The Legend of Spyro: Prelude to Darkness
Written by Procurator Fox
Prologue
"We are all gathered together today for a special event." said the elderly dragon, standing at the front of the chapel. This was one of the Dragon's most sacred of places, in the central valley of Grazos, surrounded by the mountains of green. Flowers of all kinds flourished in the bright sunlight, and butterflies danced in the skies. In the center of the valley, dragons young and old alike had gathered to witness one of the most sacred ceremonies in the dragon world. As the crowd listened, an immensely old and wise-looking dragon of light green color stood in front of the chapel, addressing the others.
"Today is indeed special, for we have with us two young dragons who have yet to be named." He announced as he surveyed the crowd. I could have sworn that he looked at me with a blank stare, acknowledging my presence. Uncomfortable, I turned away for a brief moment, breaking the eye contact. The elder continued with his speech.
"For generations, we have had dragons brought to this place to be given their true names. For the first time since Gerard and Bellum, who were born over a thousand years ago, we have the honor of having two namings in one ceremony. These two dragons, once named, will be together for as long as their lives will allow, and never will they be separated against their will. Now, I would like for the first of these two to step forward. Please welcome Pyra and Demor!"
Dragons roared their approval as the echoing of their cries thundered across the mountains and beyond. Birds perched in trees squawked their disapproval and flew to new branches as the sound pulsated through the valley. Before the alter walked two dragons, one male and another female. The two were both fiery red and had an air of nobility around them. The female was sleek and graceful, keeping her head held high, as her husband respectfully bowed his sturdy head at their reception amongst the crowd. Both had smiles as wide as the rivers below them, snaking from one side of their faces to another, showing great pride and happiness. I found myself smiling as well, for Demor had been
The two dragons walked to the older one, and after a moment of inaudible conversation, Pyra, the female, held up something that she had been holding the entire time. It was a small dragonling, as fiery colored as his parents, but yet seeming peaceful as he slept, curled up in his mothers arms. She carefully handed the baby to the elder, making sure not to disturb its sleep. Taking the child, the old one looked upward into the heavens with a smile on his face.
"I, Gratus, the eldest of the dragons in this clan, do ask you, great god of the stars, to give me strength, as I give this young dragon his true name. May he yet find peace and happiness in his life, and be shielded from evil. May his clan be honored by him, and may his life give us hope when darkness approaches. With these gifts, may he yet be known by his true name."
The elder placed his front claws on the dragonlings forehead, and light emitted from his touch. The eyes of the dragon opened wide in concentration, seeing things that nobody else would ever see in their imaginations. His eyes were strangely clouded, the deep green swirling with color. After many moments, there was a flash of light from the hand of the elder, momentarily blinding the crowd, and then…
"Let us welcome to our clan Ignitus, the Flame of Hope."
Roars of Amusement rose form the crowd at this. I myself let a grin slide across my face as Pryra, delighted with her child's new name, took him back from Gratus. The father stood frozen to the spot, smiling with pleasure as his wife embraced him.
A perfect name for the child, I thought. I had known Pyra and Demor for years now. It was fitting their child's name would be "flame of hope". I could only imagine the greatness and wisdom he would possess as he grew older.
"Congratulations Pyra, congratulations Demor, and welcome Ignitus!" roared Gratus. The crowd repeated his words with much enthusiasm, a chorus of growling low voices. Birds flew from nearby, as the loud noise startled them. The three dragons, man, wife, and child, left the center of the crowd, leaving Gratus once again to continue the speech.
"The second Naming may now proceed. Please welcome Marcus and Gwynna!"
As it was my time, I stepped forward with my wife. We were greeted once again with great enthusiasm by those we had grown up with. I looked calmly into the eyes of Gwynna, and she looked back with a warm smile. Then she looked back to our child. The unnamed dragonling was much like his mother, inheriting both her wing shape and also her gently curving horns. However, he was unusually colored, as me and my wife had blue scales. Yet, his scales shone bright purple, as if he were even in his sleep trying to awe and surprise the crowd. He yawned, showing his toothless gums, letting a small, squeaking breath. The crowd was greatly amused by this, and they chuckled, gentle rumbling emitting from their throats.
We passed towards Gratus, and as we approached, he muttered to us, "Lumos soleil Patron." Latin for "Let the light of the sun protect thee." We nodded, and Gratus started again the ceremony.
"I, Gratus, the eldest of the dragons in this clan, do ask you, great god of the stars, to give me strength, as I give this young dragon his true name. May he yet find peace and happiness in his life, and be shielded from evil. May his clan be honored by him, and may his life give us hope when darkness approaches. With these gifts, may he yet be known by his true name."
Once again, Gratus touched the forehead of my son, looking with clouded eyes into a dimension none could see but him. Again there was a flash of light before…
"Let us welcome to our clan Malefor, the Light in the Shadow."