Chapter 28. Turmoil
By: Dardarax
Disclaimer: I, Dardarax, do not own Spyro, Cynder, Avalar, or any other place or character belonging to the Spyro franchise. When taking up belly dancing, one must always remember that it is completely inappropriate to store jam in one's undergarments. Several of my characters are featured in this chapter, their names are listed at the bottom. Heh, bottom.
Ramolous looked out over Grasbronda with an intense gaze. His deep, dark brown eyes were intent as he surveyed his kingdom. The prince's long, black mane was braided into a thick plait, which fell across one shoulder, covering his ivy tattoo. Gold beads were woven into his mane, forming the likeness of a bat bearing two strands of ivy; the sigil of the feran royalty. Ramolous was armoured in tight leather, with plates of metal dotting his frame here and there. The decorative gold thread holding the leather together gleamed in the faint light.
The prince grunted and leaned out over the dais of his balcony, gazing down at the wagons that trundled along the massive branches of the great forest city. People scurried about in the hive-like trees as the horns of war sounded. The simple civilians took refuge in the great wooden structures built into the trees themselves, cowering in fear. Hundreds of panther and feran soldiers were perched along the smaller branches of the trees. They shifted about anxiously, waiting for the call to action.
Ramolous grunted and turned away as the sounds of the horn died, slipping back into his quarters. He stomped across the span of his room, paying no heed to the lush decorations or rich furniture. Ramolous passed by the dragonesses lounging on his bed without a single word, ignoring their concerned stares. The dark red prince snorted as he pushed open his door and stormed out into the wooden halls of the palace.
"Is something troubling you, my lord?"
Ramolous glanced back at the speaker, slowing his stride. A portly panther stepped up beside the prince, jogging in order to keep up.
"No." Ramolous grunted. "Nothing is troubling me. We have the advantage of terrain, as well as the cover and height of the trees. They may have superior numbers, but we hold every other card."
"I'm sure we do, my lord." The panther panted, slowing as the two entered the throne room. "But are you not concerned about the Guardians and the many other heroes they have at their disposal? Hunter, Spyro, Pyron, Cynder, Prowlus, Aephion? All are veterans of the war with Malefor and all are renowned warriors. They could be trouble if we allow this conflict to continue."
"You act as though we are lacking such warriors!" Ramolous snarled. He glared at the panther who balked at the fierceness of his gaze. "We were part of that war too, and we even had a part to play in thwarting the Dark Master during the Second Resurrection. I myself led the charge that took Malefor's bastion in Halsgrad, which the Dragon Realms united could not break."
"O... of course, your eminence. How foolish of me." The panther stuttered, bowing in apology.
Ramolous snorted derisively and turned away, dismissing the panther's presence. The prince padded across the span of his throne room, heading down the hall that led to the upper chambers, lost in thought.
"Twenty years and it's finally time! Plan after plan, plot after plot and now I finally have the chance to avenge everyone! I will do it with my own two paws, even if it kills me. No other should have to bear this burden but myself."
Ramolous came to a halt outside his father's quarters and dismissed the guards. With a flick of his paw, Ramolous unlatched the lock and slipped quietly into the room, shutting the door softly behind him. The room was in ruinous shape, the tapestries and decorations having been torn from the walls and the lavis furniture upturned. Priceless statuettes and trophies that had one adorned the shelves were now scattered and the many fur rugs that had once lay on the ground were shredded. Amidst it all Kaiser lay sprawled out on his bed, his eyes glazed as he stared at the ceiling. The king's eyes wandered over to Ramolous as he entered, a sudden fire entering his green eyes as he focused on the prince.
"Ramolous." Kaiser glowered, sitting up to face his son. "You have a great deal of nerve coming back here."
"I just wish to see you again father." The prince murmured sadly. He plopped down on one of the cushions, eyes fixed on the greying feran.
Kaiser sneered. "Oh really? You are not going to silence me? Your trick won't work for long. Sooner or later someone will learn that I'm not 'sick' over the 'betrayal' of the realms. The magical sound wards you had your advisor set up around my room to keep people from hearing me won't fool anyone for much longer. Your little rebellion will come to an end all too soon."
Ramolous shrugged. "If that's the case, so be it."
Kaiser frowned, puzzled by Ramolous's reply. "What do you...?"
Ramolous cut off Kaiser, silencing his father with a sharp movement of his paw. "It matters not. I've come to tell you that the Realm's army is at our doorstep and that it is likely the battle will begin sometime today."
Kaiser's eyes widened. "The Realm's... what have you done, Ramolous! If you let this continue, our people, our entire nation will be obliterated! We will lose everything!"
"It will not come to that." Ramolous grunted, rising. Kaiser glared at his son, a snarl creasing his muzzle.
"And how do you hope to stop them? Even if you force them back now, they will only return again. We are small and not the power we used to be."
Ramolous gazed at Kaiser, his eyes distant. "Worry not, father. When all is said and done, our kingdom will remain intact and all will be well again."
"How can you say that!" Kaiser spat, his hackles rising. "Do you know the hell you've brought upon our people? How can you say it will all be well once it is over?"
"Trust me father." The prince murmured. "For once, please trust me. His Legacy must come to an end."
Kaiser was silent for a moment and then his eyes widened.
"That can't be why... You fool! This is what it has been all about! He was bluffing! In all these years no sign of him has appeared! No minion of his has come back for vengeance! No spawn has surfaced to bring devastation to the realms! There is no Legacy!"
"That's because you are all blind to it." Ramolous snorted, his expression contorting into a fierce snarl. "I'm the only one with enough sense to realize that they are his Legacy! They will eventually turn and everyone will suffer because of it!"
Kaiser did not answer, his expression unchanging. Ramolous sighed, taking a step towards his father, raising a paw gently towards him. Kaiser jerked back, shuffling away from his son. Ramolous sighed in defeat and turned away, his paw falling to the floor.
"Goodbye Father." Ramolous murmured. "You may not understand now, but maybe you will someday."
Kaiser continued to glare as Ramolous slipped through the door and shut it behind him, the king's expression hard as stone. Ramolous latched the door and sighed, leaning against the thick wood. His eyes closed as he rubbed at his face with a paw. After a long moment of silence, Ramolous opened his eyes and pushed himself away from the door. The prince grunted and stamped away, his sharp eyes cold. Ramolous padded back through the hall and emerged out into the throne room.
"The chat not go well?"
Ramolous started and turned to face Jaxar as he emerged from the shadows. The prince snorted.
"What? You didn't listen in?" Ramolous sneered spitefully.
"I'm afraid I couldn't, even had I wished to. My wards, remember?" Jaxar replied smoothly, bowing. "Did you want me too?"
"Never mind." Ramolous turned away from the cloaked magician, the purple robes shrouding his monstrous face from the prince's view. "We have more important things to do as it is."
"Indeed. Speaking of which, the council wishes to speak with you."
"What do they want?"
Jaxar shrugged. "Something about a truce. You might want to confer with them."
Ramolous snarled and resumed his pace, heading down towards the cluster of ferans and panthers crowded by the throne. They glanced up at the armoured prince as he approached them, bowing.
"My lord, we have just received word that the Dragon Realms are at out doorstep and that you have marshaled the troops without consulting us. Surely we should attempt diplomacy before resorting to violence." A robed panther asked, stepping forward.
"That is out of the question." Ramolous snorted, shaking his head. "I will not have those barbarians coming here under the guise of a truce to butcher us like they did to Gorgulline. I will not let them take over our kingdom without a fight."
The council flinched at the rebuking tone.
"So, you think that there is no hope for peace?"
"If they had any intention of peace, they would not have butchered the people of Dellberie like they did." Ramolous muttered, turning away to face his advisor. "The battle will be starting soon and we cannot have you falling into their paws. Who knows what they would do to you if you became their prisoners? Jaxar, show them to the inner sanctum."
Jaxar bowed, his expression blank. Then the sorcerer turned to the council members and made a sweeping gesture towards the the inner sanctum.
"Please, follow me."
The council members glanced over at Ramolous, but realized they had been dismissed. They followed after Jaxar anxiously, who had turned to glide down the hall to the inner sanctum.
Ramolous grunted, glancing back before padding from the throne room and out to the palace gates. Ramolous sighed, inhaling the warm, moist air as he exited the great tree palace in the centre of the city. He gazed out over the courtyard, a massive knot of intertwining branches that created a platform on which to walk. The prince admired the vibrant gardens scattered throughout the courtyard, planted in massive clods of soil packed into the crevices between the mighty branches. The feran moved along the wooden path out of the courtyard, and onto the branching walkway. His head swived around, trying to catch a glimpse of the marshal of his forces. After several moments of looking the prince's eyes found the figure of the lightly armoured panther, issuing orders to a squad of soldiers. The marshal was stalky and whip thin, his ebony black fur gleaming in the fading sunlight. A lush green and brown cloak was draped over his shoulders. Ramolous paced hastily toward him, huffing.
