Chapter 21 - Hunting Trip

"Excellent Electra, your chain lighting is coming along splendidly!" Volteer praised, making his way over to where she was training with a set of motionless dummies. "My only advice is to work on branching it out more. Not all enemies will be grouped that close together."

Electra nodded, regaining her breath as Volteer meandered off to supervise Spyro and his lighting training. Walking forward to her dummies, Electra placed her paws on the wooden base and pushed, the dummy sliding effortlessly across the floor. Stopping a few feet away from the dummies initial location, Electra turned back to reposition the others.

As she did so, she felt her eyes drift to where Zero was practicing aerial attacks under Terrador's dictation. Despite having searched for a few hours yesterday, she had been unable to talk to Zero. He hadn't been in the training hall, the Guardian's quarters, or his own room. But today, she would go and see him right after they were done here.

Taking her position once more, Electra faced the wooden dummies, now spaced out properly in front of her. In rapid succession, her eyes locked on to each dummy in order, tracing a path for the lighting to follow. Centering her mind on that path, Electra drew from her elemental reservoir. There was a bright flash as the lightning shot out, slamming into each dummy in order. But as it passed through the third target, the bolt wavered and zig-zagged off in a different direction. Electra let out a soft sigh. She wasn't focused enough to do this right now. The sooner she got things sorted out with Zero, the better.

The bell chimed, marking the end of training and the start of dinner. After a few short minutes of resetting and putting away their target dummies and other props, the dragons filed out the doors, eager to dig into tonight's meal. The Guardians left out of a different door, where they would be served separately.

Choosing not to join into the conversation between her classmates, Electra reflected on her own inner thoughts, planning out what she was going to say to Zero. She was going to go up to him, and carefully explain that she never really meant to ask for any additional hunting lessons. It had just been something that had slipped out when she wasn't thinking. After they had settled the issue, she would be free to go back to...staring across the room at him when he wasn't looking. That sure sounded like fun.

If Electra really wanted to get to know Zero, these lessons were going to be her best bet. She had never seen him talk so much in one sitting as he did when explaining the art to her. And he always seemed more at ease out in the forest, much more at home than inside the temple. But, Electra thought, reaffirming her thoughts to her previous line of reasoning, it wasn't like she would be able to actually learn more about Zero anyways. She would just be too skittish to start any conversation. Not to mention that the nervousness over the possibility of even going out alone with the white dragon was seriously messing with her concentration and elemental attacks.

Electra snapped out of her mental conference to find herself at the end of the dinner line. All the others had already gotten their food and sat down at their usual table. Zero, a creature of habit, was also seated at his lonely table off in the far corner. After piling her plate with everything that perked her interest, Electra stopped, gathering her courage. Then, taking a deep breath, she strode towards Zero's table with all the confidence she could muster.

Gingerly setting her plate down, Electra settled down across from him. "H-hello." She stammered nervously. Zero glanced up, nodded his head once in greeting, and immediately went back to eating.

Silence prevailed over the table. Electra played around with her food, trying to find the words to start a conversation. Zero continued eating, not really minding her presence at his table. After what seemed like an eternity, Electra finally found her voice again. "So Zero, about those hunting lessons you're going to be giving me..."

"Will tonight work?" Zero said suddenly, looking up from his plate.

"Wait, what?" Electra said, caught off guard by the unexpected question.

"I said, would tonight be acceptable to you?" Zero repeated, still looking at her expectantly.

Electra searched for a response, glancing out the windows to glimpse the rapidly sinking sun. "What, you mean now? Just after dinner?"

Zero nodded. Electra's eyes darting around the room, looking everywhere except at Zero. She had not counted on this. "But won't it be dark?" She asked, motioning out towards the setting sun.

Zero glanced at the sun briefly before returning his attention to her. "The sun won't set for a couple of hours. Besides, twilight is the best time to hunt, plenty of shadows but still enough light to see your prey by."

Electra fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat. What was she suppose to say now? Sorry, I really don't want to go on a hunting lesson? No, that would seem rude. I really don't want to be out there alone with you? No, that would seem like she wasn't interested in befriending him. Besides, saying either of those would be lying in one way or another. Eventually, she settled on, "Ok, I guess that will work."

