"You don't understand, she's the only reason I haven't lost to it yet." Eclipse looked to the ground. "If I lose her…" He trailed off again.
"There's always a way." She pulled his head back up. "Whatever it is, we can find a way to beat it. You've fought too hard and too long just to lose to yourself." She kissed him again but he didn't return the affection. "Promise me that you won't give up."
"I can't promise that. For once in my life, this is a battle I can't win. This battle," He looked into her eyes. ",it's coming to an end and I'm scared that I will lose."
"You won't, not while I'm alive. I don't care if you spend the rest of your life with her, as long as it means that your still you by the end of the day. I would rather suffer a shattered heart than have you but lose you at the same time." She put her head back in between his shoulder and neck. Is there really no other way? She's the only one that can help us. Then why is this so difficult? Soon, I won't be here to fight it. It will be up to you. I'm scared, I don't want to lose. good. Why is that good? Because it shows you're not a fool.
"Cynder? Eclipse?" Aurora's voice echoed through the ruined building. He quickly let go of Cynder and went to go greet Aurora. He looked back to see that Cynder was looking at her paws with a saddened expression. With a sigh, he went back to her, gave her a quick kiss, then left the room. "There you are, how are you feeling?" She asked after he emerged from his workplace.
"I'm fine Aurora, I just need to clear my head." He responded with a smile.
"Did Cynder find you? I asked her to make sure you were okay." Her own smile filled him with warmth.
"I'm happy to report that he's still with us." Cynder emerged behind him, playfully hitting him with her wing.
"I can see that." Aurora giggled. "What were you two doing back there anyway?"
"Well, as it turns out," She grabbed the dragoness and pulled her into the armor room. ",this is where he keeps all his finished work."
"I thought we'd agreed that you wouldn't tell anyone that they were here?" He followed after them.
"She was already here so it doesn't apply to her." She stuck her tongue out at him. Cynder had managed to light more torches, brightening the room and putting the armors in better light.
"These are beautiful Eclipse, how did you manage to forge these in such a short amount of time?" She gasped as she entered the room. "Who are these for?"
"My flight was deemed the advanced group so I was really needed to teach them. I simply taught them how to better mix magical and physical combat styles. So while they were practicing that, I worked on these. It also didn't hurt that they wanted to help gather materials on pseudo field trips." He moved past them and patted two of the sets. "I've got five sets done and two more on the final stages. The last pieces should actually be done, down by my terrace."
"Should I get them for you?" Cynder offered.
"That would be a lot of help if you could." He smiled. "They could be heavy though."
"Don't worry about me, I'll be back soon." She left them alone.
"Who are these for?" She ran her paw along the same armor Cynder had, jumping back when she felt the warmth.
"This one..." The armor shared the same color as normal dragon fire, a light orange with it getting progressively darker the closer it got to the edge. The helmet covered the entire upper half of the face, only leaving eyes exposed. Obsidian poked through the back, offering protection for the base of the wearers horns. The chest plate held a rune that matched the traditional symbol of fire. That's where the magic found it's source, with the rune and a under coat of obsidian, it was able to withstand Ardere's fire scales and even project the heat outwards. Plates extended from the base plate along the sides and back with more obsidian forming a black river running with the plates. It followed the plates downward onto the half bracers that would cover the legs while also keeping vital joints the freedom to move. The river of black culminated together decorating the base of the tail with another symbol of fire. The tail was protected by smaller plates, light enough to ensure that it didn't limit movement, but protective enough to do its job. "... is for the ever so friendly, Ardere. It was the first one I made."
"And you're sure it can withstand Ardere's fire scales?" She traced a talon over the obsidian river.
"In theory, yes." She gave him a worried look. "This is ancient magic, the rune should do what its meant to do, even then I'm sure the obsidian could handle it. I would rather not have Ardere become a statue." He reassured her, guiding her to the next suit.
"Frost?"
