OFF: The next chapter of Prophecy is released!
Hopefully, it was worth the wait. Enjoy!
Chapter 3: Faith
Evil feed upon Doubt and Despair. In the face of overwhelming odds, Hope and Faith will lead to the future.
"S-S-S-Spyro..." the voice echoed yet again.
He had this strange feeling, as if he had heard the voice somewhere. Every time he heard the Dark Master call to him, the voice became clearer and louder, as if he was getting closer. The purple dragon didn't know what this meant exactly but he suspected it could only mean that the evil one was growing closer to returning to this world, an act which he will prevent without fail. There is no alternative. Call to him as he will, the Dark Master will get nothing from him... well, he will get something actually it's just that he will most likely not like it at all.
"Hey! Spyro!" and at this moment, he smiled, seeing his friend flying toward him.
Sparx stopped right in front of the purple dragon, grinning as he hovered there, arms crossed.
"So, missed me big guy?" asked the dragonfly.
Spyro's smile turned into a big grin. Yes, yes was he happy! But well, to tackle into the dragonfly and give him a big hug would be very much against his personality so he simply stood there, smiling.
"Not really. Who would like a loud dragonfly pestering you all the time after all!" he replied.
"Very funny! Anyway, me and the old man were chattin' and well, he figured out that the whole Trial proving you're not the hero was stupid so... here I am, with fresh infos right from the old guy's newest visions!" said the dragonfly, clearing seeing through the dragon's sarcasm.
New infos, right? "So, what did Ignitus say?"
Sparx seemed to think for a moment and then, made a silly pose, as if imitating a detective of sorts.
"Hmmm... he spoke of a murder case! Dark Master, at the Temple of Souls under Mountain Malefor to the north-east, with the fire breath, by Spyro the dragon!" Informative and funny. Well, for once, it was genuinely funny and thus, Spyro's smile widened further.
Temple of Souls, under the Mountain of Malefor to the north-east...
"I see. So... the Dark Master is attempting to return?"
"Actually, Ignitus is saying that this will be the final battle. It's you or him, this time. No more revivals or stupid fake final battles against random underlings! About time, if you ask me. I think you'll agree we've waited a bit too long before kicking the Dark Master's booty, whatever the heck he is." Spyro couldn't agree more.
"So, the time has finally come. The time to confront the Dark Master himself..." The time to accomplish his destiny.
At this moment, a hint of doubt rose within his heart and he remembered how the Trial ended. And what if... he truly didn't wield the power necessary to defeat the Dark Master? He remembered Cynder and that Sheepaminator, those creations of the Dark Master. If the Dark Master was truly as god-like as they make him to be, if he's truly powerful enough to make his best generals look like harmless animals... then how will he manage to defeat such an enemy? He barely survived both of those battles...
...what is he thinking? He has defeated the Dark Master's best minions and foiled his masterplan. He has totally changed the situation, breaking the Dark Master's hold over the world. The Dark Master had defeated the dragons and brought the entire world on its knees... and now, the situation had been inverted, a purple dragon single-handedly breaking the Dark Master's ranks, killing his best generals, and destroying the weapon he had planned to use to conquer the world once and for all.
The time has come. He must finish what he has started. Spyro regained his confidence, throwing his doubt away. He is not afraid. He shall go forward fearlessly.
"I'm not afraid. Let's go," said the dragon, his tone full of determination.
"Go to the Dark Master's very fortress, the very most unholy place in the entire universe, the place where the most evil force of all existence awaits our arrival so it can tear us apart savagely and mercilessly?" said the dragonfly, his fear apparent.
...and then, Sparx did something unusual. Rather than trying to convince Spyro not to go, he shook off his fear and agreed.
"Why not? Not like I can stop you from going... so, yeah, count me in!"
The dragonfly flew next to Spyro's head and hovered there, at his usual position.
"Lead the way, big guy!"
Spyro nodded and pushed into the ground with his claws, standing tall. He felt confident and strong. Finally... the end was in sight. The purple dragon looked into the horizon, seeing the markers placed in ancient time by dragons long gone. North-east... he shall go there. The final battle awaits.
SCHLANG!
"No, let her pass. She is... an old friend."