"I will meet you out in the courtyard in five minutes." Zero stated, picking up his empty plate and departing. Electra watched him go, both nervous and somewhat excited. At least it would only be for a couple of hours. She could handle that, right?

Six minutes later, Electra exited the main building and walked out into the courtyard. Zero was already waiting. Upon noticing her, he nodded and took off, quickly climbing up and out of the temple courtyard. Electra followed, still slightly unsure of herself. They flew for several minutes, until finally, with the city walls far behind them, Zero began to angle downwards towards the nearest clearing. When Electra touched down next to him, Zero was already scanning the ground for tracks.

Electra let him work undisturbed, figuring that's how he would have preferred. She was somewhat surprised then, when Zero motioned for her to come closer. "There are deer in the immediate area." Zero began, pointing to a hoof print just barely recognizable in the dry dirt. "You can tell by the fact that these prints haven't been brushed away in the wind or other natural processes yet. But it's impossible to judge the exact time that it was made. Could have be minutes, could have been hours ago."

"Oh." Electra said, careful to direct her exhaled breaths away from the print. "So we're going to track these deer just like last time?"

Zero shook his head. "No, we had good tracks to follow last time. If we follow this trail, it's probable that we will end up following it for the rest of the day and not actually reach our prey." Zero sat back, deep in thought. "In situations such as this, it's far more efficient to let the deer come to us."

"How do we do that?" Electra wondered aloud.

"Every living thing has to eat and drink. Where is the nearest water source from here?" Zero was suddenly staring right at her, his piercing blue eyes evaluating.

Electra looked around desperately, not prepared for the unexpected question. Nearest water source? How was she suppose to know that? Nothing from the flight in came to mind, and the pasture they were in now was as dry as a bone. But wait, the ground was sloped, leading down towards a more thickly wooded section of trees. "It would be down there." Electra answered, pointing down the hill. "The water would collect in the gullies and run down to join rivers. Since I don't remember seeing any ponds on the way in, that's got to be it."

Zero continued to scrutinized her for a few more moments, making Electra shuffle uncomfortably. Then, he nodded. Electra just felt like she had just passed some sort of test. "Very well. Lead on."

"But... Me?" Electra asked, shocked at the suggestion. "I couldn't, you would probably do better if I just hung back a bit."

Zero shook his head. "It's your hunt. I'm just here to help if you need it."

Electra thought about it for a few moments, but there was no way around it. "Ok then, I guess we better get going before night falls." Zero made no reply. Turning, Electra began picking her way down the slope, aware that Zero was following right behind her.

It didn't take long to reach the nearest tree line. Once inside, the shadows rose all around them, the trees blotting out what little light there was left in the sky. Electra lowered herself into a crouched, slinking position, recalling Zero's previous lesson on how to move silently through the forest. It was times like these that she wished her bright yellow chest and wings were less noticeable. But all she could do was just stick to the bushes and hope for the best.

If Electra hadn't often checked to see if he was still there, she might have been fooled into thinking that she was alone. Zero was the undisputed master at this, no question about it. His soft footfalls disturbed not a single leaf or twig on the forest floor; no sound was produced to alert anyone of his presence. Electra tried her best to emulate his movements, but was only marginally successful. If there were any deer in the area, they certainly knew they were coming.

Just when Electra was considering stopping and asking for advice, the sound of running water reached her ears. Picking up her pace a little, Electra saw a small stream cutting through the forest just ahead. The stream weaved through the trees, traveling deep inside the small rivulet that it had carved out for itself over the years. The water flowed on incessantly, cascading over old logs and submerged rocks. The scene was the definition of tranquility.

Zero came up beside her, causing Electra to jump slightly. "No tall grasses, no heavy undergrowth, and the water's too shallow to hide in." Zero summed up, surveying the terrain.

"We should move on then?" Electra asked, confirming Zero's assertion that this was not place for an ambush.