"Certainly." Frost's was easier to make than Ardere. His armor was mostly light blue with bits of white tracing along the edges. The helmet was similar to Ardere's except instead it continued half way down the back of his neck with steep inclines that covered the tops of the spikes on the neck. The body plates were general smaller than that of Ardere's but instead they formed a second layer of scales like chainmail. This allowed the chill of his advanced ability to vent without sacrificing protection. The magic would ensure that the element wouldn't cause the armor to freeze solid but instead redistribute it across the entire suit. His bracers allowed for the chill to be applied in his talons, both reinforcing them and turning it into a weapon. The scaled plates on the tail did the same, taking the chill and putting it onto the end of the tail. He also placed an ice rune on the top of his head, between his horns, that would help sustain the temperature of the scales. "It's going to help keep him safe while not getting in the way of his already defensive element."
"Same thing with Ardere's fire scales?"
"The rune and the way I scaled the plates ensures that he won't get locked up." He brought her attention to the third set on display.
"Who's this one for?"
"Take guess, bet you can't." He teased with a smile.
"What do I get if I win?"
"Hmmm…" He thought for a moment." "What do you want?"
"How about you for a day?" She smiled happily back at him.
"I think I can manage that." He kissed her cheek causing her to giggle.
"Is that for wind dragoness in Cynder's flight? What's her name?"
"Opholia? No, it's not for her. Two more guesses." He laughed when she groaned.
"Is it one of your students?" She tilted her head slightly.
"Maybe, maybe not. You'll know when you get it right." She groaned again.
"It's not for me is it?" She tilted her head a little.
"No, I wouldn't make you armor if you didn't ask. That and you're not exactly the warrior type." She scrunched her nose at him.
"I can be a warrior!"
"Assaulting me with cushions doesn't count." He laughed. "One last guess."
"Cynder?"
"Good job." He pulled her in with his wing. At first he wasn't going to build an armor set for Cynder but he felt compelled to make one. Even though she technically had four elements, she was born as a wind dragoness. It took longer to build this set, as it required to be light enough for the wind rune to properly function. The helmet didn't completely cover her face, three streaks of metal covered the sides of her head and along the top of her muzzle. The white chest plate was decorated with dark grey wind runes, which hopefully would nearly double her speed. The runes faded into a grey strip that would run along her back, then split off to spiral down to point at her bracers. The bracers were the smallest ones he made but they were light, but could still withstand as much punishment as anyone else's. Her back plates met at the base of her tail and proceed downward before stopping at her tail ring. It was built light and had lithium weaved into parts where it was least likely to be struck. The rune did help with the overall weight as well, to compensate for the reinforcement in the critical areas.
"I thought you couldn't make armor that improved four different elements?" She asked snuggling closer to him.
"It's actually designed to only enhance her natural wind element. She was given the other three by Malefor's corruption." He explained as he brought her to the last one.
"You made one for Spyro? I thought all his elements were natural sense he's a purple dragon."
"They are however this armor is meant to improve his weakest element: Earth. It was the last one he's been taught and it's actually quite weak compared to the other three." This was the most protective armor out of all the armors he's designed, almost solely based around the improvement of the elements defensive nature. The helmet covered the entire upper half of his face, much like Ardere's. There was no neck plates for Spyro's, unlike the others but that was covered by the extended collar from the chest plate. Titanium plates continued along the dragon's frame, coming to a stop just before his underbelly and the base of his tail. His bracers came over his talons, lending him it's strength. The tail was protected by more plates held in place by leather straps and the spikes on his tail. Dark purple runes distinguished themselves against the royal purple of the rest of the armor. It was intended to both lighten the weight of the entire suit while compensating for the lack of reinforcement with it's own magical version. "When Cynder gets back, my work will be done until it's decided if someone else should get their own set."
"Where's yours? I know you made one for yourself, I saw it on your design table earlier." She asked looking at the two empty racks behind them.
"That is a closely guarded secret." He told her with a smug expression.
"Even for me?" She looked at him with a pleading look.