The dozens of Dark Ones glared venomously at the newcomer but despite their burning rage, managed to get a hold of themselves and slowly, got out of the way, putting their weapons back in their holsters.
Within the deepest chamber of the Temple of Souls, a positively massive figure stood by the central hole in the middle, a hole that emitted faint, eerie light. One could see the souls constantly coming from the hole in the ceiling, sucked into the endless abyss...
The figure slowly turned to face the newcomer and despite the fact that the room was plunged in total darkness, Cynder recognized the figure instantly.
"So you have returned..." his voice was every bit as cold and cruel as she remembered. A huge contrast with the tone of the common Dark One, which was overly excited and insane-sounding.
But then, this was no common Dark One. The being was still a Dark One, one could tell... but the amount of black magic it had absorbed was so gigantic that it had grown to humongous proportions and had begun to transform into something else. One could see the patches of fur that had disappeared, revealing the green scales below. One could see the hint of the claws at the end of its hands and feet, hidden by its armor. Even its face had mutated, half of its face now disformed into something else, its right eye glowing unnaturally, like a crimson red jewel.
The massive Dark One observed the young dragoness carefully and then, nodded a bit before speaking up.
"I had heard reports that the purple dragon had 'broken the Dark Master's control over you' from various soldiers that used to serve under you... and yet, you have returned. You must understand that I am suspicious, seeing a traitor return like this..."
Cynder smiled bitterly, shaking her head.
"You know very well that I was never controlled. He is a father to me, as he is to all of us. I crave his return just as all of you do. But such is not the question..."
She slowly approached the center hole and then, looked down into it. One could see the portal to the Dark Realm below, the stone circle glowing as the gate was showing signs that it would soon open...
"It's so ironic. I spent two years trying to get through the seal of Convexity... and the portal to the Dark Realm had been hidden within the Temple of Souls, free of any seals, for all this time. If only I had known that the Well of Souls was the most direct entrance to the Dark Realm..."
The Dark One was silent as Cynder spoke and when she finished, trailing off into a sentence she did not need to end, he spoke up yet again.
"You have changed, Cynder. The way you speak of the Master and his return... you lack the passion that you once had. The faith that you had in him, I cannot hear it in your voice anymore."
Cynder glared at the monkey-esque figure in a way that only her adult self should have been able to, a piercing, terrifying glare that went through you, filling you with pure, raw, numbing terror.
The glare didn't have any effect upon the Dark One however. There wasn't much if anything that could scare a creature such as him.
"Please spare me your speeches, Gaul. I know very well why you seek to bring him back. I know where your true loyalties lie. So, do not lecture me about any lack of faith when you have none yourself." she snapped coldly in a way that sounded way more like her former adult self than her current, hatchling self.
In fact, the way Cynder moved and acted was so strange. She was still the little hatchling Spyro had saved at Convexity and yet, there was something in her attitude and movements that were more akin to the oversized monster Spyro had overcome. It was truly strange, to say the least...
The two just stood there, staring at each others, not a word being said... and then, both of them looked into the skies.
"Soon, the moons will be aligned and the Night of Eternal Darkness will begin. The Master's return is near, Cynder. Yes... very near..." He turned back to Cynder, who returned his stare. "You are the one chosen by the Dark Master, the one who will open the portal. Regardless of our opinions, we shall cooperate, just like we used to, years ago..."
Cynder turned away from him, a feeling of disgust creeping up as well as another one... sadness.
"He... would have disapproved of you..." she muttered to herself, too low for Gaul to hear.
"Whoa. Creepy..."
Spyro couldn't help but agree. The Mountain of Malefor, in all of its glory, was before them. A massive spike, its top covered in dark clouds, that extended nearly endlessly into the skies, like a monstrous, grotesquely disformed tower of sorts.
And well, not only was the mountain itself a sight but the entire place felt so... unnatural. Maybe it was the green, glowing swampwaters and the fact that the dirt was purple. Maybe it was the total lack of life. Maybe it was the dead trees all around the place.
Whatever it was, this place inspired the two with dread.
"Not the most friendly place, huh?" said the dragon, his voice shaking a bit from the fear that was creeping up his spine.
"Not going to argue with you. Say, it is me or is it lacking in guards? You know... I expected a better welcoming party. This IS the Dark Master's fortress, after all," replied Sparx, who was getting more and more creeped out by the unsettling silence.
