Author's note- I'M BACK!!! Hi everyone! Im back from camp now. It was great, but enough of that now to the chapter. I got the idea of this chapter from Dekrosna's story today. This chapter, Dekrosna and Rayde are going to meet, and I am going to try to put in a Hunter scene. He hasn't been in for a while.
**************************************
Chapter 8- Encounter
Rayde was walking through an empty street alone. He was thinking to himself, I need to get stronger for this coming battle. I am already powerful as it is, but I am only using these abilities. Not getting stronger in using them. I have only learned one new ability with Shadow. None with the others. I need to get stronger with Crystal, but using that ability costs me energy. If I do practice that power, I have to do it in a secluded area, and not go too far. Now I have to find such an area-----.
Rayde was interrupted as he bumped into a dark-silver dragon, a sword was strapped to his belt. Rayde nearly tripped to the ground as the dragon only stumbled. Rayde looked at the dragon and said,
"Oh! My apologies. I was lost in thought." The dragon looked at Rayde and said, "No matter, it isn't really a big......Oh you!" The dragon said as his eyes widened.
The dragon then smiled and said, "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dekrosna. I will be you second-in-command while we are at Tall Plains." Dekrosna then extended a hand to Rayde. Rayde grabbed the hand and said, "Ah, I was wondering who Jex would pick for a Major in Tall Plains. My name is Rayde." Dekrosna held up a hand and said, "I know who you are. There is something I was wondering about you."
Rayde looked at Dekrosna curiously and asked, "What is it then?" Dekrosna smiled and said, "I would like to test your combat skills. Swordplay, no magic or spells involved." Rayde smiled and said, "Really? Are you good?" Dekrosna smiled and replied, "I bet I could give you a good run."
Rayde then said, "Where do you want this contest to take place? In the middle of a street would be to public. Someone could get hurt." Dekrosna smiled and said, "I already have a place in mind. The elder knows that I like to test my commanding officers, so he told me of a secluded area. The top of the Main Building." Rayde smiled and said, "That sounds like a perfect area, I will meet you there."
Dekrosna smiled and jumped into the sky, flying towards the Main Building. Rayde smiled and thought, Straight to the point, I like that. Rayde then inhaled deeply, extending his arms out to his sides. His Crystal-like wings formed on his back, and he took off towards the Main Building.
After about 5 minutes, Rayde arrived on top of the Main Building, Dekrosna was waiting for him. The top of the building was circular, about 150 feet across. The top of the building had a stone picture of a red dragon on the top, blue flames surrounding it. Dekrosna was standing right in the middle of this mural. As Rayde landed, Dekrosna said, "That is a pretty neat ability you have. I have never seen anyone use Crystal before, or at least in the way you do."
Rayde looked at him for a moment before saying, "The way I do? What do you mean by that?" Dekrosna thought for a moment before saying, "Tell you what. If you beat me, or a draw, I will tell you. If you lose I don't tell you." Rayde was about to protest but held his tongue. He then pulled out his Fang Sword and prepared for combat.
Dekrosna smiled and asked, "Is your sword Fire resistant?" Rayde nodded. Dekrosna then said, "Good, now I can use Sorvek without concern." Dekrosna then unsheathed his sword, which burst into silver flames the moment the metal was pulled out of the sheath. Rayde looked at his sword startled and said, "Does that sword require energy from you to burst into flames as it has. Or is that what it is supposed to do?" Dekrosna replied, "I had a spell put into the blade that would keep it constantly burning. Lets get this over with, may the best man win."
Rayde smiled as he prepared Dekrosna to make the first move. After about 5 minutes, Dekrosna took flight and charged at Rayde, going for an overhead strike. Rayde blocked the sword with his own, and went to kick Dekrosna in the stomach. Dekrosna caught his foot in midair with his own foot. For a moment, they just stood there. Eventually Rayde said, "It seems that you think like me. This should be fun." Dekrosna smiled and pushed off of Rayde, sending him stumbling a few feet back.