"Yes, even for the most beautiful dragoness in Warfang." He placed a kiss on her forehead. "Think of it like a present when I come back."
"Then you better come back to me, the suspense is killing me." She dramatically fell on his paws. She stared at him in an affectionate way, as she normally did. He smiled down at her, inner peace flooding his insides. "I need you to come back, Eclipse." She changed into a more serious tone. "I lost you once, I can't lose you again."
"I'm not that easy to get rid of." He laughed but she didn't join in, instead she remained serious.
"Eclipse…" Her words died in her throat.
"Hmm?" She sat up, coming face to face with him.
"Do you-"
"ECLIPSE!" Cynder's panicked voice interrupted her. She burst through the cloth, dropping various pieces of armor as she did. "The army…. is at…. the gates!" Her wings dropped to the ground. "I flew…. as fast as I could."
"Where are all the flights?" He asked, using his own wings to steady her.
"They all took off after I told them they had the day off. I don't know."
"Get everyone together. Tell Norgon, Nathora, Ardere and Frost to come directly here, give them directions from the training ground. Everyone else must get their armor on and meet here, do you understand?"
"I'll get them here, don't worry." She quickly left, lifting off the ground barely out of the building.
"Aurora, find Ember and Flame. Stay with them and whatever you do, DO NOT leave them until myself, Spyro, or one of the guardians says it's safe." She grabbed him, hugging him
"Don't go dying on me again."
"It'll take a little more than grublins to kill me." He reassured her, then left for the inner city.
He heard the siege towers begin to fire into the city, the rounds impacting various buildings causing them to cry in agony. All the stands were moved farther apart to give more space to put them on. He picked up the armor pieces off the ground, quickly putting them with their respective stands.
Norgon and Nathora arrived first, cladded in the standard steel armor that came with joining the guard. They were quickly ushered inside and shown their custom sets, the two don't waste time changing out their old armor. Ardere and Frost dropped down next with Eclipse repeating the same process with them.
The others arrived shortly afterwards, assembling into their flights. He didn't speak to them however, more focused on helping put on the armor. Ardere and Frost were the first ones out the door surprisingly, they left to prepare their fellow trainees. Nathora pushed her brother out the door once he had everything besides his helmet.
He instructed for Nathora to take the flight to the defense without him, she was hesitant at first but she understood it needed to be done. Cynder returned with Spyro in tow but she was in her armor and out the door quickly. She took both her flight and Spyro's to the battle, leaving only the two of them to get their armor.
"Don't worry about me, I know my way into armor." Spyro protested as he was helping him. "Get yours on."
"How many times have you put full armor sets on?" He raised an eyebrow at him while help him with some of the straps.
"I had full sets before!"
"Spyro, you had a helmet, bracers and a back plate. That's not a full set, it's more formal attire than armor. All it would take is an arrow from a archer and you would be dead, and something tells me we still need a purple dragon around." He tightened the strap around his midsection. "Besides, you need to lose weight."
"Not the best time to be cracking jokes."
"Sorry, you're just too tense for my liking. You need to calm down." He patted his shoulder as he went by. "You're all set, I'll be there once I get my armor on." One of the doors lead him to a darker room, barely lit by the peaking light.
"I'll help you." Spyro followed him into the room, lighting it with a plum of flame.
"Don't worry, I made sure mine could be put on without help. You're needed in battle." He turned to him, meeting his gaze. He sighed when he saw the reflections of the silver runes in Spyro's eyes.
"Eclipse, that armor isn't safe. It gives me the chills." Eclipse smiled at his caution.
"Frost's armor is meant to give you the worst chills but you're worried about mine?"
"It's evil."
"You already think I'm evil, so it must be fitting." With a sharp turn he started putting on the black armor.
"I don't think you're evil." Spyro grabbed the plates he was reaching for and tried to put it on him. He flinched away from his touch. "Let me help."
"DON'T, touch me." He growled.
"I can't help you if I can't touch you." He reached again.