...and then, the usual sounds echoed. The yells of the Dark Ones and the sounds of footsteps. Spyro narrowed his eyes and sighed loudly, fear giving away to annoyance.
"I really should shut up sometimes..." whispered the dragonfly under his breath.
And then, they came.
A HUMONGOUS flood of Dark Ones. Monkey warriors as far as the eye can see, forming a tight blanket of screaming things at the base of the mountain.
Both the purple dragon and yellow dragonfly stood there, eyes widened, unable to keep their jaw in place.
"Oh. My. Goodness!" was all Spyro could manage to think of.
"And I thought that there were lots of mushrooms in the swamp... man, there's enough of those stupid apes to conquer the Realm fifteen times in a row!" added Sparx.
And well, it was true. There was probably a billion Dark Ones, all forming a massive blanket at the base of the mountain... and well, more and more Dark Ones flooded the ranks by the second, causing the circle around the mountain to extend toward the two...
"So... how are we going to get by THOSE?" asked Sparx, absolutely stumped as to what to do. Yeah, Spyro could beat up a lot of stuff... but well, that is more than even he could handle and by far.
Spyro found himself unable to say anything. Really, it's true. How in the heck is he going to get by such a ridiculously oversized army? Not even with the Guardians and the soldiers of all the tribes he ever freed at his side would he be able to get through. Seems like he'll have to find another route or something...
Then, more footsteps, closer this time.
Both dragon and dragonfly turned to see an equally surprising sight.
"Huh? What? What is THAT guy doing here?" said Sparx. The situation was bad enough, as if they needed HIM to barge in!
Astrial glared at the both of them.
"What troubles you so? Realizing that your allies, the Dark Ones, are not in a large enough number to stop me? That your efforts are doomed, spawn of Dark Master?" Oh no! Sparx won't have any of that!
"Cut it out, idiot! For the last time, we're all on the same side! We want to see the Dark Master beaten as much as everyone else!" replied the dragonfly, not wishing to get into an argument. Not now, at least.
But then, the other purple dragon snorted loudly, as if insulted.
"HMPH! I won't believe your lies! The Ancestors will triumph and you two, servants of Dark Master, will suffer the wrath of justice!"
Spyro shrugged and then turned his back to Astrial. He had no time to waste with that lookalike, none!
"Ignore him, Sparx. We have to find a way to get through that barricade." said Spyro.
Sparx glared at Astrial for a while and although the temptation was strong to say something, he figured out that Spyro was right. There was no use in wasting time with that wannabe. They had to find a way to get through the Dark Ones' barricade.
As the two begun to discuss of nonsensical plans, Astrial frowned. How dare they ignore him! He is the Dragon of Prophecy, no one ignores him! It's his fate to defeat all evildoers and free the world from the Dark Master and his minions!
Sure, he could strike the two down while they had their backs turned... but this would be a dishonorable act, the likes of which that minions of the Dark Master accomplished. He is the Dragon of Prophecy, he strikes down all foes with the fury of justice using the ancient, sacred ways!
He challenged them a few times but each time, he was ignored. Why? Why were they paying no attention to him despite the fact that he insulted their master, the Dark Master, and their fellow minions? But then, this infernal insect and that imposter were truly twisted spawns, pawns of the Dark Master that eludes all logic.
But then... he remembered Cynder. He remembered how the tainted dragon acted around him, how she spoke of Spyro. The Guardians told him that the imposter had broken the Dark Master's control over her... nonsense! Even if the control is broken, she has been tainted! Cynder has no right to live, controlled or not, for she is forever marked by her sins! Death and eternal damnation is the only fate fit for such abominations as her!
Still, as much of an insult to all dragons as Cynder was, he remembered the explanations Ignitus gave about Cynder and how Cynder seemed to think of Spyro all the time.
Hmmm... so it's probable that they might have a crush on each others. How disgusting! But this could be an advantage...
"I am surprised that you both claim to be stuck outside, considering your girlfriend, imposter, is inside of the Temple of Souls!"
The reply had the intended effect and then, both Spyro and Sparx turned to face Astrial.
"Nice try, Astrial but Cynder is at the Dragon Temple," said Spyro.
