Chapter 4: God of Destruction
As the two dragons slept through the night, Morpheus watched over them with vigilance. He needs not sleep because he's already dead. Physical needs mean nothing to him anymore but he still needs food but not water. As the morning sun rose, Spyro was the first to wake up again. He yawned and stretched, taking a deep breath and letting it out with a loud sigh.
"Man, that was the best sleep ever now that we're out of the tropical forest," he said happily. "I wonder what to eat."
He saw Morpheus sitting on top of a large boulder, looking at the distance. He didn't seem to notice Spyro so the purple dragon went to a nearby water pool to hunt for food. When he returned with a deer, Cynder was already awake and chatting with Morpheus. Somehow, Spyro had a jealous feeling in him. He saw smoke coming out from his nostrils, indicating rising anger. Spyro shook his head and reminded himself that they were only friends.
"Spyro, you've returned," Morpheus said.
"Yeah and what do you think you're doing with Cynder?" Spyro asked in a voice that indicated he was controlling his anger.
"What is with you, Spyro? Morpheus is only chatting with me," Cynder said.
Spyro felt something in him but he quickly staunched it. If he let his anger out, who knows what will happen. Spyro forced a smile at the two.
"Nothing, I was just worried," he said.
Cynder only nodded and eyed at the deer.
"So, are you gonna roast it or are we gonna eat it raw?" Cynder asked while examining the deer.
"How about we make it medium rare?" Spyro suggested.
"Sounds delicious," Cynder said happily.
"What about you Morpheus?" Spyro asked.
Morpheus shook his head and took out a strange-looking weapon. He pulled the trigger and fired a shot into the sky. The sound was very familiar as some of the skeleton warriors used the same weapon as well. Spyro still wondered how he can attack with that weapon without any visible projectile. AT that moment, a dead bird fell in front of Morpheus. He plucked out the feathers and ate it raw.
"Ugh, I never had the impression that humans eat things raw," Cynder said in disgust, sticking her tongue out.
"We don't but ever since the day I rose from the dead, I had a sudden craving for bloody meat. It makes me look uncivilized but hey, no one cares anymore," Morpheus said with a hint of sadness. "Oh well, bon appetite," he said and crunched on the bird.
Blood spurted everywhere as he bit on the bloodiest parts of the bird's body. Even if they were carnivores, Spyro and Cynder found the man's eating style rather…disgusting and feral. It didn't take the man long to finish the bird and bury its bones. The two dragons ate their food while Morpheus reloaded his weapon. Spyro saw Morpheus putting black powder into his weapon via the opening of the weapon at its barrel. He then inserted a small lead ball into it before using a stick to jam it in further.
"Morpheus, don't mind me asking but what is that thing?" Spyro asked as he chewed on some meat chunks.
"This thing? Oh, it's called a rifle, a somewhat more powerful substitute for the conventional bow and arrow. It fires a lead projectile so fast that you can't see it. We have been using it for only 50 years before Malefor's plan to exterminate the human race," Morpheus clarified.
"Nice invention. So what other inventions you humans have created before going extinct?" Cynder asked.
"Well, we've created steam-powered siege engines, better known as a tank, mithril armoring, sophisticated mining equipments, magic weapons and so on," Morpheus said lamely.
"What is this tank?" Spyro asked.
"Well, you can call it a catapult but it's made of steel rather than wood that most catapults use. Instead of launching projectiles in an arc, we can launch it straight at the enemy. The projectile is loaded at the breach of the cannon. When fired, it travels at such speeds that it can't be seen. It's hard to shoot over walls with it but why do that when we can blast a hole in the wall and go through it. Of course, the tank is not perfect. It's prone to breaking down and its movement is slow. Even if it is made of steel, any incoming boulders can crush the tank. The only thing that makes the tank outstanding is that it can protect the users from ranged and melee attacks and it has far more powerful projectiles," Morpheus explained while drawing simple diagrams on the ground.
"Do you think that your kin will be using this tank in future assaults?" Cynder asked.
"Most likely. They have the knowledge and expertise to do it. However, I can help you if you like," Morpheus said with a smile.
"How?" Cynder asked in surprise.
"I was a tank builder before I joined the army. Not only that, I'm also a blacksmith," Morpheus said with a wink.
"Can you make rifles?" Spyro asked while finishing up the last meat pieces.
"Alas, I'm not a gunsmith. I only know how to use one, not build it," Morpheus said sadly.
