The Legend of Cynder: Darkness of My Soul
Chapter 4- Shadow Hunting
Cynder continued to search the city for signs of the mysterious shadow that had been attacking Warfang and causing damage to many buildings. Even though citizens recalled seeing it but forgot moments later seemed suspicious to the black dragoness. What could be making the citizens forget? What was the Shadow that attacked? Where had it come from?
The questions continued to pile up in her mind and she grew frustated from searching many places—from Diggers Bakery to the old town market where a couple of moles kissed. Cynder grimaced in disgust and quickly turned away. That really, really, is something I never want to see again, she told herself as she lounged on the stone rim of a water fountain.
As the sky darkened to a rich violet and pink, Cynder could not help but think of Spyro and how much she missed him. And as she lay gazing up at the sunset in the distant in the horizon, a faint image of his face shone bright. Cynder blinked twice and shook her head and looked at the sun again. Great, now my mind plays tricks on me.
But tricks or not, one side of her believed that the dragon she loved deeply was somewhere among the realms, alive and wounded, but living nonetheless. The other side thought otherwise, but Cynder didn't want to be wrong. She only wanted to be with him.
When the first collection of stars exploded into the sky, Cynder sighed and began to investigate Warfang's roads and alleys with alert eyes. She searched from vendors filled with fresh fruits to dark alleys with dumpsters of rancid filth but found nothing. She tried the junkyard where a couple junkyard dragons lived. Some curiously watched her every moment like hungry lions while others glared and scowled at her intruding in their territory.
"No shadow here miss nosy," one sneered. "Just us scrappers and our treasure."
"Best return to where you belong," another said. "Or something may take your life away."
However, Cynder paid them no attention and continued to search for signs of the Shadow. When the moon finally positioned itself high in the sky and glistened like a pearl, Cynder gave up her search and headed back to the Dragon Temple. That shadow has to be here somewhere, I just know it, Cynder thought with a determined look. Something isn't right I just have a gut feeling about it.
And for some reason, her gut feeling was absolutely right. Once she reached the doors of the Dragon Temple, she saw something that made a chill surge down her spine. A black shape coasted over head towards the north. Its body moved fluidly and silently through the night like a pit viper and was barely visible under the palette of stars. However, she didn't need the stars to see the bone white eyes and the familiar horns to know who it was.
She watched the black figure glide farther and farther past through the night sky until it was a speck on the horizon. Cynder stood their frozen in fear and shook her head in disbelief at what she saw. No, it couldn't be. Could it? Was that Spyro? Impossible, Spyro can't be the shadow. He would never attack those citizens or anyone else. But I don't know whether to believe it or not. I've got to tell the Elders.
"So you're telling me you saw the shadow? Are you serious about this?" Cyril asked when Cynder told him about the shadow she saw.
"I'm serious, Cyril. It was no mistake. That was really the shadow that attacked Warfang," Cynder insisted.
"How can you be sure that isn't another shadow?"
"Look, how many shadow beings have we encountered over the years? If there were others, I'm sure Malefor would've used them. I trust my instincts, Cyril, and they're telling me that this shadow is the very shadow that attacked Warfang."
Cyril looked at her, wondering if she could be trusted or not. He wanted to object but Cynder's I-am-not-lying look made him change his mind.
"What features does the shadow have?"
"I noticed that it looked like a dragon for it has horns and wings. Its eyes were white but then…it looked so familiar. I can't put my finger on it though."
"Familiar in what sense? Does it remind you of someone you know?"
"No…actually, yes. It looked like Spyro."
Cyril was taken aback. He stared at Cynder with narrowed eyes as he could not believe what he just heard. She says that the shadow looked like Spyro but should I trust what she says? None of the citizens can give me a detailed account of it and when I tried asking Mole-Yair, he has forgotten everything. This is really giving me a headache.
"Cyril, are you alright? You're icy blue face is paler than it is," Cynder said when she noticed Cyril grimacing.