"No, there's plenty of trees that will do. Come on." With a brisk step, Zero guided her over to thick evergreen that bordered the river. With an agile leap, Zero began scrambling up the tree, moving from sturdy branch to sturdy branch until he stopped about halfway up. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Electra followed.

Her sharp claws dug into the wood as she traced a path up the tree, pulling herself up onto each branch before moving onto the next one. Pine needles pricked at her, but could only harmlessly bounce off her scales. Placing her foot on a small stub of a branch, Electra prepared to make the final push upwards.

But just as she grasped the next branch with her fore legs, the frail little branch below her snapped, leaving her hind legs dangling in the air. Electra gripped the branch with all her might, her claws scratching a set of deep groves in the bark. But try as she might, she just couldn't make the final push, not without something to give her hind legs a boost.

There was a rustling of branches and Electra saw movement from somewhere above her. Glancing up, she saw Zero extending a paw down from his own branch, leaning out as far as he could without compromising his own balance. Forcing one of her fore legs to let go, Electra reached up and grasped the offered appendage. Together, Electra was able to finally heave herself onto the branch, from where she was easily able to leap to a thick branch neighboring Zero.

After nodding a brief thanks, Electra looked out, her view somewhat blocked by the multitude of needles that cover the branches. "So what do we do now?"

"We wait." Zero replied, settling himself onto his own branch. Electra looked out again, hoping to see some wild life, but no movement met her eye.

"Shouldn't we move? Or go somewhere different?" Electra asked, glancing over to Zero.

He stared back at her, legs folded and tucked up neatly on the branch under him. "Why? Is there a location that the deer or other animals more likely to get their water from nearby?"

"No... Not that I know of." Electra said, for the first time actually meeting Zero's gaze. She suddenly wondered if this was another test, and if so, had she just failed it?

But Zero only switched his attention back to the area immediately below them. "Then why bother moving? This is as good a spot as any."

There was no arguing with that. It took a few minutes, but Electra finally found a position that was both comfortable and ensured that she wouldn't topple off the branch. The sun was truly setting now, having vanished behind the western mountains. But in its place, there was a beautiful tapestry of colors, weaving and intertwining with the clouds. There were bright oranges, brilliant dashes of yellow, and splashes of vibrant indigo and violet. The way the colors contrasted and complimented each other was breathtaking to behold. Warfang was there too, closer at hand than the far off clouds. Dusk having already enveloped the area, and Electra could see lights flickering to life in a multitude of widows, illuminating the lives of those within. The temple was there too, the very top of the highest towers just barely managing to snag the last rays of light. "It's so beautiful from up here." Electra murmured, for once not minding that someone was listening to her thinking aloud. But Zero's only response was a slight shifting of his weight.

"I've never seen Warfang like this. Almost all the sunsets I've seen have been inside the city walls. It's just amazing to look at." Electra finished, still staring at the sunset, the colors already beginning to fad and disappear.

"You've lived in the city your whole life?"

Electra was surprised, as much by the question as by the dragon that had asked. A small smile came to her lips as she responded. "I know how that sounds to someone like you, but it's true. I've been in the city long enough to remember a time when it wasn't under siege. Weird thing is that I never really enjoyed it until I moved up to the new temple. Always too much noise, hard to find a peaceful moment."

"Surely you could have gotten out into the countryside. It's quiet out here." Electra turned around, but Zero wasn't looking at her, his eyes were firmly glued for any sign of movement. Turning back around to look at the city, Electra couldn't help but feel a little disappointed for some reason.

"Just because we weren't under siege didn't mean that it was safe outside the walls. There were plenty of stories of dragons going out and never coming back. I don't know how many stories were just the products of worried parents hoping to keep their kids safe, but it certainly worked for me. Besides, my brother wouldn't have let me out of his sight if he thought I was going outside the walls."

Zero didn't respond as Electra paused to take a breath. She didn't know why she was telling him this. Maybe it was because there was nothing else to do. Or maybe it was just because she wanted to. "I originally lived with my brother and my parents in a small, rented apartment not far from the market. We weren't rich, but not quite poor either."

