, alright?"
The channel went quiet after that.
At the podium, a young face approached the microphone. Her white hair was up in a messy bun, and the dress that hugged her body was freshly made. The setting sun soon vanished, replaced by the darkness of the green sky and blanket of stars above.
Sara's bright eyes addressed the crowd, and when she spoke, there was a hint of earnest sorrow. She looked partially in pain. "Good evening. Thank you all for gathering here on this day. I just wish it was under better circumstances." She paused for a moment, scanning the crowd.
Takabi flicked his eyes towards the building to his left. It was an apartment complex, made of concrete brick and cement. The windows were open, exposing the Dragons who rested their heads on arms and palms. Mingled with them would be the Mystics, hidden in the front behind a thin wall of whoever was present.
"A week ago, we lost two important Dragons, as well as our sacred grounds. Julius of Dreams, and Garuga of Shadow, undoubtedly were caught in the blast radius of an explosion that erased the Mountains." Sara raised her hand, arm extending in the direction of where the Mountains once stood.
"It caught us all by surprise, to witness the destruction of a place that played a massive part in all of our lives. It was a place that told of our coming of age, that turned children into adults. Harsh as it was, it shall be missed."
Silence, heads lowering and eyes shutting. Hands clasped together and prayers were spoken. Takabi copied what he saw, occasionally glancing at everyone else. He spotted Kairas on the rooftop of the Station. The boy nodded to his twin before sliding down and hopping away to the next building. His eyes followed until Kairas landed near Nana and Hailey, both girls addressing him quietly and then falling silent.
Sara stepped off the podium, replaced by Gavin. The Dragon was dressed in an all white suit, with a garnet colored tie loose around his collar. His eyes looked bloodshot and exhausted. Despite the distance, Takabi could pick up traces of alcohol from him.
"Thank you, Sara. Once again, welcome. Today," He paused and took a deep breath, "We are here to… To say goodbye to a dear friend. Two, in fact."
Takabi's heart lurched. Pain shook him, emotional and mental. He told himself he was ready, convinced himself he could stand there as they went through with it. Half of him truly was ready, but the other half struggled.
"Julius played a part in helping many of us come into age. We grew stronger from his illusions, conquering our inner fears. His methods were ones we will never understand, but they worked in helping us prosper as a race. Truly, he shall be missed." Gavin raised his hands, clasping them together. "We pray that his spirit may rest in peace with God above."
It fell silent. Takabi's heart raced hard against his ribs. His breathing picked up subtly, and hands balled tightly inside his pockets.
"Are you alright?"
His eyes snapped to Sara. She was watching him curtly, taking in his features with her white eyes. A look of sympathy sat in her bright orbs.
Did she know?
"I… I'm fine," He said, purposely lightening his voice to further his disguise. "It's just… Hard."
"I agree," She said, standing next to him. "Death is very difficult to deal with. It hangs over our shoulders, as a thought in the back of our minds. Eventually, our time will come, and we must accept it." The corner of her lips rose in a faint smile.
Takabi scanned her up and down. A couple tears brewed in her eyes, and she wasn't carrying her sword with her. She was truly defensely now, something he didn't think she was capable of, especially in front of a stranger.
"Well," He began. "I think there's a plan for all of us. That, no matter what, our lives inspire purpose in other people. Julius' did. Garuga as well."
She nodded in agreement. "I may not have a strong like for Shadow Dragons. No, in fact, I detest a lot of them, but I must give credit where credit is due. He seemed like the type of man to be worth the white." She looked at her palm. "A man of honor and dignity."
"Can I ask you something," He said suddenly. She looked at him and nodded. "Why do you hate Shadow?"
"A personal experience." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Father lost his life in a raid about a year ago. Shadow Dragons came and took his life."
Takabi's eyes went wide. Over the communicator, Syrreth let out a gasp.
"I found him lying face down in a muddy puddle of water. He wasn't moving, and all of his injuries were precise. When they struck, they struck hard, and didn't leave much behind." She reached into her bra and produced a small black pin.
Printed on it was J&KI, stitched in with a finer golden silk that now looked worn and loosely put together. "I found this pin on his body, and a couple on the ground around him. That told me it had to have been a group, and there was a leader."
"Why target your father? Was it because he was king?"
"Who knows? Like you said, there's a plan for us all." She placed the pin back in her bra. "I've given up trying to figure it all out."
They grew quiet.
Gavin stepped aside, looking behind him at the man who was next in line. Takabi's eyes went wide when Jade stepped up to the microphone, looking as calm and collected as when they first met. He ran a hand through his combed hair, then placed both palms on the side of the wooden podium and spoke, his voice strained and dark eyes seemingly far away. "Once more, thank you for joining us on this day. My Father… Garuga was a man of many things. Most of all, he was an example. A man who should be respected and loved, who put so many others before himself and his wishes."
Takabi removed a hand from his pocket. Murmurs started in his ear, but he ignored them. Not yet.
Jade raised his voice a bit, as if trying to sound upset. "My last few days with him were days I can't ever forget."
A burning sensation gripped the back of Takabi's mind. Anger boiled inside his chest. He listened to Jade's words, but not a single one felt genuine. It was forced, faint snickers obvious to Takabi's eyes. He hated Jade, and listening to him prattle stirred something within him.
"I loved him. Loved our family, and I wish for nothing more than to join them again. Mother, Mal and Father, all together again. I wish them nothing but peace, and will do what I can to bring justice to his name." He paused for a moment, raising his arms high above him. "Mom. Dad. Mal. Whoever took you from us shall pay dearly. I promise on your graves, I will avenge you."
Cheers roared from the crowd. Sara clapped with gentleness, but the Dragons around were full of approval. If only they knew the truth.
The truth was Jade is a liar, that he killed his own Father in cold blood and laughed about it. He didn't care about his family, he had his own ideals in mind.
Jade's eyes scanned over, and he and Takabi locked gazes for a moment. Jade didn't recognize him, but he smirked anyway, feigning a broken voice. "Thank you. I will continue to serve you all, despite my own feelings. It's a promise I made to Mom after all."
Why did he move?
Why was it that against his wishes, Takabi suddenly leapt through the air, gritting his teeth, magic disguise dispelled and rage boiling in his blood. No one saw it coming, not him nor the Mystics or crowd. He landed on Jade, rage seething from his teeth as he bit deep into the Dragon's arm, blood pouring into his throat. He welcomed the taste, before ripping a chunk of bloody flesh from Jade's shoulder.
He cried out in pain as Gavin pried Takabi off, eyeing the boy harshly. "Guards!"
Takabi spat out the flesh and whistled.
The Mystics wasted no time. They descended on the service.