Cyril snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head. "It's nothing. When did you see the shadow?"
"Not long ago. At the rate it is moving, I don't think it went far north."
"Good, I'm going after it before it causes more damage to our lives and properties!"
"You can't be serious!"
"It is my duty as Guardian to protect Warfang, Cynder. Besides, I want to know what this shadow is up to."
That said, Cyril burst out from the Dragon Temple and chased after the shadow. Cynder wanted to follow but she felt a paw on her head. Turning around, she saw Volteer looking at her.
"Let him be, Cynder. Cyril finally has the chance to investigate the thing that has troubled him for quite some time," Volteer said.
"What if he gets killed? I don't want anyone else to suffer Ignitus's fate," Cynder growled.
"That is very concerning of you but your concern will not help in this situation. Cynder, you said that the Chronicler called upon you to seek him out, yes?" Volteer asked.
"Yeah. What about it?"
"I feel that you should leave Warfang and seek out the Chronicler. Ignitus once told Spyro that if the Chronicler decides to call upon us, then it means that trouble is brewing and since you're strong enough to walk, fly and fight, you better make haste," Volteer answered.
Cynder felt like as if he was eager to send her away.
"You seem rather eager to send me off, Volteer. What's the catch?" she asked suspiciously.
"I'm not eager, Cynder, I'm doing this so we can do some good for the citizens of Dragon Realm," Volteer replied.
Cynder felt that something wasn't right but then again, it is true that the Chronicler told her to seek her out because of something dire that was about to happen.
"Very well, Volteer, I'll leave as soon as I can. Is there anything you can give me before I leave?"
"As a matter of fact, Cynder, I have three things I'd like to give you. Come to my room."
She followed Volteer to his room where Volteer took out an ancient chest filled with unique items that didn't look familiar to Cynder at all. The first item she received was a tribal-looking amulet.
"This is Ishtar, Amulet of Light. It was created by Nubia hundreds of years ago. It's a special thing for it strengthens one's resolve against darkness. I believe that you need it because you have been exposed to darkness and darkness may still be a weak point for you," Volteer said while handing Cynder the amulet.
The second thing he took out was a pair of wing plating. They looked metallic but when equipped, they felt as light as the very air Cynder breathed.
"This is League and as its name suggests, it allows you to fly two times further than you normally can and as well as two times faster. It's useful for racing against the clock. Oh, don't forget your set armors," Volteer said while pointing at three set armors hung on the wall next to the door.
Cynder was surprised that the set armors she and Spyro found three years ago were still well-preserved. Instinctively, she reached for the defensive set armor and wore them.
"It feels a bit tight. How do I look?" Cynder asked.
"You look absolutely battle ready," Volteer said with a smile.
"So this is the third thing you're giving me?" she asked after adjusting her armor.
"No, the third is a companion that will accompany you in your quest for the Chronicler. He may be small but he's definitely useful," Volteer said with a furtive grin.
"Why is it that I have a bad feeling about this?" Cynder muttered.
Volteer gave a whistle and moments later, Cynder saw something small and glowing at the doorway. It was a familiar sight as well as an annoying one.
"Well, if it isn't the she-dragon. Hope you're happy after staying dead for three years," Sparx said while holding up three fingers.
"Nice to meet you again, Sparx," answered an annoyed Cynder, who didn't feel like trading insults with him.
"I've been talking to Sparx about this and he agreed to help you out in your search for the Chronicler," Volteer said.
"Yo, I thought you told me that we're looking for Spyro," Sparx said.
"I did but it is important that Cynder finds the Chronicler first before searching for Spyro. You agreed on this so it is only reasonable if you stow your bellyaching," Volteer remarked.
Sparx crossed his arms and flew towards Cynder.
"Look, she-dragon, I'm only following you because I want to search for my brother. Don't get any funny ideas and I'm definitely not for you to order around," Sparx said while jabbing Cynder's snout with his finger.