The colors of the sunset had dulled until it was almost nonexistent. Electra finally tore her eyes away from the city to scan the woodlands, but there was still no sign of any potential prey. "When the war began to intensify, my mother went off to fight while my father looked after us. He was a kind dragon, but certainly not the fighter my mom was. They met when my father lost to her in a sparing match. Apparently, he kept challenging her because it was the only way he got to see her up close. Lost every time until my mother finally asked him why he bothered to keep challenging her over and over again. They were mates a few months later." With a single claw, Electra began to absentmindedly carve and pick at the tree bark beneath her. "She didn't come back from the war." Electra finished in a quiet whisper.

"After that, all three of us were more or less thrown into service to help protect the city once the siege started. It was long days and long nights, doing whatever needed to be done. Dad was often assigned to a different area than us, so it was my brother that always looked after me. He was an earth dragon, and he always used his element to shield me from harm, occasionally at cost to himself."

Electra continued to pick at the tree bark, not really focusing on making any specific shape or pattern. "One day, Malefor's forces pulled back. For the first time, we were able to accept supplies and refugees through the main gates again. We were also able to shore up our defenses. After working for most of the day, they gave us a well deserved night off."

Electra looked up, easily pinpointing the place where her home once stood inside the great city. "I don't know why I went out that night. I guess I just didn't want to talk to anybody, not even my brother. He understood when I needed space though, and he let me go. It must have been past midnight before we realized Malefor had moved his artillery back into position."

A light breeze rustled the trees, the branches they were crouched on bending ever so slightly in response. "When I got home, there was nothing left." Electra stopped talking, a lump forming in her throat. She hurriedly blinked away a tear, resolving that she had already shed enough to fill the creek running below them.

"Electra, there was nothing you could have done." Zero said, his tone carrying only slightly more emotion than usual. Electra turned around to see that Zero was indeed looking at her this time, his blue eyes settling onto her yellow ones. "Had you been there, you would have been killed as well."

"You don't get it." Electra spat, looked off into the distance. "I wasn't as good as I am now, but I still could have formed a shield to protect us. I might have been able to stop it."

"Judging from the size of the boulders I've seen laying around when I got here, I doubt that very much." Zero hesitated, seeming to debate whether or not to continue. "Take it from me, locking yourself in the past is no way to live."

Electra didn't respond, her mind locked in the past. Zero made no efforts to continue the conversation, instead slipping into silence. Night was almost upon them, the lights of the city now the brightest things in view. The first stars began to make their appearance in the sky, twinkling down at them. Electra was shaken from her stupor when Zero suddenly rose to his feet, his tail swaying about to steady himself. Looking down, Electra caught sight of a doe appearing before them, ears flicking about, searching for any suspicious signs. In the distance, Electra could see more of the herd making their way to the creek as well, to take a much needed refreshment.

The doe continued on, still scanning the environment for danger. But she never thought to look up. From her tree perch, Electra leaned forward, trying to judge the best angle of attack. Zero watched her from his branch, allowing her to move forward for the kill.

Suddenly, a twig snapped from somewhere just out of sight. Both the dragons and the deer froze, waiting for the source of the disturbance to reveal itself. There was the rustling of bushes, and a smaller form trotted out into the open. It was a fawn, still quite young and its back still dotted with little white spots. Two big, black eyes monitored the world with unbridled wonder and innocence. Cantering up to its mother, the two shared a quick nuzzle. Then, reunited with her offspring, the doe resumed her trek to the creek.

Electra quick backed away until she was pressed against the trunk shaking her head. "No... I can't. I can't."

Zero watched her, his expression as blank as ever. Then, he settled back down onto the branch. When he spoke, it was in a soft whisper as to not alert the deer. "It's your call. Just remember, nature doesn't always allow for your conscience. You never know, that could be the last potential meal you'll see all week."

After the herd had drank their fill, they crossed the stream and continued on into the forest, the doe and her fawn still with them. Not long after that, Zero announced that it was getting to dark to see properly and that they had better head back. Electra followed without complaint.

They touched down in the temple courtyard in good time. Electra covered her mouth as she yawned. Overall, it had been a very long day. Zero immediately set off for the dormitories, and Electra had to hurry to catch up with him. The walk passed in silence, neither of them making any effort to start a conversation. Reaching the fork between the girl's and boy's rooms, Zero continued on while Electra came to stop. "Goodnight." She called after the rapidly retreating white dragon.