"Have the civilians been evacuated?" Ramolous barked, coming to a stop beside the panther. The marshal started, pausing in mid sentence to turn to the prince, bowing with a flourish of his green and brown cloak. The squad behind him followed suit, saluting the battle adorned prince.
"Yes, your highness, I've personally escorted the last party into the sanctum, only the folk in lower Grasbronda remain and they have taken refuge in the caverns beneath the city."
"Excellent, are the soldiers in place?"
"Everyone is equipped and ready for your..."
"Lord Ramolous!"
Both Ramolous and the panther turned to face the messenger as he ground to a halt in front of them, the feran's red chest heaving. He glanced up and bowed to Ramolous, trying to draw in enough breath to speak.
"Go on." Ramolous grunted, waving a paw. "Speak, what is it?"
"The... the first of the... Realm's scouts have entered the... the lower city!" The messenger declared, rising to his paws. "And the rest of the... army is following close behind!"
Ramolous snorted. "Then we don't have much more time to prepare. Marshal, come with me, we'll go to the observatory and see what they're doing."
The panther general turned and issued the last orders to the squad he had been addressing. He then turned and took off after Ramolous, jogging to keep up. Ramolous padded back into the palace, his strides lengthening until he was bounding down the halls. He came to an abrupt halt outside a massive iron shod door and pushed it open, stamping inside. Ramolous glanced around the room, before trodding to its center. A massive hole in the ancient weathered wood revealed what was happening below. Ramolous sat down beside the hole and squinted into the distance, his vassal skidding to a halt beside him.
Far below Ramolous could just make out the figures of the soldiers creeping into the city. They started as a small stream, only to rapidly swell into a torrent of bodies flooding through the lower district.
"My lord?" The Panther grunted, glancing over at the prince. "Do you wish me to..."
"We wait." Ramolous grunted, not turning to face his minion. "Keep a watch out for weaknesses in their formation as they spread out. I want to know the best places to attack them. As of yet, we hold the advantage of surprise, since they have no idea when and where we will strike; I do not want to waste it just yet."
The panther's brow furrowed, but he said nothing, turning his attention back to the scene below. "As long as we do not wait too long. We cannot have them fortifying their position, your highness."
"Of course not!" Ramolous snapped. "I am no fool."
The marshal sighed, shrugging and rolling his eyes, the prince's attention still on the soldiers far below.
"It looks to me like they're splitting up, looking for anyone to butcher, and moving in large groups to... what're they doing?" Said Ramolous who leaned over and peered down, squinting to try and get better view. The soldiers were gathering around the smaller of the jungle trees where they started piling up lumber around it, collecting the deadwood scattered across the ground.
"Are they trying to build fortifications?" The panther asked, puzzled. "Or maybe some strange stairway up here?"
"I don't think so." Ramolous murmured, shaking his head. "It doesn't have the right structure, it's more haphazard. Almost like... like..." The feran's brown eyes widened in shock and he turned, racing from the room. "PYRES!"
The Marshal stared after him for a second and then what the prince said sunk in.
"No! They can't be thinking of..." The panther glanced back down, to confirm his fears and then raced after the prince.
"Archers!" Ramolus roared as he raced from the palace, shouting to the troops as he sped past, his fur cape billowing in the wind. "Get to the east side and target the dragons! Keep them pinned down! Ferans! Strike at the west body from the air, they have the fewest archers! Everyone else, keep them from lighting those pyres! GO!"
The troops sprang into action, scattering. Panthers bounded along the branches, leaping off to grab vines. They swung their way down as the ferans took off, roaring as they dived the gathering foe. Archers took position on the branches and proceeded to rain arrows into the dragons, their accuracy unerring despite the distance.
Ramolous paused, breathing lightly to watch as the force far below erupted into action. The enemy warriors abandoned their pyres to face the treat attacking from above.
The marshal came to a stop beside the prince and gazed down as their soldiers were met with a wall of steel and magic.
"It was a trap." The panther snarled, his eyes burning as he glared down at the Dragon Realm's army.
"Of course it was." Ramolous snorted, derisively. "They couldn't have been stupid enough to light a forest fire while they were still in it. It was obviously a trap."
"Then why attack like we did?"
"Because even if they did plan on us attacking we can't risk them lighting the pyres, intentionally or not."
"So you're saying you willingly walked into a trap, because they might light the fires?" The Marshal asked incredulously.
Ramolous sighed. "Considering that the only other option was to risk losing the entire city, I think jumping into the fray was the better option."
The panther glanced down into the swelling chaos below as the two armies clashed, blades and bursts of magic flashing in the distance.
"Permission to lead the attack, sir?" The panther murmured, grabbing the falchion hanging off of his hip as he glanced hopefully at the prince
Ramolous nodded. "Permission granted. Do away with these pests as quickly as possible."
"Will do, your majesty." The panther said, turning and leaping off from the branch-way, grabbing a vine on the way down to swing to his soldiers' aid. Ramolous watched him go, frowning. After a moment of indecision, Ramolous turned to the ferans getting ready to take off nearby and moved towards them.
"You will be under my command." Ramolous snorted, coming to a halt before them. He looked them over with a critical eye, sizing them up. The ferans jerked to a halt, before saluting to their prince.
"As your highness commands." The leader of the group murmured, stepping down to let Ramolous take point. Mere moments later the prince was barking orders to his men, telling them their jobs as they took off, following Ramolous to battle
...
Travix grinned as he tore through a pair of screaming dragons. He sighed in pleasure as their blood gushed over him, drenching the dragon in gore. The mass of cheetah, dragon and canine soldiers scrambled away from the cackling monster of a dragon, his massive fangs bared in a brutal smirk.
"Aw, don't run! I washn't finished yet!" Travix crooned, stepping after the terrified soldiers. "You haven't sheen my latest trick! I've been practishing it for quite a while and I'd like to try it out. Any volunteersh?"
The crowd of warriors broke, panicking as the blood dragon advanced. Travix sneered as they turned away, fleeing.
"Typical."
He shot forward, bounding through the shadows as he tracked a small sect of the larger group. He quickly shot past them, slipping through the massive trees and came to a halt directly in the middle of their path. He rose onto his hind paws as they burst through the trees. They grinded to a halt when they saw the gore-bathed dragon, and turned to flee once more.
Travix snorted and raised his forepaws, his claws stretching out towards the scrambling soldiers. His eyes flashed white as he traced half a dozen runes into the air, muttering under his breath. A wail of despair rose from the warriors as a dozen more blood soaked Travixs appeared around them, blocking off all escape routes.
"Sho," The thirteen blood dragons hissed simultaneously. "If you would be sho kind ash to shtop running, I might make all your deathsh quick and relatively painlessh. How doesh that shound?"
The soldiers balked as the blood dragon aspects stalked towards them, the warriors glancing at one another. Then, their gazes hardened as they steeled themselves. They raised their weapons and howled, charging. Travix blinked as they rushed him, spears lowered as they took formation, focusing on the one they knew had cast the spell. The blood drake sneered and flared his wings, the bright, multi-hued runes covering his body flashing. The wall of steel and flesh hit Travix like a wave, only to be forced back by an invisible wall. The blood dragon aspects surrounding the squad flickered as Travix turned his concentration to his shield, snarling as he pushed them back. When spears and swords failed, the cheetahs and canines fell back to be replaced by dragons. Their elemental fury bathed Travix in a wave of magic.
Travix held firm against their barrage, gritting his massive fangs as he stood against the onslaught. Travix's barrier blazed as it fought against the wave of magic, just barely holding against it. The blast faltered and faded as the soldiers stopped to see if the blood dragon had fallen. Travix pounced, his barrier falling away. He slammed into the crowd of armoured warriors, fangs and claws flashing as he tore through them like wet paper.
The warriors shrieked in horror as he tore apart the first of their ranks. Desperately they lurched forward, swiping their blades and claws at him. Travix evaded the most lethal blows, but allowed them to scratch and slash at his body, drawing out spurts of blood. To the solider's horror the black and red dragon's blood hardened over his scales, forming thick, spikey plates. Travix lunged forward and knocked a thick bodied drake to the ground, pinning the squirming fire drake as he chomped down on his neck.
The soldiers around him backed away in horror as Travix stepped aside. In his wake lay a body, seemingly nothing more than skin-wrapped bone. Travix sighed as he pulled away, grinning broadly as he felt his injuries seal shut. His body once again unmarred, without any sign of battle scarring.
"Regroup!" A brave cheetah soldier barked at his fellow warriors. "Get into block formation. Surround him when he attacks and cut him down!"
Travix watched with amusement as the panicked soldiers suddenly hardened, their hopeless terror vanishing under the familiar commands. They moved into formation, cheetahs and canines throwing up their shields in a wall in front of them, their spears poking between the gaps threateningly. The dragons took up the rear and started bombarding Travix with short blasts of magic, advancing slowly towards him.
