126 Chapter 9: Dreulara's Capital, Scalivia

"Once again, I deeply apologize for this misunderstanding."

"Jade, raise your head. It's fine," Garuga reassured him, palms raised to calm his son.

Jade was leading the group forward through the bushes and trees. His head was low and gazed dropped as he navigated. Constantly, he continued to apologize for raising a hand against Takabi and Kairas, though neither boys showed much care for sorries.

Takabi, specifically, had his arms crossed and held a scowl on his face. Frustrated, not at fighting, but at the fact that the battle was interrupted. It was a chance to test how far he came, and the opportunity was lost, at least for now.

"Crack a smile," Kairas commented. "We're lucky. He was ready to wipe us all out."

"Doubt he would've. Ignoring the fact we had purity in our magic, he had full intention to take us in for questioning." Takabi kept his eyes on Jade's back. He hadn't sensed any malicious intent in their encounter, but the idea wasn't totally lost on him.

"I'm more amazed that Garuga has a son at all. He never mentioned him," Nana said. "They look a lot alike."

Frannie bit her lip, lowering her voice so only they could hear her. "He's a little.. Off though, isn't he?"

The group nodded in agreement.

"Where are we heading anyway," Takabi asked, pushing aside a tree branch.

As they took their last steps, a blinding light burst through the vegetation. Takabi, Nana and Frannie's jaws dropped in shock. Aqua had eyes of amazement.

"Is… This for real?"

A metropolis larger than their eyes could see. Buildings risen high into the air, glowing with a bright whiteness untouched by even earthbound angels. The streets were littered with human looking people, as well as fully grown dragons around as large as sports stadiums on Earth. There was an overwhelming mixture of multiple elements, and intense mana flowing from what seemed like a thick cloud that covered the land.

"This is Scalivia. The main metropolis of Dreulara."

"It's so huge," Takabi said, stunned.

"It should be. Dragons flourish on Dreulara."

"I mean," Takabi continued, "I don't think the largest city on Earth can even compare to this. Wait, never mind a city, it's larger than a country."

"You're from Earth, correct? I've heard stories of such a place. I guess to give you a better idea of the scale of this planet," He touched his chin. "Scalivia alone is about as big as Earth itself."

"WHAT!!"

"Loud, aren't you?"

Porrelth watched the glowing metropolis, blinking, and looking at Jade. "It grew this much since we were gone. How time flies."

"Porrelth, I'm sure your people will love to hear of your return." Jade's tone had changed. It held a bit of nobility behind it.

When he removed his hand from his pocket, Garuga caught a glimpse over a little reflection of light on his ring finger. His heart dropped, when he noticed the black wedding band, and a realization came over him.

"You're married," Garuga spoke up.

Jade matched his father's gaze, looking at his ring and brushing it with his fingers. "Yes. About two years ago. She's beautiful. I'd like you to come and meet her, after you report back."

"Is he…." Garuga's voice trailed off. Jade didn't address him with words. He simply smiled, and Garuga's dark eyes lit with excitement. "Alright. Takabi, come with me. I want you to meet one of my old friends."

"What about us," Kairas asked.

"Stay with Porrelth. He'll show you around."

The group swallowed a lump in their throats. Nana stepped to Takabi, looking up at him. When she spoke, it was low, and her eyes held a stern glare. "Come home soon. I want all three of us to have a chat."

"All… Hailey too? Should I be scared?"

"Partly." She left it at that.

He swallowed, nodding and hugging her tightly. He took in her scent, and she took in his heat. They longed for one another, so deeply, but kept their embrace minimal. Watching Jade, Garuga and Takabi descend down into Scalivia. 

Porrelth looked at the remaining four, flames erupting from his feet, clamping down on each of their heads and picking them up into the air. "You're coming with me."

"Wh-where to," Frannie asked, visibly shaking.

"I smell some of my people to the west." He began walking, hands in his pocket, the four still in their air with his grip. Each had a chill run down their spine at his words, and immediately in Nana's mind, she wondered if she would survive whatever he had planned.

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Each person they passed whispered something about Garuga and Takabi. While the Dragon paid them no mind, Takabi listened closely, observing their comments. Most were of how he finally returned, and whether or not they should celebrate or panic. It was odd that people were so fearful of Garuga. It made Takabi wonder what Garuga could've done to make them so wary of his presence.

Then came the comments about him. Confusion.

Pure confusion. His eyes gave away he wasn't a Dragon, somehow, but it was the hair that they feared. Many referred to him as a White head, and children confused him for a noble.

They came towards a large oval building with a lightning rod on top. It was made purely out of garnet, and overflowing with an intense magic power. It sent chills down Takabi's spine as they ascended the steps.

They passed by two people. A boy and a girl.

The girl was dressed in a white frilly dress. Her eyes and hair were white, purely, and her body was robust. She had a bit of weight to her, but not enough to make her stand out. Her hips were wide, and bust almost spilling out of her strapless dress.

"Excuse me," She said, voice small and threatening.

The group looked at her, but she spoke primarily to Takabi. "I don't recognize you, and your scent is…" She took a heavy whiff of him, eyes narrowing. "You smell of blood."

"Thanks," He said dryly. "I try to wash that off."

"You jest?"

"Sure," He shrugged. "What do you want?"

"Well, it is my duty to identify any visitors unknown to the people. State your name."

"Takabi," He said simply, a hint of irritation in his voice. "Can we go now?"

She pursed her lips, eyeing him up and down. "No. In fact," She raised a finger, pointing at him. "I challenge you to a Royal Bout."

"A what?"

Garuga slapped his forehead. "Great. Is any of this warranted?"

"Yes, on the grounds I find this boy suspicious. You don't object, do you, Garuga of Shadows?"

He looked between the two, then to Jade and back. "I guess not."