He slung his rifle on his shoulder and stood up. The sun was rising slowly and its light was casting over the plains. Morpheus dug a hole in the ground and buried the remains of the deer in it.
"That way, it won't be possessed by the spirit of my kin," Morpheus explained before the two dragons could ask him why he did it.
"You seem to know a lot even when you just rose up yesterday," Cynder said.
"My spirit is in contact with those that are free so I know what they're thinking. I call this mind-tapping. I can mind tap into any human spirits and listen to their thoughts but I can't do it on all of them," he said while dusting his hands.
"So what next?" Cynder asked while looking at Spyro.
Spyro consulted his map and pointed towards the distant mountains. The three noticed a dark aura emitting from the other side of the alpine mountains.
"At the other side of those mountains should be the Epicenter according to the map. The dark aura just confirms my suspicions," Spyro said.
Morpheus tapped his chin and stared at the distance.
"I've walked through this place before. To reach the other side of the mountains will take 3 days at normal pace: one whole day to reach the mountain base and 2 days climbing up and down the mountain. We can be faster if we go through the Valley of Kharnak but it's not a good idea," Morpheus said.
"Let me guess, something evil lurks in it, right?" Cynder asked while rolling her eyes. "How very typical," she muttered.
"It's a treacherous place with plenty of avalanches, ice crevasses and subzero temperatures. Kharnak is the God of Destruction according to our belief and that valley was named after him because those who went in there never returned and those who really made it out alive made statues of Kharnak and placing them at the valley entrance, hoping that Kharnak have mercy on them. I don't believe in Kharnak but truth be told, I always felt that I was being watched whenever I pass by the valley entrance, as if Kharnak was watching me," Morpheus said.
"Nah, I'm sure you're just being paranoid. Anyway, I think we better get going and hopefully we can reach there in time and halt the undead before they set out to destroy the dragon race," Spyro said.
Back at Warfang, Terrador looked at the skies, watching a large group of crows fly by the city. It was an omen he can't deny and a sign he will never forget if anything happens.
"I hope the Spyro and Cynder are okay. This mission may not be suitable for those two to undertake," Terrador said with a sigh.
Cyril came to his side and sat down, watching the sky as well.
"So, feeling a bit regretful for making the two young dragons go on this mission?" Cyril asked.
"Somehow. I'm not sure if those two are ready. This new evil isn't anything like what Malefor can do. It's full of hatred, vengeance and blood-thirsting. Even for someone as evil as Malefor, this is just pure desire for killing. Malefor desires power and annihilation but this new evil desires vengeance and hatred. It's not Malefor we're dealing with here," Terrador said darkly.
"So if it's not Malefor behind this, who is it?" Cyril asked.
"I'm not sure. The scouts that reported to us gave insufficient intelligence on the enemy and all they mentioned was the rapid growth of dark purple crystals and red ones as well. Von Katz was the last scout to report to us and he mentioned the rapid construction of a dark fortress around the Epicenter. Something tells me the undeads are ready to wage war," Terrador muttered.
"We should muster our defenses and prepare for it if it comes. We can't put all our hopes on two young dragons on destroying this seemingly deadlier evil force," Cyril said seriously.
"Yes, maybe we should get the other warriors to help join in the defense of any lands that are not infected by darkness. Cyril, you must head for the eastern continent and get any available warrior here to Warfang. Tell Volteer that he is in charge of going to the western lands to gather reinforcements. If Warfang falls, so will the Dragon Temple and the new brood of dragon eggs. We have lost many during the battle with Malefor's forces and these eggs are our hope of continuing our next generation," Terrador said.
"I'm on it, Terrador," Cyril said.
Terrador noticed a dark aura at the horizon as he was at the top of the city. He knew that aura meant trouble.
"Darkness is spreading fast, faster than the Destroyer could move. Spyro, Cynder, please hurry. If they keep up at this pace, the dark aura may engulf the city in three days time," Terrador said in secret fear.
The crows suddenly let out loud caws and disappeared into the distance, no traces of them were to be seen, not even a feather. Terrador had cold sweat running down his head. It occurred to him that the crows were not natural.
At the Epicenter, the man in spiky dark armor watched the crystals being broken by his men…or rather skeleton warriors. The dark purple crystals released some kind of blue spirit whenever it was broken open. They were free to go on their way and wreak havoc before the arrival of the main army. The man let out a breath of dark air and laughed.