Travix threw himself to the side as four bolts of lightning lashed out at him, the blood drake rolling behind a tree for cover. The soldiers, their confidence returning, made to surrounded the tree, weapons ready and eager to strike. Travix did not give them the chance. Slashing his arms with his razor claws, Travix forced the blood out of himself in a geyser of dark red gore. The soldiers gasped in shock at the sight and took a step back, only to be caught in a hail of bloody razors which rained down from the sky.
Travix panted, woozy from the sudden blood loss as he gazed around at the screaming, panicking soldiers. He grinned grimly and stepped forward, forcing himself not to wobble as he snatched up up one of the more lively survivors. The soldiers were left reeling, having lost half their numbers in that last attack. They took one terrified look at Travix sinking his fangs into a screaming canine and bolted. The scattering warriors no longer able to hold back their mounting terror.
Travix took one last slurp out of the wolf, reducing the dying warrior to a dry husk. Travix dropped it, sighing in relief as he felt his essence rejuvenate. The cuts along his forelegs sealed up, ceasing the endless flow of dark blood. The blood dragon watched as the warriors retreated, scattering before him and shrugged.
"Guessh I'll haff to find shome new play matesh." Travix murmured, raising a paw and gesturing around him. The shards of hardened blood scattering the carnage around him liquified and flowed back towards him, seeping up his legs and over his body. There, they formed more plates of iron hard blood over his body. Travix stretched and gazed around, looking for something of interest to play with. His eyes stopped on a group of silver armoured dragons marching through the crashing waves of steel and flesh, blazing swaths through all that came in their way. In the center of the ring of drakes, a slim, grey dragon took the lead, issuing sharp commands as they forced their way through a wall of panthers and ferans. Travix grinned malignantly.
The armoured blood drake bound forward, beating his wings and soaring above the mass of struggling bodies bellow, only to dive at the group, claws outstretched. The leader saw him coming and turned, firing off several wind razors at the descending blood drake. Travix gritted his fangs and focused all his power into the glyphs painted onto his scales, forming an egg-shaped barrier around himself.
The blades of wind struck the barrier and deflected away, leaving Travix unharmed, if a little winded from exerting so much power. He crashed down atop a fire dragon, his blood armoured claws sheering through the steel plates and into the dragon's neck and flank. Travix grinning as a gush of blood spurted out over him. He rode the dying fire dragon to the ground and launched himself at the leader, his maw agape as he aimed for the wind dragon's neck.
The leader snorted and summoned forth a wall of wind to force Travix away. Travix snarled in playful frustration as he missed his mark, landing several meters away from the general. The blood dragon whirled about clawing a nearby ice dragon across the face, before turning his attention back to his prey.
"General Aephion! Are you alright!" One of the general's warriors asked, pausing as they rushed to deal with Travix.
Aephion ignored the comment, all his attention focused on the new threat. "Surround him quickly and focus fire on him! Don't let him get to close!"
The silver armoured warriors snapped to attention and acted instantaneously, forming a rough circle around Travix and blasting him with everything they had. Travix grunted as the magic assailed him, feeling his blazing wards slowly giving out as they kept the magic at bay.
Having no time to lose, Travix liquified his armour and draining it all down to the tip of his tail. Then, with a snort, he twirled around, flicking his tail and launching the blood in a vicious arc. The blood hardened instantly into spikes as it hurtled through the air. Aephion, seeing the attack coming, only had enough time to throw up a barrier of wind around himself and the warriors adjacent to him before the blood struck, cutting down a third of his force.
The magical assault faltered, the warriors stunned at the devestation, giving Travix enough time to pounce out of the circle and at Aephion once more. The wind general had only a second's warning and leapt to the side, rolling to avoid the black and red drake's vicious claws. Aephion whirled around and opened his maw, unleashing a gale of wind to blast Travix away, causing the unbalanced red to tumble head over paws into a tree.
Travix's eyes widened as he felt the glyphs give out, unable to absorb any more damage. He quickly dived behind a tree, evading two more wind razors from Aephion. Panting, Travix examined his body, snorting when he noticed the once smoldering glow on the runes had vanished, leaving the paint to fade and flake away. Travix snarled and dug a claw into his arm, drawing blood. With several swift motions he cleaned his chest of the dry, flaking paint. Then, he drew a new set of glyphs on his body with as much speed as he could, sensing the squad regrouping behind him.
Once he was finished, Travix examined his handiwork, sighing as he finished the last incantation.
"A little shloppy, but it will haff to do." He grunted, taking a deep breath before throwing himself out from behind the tree. Aephion's squad had taken up a slightly crescent formation, all the dragons waiting for him as he emerged.
Travix barely had time to register what was going on before they were on him, concentrated magic slamming headlong into his chest. Travix yowled as he was bowled over, just managing to roll out of the way before the blast could completely burn through his wards and reduce him to ash. Travix snarled and traced a claw through the air, muttering. The warriors cried out in shock as twin Travixs bounded out from behind the tree, darting into the underbrush.
Un-beknownced to Aephion and his men, the true Travix was clambering up the tree in front of them. The blood soaked drake snickered as he stalked up to the warriors, who were too busy with the illusions to notice him. Travix crept out onto the branch, waiting for just the right moment to pounce. Aephion spat curses as the illusions evaded his men's attacks, seemingly unharmed by everything they threw at them. Travix saw his chance, and pounced as the silver clad warriors paused to catch their breath. The blood dragon slapped his wings to his side as he dived down at the tired warriors, his muzzle twisted into a malicious grin.
The black, blood armoured dragon flared his wings at the last second, halting his fall as he crashed down on top of the leading soldier. Travix let the illusions vanish as he stepped forward, and tore into the stunned force, his claws aiming for any gaps in their armour he could find. Aephion, realizing what had happened, started shouting orders to his men, but it was too late. The blood dragon ripped through his forces, moving like a dark, bloody blur, his claws tearing through armour and flesh alike.
Travix emerged from the other side of the force and pounced at Aephion, claws outstretched, a wicked grin spreading across his sabretooth muzzle. Aephion panicked, and threw his wings up over his face, conjuring a wailing wall of wind to force the monsterous dragon away. Travix hit the wall and bounced off, curling into a ball to hit the ground at a roll. He stopped and flipped back onto his paws, turning back to the manic pack of dragons he had just ambushed, and raised his bloodsoaked paws. As the warriors moved to organize for another assault, Travix lapped the dripping blood off of his claws, a satisfied smirk crossing his face as they got into position.
Travix shook his head as they started to advance towards him, pushing the stray combatants around them out of the way as they approached the blood dragon, elemental power crackling in their maws. The black and red dragon rose from where he had been crouching, his eyes flashing with a dark red glow. The bloodied force of dragons ground to a halt, and stood stalk still in the middle of the battle ground.
"What are you doing! Keep moving!" Aephion hissed, stepping forward to urge his soldiers on. Other soldiers, ones that had not been injured during the fight also pushed and shoved at their comrades, trying to force them forward, but to no avail.
Travix casually raised a paw and gestured to the paralyzed warriors. "Kill."
Abruptly the paralysis was lifted, and the soldiers turned inward to face each other, eyes bulging in panic. They all took a step towards each other, and pounced. Their claws tore through armour and into flesh as they turned on one another. Travix watched with an amused smile, his pale green eyes swamped in an eerie red glow as his adversaries ripped each other apart. The victim's were jaws locked in horror, their muscles straining as the blood in their veins warped and moved, forcing their unwilling bodies into action.
Aephion roared as he was attacked from all sides, sending out a blast of wind to hold his warriors at bay, unwilling to fight back against his own men. Travix started to whistle as he watched the devestation, grinning as the first half of the general's remaining soldiers fought under his guidance, desperately trying and failing to fight back against his control.
Suddenly Travix perked up, his mind left ringing in the aftermath of the message he had just received. "He'sh... in danger? What? That'sh never happened before..."
Travix turned away, towards the west, focusing his attention to where the message had come from. The warriors, feeling Travix's control slip, stumbled to a stop, much to the relief of their comrades. Before they could turn to take action against Travix, however, the blood dragon raised a paw, and clenched it. The dragons who had so recently been under his control exploded violently, their blood bursting out of their veins in vicious hardened spikes, tearing them to shreds. Aephion and the few remaining dragons howled in shock and horror as their comrades were obliterated, their blood rebelling against the rest of their bodies. The liquified remains of their friends flowed back towards the black and red dragon in a wave of sticky red gore.
Travix turned his head and opened his muzzle, allowing the gallons of blood to gush down his muzzle, revitalizing him. Whatever he could not swallow, washed over his body, hardening into blood plates over his now full-plate armour. Everyone around him watched, mortified as he slurped down every last drop of blood, licking his muzzle once finished. The red glow in his eyes faded as the blood fury ended, and Travix gave a cheeky wink to Aephion, before turning and launching himself into the air, flying off to find his master once more.
...