"HOLD ON! Don't I get a say?!"

"Just win and we'll go."

Sighing, he faced the girl and crossed his arms. "Fine."

She led them into the center of the road, eyes falling on the pair. Garuga sat on the step, watching closely. A couple comments came from the male. An exposition of the girl.

"This guy is screwed. No one's been able to beat Sara before."

"Sara," Jade began, "Is a noble, correct? This will be troublesome for sure. Father, you know this boy better than anyone. How will he fair?"

"Truthfully," He began. "It depends. How strong is this Sara girl?"

"She's risen to the top of the White Dragon Kingdom. Why," The older looking male asked. He had yellow hair and hazel eyes. He was built, tall, with a chiseled jaw and confident air.

"I see. Then this will be over in a flash."

"Whenever you're ready, boy." She said. Takabi shrugged, arms crossed. His eyes held little care, and he looked ready to leave. "Don't underestimate me," She began. "Light vanquishes all, even those like you."

"Like me? You know what I am?"

She went quiet for a moment, reaching for the air by her waist. Light began to shine in her palm, a sword hilt forming. Drawing it between them, a blade formed from the whiteness, glowing intensely. Mana swirled around it, and began to shroud her in a strong aura.

"I care not. None surpass the power of White." Gripping the hilt of the blade tightly, she charged at Takabi, raising her blade and bringing it down quickly. He dodged to the left, watching as she spun on her toes, driving the blade quickly at him. Takabi leaned back, the light soaring clean over him, a wave cutting precisely through the air.

Placing his palm on the soil, he flipped back, landing on his feet softly. Sara attempted to attack again, the surrounding crowd cheering for her in full confidence. She swung with a blinding speed, always coming short of Takabi's cheek or chest. It wasn't a lethal bout, but she was out for some of his blood. There was a fierceness in her eyes that he, admittedly, found faintly attractive. 

"Go Sara," A child yelled.

"You got him on the ropes," Another girl cheered.

Takabi shot a glare at them, scoffing and stopping his maneuver. Sara hopped through the air, driving the blade directly at him. He rose his palm, catching it, flames incinerating the light. Sara's eyes widened in shock, her lips parting with two simple, quiet words. "White… Flames…"

Then it was over. He dragged her by her arm, flipping in the air, releasing an ocean of fire to drive her skull into the concrete, blowing dirty clouds and rock into the air. When it cleared, he had her pinned by her throat, two fingers stopped short of her wide eyes, fire bellowing around the digits. His eyes were glowing brightly, full of power. An intense, growing power that seemed bottomless.

"Takabi, ease up," Garuga said.

He blinked, realizing what he had just done, and stood up straight, releasing Sara as she sat up began coughing madly. Mouth after mouth was agape, each Dragon standing in complete shock.

"He beat… A noble?"

"Impossible. It's a fluke, isn't it?"

He offered Sara a hand, to which she looked up at him and slowly took it, standing. "My. I must admit… I had not expected.. Any of that."

"No one ever does. You wouldn't believe how much I hold myself back at times."

"Despite that, I saw… Great evil in your eyes. Evil, and a power most would dream to hold." Sara took her hand back. She looked at the crowd, raising her voice to address them all. "I must give credit where credit is due. This boy here bested me in battle. He's not a Dragon but has commendable strength and is a welcomed guest of our land. So decreed by the White Dragons."

There was hesitation at first, but the tension was broken when one of the young male Dragons ran up to him, beginning to question Takabi of his magic and how it works. At best, he explained his natural affinity for light, and left them with more questions than answers.

The crowd began to file out a few minutes later, Sara pulling Takabi close and whispering in his ear. "I meant what I said. There is great evil in you, and I fear one day it shall bring ruin to more than just yourself."

He snatched his arm back, eyeing her down. She crossed her arms, speaking confidently. "This will go differently next time, if you allow me another battle. As of right now, I can't say too much about you being suspicious anymore, but if I have a reason to hunt you down, I will."

"Get over yourself," He said sighing. "I'm no trouble to anyone."

"Not now," She corrected. "The future holds many possibilities. I never imagined I'd meet anyone who could best me in battle that wasn't of my own kind. Your flames are very special. Who taught you that magic?"

"Myself. I trained with Garuga to cultivate it, but I mostly taught myself to control it."

She touched her chin a moment, thinking. Sara looked between Garuga, who was eyeing both intently, then returned her gaze. "The Dragon of Shadow. I've heard he was one to be recognized for his abilities."

"Sara," A male voice called to her. The yellow haired male came down the steps, eyeing Takabi before turning to her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Just a bit bruised is all." She looked at him. "I'm going to be sore, but I don't mind that."

Nodding, the male gripped Takabi's shirt, gritting his teeth. "Asshole. Ever hear of taking it easy on a woman?!"

"Sorry," He said dryly. "All the women in my life like it rough."

It was obvious bait, and the male took it. He rose his fist, lightning surging around it. When he threw it forward, Sara drew her blade and held it to his throat, stopping him short. "Enough, Kyle. We have more pressing matters. I've wasted enough of our time."

Kyle released Takabi, Sara standing between the two and respectfully bowing to him. "Another day, Mr. Takabi." She turned on her heel and began to step off, white scaled wings ripping from her back before she took off to the north. Takabi watched her fly, before looking at Kyle and saying, "Aren't you going with her?"

Biting his lip in irritation, his own yellow scaled wings ripped from his shirt, and he took off after Sara. Turning his attention to Garuga and Jade, he stepped up the Garnet steps and stretched wide, yawning. "Ready?"

"Ready," Garuga replied, standing. The three stepped up the stairs, Takabi's mind and heart filled with an intense, unexplainable excitement, that only grew as they opened the doors and were greeted by pure red jewels.