"These spirits will be useful in harassing my enemies before my invasion of this world. Dragons will fall and all other creatures will bow to me, begging for me to spare their lives," he said menacingly.
One skeleton warrior came up to the man saluted.
"My lord, the warriors that you sent to eliminate the purple dragon and witnesses to our fortress has failed. The dragons were in the way and the two single-handedly defeated our task forces," the skeleton warrior reported.
"Hmm, this is interesting…so the legend of the purple dragon is true. They do wield immense power unlike normal dragons. As for that black dragon following the purple one, I could use her to my needs," the man said.
"I thought you wanted all dragons dead," the skeleton warrior said.
"Yes but I thought I'd keep one for my own entertainment before finishing her off. She is, after all, the former Queen of Darkness and I know some evil still resides in her. All she needs is a little nudge and she'll turn against her mate. When she is done with him, I'll slay her," the man said with an evil glow in his eyes.
"Aye my lord, a good way to end that miserable dragon's life," the skeleton warrior said with an evil grin.
"Unleash more wraiths into the world, let them possess the body of the living and wreak havoc on all. The inhabitants shall know of our arrival. If they do not listen to our warnings, then the whole human race will rise again from the ground. Who can resist an army of billions coming from the ground before their very eyes," the man said with an evil grin.
"Ah, a mass resurrection. There are billions who have yet to rise but your calling will bring them back on their feet…and there are a lot of them throughout the world. This will be fun," the skeleton warrior said.
"Yes and by the power of the Netherlord, our curse will be fulfilled with the destruction of the dragons," the man said and laughed evilly.
The trio, Spyro, Cynder and Morpheus, thought they heard something at the distance. It sounded like thunder and a laugh at the same time. It sent chills down their spines.
"I know that laugh…" Morpheus muttered.
"Oh, whose laugh is that scary?" Spyro asked while holding close to Cynder.
"Baron Salvador. His maniacal laugh usually indicates that he is ready to face the enemy, in other words, the dragons. If he wasn't an undead, he could have ridden to his enemies within a day. Undeads can't stand sunlight and the only way to traverse easily is by the dark aura the Epicenter emits. The aura blocks out light and that makes traveling easier for them," Morpheus said.
"Feels like the Eternal Night," Cynder said softly.
"I have a feeling they'll hit Warfang first. Maybe I should tell this to Chief Prowlus and warn him first," Spyro said.
He reached for his crystal and contacted the Chief. He heard the feline's voice emitting from it.
"Spyro, is that you?" Prowlus asked.
"The one and only," Spyro answered happily.
"Thank the ancestors for that. I must thank you for helping out Hunter and Von Katz in their escape, they have news that the Dragon Elders should know," Prowlus continued.
"So they already informed the elders?" Spyro asked.
"Yes and the elders are getting ready for an attack. They're summoning any dragon warriors they could get their hands on," Prowlus said.
"At least they were informed. Prowlus, are you aiding in the defense as well?" Spyro asked.
"Yes but that is not the case right now. Spyro, have you reached the Epicenter yet?" Prowlus asked.
"Close. Once we reach the Epicenter, what should we do?" Spyro asked some more,
"Didn't Terrador tell you what to do?" Prowlus asked.
"No, he didn't tell me what to do when we reach there," Spyro said apologetically.
"Humph, missed out a little detail have we? The Epicenter is the gateway to the Netherworld, a place where all evil souls reside. Your task is to go in there and defeat the Netherlord, the one in control of the Netherworld," Prowlus said.
"That is something…though how can we break their curse?" Spyro asked.
"Curse? What curse?" Prowlus asked with genuine puzzlement.
"These undead are cursed to destroy the dragon race before they can rest in peace. There must be a way to break the curse and free the humans without having to destroy us dragons," Spyro said.
"Hmm, I should talk to Terrador about it. Sometimes I really wish Ignitus was around…" Prowlus trailed off before the communication link broke off.
"There is a way, Spyro," Morpheus said.
"How?" Cynder asked on Spyro's behalf.
"The one who cursed us all is the Emperor himself. If we defeat the Emperor, the curse will be broken whether the dragons are exterminated or not," Morpheus said with a smile. "That's the rule when putting a curse on someone. You're the one who puts the curse and your demise will break it. It's the rule of cursing," he continued.
"If that is the case, we might still have hope. C'mon, we have a world to save," Spyro said with full determination.