Dekrosna used this opportunity to swipe-kick Rayde's feet out from under him. Rayde used his hand to front flip so that his knees ended up around Dekrosna's neck. Rayde used all of his body weight to throw him head-over-heels. Dekrosna hit the ground hard, but used his hand to grab Rayde's foot when he hit the ground. Dekrosna then threw Rayde over towards the edge.
Rayde stabbed the ground with the Fang Sword to keep him from going over the edge. He looked up to see Dekrosna getting to his feet. Rayde jumped up and pulled his sword out of the ground and said, "You were right, you are going to give me a good run." Dekrosna smiled and replied, "You are adept at swordsmanship yourself." Rayde smiled and started to think of a new plan. He fights like I do. If I am going to win this, I have to fight off-track.
Rayde then charged at Dekrosna, going for a side swipe. Dekrosna jumped back and swung his blade overhead. Rayde sidestepped to dodge it. Rayde quickly, and lightly back kicked Dekrosna on his sword shoulder, causing Dekrosna to move his arm back. Rayde then tried to point the sword at Dekrosna's neck, but he underestimated Dekrosna's speed.
Rayde had his sword pointed a few short inches away from Dekrosna's neck, and Dekrosna had his sword pointed a few inches away from his neck. The match ended in a draw.
Dekrosna moved his blade away from Rayde and sheathed it saying, "You cease to disappoint Rayde. I think you will be well suited for the protection of Tall Plains. It would be an honor to follow you." Rayde smiled and sheathed his sword and said, "And the same to you. If I am to go down, you would be best to take my place."
Dekrosna looked at Rayde surprised and said, "You can tell what a person is like by the way they can fight cant you?" Rayde nodded and said, "My old master taught me that trick." Dekrosna smiled and said, "I will keep my end of the bargain."
Rayde listened as Dekrosna started to say, "Where I come from, it is known that in the ancient past Crystal is a known element. It was only usable through special Dragons, purple ones. There was one incident with a demon known as Wolf Spirit. He attacked a large settlement, and nearly wiped them all out. A lone white mage sealed the Wolf Spirit in a young child, I cant remember what his name was."
Rayde couldn't believe what he was hearing, There are actual records of Narris?!? "The boy's name was Rayde. I know this story. The Wolf Spirit is also known as Xaider. I am the boy he was sealed in." Dekrosna looked in disbelief and said, "That isn't possible, you would have to be thousands of years old."
Rayde smiled and said, "Let me tell you my story." Rayde then explained everything that happened. About how he worked with Kaze, How he created the Golem and the Destroyer, how he was an exile to his people, and how he sealed himself in time, with Kaze inside of him.
Dekrosna took a minute to take this all in. He eventually asked, "What was the name of your teacher? The one who taught you to wield the blade? Rayde smiled and said, "His name was Galdavorm, he was a very.....expecting teacher. He taught me some things that others don't, like how to kill four enemies in one strike not using a sword. That was a hard one to pull off." Dekrosna laughed at this.
Dekrosna then said, "Well, it was a good duel, and a good chat. I need to get going. We leave tomorrow with about 750 to 800 troops, I need to prepare. You should as well." Rayde nodded and said, "Indeed. Avalar will be moving into the Refugee area today wont they?" Dekrosna nodded and said, "Indeed, they should be moving in a few hours."
_____________________________________________
Meanwhile with Hunter
Hunter was up earlier than most of the other felines. He was walking through the camp, thinking about what lies ahead of him. How am I going to rebuild Avalar? I do not have the recourses, the money, or the manpower. It would take years for Avalar to be rebuilt back to the way it was. It may just have to be a small encampment like it was three years ago.
Hunter just now noticed that he was in a difficult position. It would be difficult to get Avalar back to its old self, but not as hard as getting it back to its original self. The problem was that they would be pushed into the corner of the economy, and it would take many years to expand Avalar again.
Hunter rounded a corner to notice that there was a lone female feline sitting along the wall of the city. She wore a gray cloak, and was just sitting there. Her head was visible, she was a brilliant red color, with two white strips running down the sides of her cheeks. She also had a few black spots on the top of her head. She is what they call a 'common beauty' by stereotypes.