"Goodnight." Came the gruff reply. Turning down the girl's corridor, Electra soon found her room and immediately flopped down on the pillows within.

She sighed and closed her eyes. Just before sleep overtook her, one last conscious thought bubbled to the surface. "I'm sorry Dad. I'm sorry Elsin. I should have been there."

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Blood Claw gripped his ax, watching the area around the company for any sign of attack. The apes around him shared similar apprehension, many holding their weapons tight and eyes darting around warily. No one spoke, they were all to busy focusing on their surrounding. And with good reason. They had finally arrived.

Drakken, of course, showed no signs of apprehension. He strode forward at the head of the company, emanating an aura of command. The group came to a stop, two massive barred gates standing before them. There was a pause, then the doors slowly creaked open to admit them. Just before he crossed the threshold, Blood Claw glanced above to the source of the massive shadow that hung over them all. The mountain only belched more smoke in response, further darkening the sky with its foul fumes.

The Mountain of Malefor.

If there were a lot of grublins outside, there were ten times more inside the actual ruins of the fortress. The tension was palpable. Although they had been allowed entry, neither side trusted the other not to make an aggressive move. The grublins silently watched from the branching side passages, each holding a short, black weapon at the ready. And Blood Claw was sure that for every one he could see, ten more remained in the shadows.

Finally, they came to a complete stop, this time at yet another set of imposing doors. More of the fallen ones closed in from the shadows, completely surrounding and enclosing the outnumbered apes. Blood Claw took a step forward, causing several grublins in front of him to flinch and step back. At least fearful opponents were easier to beat if a full scale conflict broke out.

One grublin moved forward, jabbing an angry finger at Drakken, then the doors. Pointing at the rest of the apes, the grublin shook his head. Drakken was all smiles. "I understand, I would hardly let a group of unknown hostiles in to see myself either. But my second in command will be vital to the negotiations, I would appreciate if you would admit him as well."

The grublin turned to Blood Claw, sizing him up as a possible threat. Blood Claw narrowed his eye. He didn't wish to parley with their fallen brothers, but it was Drakken's orders. It was necessary to replenish the apes that they had lost to the last battle with the dragons. And in a pinch, these...creatures would do.

After another few seconds, the grublin nodded. Next, he pointed to Drakken's sheathed sword and Blood Claw's worn battle ax, then to a rough hewn stone slab. Drakken nodded, unclipping his sword without hesitation. "Another sensible precaution. Put your weapons on the rock, Blood Claw."

Blood Claw set his ax down, sensing the apes behind him shuffle about nervously. Reaching down, Blood Claw unclasped his short sword and removed the throwing knife from his boot, placing them next to his ax and Drakken's malatrite sword and dagger. He didn't like to relinquish his weapons, but there was little choice in the matter.

Having satisfied all the grublin's conditions, the doors slowly creaked open to admit them. Drakken moved forward, Blood Claw following in his wake. Before the doors shut behind them, Blood Claw turned around and exchanged nods with the ape he had appointed captain while he was gone. If they just stuck to the plan, none of them would have to get hurt today.

They were in a wide, circular chamber, the walls bending up all the way to the apex of the mountain. A massive hole in the floor opened down into a black abyss, from which Blood Claw could see no light. Skirting around the hole, Drakken made his way to the throne at the far side of the room, bowing low once he reached it. Blood Claw followed his lead, bowing low and taking the opportunity to surreptitiously scan the room. There were ten grublin guards in total, posted around the room at various intervals. Each one had long pikes and swords strapped to each of their belts. They didn't look too fearsome, but if they were able to gang up on him, they could pose a serious threat.

"Oh exalted leader of our fellow brethren, it has been long since our sides have worked together in harmony." Blood Claw returned his attention to the front as they rose from their bow to behold the grublin's leader. He wasn't much to behold. Lounging in a throne much too large for him, he looked down at the two apes, watching them with cautious eyes. A long staff affixed with a gold ornament rested on the throne beside him. Apart from that, the only other weapon Blood Claw noticed was a small dagger on his belt. Despite being a few inches taller than all the other grublins, their leader wasn't all that physically imposing or threatening at all. How did he manage to secure power after Malefor passed on?

