Another Road
Stephanie Wyrm: Okay, really sorry for the absence. I hope this makes up for it.
First Missions
Spyro sat in the dining room eating with his friends. Sparx helped himself to some butterflies, Mr. Tumnus and Elora ate oyster stew, Spyro noticed Elora flashing flirtious glances at him making him blush. Yoko and Mina were both sharing stories of their latest missions. Julius and Genya Arikado played 3D chess in the corner of the dining room. Soma came in carrying a letter and a package. "Spyro, heads up!"
The purple dragon turned to greet the white-haired Night Hunter. "Soma? What's going on?"
"Your first mission as a barbarian." He put the box and envelope down on the table.
"Let me see that." Elora grabbed the envelope and broke the seal. She took out the letter and read it aloud. "Dear Barbarian, you have just received your first assignment. You are needed to go to the world of Hollow Bastion to assist the Restoration Commity in their battle against the Heartless. Please understand that this is a vital mission. Speak to Leon to receive further instructions. The supplies you'll need have been given to you. Good luck. Request sent by Rider Cid Highwind. Approved by Night Hunter Zarock."
Spyro opened the package and found a keychain. "What's this for?"
"You'll understand later, Spyro. Right now you need to go to Hollow Bastion." Soma began to dig in his pockets.
Spyro took the key chain in his paw. "Come on, Elora. Let's go!"
"Right behind you!" Elora got up from her seat and wiped her mouth. She cracked her back in preparation.
"Actually, Elora, I have another mission for you," said Soma. He pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Elora. "I'm sorry to separate you guys, but your mission is more vital than Spyro's. We would have sent Spyro on your mission and vice-versa, but your mission requires hands."
Elora frowned as she toom the letter, but understood Soma's explanation. She broke the seal and read it out loud. "Dear Barbarian, you have just received your first assignment. You are needed in Insanity Island. You must help the Bandicoots scavange parts for a new weapon which will aid the Night Hunters. Please respond immediately. Request sent by Raider Coco Bandicoot. Approved by Night Hunter Dante." Elora folded the paper and tucked it into her new denim jacket. "Just what is the weapon for anyway?"
"It's needed so we can invade Castlevania when the time comes. They have the base equipment, but they need a few more parts. Please understand that your mission is crucial."
"Then why not send someone of higher rank?" Sparx asked.
"Because a Barbarian is good enough for the job," said Elora. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "See you in a bit, Spyro! Take care!"
"You too! Good luck!" Spyro leaned in forward and gave Elora a quick kiss. "I'll be back soon."
"I'm coming with!" Sparx got up and followed Spyro to the hall.
Elora cracked her neck and her arms. "Alright, so which way?"
"The portal to Insanity Island has an orange door in the hall. Be careful, the world may seem peaceful and cheery, but don't let the creatures overwhelm you. Coco will be outside her hut, typing on her laptop." Soma put two fingers in his mouth and whistled. Two large crows fluttered down from the ceiling, carrying a brown woman's cloak. They hovered behind the surprised faun and dropped the cloak over her shoulder. Feeling the fabrice made Elora smile while the birds flew away. "That cloak will disguise your legs and tail. A man named Neo Cortex is looking for animals to mutate, and he won't think twice about mutating a faun," Soma explained. "But we can't do anything about the sound of your hooves, so try to walk on soft ground so he won't hear you."
Elora slipped her arms into the sleeves and buttoned the collar so it would stay. She loved the feeling of the cloak, it was softer than anything she had ever felt. The cloak made her feel as if she could fall asleep even on a bed of sharp rocks. She took the time to appreciate the design, the cloak had three buttons to fasten in the front, including the collar button. It fell just below her hooves, but provided enough shadow to hide them from a quick glance. Floral patterns covered the entire back side, as well as the sides from the waist down. A belt wrapped around the waist with a large buckle in the front, Elora decided to close it. The sleeves got larger as they moved down, appearing like two bells. She found that the cloak had pockets on the inside instead of the outside. Finally, the cloak had a hood with dimensions perfect for her size, she left it down for now. She couldn't resist doing a quick twirl. "How do I look?" she asked.
"You look beautiful, Elora. I am sure Spyro will like it," said Mr. Tumnus.
"Thanks, bro. Hey, Soma, can I keep this when I'm done?"
"Of course," said Soma. "But right now you have to go."
"Right! See ya!" Elora ran to the hall.
"Good luck, sister!"
Soma walked to Arikado and Julius. "Who's winning?" The 3D chess set didn't use typical pieces. The white pieces (Julius' pieces) seemed more holy. The king was Richter Belmont, the queen was Maria, the knights were priests, the bishops were nuns, the rooks were Mina and Yoko, and the pawns were monks. Arikado's seemed more dark. The king was Dracula, the 'queen' was Death, the knights were Soma and Alucard, the bishops were skeletons, the rooks were Slogra and Gaibon, and the pawns were zombies. Soma noticed that he was a black piece and wondered why, but ignored it for now.
"We're at an impasse right now," said Arikado. He had his chin resting on his hand.
"Speak for yourself," said Julius. He moved his Mina rook and took out the Soma knight.
Arikado took the Soma piece out of play. As he held it in his hand, he pondered. "Interesting..."
Soma couldn't help but gulp as he saw his game counterpart be taken out of play by the Mina piece.
Stephanie Wyrm: Hmmmm...