"I haven't been away five minutes and the battle already started without me? What a mess." Jaxar sighed as he glided into the observatory. Jaxar grimaced as he gazed down at the melee below and shook his head, leaning over the rail.
"I had hoped that they wouldn't just charge in at the first sign of danger. Must I babysit that fool every moment of the day?" Jaxar grumbled. He stepped up onto the railing, wobbling as he balanced himself, arms spread out to his sides. He looked back down again, his eyes seeking out the largest squad of Dragon Realm Soldiers he could find. Then, he stepped off into the open air. The sorcerer plummeted down, gripping his staff in one hand, his other keeping hold of his robes, to avoid them riding up immodestly. The half-breed whispered an incantation, bracing his feet together as he sped like an arrow to the ground. A burst of wind and fire erupted around his feet, swirling up and around his body, moments before he struck the ground. The explosion was small yet devastatingly powerful. The scorched debris of dirt and plant life was spotted with the torn remains of those unfortunate enough to be caught in the blast.
Jaxar rose, dusting his robes off. He glanced around at the small crater around him, roots sticking up from the mud, and body parts raining from the sky. He smirked at the groaning figures around him and stepped over the bodies, shoving them out of the way with the butt of his staff. Jaxar slipped away from the carnage before any of the survivors could recover and strode into the wreckage of a nearby building, scorched from its proximity to the explosion.
Nearby warriors, having seen the blast, came rushing and stopped, horrified at the sight before them. A yellow dragon glanced around as they raced forward to help the survivors up, trying to see what had caused it. Jaxar smiled from within the building, and reached out with one hand, and traced a glowing rune into the air. He touched the brilliant orange symbol with a single finger, and then dragged it out in front of him, to point at the dragon. Jaxar whispered a single word, guttural and harsh, and then flicked the rune at the drake.
The rune struck the dragon on the side of the head, just above his eye and blazed. The dragon flinched, his eyes widening in confusion, only to glaze over. He stared at his allies stupidly for a moment, and then a snarl of rage crossed his face. The armoured yellow dragon let out a roar of fury and fear and reared up, lightning crackling in his clenched muzzle. The others looked up, and screamed as arcs of lightning tore into them, tearing them apart as the dragon blasted the area with a wash of lightning, striking the whole and injured alike. Burned bodies fell to the earth, twitching as the dragon stopped, quivering in panic. The dragon roared again and turned, racing off to another group of combatants, lightning blazing over his body. Jaxar smirked in satisfaction.
The sorcerer hefted up his robes, and climbed the broken stairs up to the next floor, where he sat down, examining the battle around him. Screams and clashes of steel resonated throughout the jungle, shouts echoing in the vast spaces between the massive trees. Jaxar sighed.
"I must admit, after years of planning, this will be a fairly disappointing end to it all, if everything works out as planned. Not even three weeks and the war is almost over." Jaxar yawned. He leaning onto the edge of a broken wall, watching as the berserk lightning dragon was cut down by two fire dragons and a mallet wielding mole. He sighed once more as his eyes drift over the battlefield and then stop, fixed on a wavering banner not too far off. He smiled. "I suppose I should make the most of this then."
Jaxar gripped the edge of the broken wall tightly, and then vaulted off, throwing himself over the ledge. He hit the ground with a thump, landing on all fours. Then he took off, running with incredible speed towards the combatants, a sickly sweet grin spread lover his cowled face. The sorcerer swung his staff at a dragon's head, smirking as a deep thunk reverberated through his arm. The drake's head split open, showering Jaxar with a rain of gore. He moved on. From off to the side, a feline howled with rage, charging the cloaked figure, its swords slashing out in front of it. Jaxar ducked the first two swings, caught one on his staff and then punched the feline in the face with a gloved hand.
The feline stumbled back, clutching at his face in shock, his weapon falling to the ground. Jaxar raised his hand and clenched it. The rune he had just pounded onto the feline's forehead blazed, and the feline screamed in agony, clutching at his head and clawing at his eyes as they boiled in his skull. Jaxar skipped past the feline and raced away, pushing his hand forward and blasting aside all those who got in his way. Seconds later, a huge boom rippled through the air, followed by a wash of fire and splatters of blood. Jaxar came to a halt, glancing back only once to see the devastation behind him. He nodded in satisfaction.
The banner ahead of him stopped and turned to the explosion, forcing its way through the crowd towards it. Jaxar hissed an incantation, his left hand swiftly carving three runes with smooth twists of his hands. The banner broke through the crowd, into the small clearing Jaxar had blasted clear.
Prowlus was lightly armoured in chain and leather, with a golden circlet about his head. He bore a spear in one hand and a long, curved blade in the other. He rode a small, stout war horse, which snorted and pawed at the earth as the battle raged around it. Jaxar lifted his hand and hurled the runes at the mount. Prowlus's eyes widened, and he threw himself from the horse as the runes struck it, hitting the floor at a roll.
The sky flashed, rocking thunder reverberating through the sky as three bolts of lighting streaked down, simultaneously striking the stead, reducing it to ash instantly. Jaxar spat out a curse, still grinning.
Prowlus rolled to his feet, and turned to Jaxar, panting. His eyes flicked over to the disintegrated remains of his mount, and snorted, turning to Jaxar wearily.
"So, you're that mage Spyro and Cynder fought in the tower." Prowlus growled, helping the banner bearer to his feet. Several other mounted warrior cheetahs burst from the crowd, to stand beside their king.
"Indeed. My name is Jaxar." The robed half-breed said, bowing low to Prowlus. "I am honoured to meet you, your highness."
Prowlus snarled, and thrust his spear forward. Jaxar stepped to the side, and batted the spear away with a sweep of his staff. Jaxar retaliated with a swing of the crystal topped stave, arcing it towards the king's crowned head. Prowlus ducked, and stepped quickly back, sneering.
"I am equally honoured to be the one to kill you." Jaxar smirked, stepping forward and sweeping his staff back around to strike again. Prowlus stepped to the side, narrowly avoiding the swing, taking several large bounds back to get out of the sorcerer's range. One of the warriors to the side charged forward, lowering his spear at the sorcerer. Jaxar hissed, and thrust his staff forward to meet the soldier. A blazing lance of fire from the staff ripped through the cheetah, who screamed as he toppled, smoking from the horse, which panicked and galloped away into the throng.
Prowlus hissed, and rushed forward, the remaining four warriors galloping along beside their king. Snorting, Jaxar planted his staff in the ground, and held out both hands. Lightning crackled along his fingertips and exploded outward, a storm of electricity twisting towards the five. A heavily armoured cheetah knight dived between the king and the bolts of lightning, catching them square in the chest. His body jerked and spasmed as the bolts seared through him, stray bolts arcing past to strike the raised weapons born by the other riders, causing them to howl in pain, toppling off of their steeds. Smoke billowed out of the knight's visor, sparks of electricity arcing over the metal plate, as the cooked cat teetered and fell, crashing to the ground.
Jaxar spat another curse, smiling broadly as Prowlus leapt over the fallen knight, roaring in rage, his saber flashing towards Jaxar's neck. The sorcerer grabbed his staff, and jumped backward, fending off the blow and landing unceremoniously on his backside. Prowlus swept his spear, catching the staff and hurling it away. Jaxar rolled to his feet as Prowlus stabbed down at him, and backpedalled away. Prowlus laughed darkly as Jaxar came to a stop several meters away, glowering at the feline monarch.
"You mages are so high and mighty when out of sword range, but the moment we get in close, you lose all steam, because the truth is you are no harder to kill than any other 'mortal.'"
A sudden smile broke over Jaxar's face, and he reached into the pouch dangling on his hip. He drew out a small set of iron knuckles, etched with symbols and slid them onto his left hand. With his other hand, he bent down and grabbed a long, hard leaf lying on the ground. He raised it up, holding the leaf securely under the middle three fingers of his hand, with his thumb and little finger supporting it from beneath. Jaxar whispered several short words as he held the leaf aloft, the wizard balancing on his toes as he took up a fighting stance. The leaf went ridged, snapping flat, sunlight catching it, glancing off of it as if it were a dagger of steel. Jaxar raised the leaf blade in his hand, his fingers running lengthwise down the leaf as he held it before him.
"En garde." Jaxar smirked, his form tense and ready for attack, the battle raging around them. Prowlus snorted, hefting his spear and started forward, slashing aside a panther who got in his way. The king picked up speed as he neared Jaxar, who stood stalk still, watching Prowlus carefully as he raised his spear for the kill. Just as the spear came in range, Jaxar flicked his wrist to the side, striking his leaf against the haft of the spear, knocking it out of the way. Jaxar's hand then stabbed forward with the long, hand length leaf-blade. Prowlus slipped to the side, wincing as the leaf blade grazed his chest, slicing neatly through the chain mail, drawing blood. Prowlus retaliated with a swipe of his sword, and spat a curse as Jaxar neatly twirled away.