"I said DON'T touch me." He quickly grabbed the plates, letting them slid down his neck. He shivered when the dark plates came to rest, giving his scales their cold embrace. The darkness coiled around him, attempting to infect him with it's corrupting touch.
"I can feel it coming off of you Eclipse. Are you sure this is a good idea?" He grabbed the helmet before him and tucked it under his wing.
"It won't affect anyone else, it's basically telling me if anything is around me. So say something tries to strike me from behind, I'll know its there and be able to react properly." He reached for his helmet but Spyro tucked it further back. "I need my helmet."
"Let me put it on you."
"Just give me the helmet."
"Eclipse."
"We're arguing over who gets to put on my helmet." He deadpanned.
"I'm trying to help you, that's what friends do." Spyro reasoned.
"You don't think of me as a friend." He scoffed finally getting the helmet from Spyro.
"Yes I do. Why do you think I don't?"
"I saw whats in there." He tapped the side of his head. "You think of me as competition, as someone that can ruin everything. You sent a scouting group out in hopes I would accompany them and die. You hate me, but you don't want to show that side of you. It would damage your image as a hero." Eclipse grabbed the helmet from under his wing. "I trust that you can put your feelings towards me aside and help me defend this city. I don't care what you think of me but if you jeopardize anyone's safety then that makes you my enemy. Don't let it come to that, please. It would be horrible to make Cynder choose between us." Spyro was visibly stunned at his words.
Eclipse walked out of the building and watched a siege tower round bring down a tower. The city was already burning, civilians were still fleeing the center of the city while the guards either escorted them or flew towards the walls. Spyro exited behind him gasping as another round collided with another building in the distance.
His armor wrapped itself in a cloak of darkness, hiding the gaps between the various plates that formed it. His helmet was more of a mask, clouding anyone's view of his eyes and most of his face. The neck plates protected the back of his neck, eventually leading onto his wings to provide them with limited protection. Various silver runes trickled down from his helmet, dividing into rivers of light, all culminating into a spiral on his chest that resembled the symbol for shadow. The armor continued around his body, running down his entire length before meeting at his tail and ending before the blade at its end. The same rune was painted on top of all four of his bracers, subtly fighting the armor's unnatural darkness. They were meant to increase his already unusually high capacity for mana. It also lessened the weight of all the metal on his back, allowing him to fight for longer in the suit. The dark wisps retreated from the sunlight, returning to their homes in the armor.
"I need you to promise me something." He looked at him over his shoulder.
"You trust me enough for me to keep a promise?"
"I trust that you would honor a warrior's dying wish."
"You're not going to die today." Spyro refrained from placing a paw on his shoulder.
"I don't plan on dying today but I want to be assured something." He turned to face him. "If I do die or otherwise become unlikely to continue living here, I need you to look after Aurora for me."
"What about Frost and Ardere? They can look after-"
"Spyro, promise me."
"Why do you want me? Why not Cynder?" He asked
"Because…" He stopped himself. "I'll tell you if it comes to that. Just promise me." There was a uneasy silence between them.
"If you die, I'll make sure Aurora is cared for." He promised.
"Thank you." He nodded. "Now, shall we." He motioned to the raging battle.
"We shall." They took to the skies together, flying towards the battle at the walls.
The siege was in full swing. Moles manned catapults and traded rounds with the advancing siege towers while dragons fought from the skies, raining the elements upon the army. The large gate was already being pounded by a battering ram, the fiery seal was showing signs of breaking. Dark wyverns were dropping grublin foot soldiers on the wall, where they engaged dragons in close combat.
He spotted Terrador swinging his massive tail at a group of grublins, sending them off the walls. Volteer grappled with a wyvern above while Cyril shot others out of the sky with icicles. Cynder and Nathora were leading the students to the gate as an attempt to hold the doors closed.
A siege tower round nearly knocked them from the sky, instead finding its way into a surrounding building. They landed among smoke and fire on the walls, the dead of both sides littered among them. The smell of death was already weaving its way into their noses and pools of blood started to turn their talons red. The battering ram's assault shook the ground below them and penetrated their ears.