Hunter walked up to this lone female, she looked up at him for a moment, only to look back down to the ground. Hunter eventually asked, "What are you doing out here all alone?" The female looked up at him and said, "Things are different now. Time is nothing but a force that tries to make things difficult for others. Enough of my rambling though. I am here because I have nowhere else to go. My home and possessions are destroyed. And I couldn't get a tent. I am homeless, and poor."
Hunter stared at this feline for a minute thinking, She is different than others. She has obviously lost a lot during the attack. "Do you have any family left?" He asked. The feline looked at the ground and said tearfully, "My husband and my son where killed in the attack." Hunter noticed a tear rolling down her cheek. Hunter looked to the ground and said, "I'm sorry."
The feline shook her head and said, "Don't be. It wasn't your fault. I heard your speech Chief Hunter. You had determination in your voice. Will you carry out your promises, or are they only words?" Hunter looked at her and replied, "I did mean what I said, but the problem is carrying it out. As of now, I have no means to rebuild Avalar, nor will I till this war is over. I am contemplating between what is right and what is easy, trying to find a middle way or both paths."
The feline looked at him and said, "You talk as if you have done this for a very long time, Chief Hunter." Hunter held up his hand and said, "Please, just call me Hunter. And what might your name be?" The feline replied, "My name is Rose." Hunter looked at Rose and said, "You said you have nowhere to go, why don't you come with me until you can find a home? So you won't have to sleep on a street corner again."
Rose looked at Hunter and said, "I wouldn't want to impose....besides, you are the chief of Avalar. You don't need to waste your time on a peasant like me." Hunter smiled and said, "Nonsense, my duties to my people first. Avalar would be nothing without them." Rose stood up and said, "Then I guess I don't really have a choice. I will take you up on your offer. We are going to the Refugee area soon right?" Hunter nodded and said, "Indeed, we shall be moving the civilians later in the evening." Rose nodded and said, "Good, I know some people are tired of sleeping in tents."
Hunter smiled and said, "That is the way that we used to sleep before our economy shot up. You would think that they are used to that kind of thing." Rose smiled and said, "Industrialization can change the way that some people think." Hunter nodded in agreement. Then they both started to walk towards Hunter's house. Hunter had many things running through his mind, but the one that stuck out the most was, Who was this woman's husband?
___________________
Meanwhile at the Mountain of Malefor
Drome just walked out of the training room, sweaty, bruised, and tired. Malefor has been training him hard. Every day he had new exercises, and new abilities for him to master. Particularly with his new sword. Drome had already mastered the blade. Drome had the name of the blade engraved on the sheath, it read 'Haidex' (Hi-decks).
Drome stared walking towards his bedroom to rest for a while. He was also thinking, Malefor has taught me things I could never dream of! Rayde will not stand a chance the next time we meet. I already know how to extract a soul from a body so Malefor will not have to teach me that, just improve it. And Haidex will be a big surprise for Rayde as well. But what does Malefor plan to do when all is done?
________________________________________
Meanwhile back in the training room
Malefor was sitting in the center of the arena. He was thinking about the coming events as well. The Golem and the Destroyer were destroyed during my last encounter with Spyro and Cynder. I cannot make a new one, I do not know how. I must get the original creator to show me how to build it. There are no records Rayde has ever written about it. But..... There is one tribe that has records of Rayde himself. Maybe I can find something there. Yes, I may just pay someone a visit.
Malefor then started to walk back to his throne room. When he got there, he walked over to his map. He picked up a knife and placed it on a small dot labeled 'Nariek'. Malefor smiled as a new plan started to unfold in his mind. Drome is now a puppet that I will throw away when he is useless to me. When this is done, I will have a new ally and I will become ruler. Spyro and Cynder shall either die or join me. That is how it will be. Malefor started to smile deeply.
*******************************************
RAH SON YAH!!!! Wow, that took longer than expected. There you go! Here is preparation for the next chapter. Then things are going to really kick off. I already have an idea on what Drome's new sword Haidex can do. I know you will like it. Review!