Prowlus stepped back to gain some room, but Jaxar stepped with him, his hand lashing forward in a flurry of stabs at Prowlus's chest. The feline was forced to drop his spear, and grip his saber in both hands to fend off the avalanche of blows, the deflected leaf cutting him here and there on the shoulders and arms. Abruptly, Jaxar's other fist came speeding towards Prowlus's head, who narrowly ducked. A blast of energy from the fist caused the king to stumble, and behind him he heard a scream from an unlucky panther, who was caught in the blast of force and was hurled into a massive tree trunk.
The king recovered quickly, rolling to the side, swinging his sword at the sorcerer once more. Jaxar gasped as the blade bit into his leg, and he stepped back, wobbling as he nearly lost his balance. Prowlus grinned as Jaxar panted, sweat beading his brow, soaking into the wispy fur that covered his scaled, malformed face.
"Having trouble, oh mighty mage?"
Jaxar smiled. "You're very good. Far better than your grandfather was."
Prowlus blinked. "Wait, wha..."
Jaxar dropped the leaf, and thrust his right fist forward, still smiling. A beam of brilliant yellow light exploded out of his hand and slammed into Prowlus. The feline howled in agony the blast burning clean through his chest plate, and scorching his torso. Jaxar let his hand fall, and raised his other fist, stepping forward. He thrust that one forward too and a bar of infernal flame burst from his fist, crackling maliciously as it raced towards the feline. One of the warriors disarmed by Jaxar's lightning rose and tackled her king's legs, bringing him to the ground just as the bar of blue-white flame soared passed. The blast caught a heavily armoured fire drake on the side. The drake yowled a piercing scream as the blast seared a hole clean through it. It continued on, ripping through the ranks of soldiers, feran and dragon alike. It finally vanished after blazing through one of the massive trees of the jungle, leaving a scorched hole into the trunk of the tree.
"I'll have to pay a visit to that village of yours sometime. I've heard it's grown substantially since my last visit. Almost into a city!" Jaxar continued, letting his hand fall as he grinned over at the downed king.
Prowlus groaned, and rolled onto his side, his eyes blazing in anger. Jaxar raised his hand, and gestured to his staff, lying in the turf nearby. The stave twitched, and then soared off the ground, spinning through the air back to the half-breed's hand, clipping a canine's head along the way. Jaxar grabbed it as it sped towards him and twirled it about in his hand, before planting it in the ground, leaning up to examine the crystal.
"Y... You couldn't... you couldn't have!" Prowlus gasped, shivering in pain as the sorcerer glided towards him, swiping his staff at any warrior who got too close. Jaxar's steps wobbled only slightly as blood flowed down his leg, staining his vibrant purple robes.
The soldier who had tackled Prowlus, rose, gripping the king's saber, panting as Jaxar approached. A crooked smile etched across Jaxar's face at the sight.
"Don't get any closer!" The feline declared, brandishing her weapon. "I'll gut you for what you've done!"
Jaxar paused and then deliberately took another step forward, grinning. The cheetah jerked, fangs grinding as the sorcerer took yet another step, and laughed.
"How very brave of you! Not many would willingly put themselves in my line of fire. You king should be proud to have a warrior such as yourself."
Jaxar raised his hand and threw it forward, a crackling ball of lightning sparking in his palm. The bolt lashed forward and struck the cheetah square in the head. Prowlus flinched as blood and giblets splattered over him, his expression horrified. The sorcerer chuckled and stepped over the headless body of the cheetah warrior, towards Prowlus.
"A shame you had to die, isn't that right, Prowlus?"
Prowlus pushed himself shakily to his feet, and glared at the smirking mage with utter loathing.
"You... You're..."
Jaxar raised his staff, and swiped it at Prowlus's legs. It collided against his knees with a crunch, and the cheetah howled, toppling to the ground.
"I'm what?" Jaxar asked, his eyes bright with curiosity as he stood over the fallen cheetah.
"You're dead."
Jaxar blinked in surprise, and turned just in time to be struck by a ball of fire. He let out a startled gasp as he was flung, spinning into the air by the bolt, landing hard on his back. Jaxar groaned, his robes smoldering at the point of impact, the furred, scaly flesh blackened from the flames.
"Or you'll wish you'll be, once I'm done with you." Inferna snarled, bounding through the horde, glaring at the fallen sorcerer. Jaxar looked up, dazed. He stared dumbly as the ferans and panthers turned, pouring past him in droves as they were routed. The bloodied purple robed half-breed moaned, and tried to rise, but his injured leg gave out, and he slumped back onto the earth, panting.
"Well damn... It appears your surprise attack has left me completely unable to defend myself." Jaxar murmured, laying sprawled on the blackened earth. Around him, the forces of cheetahs, dragons and canines whooped and rushed after the retreating jungle folk.
"Good work Inferna." Terrador rumbled, emerging from the swarm of soldiers. "You deal with the magician, I'll take Prowlus back to camp."
"You are not carrying me there like a sack of turnips!" Prowlus objected as the Guardian of Stone lifted the cheetah king, and placed him carefully on his back.
"You aren't in much of a condition to argue, your highness." Terrador grunted, a small smile tugging at his eyes. "Hold on, it may get rough up there."
Inferna nodded to Terrador as he lifted off, ignoring the sharp rebukes from Prowlus as he flew away. Jaxar groaned, and rolled over onto his side, reaching for his fallen staff. He let out a sharp breath of pain as he was pressed to the ground by Inferna's paw.
"None of that now." She growled, her hazel eyes flashing. "I have some questions for you."
"Ask away." Jaxar grimaced, his eyes squeezed shut as her claws dug into his sides, her paw pressed against he burned flesh of his chest. "I'm not in a position to refuse."
"Excellent. Now, where's Lyrith?"
One of Jaxar's eyes opened a crack and he looked up at her with amusement.
"Lyrith?"
"Yes, the Albino. Where is he and what have you done with him? I know you're responsible for bringing him here. So talk."
"Not the question I had anticipated, but alright. I left him in a cell in my lab, I have plans for that boy. What's your relationship with him anyway? You're too old, so you can't be..."
Inferna snarled and pressed down harder, cutting Jaxar off. "I'm the one asking questions here, not you. Where is your lab?"
"Which one? I have many."
"Don't toy with me! Where is the one you're keeping Lyrith!"
"In a cave under a tree." Jaxar snickered, amused at her furious expression.
Inferna snarled, smoke billowing out from her nostrils. "I'll ask you one last time, if you don't answer straight, then I'll burn a sorcerer shaped hole in the ground."
Jaxar smiled and turned his gaze away from Inferna. Inferna frowned and turned to follow his gaze. Out of the foliage high above, a dark shape shot down, blurring through the branches of the trees, and dodging past clusters of combatants. Inferna's eyes widened as it raced towards her like a dark red comet, and she jumped out of the way. It shot past where she had been moments ago, and hit the ground. A spray of earth exploded upwards as it skidded along the forest floor, leaving a groove in the earth.
"I MISSHED!" Travix cursed, shaking the dirt off of its thick, blood red plates of armour, snorting.
Inferna turned to the dragon, snarling. Then she glanced over at the sorcerer, who was pulling himself into a sitting position several meters away.
"Travix! Good for you to come!" Jaxar called, waving weakly to the dragon. "I was beginning to wonder if you were too preoccupied to come help me out."
The blood armoured dragon padded over to his master, grimacing. "You're really meshed up, Jaxar. If neffer sheen you sho badly hurt."
Inferna stepped forward, growling. Travix sneered, and raised a paw. The blood coating his paw suddenly liquified, and shot forward. Inferna jerked to the side, and gasped as the spikes of blood slashed her shoulder, forcing her back. Travix turned back to Jaxar, who had somehow managed to rise to his feet and was leaning on his staff, panting.
"You wouldn't mind giving me a lift back to the palace, would you?" The sorcerer asked, smiling sweetly.
"Off courshe not." Travix grunted, stepping up beside the wavering sorcerer.
"No you don't!" Inferna hissed as Jaxar started to climb onto Travix's back. The purple clad magician turned as Inferna rushed forward, her eyes blazing. He smirked and raised his free hand, his fingers flickering and tracing a sharp rune into the air and flicked it at her. It struck her just as she began to inhale. Inferna opened his muzzle to blast the two with fire, but blinked in surprise when only a puff of smoke billowed out from her maw. Jaxar grinned as Travix took off, and saluted to the Guardian.
"I look forward to the day we may continue our conversation on more equal footing, Miss Guardian of the Flame! But until then, we must part ways!"
Inferna growled, and took off after the pair as they ascended into the trees, but was forced to descend as the archers above rained arrows down upon her. The red, flame patterned dragoness landed, spitting furiously as she pounded her paw into the earth, gazing up as the two vanished into the swarming melee above. After a few moments of glaring, she sighed and turned away, heading towards the closest cluster of combatants, her jaw clenched in frustration.
"Next time we meet, I won't hesitate to finish the job."
...