Sparx nodded, smiling... but then, his smile slowly vanished as he remembered something.
"Uh-oh..." Spyro turned to Sparx upon hearing this, his confidence instantly vanishing.
"Uh-oh? What is it, Sparx?" he asked, a horrible feeling rising and overwhelming his heart.
The dragonfly suddenly became embarrassed and worried all at once, scratching the back of his head as he hovered there.
"Well... I kinda saw Cynder while I was searching for you and she mentioned about having to go somewhere for some reason, didn't say for what reason and where she was going. Yeah, I was kinda suspicious but well, I didn't think that..." he stopped when he noticed the new color of Spyro's face. A very, very pale purple, almost pink. "Err... you're okay, buddy?"
This whole situation amused Astrial. It was so satisfying to see the minions of the Dark Master get all worried!... not that they're actually feeling worry. Everyone knows that the Dark Master's spawns can't feel things such as love and hope. All they can do is fake out such emotions in order to fool innocents and lure them into traps! Still, it was amusing to see them trying.
"Oh, what's wrong? Your fellow minion is in danger for some unknown, twisted reason? Nice try, imposter. Everyone knows that the Dark Master's minions cannot be worried about anything but their master's desires."
Astrial had attacked him personally for the last time. Spyro spun around and faced the other purple dragon, his heart burning with such anger that he felt as if flames were being expelled from his nose each time he breathed.
"I. Don't. CARE! Go and bother someone else or, I don't know, actually ACT like the Dragon of Prophecy rather than spewing hateful stuff all THE FREAKIN' TIME! I'm sick of it! Get lost!"
He then turned to Sparx.
"Sparx, let's go."
Sparx wanted to say something but Spyro didn't let him, already moving on. Astrial stood there, watching the two going toward the army before them...
"So, what do we do, oh mauve one?" whispered Sparx, hovering close to Spyro's head.
The two of them hid behind a conveniently placed rock near the enemy positions. If the enemy army had seemed impressive enough from afar, it was even more impressive from this close! He could see all of the Dark Ones in the distance, yelling and mumbling non-sense as they waited for who knows what.
Then, beyond a few hundred meters worth of over-stacked monkeys, the massive gates that led to the Temple of Souls, their destination.
"Well... charging forward and fighting this many Dark Ones is suicide..." said Spyro, trying to spot an opening in the enemies' ranks and failing.
Fortunately, Sparx just saw one! He pointed at the side of the mountain.
"Hey, look at that! Do I spy a special entrance for purple dragons?"
Spyro turned to see what Sparx was pointing at and then, saw it. It seems that something had chipped away at the mountain's sides and as such, if one looked carefully, one could see a serie of pillars of ascending heights leading to a semi-natural set of crude stairs in the mountain that led straight to the gates. Conveniently, it wasn't near as well-guarded as the direct path... but the problem was that it would be easy for the horde to block Spyro's path once they would see him and well, there's not much cover once he jumps out of his hiding place.
"Well, any ideas on how to get past the monkey people?" added Sparx. He, too, figured it was a problem.
...and well, back to square one. If only they had some kind of distraction!
BOOM!
Spyro yelped and dived to the ground, landing on his stomach while Sparx covered his ears, doing the same as debris rained about.
"Was that dynamite?" asked Sparx.
Of course they knew it was dynamite, Dark Ones had been hurling that stupid stuff at them for months! But well, why did they thrown some of it? They hadn't done anything that could have given away their position...
Then, a familiar roar and thousands of enraged yells followed by the sounds of impacts.
"Please tell me he didn't..." said Spyro, shaking his head in disbelief.
Sparx peeked out of their hiding place... and then, he sighed loudly, rolling his eyes.
"Did so."
Astrial was right there, in the middle of the Dark Ones ranks, roaring as he breathed gigantic funnels of flames at his foes, spinning and swiping each time a Dark One managed to get through his barrage of fire, which happened something like twice per second. Although Astrial was doing surprisingly well considering the stupidity of his attempt to break through, he was still being overwhelmed.
"That's strange. Usually, I would suggest that we help him but I feel more like taking advantage of this distraction to go through the alternate route you found," stated Spyro in a surprisingly neutral voice.
"Yeah, noooo idea why..." replied Sparx.