"You're a small one to be talking like a big shot, Sparx. Don't worry, I won't be ordering you around since your size proves to be no use to me in combat. In fact, how helpful were you three years ago when we were battling Malefor's forces?"
"I would've given their butts a kick or two if Spyro let me follow him. I even fought a parrot and gave him a thing or two about being a loudmouth when Spyro went looking for you after you went running away during the Eternal Night incident," Sparx said while flexing his arm.
"Yeah, very believable," Cynder sneered.
"I see that you two are getting acquainted already," Volteer said with a smile. "Just like old times eh."
"Yeah, old times indeed," Sparx muttered.
"Take whatever you need from my room that may help you in your journey. The world may be safer but you can never be too careful," Volteer said.
"In that case, can I have that shiny crystal ball?" Sparx asked while pointing at a crystal ball that was situated on a shelf.
Volteer gave a laugh and a flat 'no'. Cynder took a bag of gems and a week's worth of food supplies. With everything set, the two were led to the temple's balcony.
"Cynder, I'm sorry for sending you off alone so quickly. I know that you deserve some peace but until the shadow has been dealt with and your heart's sorrow calmed, I doubt that you'll ever find peace in your life," Volteer said.
"I'm already having some peace until you came along," Sparx added.
"There's no need for an apology, Volteer, my problems are my responsibility," Cynder said while ignoring Sparx. "Besides, I don't find Warfang interesting anyway."
"Quite. Now, make haste and fly like the wind. Should you encounter the shadow, do not attempt to engage it. Sparx, you must set aside your disdain against her and help Cynder in her quest. Should she fail, do not hope of finding Spyro again or even coming back alive," Volteer warned.
"Oh whoop de doo," Sparx said.
The two took to the skies and Volteer watched them fly into the darkness.
"Godspeed, Cynder and Sparx."
Cyril found the shadow perched on the ramparts, as if waiting for Cyril to arrive. He bared his teeth and landed on the rampart, just a few meters away from the flickering shadow. It didn't seem to show any emotion now feelings. In fact, besides the eerily white eyes, Cyril could not discern any body parts for it was as dark as the night sky itself.
"So you're the shadow that terrorized Warfang," Cyril growled.
"Does it matter?" it replied in a demonic distorted voice.
"Of course it does. You're killing people and damaging properties and erasing people's memories. I cannot allow you to go any further," Cyril said while putting up a brave front.
The shadow gave a demonic cackle. "You're a weak one to be talking, fleshling. You cannot harm something you cannot touch or manipulate," it said.
Cyril shot five ice shards at the shadow but they passed through it and flew out of the city. The shadow shot a breath of dark fire that licked at Cyril's scales. It hurt as if he was being burnt by fire but the feeling of darkness was overwhelming. No words could describe how it felt. He fell to the ground, grunting in pain and clutching the black wound on his neck.
"Let that be a warning to you, fleshling. No one can stop me nor can they resist my powers so do not try. Unless you give me Cynder, I will not stop terrorizing your fair city," it said.
'Cynder…" Cyril muttered and remembered how Cynder described the shadow looking like Spyro.
He took a closer look and gasped. It does resemble Spyro except this shadow looked like a grown dragon. It couldn't be him.
"I know she's here, fleshling, and I'm getting impatient. Give her to me within five days or this city will suffer a fate worse than the assault on it three years ago. Mark my words," it said and its shadowy body dispersed like smoke.
Cyril knew that this shadow was a tough opponent and to face it alone was pure folly. He wanted to save the city but to give up Cynder to the shadow was against his moral beliefs.
"What should I do?" he said weakly.
A/N: This chapter was written by Onythedragon17 and since it was a bit to short, I made it a bit longer. Credit still goes to him because he wrote this chapter. Please review because we worked so hard on it and we would like to hear your opinion.