Ramolous panted as he gazed out over the blood drenched slums from one of the mighty trees, expression stark as he watched his warriors being routed. Around him, a dozen dragons lay slain, blood pouring in ribbons from their lacerated bodies. The city below was a flurry of motion, streams of Dragon Realm soldiers swarming steadily onward into the ramshackle dwellings easily overcoming all resistance they encountered. Vast gaps were forced open between his troops as they gathered to the pyres to demolish them, allowing the foe to simply slip through the holes and surround his warriors from all sides.
"Dammit!" The prince hissed, clenching his paw in helpless fury as the foe closed in around his people. "This isn't how it was supposed to happen!"
"My lord?" An armoured feran murmured, frightened as he stepped up to the prince. "We're being butchered! Please, call the retreat!"
"SILENCE!" Ramolous growled, turning on the feran, who jumped in shock. The prince snorted, and turned back, his gaze distant. He watched with growing horror as the people below slaughtered one another, a nauseating vice clenching his stomach. His fangs ground together as blood soaked into the earth below like water, staining the soil red.
Ramolous flinched as one of the feran fliers below was shot down and plummeted to the earth screaming. His revulsion swelled, and he tried to force it down, waves of confusion battering his mind as he wrestled with the sudden urge to be sick. Finally, unable to take the torment any longer, he turned away from the scene and stomped back into the palace.
"Call the retreat." Ramolous murmured, his head drooping low to the ground, shoulders slumped. The soldier hesitated, puzzled, and then nodded. Ramolous stopped at the palace entrance and waited, fangs clenched together as the screech of steel and deathly screams rent the air far below. Then, a brazen horn bellowed out over the sounds of combat. Ramolous sighed at the note and glanced down at the war below. The battle faltered momentarily as each side determined what was happening. The warriors of the Realms cheered as the ferans and panthers turned tail and fled, scurrying back up the trees to the city above. Ramolous sighed and stepped into the dark halls of the palace.
The dark crimson dragon padded solemnly up to his throne and fell onto it, slumping wearily. He watched through the open gates as the warrior scurried up back onto the branches of his city, swarming over the wooden streets back into the shelter of the mighty trees. The maned dragon sat in silence, eyes lidded, face in his paws as the sounds of the enemy below whooped and cheered as they ransacked the slums. Ramolous perked up as a blood soaked dragon entered the throne room, a hunched over figure slouching on his back.
"Jaxar?" Ramolous murmured, shocked. "What happened!"
Jaxar waved a gloved hand to the prince as he rose from his carved throne and slid off Travix. He stumbled as he hit the ground, and leaned on his staff for support.
"One of those Guardians got a lucky shot at me. I will live, but I won't be able to continue the fight, your grace." Jaxar wheezed, clutching at his side.
Ramolous sat back, dazed, staring at his advisor in shock. "Are you certain you don't need...?"
"No." Jaxar said, sharply. "I do not need attention. Several crystals and a few days rest will do me just as much good as the medicine and pandering of the court healers. Besides, we still have work to do."
"Yes, you're right." Ramolous sighed, standing and turning away from the pair. "Come, we should speak in private."
Jaxar nodded and took a wobbling step forward, before grimacing. He reached down into his pouch and produced several large life crystals. The sorcerer causally flicked them into his mouth and crunched down on them with his crooked fangs, swallowing the shards. Rejuvenated, the half-breed sorcerer took off after Ramolous, his stride gaining strength as he moved, Travix loping along behind him.
"Dammit!" Ramolus cursed, finally unable to hold himself back. He slammed a paw into the wall, spitting in rage. "Why aren't things going the way we planned!"
"That is the nature of things." Jaxar answered, his voice taking on a resonant, mysterious tone. "It is rare for anything to ever go according to plan."
"Cut that out!" Ramolous snarled shooting a glare back to the sorcerer as he pushed the door to his room open. "I'm not in the mood for your games!"
"As you wish, my lord." Jaxar said, dropping the mystic tone, a smirk flashing across his face, before melting away.
"I'd hoped that we'd at least be able to hold them off for a few days, before it'd come to this."
Jaxar stopped at the entrance of the room and watched as Ramolous flopped down on his bed, sighing.
"I wasn't prepared for this." The prince groaned, putting a paw to his forehead. "I've been away from it all for so long, that I've forgotten the horrors of war. And knowing that it was I that brought this down on so many is heartrending."
"Did you not anticipate this?" Jaxar asked, stepping into the room. He shut the door behind him, leaving Travix outside to guard the entrance.
"Yes, but I had forgotten what it meant." Ramolous sighed and rolled over on his bed, moping.
"So you're just going to give up? After everything we've gone through to get here? You're just going to let the purple and his minions have their way with your people? The world?"
"NO!" Ramolous shouted, jumping to his paws and whirling to face Jaxar. "Never! It is just that I can no longer allow my subjects to suffer for me. Too many have died already now. My goal has been accomplished, it is time to take responsibility for it."
Jaxar nodded, and stepped forward. "Do not put so much blame on yourself. Remember, this is for the greater good."
Ramolous took a deep, drawn out breath, and then let it out slowly. "Yes... yes you're right." The prince was silent for another moment, and then looked up at Jaxar. "Is it ready?"
Jaxar's expression cracked, his smile twisting into a frown. "I'm afraid not." The sorcerer raised a hand as he saw the rage fill Ramolous's face, to cut him off before he could speak out. "There are still too many variables, and you haven't been properly attuned to it yet for me to transfer the crystal's power completely over to you. The overload of power would just as likely kill you as give you the power you seek."
"So then what? Everything led up to this! I simply don't have the power to defeat the purple without aid!" Ramolous spat, turning away and stalking over to the window. "You've been working for three years on that crystal, ever since I sent you on that expedition to retrieve it! And for all this time, it still isn't ready?"
"It would be simple to transfer a small amount of its energy to you, my grace." Jaxar apologized, bowing. "But that would hardly be enough to defeat the purple, or his companions. "And it simply refuses to be receptive to your influence. It just isn't compatible with you in your current state."
Ramolous snorted, shaking his head.
"Do not fret too much, my lord." Jaxar said, soothingly, stepping up to the prince. "There is still the back up crystal. It is perfectly in-tuned with you, and will put you on even footing with even the mightiest of purples. It won't be a one sided fight, but your training with it should give you more than sufficient power to end the purple scourge before it burns you out."
Ramolous sighed once more, letting his anger die away. "Yes, once again, you're right. You've already done so much for me, I suppose I shouldn't be angry at you for this failure."
"I am grateful, your grace." Jaxar murmured, bowing with a flourish.
Ramolous smiled. He padded past Jaxar, over to the door. He glanced out of it, and spoke to Travix outside.
"Go fetch a courier. Bring one to me immediately." Ramolous ordered, his voice sharp and commanding. Then, Ramolous slammed the door in Travix's face, turning away. Jaxar forced back a laugh upon seeing his student's incredulous expression.
"Now, I suppose I should finish composing this." Ramolous grunted, taking a seat at his desk and pulling out a quill.
"My lord has taken up a hobby! Why was I never informed of this? What shall your great ballad be titled?" Jaxar chuckled, jokingly as he moved alongside the prince. Ramolous rolled his eyes, a smile cracking over his sombre expression.
"Yes, it shall be my honorary ballad for slaying the mighty purple! It will be named Ode to the Violet Slayer!"
Jaxar laughed, and Ramolous joined in. The prince sobered after a moment and shook his head.
"No, it is not a poem to commemorate my greatness. I doubt I will ever receive one once this is all over. If anything it will be a ballad reviling me, but I shall be content with such."
"Such is the fate of one who seeks the greater good, over the common good." Jaxar sighed wistfully.
Ramolous nodded in agreement. "Indeed."
The prince dipped his quill into a pot of ink, and started scribbling down on the parchment before him. Jaxar took a seat on one of the massive cushions of the bed and watched the prince work lazily. Several minutes later, a knock clattered at the door and Ramolous glanced up.
"Come in."
The door creaked open and a young feraness peered in. "My lord?"
"I said come in!" Ramolous barked, then his voice softened. "No need to be shy."
The feraness slipped in and bowed, swallowing hard. "R... reporting for duty, your majesty."
"I want you to deliver this letter to the commanding officers of the army. The one who has taken up residence downstairs." Ramolous murmured, slipping the letter into an envelope, and sealing it with a blob of wax. He pressed his signet ring into the wax, and waved the letter lightly in the air to let it cool faster.
The feraness swallowed hard. "Y... you want me to... I mean yes! Yes your majesty!"
Ramolous smiled. "Good. Make sure to bear a standard of truce when you approach. I do not want you to get killed, before or after you deliver the you have delivered it, return here immediately. We cannot trust them to uphold their hospitality to a flag of truce."
The feraness nodded, a scarlet flush of pride starting to spread across her cheeks as she accepted the letter. "It would be an honour, your majesty! I will make sure it reaches its destination."
Ramolous smiled as the courier turned and strutted from the room, then he turned to Jaxar.