And with that said, Spyro lowered himself a bit and then, kicked into the ground brutally with his hind legs as he leaped forward, dashing at full speed, Sparx following closely.
Taking advantage of the confusion caused by Astrial's attack, Spyro jumped above a bunch of perplexed Dark Ones, sailing right over their heads and landing on the first pillar. Instantly, the faces of surprise were replaced with faces of rage and dynamite and energy spheres rained about as grunts and magicians alike thrown their deadly projectiles at the second purple dragon.
They did not know where that purple weirdo came from or who was their true target but frankly, they couldn't care less! They hated them both and they are going DOWN!
However, all of their projectiles struck thin air. Moving at an incredible speed, Spyro skillfully jumped from pillar to pillar, effortlessly dodging each attack while Sparx did the same, zigzagging through as if the projectiles didn't exist... all of this only serving to fuel the apes' anger.
The more they dodged, the angrier the Dark Ones got. The angrier the Dark Ones became, the more they yelled and threw stuff, attracting the attention of more Dark Ones.
Soon enough, dynamite and black magic rained from virtually every side and in their fits of rage, the Dark Ones jumped about, flailing their weapons like crazy as they attempted, without success, to stop the purple dragon and his partner.
Then finally, after one final serie of jumps, Spyro cleared the weird stairs that separated him from his objective and landed in front of the main gate, right behind the enemy ranks. Sparx followed a mere second later.
The Dark Ones in the back were yelling and growling, pointing their weapons to the skies, hopping about like demented psychotic hyperactive children.
They didn't know what was going on exactly but they knew that there were yells and screams about that 'darn purple pest', that bodies were flying about, that dynamite was flying about, that there was magic, arrows, swords, and blood and all of it was making them ANGRY! They wanted blood, NOW!
Then, as all of that was going on, they noticed that the dynamite and the whole anger was directed toward another point too... and then, they found themselves with all of the Dark Ones in front of them growling and screaming at them.
This confused them at first until one of them turned around and then, screeched loudly. All of them turned around to find that stupid purple dragon and its equally dumb dragonfly partner, just by the gate. How did that happen?!? How come they're HERE? Confusion soon gave away to pure RAGE! No one, NO ONE sneaks by the Dark Ones!
They lashed out like the animals they were, decided to turn those stupid things into swiss cheese with their pointy weapons!
Turning back a moment, Spyro and Sparx saw that the foes had finally realized that they were entering by the front gate and were now charging toward them.
"HURRY HURRY!" yelled Spyro as both of them turned back toward the interior and ran for it.
"What do you think I'm doing, smart guy?" yelled Sparx in response.
Then, Sparx noticed a certain lever located conveniently near a serie of chains linked to the massive door. It didn't take a very high IQ to guess what this thing was for. Smirking evilly, he "accidentally" charged into it on the way in...
CLANG!
CRRRRRRR!
SLAM!
And thanks to that, the gate closed right behind Spyro, locking the Dark Ones out the moment they were about to get in. Spyro spun around quickly, startled a bit by the loud sound... and was surprised to find the Dark Ones, screaming and shaking the door angrily, unable to get by it. Huh? What? How? Why? And at this moment, Spyro saw Sparx hovering by the lowered level, still smirking.
"So, who's the man?" said the dragonfly proudly.
Spyro couldn't help but smile. What would he do without Sparx? Really, he didn't know.
"Come on, let's go. Cynder is waiting for us," said the purple dragon, motioning to the dragonfly.
"What? Not even a thank you? I lock all of those monkeys outside saving you from who knows how much trouble and I don't even get a 'lil thanks?"
Spyro rolled his eyes. Who knows how much he owes that dragonfly. But although Sparx does have a point, there is unfortunately no time to thank him. Cynder is deeper inside, locked up by the Dark Master's very general. There is absolutely no time to lose.
As the two begun to dash through the strangely empty, eerie halls of the dark temple, a thought came to Spyro. This was the Temple of Souls, the very fortress where the Dark Master lies in wait.
The Prophecy stated that this will be the last battle... does this means that the Dark Master will be freed here?
He cannot hesitate, not now. He came too far to give in to fear now. Whenever or not the Dark Master will revive, he will rescue Cynder and he will finish what he started.
His fate awaits...
TO BE CONTINUED