"Why..do you come b-before me, ape?" The leader's voice was raspy and guttural, halting and almost impossible to understand.

Drakken inclined his head again. "I wish to reach an agreement by which we can become proper allies and crush the dragons once and for all."

The leader laughed, and Blood Claw felt the keen desire to cover his ears from the sound. "Why sh-should I listen to you? If the Dark Master could not overcome them, what could y-you possible hope to acc-accomplish?"

"There is a weapon that not even the Dark Master dared use, for fear that some would turn it against him." Drakken said, displaying open palms in a token of friendship. "It lies beneath your very feet. With my help, we can use it to crush all the dragons once and for all!"

The leader scratched his chin, considering Drakken's offer. "We can use the w-weapon by ourselves, when we find whatever you speak of. What else would an alliance off-offer us?"

"My Excellency, my troops are battle trained and more than a match for your top soldiers. Both myself and my lieutenant here are also more than competent commanders who can lead your troops to easy victory." Drakken lowered his head humbly, polite until the end. "It would be in your best interest to accept."

The leader stood up, grasping his staff, and began to descend the steps to meet the apes. The two guards on either side of him descended as well, spears pointed squarely at the two apes as a deterrent. The grublin came to a halt in front of Drakken, coming up a good foot and a half shorter. "How do I know w-we can trust you? How do we kn-know you won't betray us?" The leader asked, poking at Drakken with his staff.

Drakken laughed. Although the smile was still on his face, Blood Claw could now see a dangerous glint in those dark eyes. "You can't, of course." Drakken suddenly snarled, leaning forward towards the leader. "Which is why I would suggest stepping down from power before I snap your weak little neck."

The leader skipped backwards, his guards taking up defensive positions between him and Drakken. "Y-you threaten m-me? We have you h-hopelessly out n-numbered and unarmed! You can't win!"

"Hopelessly outnumbered?" Drakken grinned, revealing his yellow teeth. "It looks like it's three on three, wouldn't you agree Blood Claw?"

The leader looked around, suddenly realizing that only him and his two guards were left standing. The other guards had already been dispatched quickly and quietly by the third being the grublins had unknowingly let into the throne room. The one that had struck from the shadows while all the grublins were distracted by Drakken. The Shade.

Before any of the grublins could react, Blood Claw sprang forward. Grabbing the spear of one of the guards, Blood Claw raked his fingernails across the grublin's face and eyes, drawing a spout of dark, sluggish blood. As the grublin screamed in pain, Blood Claw wrenched the creature's short sword from its sheath, using the blade to parry the spear thrust from the other grublin. The sword dug into the wood just behind the stone point, and with a savage yank, Blood Claw tore the spear from the grublin's grasp.

Without pausing, Blood Claw swung the blade back around, catching the grublin in the neck. It fell to the ground, gurgling on its own blood. The grublin whose spear Blood Claw was holding was beginning to fight back, vainly trying to see through the mangled ruins of its eyes. Reversing his hold on the sword, Blood Claw drove it back into the grublin's gut. The creature made a chocking sound as Blood Claw released both weapons, allowing the grublin to collapse to the blood-stained floor.

Drakken advanced on the leader, who was desperately backing away towards his throne. Batting away the staff with a swing of his hand, Drakken reached forward, wrapping his fingers around the grublin's neck. Lifting him high in the air, the grublin somehow managed to gasp out a few sentences. "Wait! We'll cooperate! The dr-dragons will fall before us!"

"Oh, the dragons will fall." Drakken's face contorted, an insane grin twisting his features. "But you won't be here to see it."

The snap echoed through the chamber and out into the hall, where the last of the grublins were surrendering to the superior ape forces. Scores of green corpses littered the floor, but not a single ape had fallen in the short skirmish. The grublins never stood a chance against the surprise assault.

After many years of neglect, an ape sat on the throne within the mountain once more.