"When she returns, if she returns, make sure she receives her reward." Ramolous tossed the sorcerer a small pouch and Jaxar caught it. He peeked in side and raised an eye brow. He shut the bag and bounced it in his hand, feeling the weight of the coins and gems in his palm.
"This is a dangerous mission, especially if the purple dragons are the ones to greet her, she should not go without compensation for her deed."
Jaxar nodded and rose, dusting off his robes. "Her valor will be justly rewarded, I assure you."
Ramolous smiled and gestured his thanks. Jaxar bowed and paced from the room. Ramolous let out a deep breath once the door had shut behind Jaxar and turned back to his desk. He sat there for a time, eyes shut, shoulders slumped as he steadied himself for what was to come. Then he sighed and stood, shaking his mane out. He reached around and unbraided the thick plait that fell across his shoulder, allowing the strands of hair to fall loosely about his head. The prince pulled off the thick fur cloak draped over his back and stood bare in the center of his room. His eyes closed shut as he breathed in the sweet scent from the floral candles scattered about his room.
Then, he opened his eyes and meandered over to the other side of his chamber, his eyes wandering over the rich furniture and decorations, taking everything in. He reached a small, dusty alcove where a pedestal was set, a tiny tombstone monument placed at the top with a vase of flowers. Ramolous sighed and kneeled, lowering his head to the ground so that his chin touched the wooden floor.
"It's been a while since I've prayed, ancestors." Ramolous admitted, letting out his pent up breath in a rush. "But now is the time I need your guidance more than ever." The prince waited, his eyes shut as he listened. There was no sound but the gust of wind blustering outside. "I know that I'm not the best of dragons, and that I've caused may horrible things in the past years, and I know I probably don't deserve your aid, but I still wish to ask." Ramolous paused again and then continued, urged on by the silence. "In a matter of days, I will be joining you, and that I will be judged for my actions on that day, but I wish to receive your blessing during my final hours. I will not beg, for I will not force myself upon your mercy should you find me unworthy, but this final comfort is all I ask of you."
Ramolous fell silent, raising his head to gaze up at the ceiling, his eyes distant. He waited for many long moments, inhaling deeply as he listened for a sign. Nothing came. He shut his eyes and bowed his head. "So be it. I will do all in my power to do what I believe is right, and whatever judgement you bestow upon me, I will accept with grace and dignity... And mother, if you're listening to me, I will see to it that no one suffers to them as you did. I swear."
Unable to think of anything else he wished to say, he padded back over to his bed and lay down on the soft cushions. He shut his eyes as he enjoyed the warm comfort of his embroidered bed, and snuggled deeper into it. Finally, after several more minutes he rose, and pushed aside the pillows to reveal the compartment embedded into the wood of the floor. Grunting, he shook his head, his unbound mane whipping around his head, the gold beads woven into his hair slipping free and fell to the ground twinkling. He snorted and turned away, swiping a paw and scattering the gold beads to the corners of his room. He padded over to his desk, and pulled out the key he kept hidden in the drawers. Key in paw, Ramolous slipped back to his bed and unlocked the safe, pulling out the pale crystal.
The feran prince examined it carefully, checking for any flaws in its pure white surface. Satisfied, he raised it up, cradling it to his chest.
"You are my last hope." Ramolous whispered, stroking the cool surface. He grimaced as he felt the cold pressure tug at his chest, but did not put the crystal down. "Please, do not fail me."
Finished his prayer, the large feran rose onto his hind paws and raised the crystal into the air, shutting his eyes as he focused upon it. The crystal flashed and wisps of colourless energy poured from it, wrapping around Ramolous's ivy tattooed forelegs, as it creeped down to his chest. The misty white energy stopped over his heart, and then abruptly dug deep into his flesh. Ramolous's eyes flashed open in shock, his muzzle falling open in agony as the crystal exploded with pale radiance, the mist flooding from the stone and into the prince's body.
Ramolous writhed in pain, muscles spasming as the power coursed through him, muzzle hanging open in a silent scream. Then, as soon as it had come, the surge ceased, the mist fading away into the prince's flesh. Ramolous staggered back, muscles twitching in the aftermath as he dropped the now grey stone, panting. The prince fell onto his bed, chest heaving as he tried vainly to calm his hammering heart, eyes shut tight, tears of pain trickling down his face. Slowly, he looked up, and raised his paws to his face. His once dark scarlet scales were now dulled to a light crimson, almost pink. Pale lines twisted in incomprehensible patterns over his forelegs and chest, bleaching his body with stains of white. A slow smile creeped over the prince's face and Ramolous laughed delightedly.
"Yes!" He groaned, rolling over onto his belly, his heart finally starting to slow. "Yes! That was... that was AMAZING!"
The door to Ramolous's room slammed open and a squad of panthers burst in, weapons raised.
"Your majesty!" The lead panther exclaimed. "Is everything all..." The warrior paused, frowning at the strange colours that made up Ramolous's body, confused.
"Yes, everything is alright." Ramolous grinned, rising to face the guards. "In fact, everything is perfect! Hah! Go on, return to your posts! We cannot have those sneaky evildoers bellow trying to catch us unawares, now can we?"
The soldiers glanced at each other puzzled, but obeyed. They filed out of the room, and the leader cast one last hesitant glance back before shutting the door. Ramolous sighed, the wide grin stretched across his muzzle fading.
"Two days from now." Ramolous whispered, laying back down on his bed. "Two days and everything will fall into place, and everything will be good once more..." Ramolous yawned and blinked, staring up at the wooden ceiling. Then he groaned and rose back up to his paws. "I suppose I should conduct my will. It is unlikely I will have another chance." The prince shuffled over to his desk once more, and yawned as he took a seat on the pillow. He produced a fresh quill and parchment and started scribbling.
"First, the lions share of my wealth will go to rebuilding the city and as an endowment for all those who lost family members because of my actions. The next portion shall go to..."
...
Jaxar breathed in the moist, warm air as he shut the door behind him and turned to face Travix. The blood dragon was leaning against the wall of the palace, gazing out over the balcony at the jungle below.
"I hate running errandsh like shome kind of page drake." The long fanged dragon grumbled unhappily, sitting up and stretching.
"Luckily you won't likely have to suffer that indignity again." Jaxar said, his lips peeled back over his crooked teeth in a wide grin. "At least, not to anyone other than me."
"You're tashks aren't menial jobsh, they're like gamesh." Travix murmured, snorting. "Actually fun."
"Well, if you're in the mood for a game, then I have a couple for you." Jaxar murmured, bouncing the pouch of coins in his hand. "I need you to go back to the lab and retrieve the white dragon and everything else of value in there. Kill everything in there, and then invert the wards. The explosion should cause enough of a distraction that you can escape back here with everything before they can find you."
"Exshellent!" Travix grinned, his fangs flashing in the rising moonlight as they padded away from the prince's chambers.
"Then, I want you to deliver our personal gratitude to the courier you just brought here, for her excellent service."
Travix turned to look at Jaxar, eying the bouncing pouch in his hand. Jaxar smirked and casually tossed the pouch over his shoulder, into the open air. It tumbled through the emptiness, down to the earth far below. Travix grinned wickedly.
"Shuch good shervishe should not go unrewarded, right mashter?"
"Right." The cowled mage agreed, a honey sweet smile creasing his face. "And the reward should fit the deed."
The wind rushed into the warehouse as the door was forced open. A small band of cheetahs, dragons and canines barged in, weapons at the ready, with fire, lighting and shadow crackling on the muzzles of the three drakes. Behind them, the cheers and whoops of their victorious army carried through the air as the soldiers looted and pillaged the lower city.
Seeing noone, the squad of ten soldiers quickly spread out to search the warehouse for anything of value they could take back with them to camp. The warehouse was filled with empty crates and barrels, broken planks of wood lying about on the ground. After several minutes of searching, a brawny husky dog growled and kicked at some planks, snarling in irritation.
"Great! Just great! Had to pick the big ware house. 'It's big' he says, 'got to have lots of stuff' he says! Look at what we got for our trouble: Nothing!"
"Ah, quit your moaning, mut." One of the cheetahs sighed, rubbing at his head with a gloved hand. "There has to be something here. There's no such thing as a completely empty ware house, especially one this big. We'll find something eventually."
"Yeah, maybe after a month or two." A grey furred feline grumbled bitterly, rolling his eyes. The first feline ignored him, and continued on, shoving over crates and barrles, hoping something would spill out.
"Hey, guys?" The black shadow dragon murmured tentatively, catching his squad's attention. "I... er... think I may have found something..."
"What is it?" The fire dragon grumbled, huffing, causing two rings of smoke to billow out of his nostrils as he moved up beside the black dragon. The black dragon nodded down the the crate in front of him and pushed it aside, revealing a trap door beneath it.
"Well well, now that is something." The husky grumbled, grinning as the others gathered around. They all stared down at the trap door for a moment, before the earth dragon grunted.
