127 Chapter 10: Recruitment Request

The inside of the building was a sight to behold. The value of Garnet, on display in everything around that greeted their vision. From the floors, to the tables and desks, even the artificial trees, were made of a garnet material. The light that entered from the ceiling gave the entire building an elegant glow, unmatched by anything Takabi had seen before.

Taking a step inside, a thick cloud of Mana greeted them. It felt warm, and heavy. Takabi's eyes looked around as they continued forward past the front desk, gaze falling on and noting that each of the office doors were made of simple oak wood. A strange choice, but not one he disliked.

Everyone inside was dressed in casual clothing. From simple wear to noble suits and dresses. Dragons were separated by floor, each one reaching up higher and higher the more he looked. The main three floors he could identify were the very first three.

On the ground floor was the department of Shadows, and the Captain's office. On the second floor was the department of Fire, marked with a red claw mark on every door on that floor. The third was the department of White. It was hard to look at directly, the bright whiteness almost blinding to the naked eye.

"My office is over here," Jade said.

He lead them to a dark wooden door, with the center cut out and replaced by a thick one way glass. Jade's name was placed in the middle, in bright and bold yellow letters. He gripped the handle, opening the door, allowing the two to look in at the blackness that was his work space.

While everything on the outside was red from Garnet, everything in his office was stained with a pure black. From the couch, to the walls and full body mirror frame in the corner. His desk was made of a dark metal material unknown to Takabi, complete with his swivel chair pulled out a few feet, and the computer screen turned off.

The three stepped inside. Garuga looked around the office, drinking in his son's choice of design and how warm the room felt. He patted the couch, sitting down and laying one leg on top of the other. "It's cozy in here."

"I figured you'd like it, Father." Jade's words were formal. He glanced at Takabi, who was eyeing the many Dragon trinkets lined up on one of the cabinets behind the door. "What do you think, Takabi?"

"It's dark," He said simply. "Fitting for a Shadow Dragon, not very welcoming for anyone else."

"Hurtful, but I can understand that."

Takabi raised his head and snapped his eyes towards Jade, waving his hands frantically. "No! No! I don't mean any offense! It's cool in here, just not my type of place to hang out!"

The two laughed at his words. His face heated up in obvious embarrassment, and he shut his mouth tight.

Garuga, relaxing his laughter and rubbing his chin, spoke. "So then, aside from meeting him, why else are we here?"

"Ah," Jade said, as if he remembered something important. "There's a criminal we need help capturing."

"Anyone we know?"

"No," Jade confirmed. "He's new. A young one, but dangerous nonetheless. I was pursuing him before you arrived, but he slipped through my fingers before I could restrain him."

Takabi's ears perked up faintly. He looked at Jade, and crossed his arms. "What makes this guy so dangerous?"

A knock came to the door. All their heads turned, and Garuga's eyes lit up with surprise. He almost didn't recognize the man standing in the door frame. He was younger looking than the last time he saw him, if that was possible. His hair was combed back, and his skin looked rock solid and shiny. A full beard was hung from his face, the hair a shade darker than the Garner color behind him. He was around the same height as Garuga, but the muscle he had made him stand out.

Large and burly, with defined lines that were highlighted by his tightened shirt. 

His eyes looked between the three, before settling on Garuga's face, and he cracked a smile. "Now, what brings your sorry ass back here?"

"I can ask you the same, Gavin. Still alive and kicking I see." He stood, approached the man, and they shook hands before hugging each other tight. "I've missed you my friend."

"Aye, it's been far too long, comrade." Gavin looked down at Takabi. Gavin's face looked slightly younger compared to Garuga. "And you are?"

Takabi straightened himself, bowing in respect. "Takabi Yamishito, sir."

"A student of yours?"

Garuga nodded. "He's a good kid, and very respectful. Raise your head, Takabi, no need to be so formal."

He was hesitant at first, but slowly rose himself back up and brushed some of the hair from his face. His expression was still nervous, something Gavin took notice of very quickly. He also noticed the light in his eyes. Something dark, twisted and powerful. Under that light was something else, something he couldn't make out.

"You're strong?"

"I'd like to believe so, sir." He bit his lip. "But I want to be even stronger."

"Why?"

"I…" He lowered his gaze and relaxed his shoulders. Closing his eyes, his mind moved back in time to that night. He could hear the cries of many, wiped out by his outburst. His father's angry and fearful gaze, that plagued him in further encounters. His mother's words, the blood on his hands. All of it.

But at the top of it all, was him.

His dark eyes glared at Takabi full of hate. One he once called a friend, now both on the opposite sides of the spectrum. One wanted power and did whatever he could to get it. The other, simply wanted to end the carnage. He wanted to stop whatever the Kult was planning before it was too late.

"I… Have my reasons," He finally said. "I don't want to discuss them right now."

Gavin raised an eyebrow. Takabi's mood dropped drastically. He was sad, he was hurt. It didn't take a detective to see that the kid was damaged, and that single question must've brought up a bunch of suppressed memories.

"Fair enough. We shall discuss it at a later date, yeah? Business first. Jade."

"Sir," He said. "If you're both willing, we'd like to ask for your help in pursuing this criminal. I fear he may be part of something much larger."

"Gladly," Garuga answered. "In fact, we came back on a lead ourselves. We got information that a terrorist group is going to make their way here, if they're not already."

"This group has a name?"

"The Kult," Takabi replied. He turned and looked at Jade. "They're a group of demons and humans going around collecting God Gems."

"God Gems?!" Gavin looked at Garuga then back. "Are you sure?! What's your basis for that?!"

"Takabi," Garuga began, "Has… It's better you see for yourself." He nodded towards the boy.

Nodding back, Takabi's right half lit up with white tattoos, his eyes alternating to its signature white color and a bright aura dancing around him. Jade and Garuga winced at the purity, but stood their ground. "Takabi has two. White and Violet."

Gavin was speechless at first. He approached Takabi, touching his face and examining the markings thoroughly. "Remarkable… I can feel a nice pool of Mana pouring out from you."

He relaxed, releasing the transformation. "Thank you."

"This is perfect then. It seems the fates have led us to this meeting."

Garuga leaned against the doorway. "You still haven't told us. Why is this criminal so dangerous?"

Jade bit his lip, leaning back against his desk. "We… We believe he may have a God Gem."

The two went silent, watching him closely, scanning his face for any sort of indication that meant he was lying. There was none. Instead, all they saw was hopeful doubt. The possibility was there, but the chance for it was astronomical. The universe was a large, and infinitely expanding space.

Though, they wouldn't be here if the chances weren't in their favor. They were doubtful themselves at first, but now they were certain. If not already here, the Kult was coming. They knew a Gem was here, and they were coming to claim it. Should that happen, Dreulara would be turned into a wasteland, if the planet itself wasn't destroyed.

"We have much to discuss. Tell me everything about this boy."

"Garuga, the passes," Takabi chimed in.

"Oh, it slipped my mind. We need passes for our friends to walk Dreulara soil."

"How many," Gavin asked.

Garuga looked at Takabi, and the boy shrugged. "At least a few thousand?"

"Done," Gavin told him. "We shall have them ready within the hour."

"My thanks," Garuga said. "Takabi, I want you to go back to the Bunker and wait there. Once I'm done, I'll join you."

"Sure," He said. Takabi looked between Jade and Gavin, thanking them for their time, before he moved past the three Dragons and back through the building doors. Stretching wide, he looked up towards the pink sky, smiling at it before he broke into a jog and made his way back home.