Terrador noticed their arrival and quickly swooped down to them. "It took you long enough."
"You seem to be holding everything together. Is every non-combatant secure?"
"Most of them, they were still trickling in before we left but we have a group of guards clearing houses as we speak." He explained, shaking bits of grublin off his mace. "If we don't destroy that battering ram then we would be forced to retreat. We simply don't have the bodies to hold them off let only repel them."
"We can't destroy it, its too close to the catapults and launching a raid across the wall is suicidal." Volteer landed beside him, blooded from his fight with the wyvern. "We need fire dragons reinforcing the seal.
"The lock won't matter if they kick down the door. There has to be a way to decommission the ram."
Another strike from the ram caved the doors in slightly, proving Eclipse's point. A siege tower struck one of the catapults, making it tumble to the ground.
"We need to protect the catapults, without them we stand little chance of holding the walls." Spyro spoke up with his eyes focused on the dead mole in the gunner seat.
"He's right, I'll get Cynder and, with our flights, we'll defend the last two catapults." Eclipse agreed before shortly running towards the gates. The ram struck again, caving more of the doors in.
"You're not doing much here, we need to defend the catapults!" He yelled to the students holding the doors. They all removed themselves from the door, taking to the skies almost instantly.
"The gate won't last under this pressure." Cynder told him after the gate was struck again.
"I know, but right now we need to keep those catapults intact. If we lose them-" Cyril let loose his ice breath on the gates, interrupting Eclipse. More ice dragons joined him as they tried to build an ice wall in front of the gate. The deafening sound of the gate breaking filled their ears as ram finally broke through. Grublin blades began hammering against the wall of ice but the cracks didn't last long under the ice dragon's breath.
"Go, protect the catapults! We'll hold them here as long as we can." He paused for a moment before returning to the wall. Cynder and Eclipse went to walls, slicing their way through groups of grublins as they went.
He flung a grublin behind him with Cynder grabbing it and redirecting it into a group of grublins. He let loose a torrent of black fire, engulfing grublins attacking one of his students. Cynder jumped over the black fire and decapitated another group of grublins before helping the student up. Grabbing onto one of the wyverns, he pulled it to the ground and used it to defend against the incoming grublin attacks.
He threw the corpse at them, knocking them over before releasing more black fire. She was back by his side again with a cocky grin. She spat her poison onto the body of a another one, shiftly bashing it to the side and off the walls. The walls trembled as the ram struck the ice wall below them. The grublin soldiers were scaling the walls, using their bodies as ladders for the assault.
Ardere with the other two fire students rained fire on the soldiers, trying to no hit the ice wall behind the grublins. The ram shook the walls again with a another strike on the ice wall, large cracks forming from the site of impact. Eclipse caught one of the student's tail before he could be sent over the edge. More ice dragons joined the defense on the ground, reinforcing the ones already focusing on the ice wall.
"It won't hold forever, they don't have the mana reserves to keep this up." Ardere voiced his concern before continuing the torch grublins.
"Focus your fire on the battering ram, burn it down!" He commanded, pointing to the center of the ram. Older dragons began to join the line, adding their collective fire breath to the mix. Cynder fought behind them, destroying any grublin that attempted to interrupt them.
The ram struck the wall again, this time sending one of the older dragons over the edge and to the army below. He almost caught himself with his wings but the horde of grublins jumped onto him, stabbing him with their weapons, preventing flight. The cry of agony was cut short with his death.
They stopped for a moment with disbelief but Eclipse ordered them to quickly continue. The grublins had to restart their efforts to climb the walls with them all disassembling to kill the falling dragon. He joined Cynder in her guarding efforts, as more wyverns kept dropping more grublins onto the walls.
A thundering crack rang in his ears. He rushed to the other side of the wall and watched as the wall came tumbling down. There was virtually nothing between the army and the center of the city.