"You going to open it up, kid? You did find it after all."
"Oh... right." The shadow dragon said, smiling sheepishly. He grabbed the thick, iron ring attatched to the door and heaved. The trapdoor held for a fraction of a second, before finally giving way and swinging open. A burst of dust and fetid air gushed out, causing the shadow drake to stagger back, coughing. The others laughed and then crowded around to look down. A long, narrow staircase greeted them, leading down into the darkness far below. The shadow dragon glanced up at his companions. They gestured for him to go first. The shadow drake swallowed nervously and started down, his eyes straining for any sign of light.
The darkness pressed down on the squad as they marched down the stairs, the three dragons just barely fitting into the tight gap. Faint noises echoed up the stair well, barely discernable as they rebounded against the walls. A mere speck of light shone in the distance, letting the ten know that something did actually lay beyond, at the very end of the tunnel. Finally, after many long minutes of wandering, they came to a small chamber, lit by two tiny lanturns.
Moving cautiously, the armoured husky drew his sword and crept up to the single door leading onward. The mut glanced behind him as he gripped the handle in one hand, checking to see if his allies were ready to back him up. Then, he threw open the door and leapt out, brandishing his sword. He was faced with a long, dark cellar hall, with multiple doors lining the span of the corridor. Seeing that there was nobody there, the soldiers relaxed, letting their blades and claws drop from the readied position. The husky pushed on ahead, his eyes scanning the hall as the shadow drake picked up one of the lanturns from the first room, to help light their way.
"Looks like this place was guarded." The fire drake muttered, gazing at the stool sitting against one side of the hall, the red dragon grabbing a flagon sitting at its side. "There's still booze in this. Whoever was here must've left in a hurry."
"The doors are locked!" The grey furred feline huffed, kicking at the steel doors. "Dammit!"
"Calm down, there's got to be a key in here somewhere. There's always a spare." The cheetah leader spat, walking down the length of the hall, towards the thick door on the other side. "You guys keep a look out for anything of value here. I'll go on ahead and see if I can find the keys. If anything comes up, I'll give you all a shout."
"Gotcha sarge!" A spear bearing golden retriever barked from the back, saluting the cheetah. They then turned back to searching the hall, looking for anything valuable enough to carry with them.
The cheetah leader moved on ahead, holding his spear at the ready as he continued down, the others spreading out to search the area, all on the alert. He reached the door and cautiously opened it, wincing as it creaked loudly. He waited a moment, weapon at the ready in case someone inside had heard the sound. When nothing happened, the cheetah sighed in relief and pushed open the door, still not relaxing his grip on his spear. The floor of the room inside was covered with shattered glass and broken wood. Chairs and tables were overturned, and various strange tools and devices lay amongst the wreckage, forgotten by whomever had destroyed the room.
The feline grunted, grimacing. "Great, finding keys here will be a pain." The cheetah set the butt of his staff on the ground once more and used it to push aside the wreckage, searching for any spare set of keys that might have fallen to the ground. Seeing nothing after a couple minutes of searching through the garbage, the sergeant sighed and moved to the cupboards, the only furniture in the room that remained standing upright.. The cheetah jerked open one of the drawers and glanced down into it. He blinked in surprise. Inside lay a set of keys, attached to a thick ring.
"Huh, first try. Lucky." The cheetah murmured, grabbing the keys and moving back to the hallway. "Got the keys, men!" He shouted down the hall. The soldiers whooped, having stopped searching the empty hallway to rest. They rose and quickly crowded around their sergeant, who pushed them aside. "Alright alright. Don't get in my way." He growled, prying open the ring to slide the keys off. "Each of you take a key and try to find out what it opens. Check the doors first."
The soldiers nodded in agreement, taking the keys and moving to check the doors. The cheetah watched as the soldiers shuffled around, most having to trade positions to check other doors. One or two managed to open them, but they were empty. The sergeant decided to sit down on the stool and lay back, grateful to get a moment of relaxation after weeks of marching and fighting. He picked up the flagon of booze and inspected it, trying to decide if it was worth taking a sip.
A sudden choking sound caught his attention,and he dropped the flagon, standing, the ceramic jug shattering on the ground as he grabbed his spear. Everyone stopped at the sound of the shadow drake taking a step back from one of the doors he had opened, a paw clenched over his muzzle.
"What is it?" The sergeant demanded, shoving his way over to the black dragon, to look inside. The black dragon shook his head, his eyes wide as he stared at what lay in the cell, jumping back with a squeak of fright as several fat, hairy spiders skittered out. The cheetah stomped on them as they tried to crawl under him and shoved the black dragon away to look in. He grimaced.
Laying in a corner of the cell, was a small dragon, though it was hard to tell his exact size due to the vicious swelling from the dozens of spider bites covering his body. Greenish spider guts covered his body from where he had obviously been thrashing, but his white scales still shone through. The Albino's body was ridged and frozen, with his paws raised up over his face, which was twisted into an expression of utter horror, his muzzle agape and glazed eyes wide and unblinking.
"Think... think he's still alive?" The earth dragon muttered behind the sargent as the cheetah slunk in, dropping his spear to inspect the poor dragon. Wiping away the goo with a gloved hand, the cheetah pressed an ear to the white dragon's swollen chest. He waited a moment before replying.
"He's alive. His heart's still beating strong, but it's weirdly erratic." The cheetah lifted his head away, and grasped one of the Albino's paws, trying to wrest it down, but failing. "Seems paralyzed, must be the spider venom." The sargent waved a hand over the Albino's unblinking eyes and sighed when they didn't follow the action, remaining fixed on the ceiling.
"Hey, aren't the guardians looking for an Albino?" The husky grunted from the entrance of the cell.
"Yeah, they are. Wonder if this is the guy?" The sergeant huffed rising to his feet, brushing off the dust from his jerken and pants. "Pick'im up. We'll take him to the clinic and see if they can take care of him. There's nothing else worth while here as it is. If it does turn out to be the same Albino, there might be a reward in it for us."
"Aye aye sir." The soldiers barked, saluting as the cheetah left the cell. They quickly moved in and hefted the unmoving colourless dragon onto the earth dragon's back. They lashed him into place and then quickly marched out, heading back up into the warehouse, figuring they had spent enough time away from the rest of the army as it was. The squad rushed out of the warehouse, jogging in formation around the earth dragon and Albino, heading straight for the clinic.
As the soldiers rounded the bend, disappearing from sight, a black and red striped dragon landed in front of the warehouse, his enourmous fangs glinting in the sunlight. The dragon glanced around, checking to see if anyone was watching and then rushed into the warehouse. He slunk away into the shadows, to do his master's bidding, not knowing that he was already too late.
Dardarax's Characters:
Inferna, Aephion.
Jaxar, Travix, Ramolus, Kaiser
Lyrith
This chapter is dedicated to my loving Grandma, who passed away not that long ago. I'll miss you Gramma. ;_;
Well, this chapter was a doozy. I had a lot of fun with this, especially the parts with Jaxar, and Ramolous. ^^ Though Travix's scene was annoying me to no end for the longest time. :/ There was actually going to be another scene added onto this chapter, which would have introduced a new character, however, since the character was relatively pointless, I decided to cut him, and his fight scene with Hunter (which was the only reason I even remotely considered keeping him at this point, he was the reason I was being held back for so long). The character is still in the chapter, he just no longer has a name, backstory or major role in the chapter; he was the Panther Marshal Ramolous was talking to near the beginning. I had to specifically change around the dialogue when removing his character, so it isn't exactly as it was originally intended, but that's fine, he would probably have only appeared twice in the entire story anyways.
So, the story behind this chapter is fairly interesting. You see, I was originally not looking forward to this chapter at all. It was basically, in my eyes, simply going to be another chapter 25, but without the drama, a cliff hanger ending, or the epic battle between Jaxar, Spyro, Cynder and the Behemoth. I didn't want to make just another war scene, I wanted to make this more unique. So, after sitting there contemplating for a while, I got an idea: "What if I did this chapter, not by the attacker's point of view, but the defenders. What if I switched the point of view around for just once, and made the bad guys the characters fighting against the good guys?" And there I had it, a unique, interesting chapter to write. This chapter also gives you all a much better view of Ramolous, which was sorely lacking up to this point. Up till now he's done bascially nothing, and has only plotted and ordered Jaxar around. Now you have a (slightly) better idea what this rouge feran is like. ^^ Excellent!
So, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It was a long time in coming, and I'm glad I can finally get it done, so I can move on. Next is chapter 29 (in case you can't count), which is, in my opinion, the second most important chapter in Dark Legacy, right after 26. The only reason 26 beat it, is because chapter 26 is key to the plot, and has a great deal of valuble information related to the plot involved in it. 29 however is less about the plot, and more about Lyrith. The difference in importance is by a mere hair's breath though, and the importance can quite easily be debated either way.
Thanks for reading. ^_^
Ps. Happy (late by two days) Birthday Deeth! ^.^
