"Ow," I groan as I wake.
"Your awake!" calls a semi-familiar voice.
"Well hello Cynder. Have you decided to join us?" I ask as I turn to see a smaller version of the dragon that nearly killed me.
"I'm here ain't I?"
"Where exactly is here?"
"You are at the temple."
"How'd I get here?"
"Well what you said surprised my darkness enough for me to drop you off where Ignitus can find you. He brought you back."
"So Spyro succeeded."
"As it would seem. Anyway in apology for almost killing you I will give you my servitude. Will you accept, master?"
"Are you willing?"
"Yes."
"Will you be happy?"
"Yes, it will help me deal with my past, more or less."
"Alright then, gift accepted. Dismissed."
"Your alive!" calls Matty as she envelops me in a crushing hug, being careful of my neck, and giving a nice open palmed slap to my face.
"What was that for?"
"For worrying me so much!" the states adjusting my bandages a bit.
"What does it look like under them?"
"Lots of pus and blood. At least you will have another scar to add to your handsome toughness."
"I'm not tough, if anything these scars show how non-tough I am."
"Don't talk like that," she gives me a passionate kiss, "In my eyes you will always be tough."
"How long was I out?"
"A week."
"No wonder I feel well rested," my stomach rumbles, "and hungry. Can I move?"
"Yes, even though you did lose a lot of blood. But, that was a week ago."
"Good," I say as I slowly rise, being sure to not move my neck too much as we walk to the cafeteria in silence.
"Hello!" says Volteer as we enter, "You have been ordered by the guardians to train Cynder."
"I just woke up give me time. What do you got to eat?"
"Ah, yes we have Venison for you. Over here," he says motioning to a platter of meat.
A few minutes after I get to it there is nothing left but a few crumbs.
"That was good," I say before releasing a little burp, "That is a sign that the tank is full."
As I am lounging around a familiar dragoness enters, "Ah, master are you ready for training?"
I push a plate of meat to her, "Eat first, for we are about to embark on a journey up the tallest mountain in the Davis Mountains."
She takes a break from eating, "Where are those?"
"Oh forgive me, you've only been here a week. the Davis Mountains is the name I've given to the previously unnamed nearby mountains. Before you ask they are named after the closest mountains to my hometown, even though they were still a long, long way away. About a nine hour flight, if you take your time."
"Wow that's far."
