Cynder and Spyro continued explaining to Ventor and the other unaware elites about their war with the Dark master. They talked about how he resurrected the Destroyer, a massive ancient Golem, with its height and size relatable to the tallest of Earth's mountains. Ventor wondered if an attack made by a Battlecruiser would even scratch a creature with the size of those proportions.

"That monster would be larger than any Flood Gravemind. I'd never send any troop or vehicle to go against that thing" Odesa could only imagine what it'd look like.

"Cynder had the idea to destroy a damn that could flood the canyon that the Destroyer had to walk through. For the most part, it worked. We attacked and even destroyed it's inner heart" the purple dragon continued to explain their battle against the monster, describing everything he remembered that day.

"That thing had a heart?" Jabjab exclaimed.

"A dark crystal heart. Still, even though we did destroy its source of living, but somehow, it still kept going and it completed the ring of fire...I was almost heart stricken" Cynder shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, "so we had to go through the Belt of fire and stop Malefor himself. It seemed like the only way to halt the end of the world".

"Foolish, but brave" Savarsu commented.

"We got through the fire though, with some help..." Spyro didn't want to tell them about Ignitus' fate, even if Thel and Darst already knew about it. He couldn't bring himself to talk about it again, "and from there, we went through the burned lands and reached Malefor's lair".

Tetrestu was listening in very closely. He didn't draw his eyes towards them, staring down at the table, but he did keep an open ear.

"When we got there, he tried to make us turn against our goal to stop him and instead let that whole nightmare continue, but we refused, defied him. Then he did something I never thought he could do" Spyro fully remembered the moment he temporarily controlled Cynder, turning her into the creature Arbiter had seen at the Shadow of Intent.

"He turned you into that dark being, didn't he?" Thel looked down at his dragoness partner.

"I rather be dead than having to be controlled by him again...I was made to hurt a close friend...more than just a friend from that moment onwards anyway" Cynder drew her eyes towards Spyro. He could always recognise that loving smile behind the normal one she was using as cover.

"Ungg, this is really boring me! All this lovey dovey crap is gonna make me puke my dinner out! I'm gonna check on the worm guys, all they do is stand out in the cold and look tough and mean" Jabjab jumped out of his seat, having enough of the story. He opened the front door and exited the building, leaving Yapflop to take the last bite of Jabjab's food.

"Bye bye!" Yapflop shouted.

Thel shook his head, annoyed by Jabjab's ignorance. Suddenly, a shadow went over his backside, and wondering who was behind him, he made a u-turn of his and to his surprise, it was Hunter, the cheetah he hadn't seen for a while, ever since leaving Warfang to find and rescue Cynder.

"Hunter? Haven't seen you since I left the city" Thel cheerfully spoke, standing up from his chair and shaking hands with the cheetah warrior.

"Good to see your still kicking, that speech you made in front of everyone has inspired almost all of Warfang to join the battle against Magnaruckus' forces, some citizens have even started doing a bit of training" Hunter acknowledged that Arbiter had done his job and now there will be more warriors to fight alongside the resistance.

Thel crossed his arms, "It's the only morale I could give them, I'm surprised they listened to me. To them, I'm just a creature from another world".

Hunter smirked, "After that speech, everyone would consider you and your race as honourable and strong warriors. They have accepted elites as part of their community and daily lives" he looked over to the moles who were minding their own business, every time they'd see an elite, they would treat them like any other person would, politely and kindly.

"That's good to know then, it's always nice to have more people that are kind to you. It was iffy when we first came here" Arbiter reminded Hunter.

"That it was. Afternoon Spyro, Cynder...Cynder?" the caped cheetah looked over to his dragon friends and comrades of battle, but was stunned when he saw the dragoness' armour.

"Hey Hunter" Spyro replied cheerfully.

"Good afternoon Hunter...are you ok?" she raised her left brow.

Hunter shook his head to get out of the stun, "Am I seeing things or are you wearing a cut up version of Thel's armour?".

"Heh, the moles made it for me, tomorrow is when I fully put it to good use" she lifted her right forearm and twisted it around, looking up to Hunter after getting a good show of it.

"I must say, the moles have outdone themselves this time. I bid you hope that it will protect you from whatever the Jiralhanae will throw at us" Hunter's dark green eyes looked around the table, "I'm sorry to interrupt but I must talk with Thel for a moment" he requested.

"No need to apologise. Arbiter?" Darst looked at Vadam, already knowing his objective.

"One minute everyone" Thel walked outside with the cheetah, Cynder having to watch him go. She didn't mind at all, at least Spyro was with her...and someone else that came with Hunter.

"Yo what's up?" Sparx flew around the table.

"Err...hey Sparx" the purple dragon's voice was a bit sceptical having him here.

"Who are you exactly?" Savarsu asked.

Darst facepalmed over his right mandibles, "Here we go..."

Thel and Hunter stopped in the middle of the street, all dark and quiet with no voices except for the ones within the surrounding buildings. Stars was glittering all over the sky and the moons can be seen high above the duo. That same cold breeze kept passing by.

"What is it Hunter?" Thel asked, as if it could be urgent.

His head curved left and right, checking behind his back before replying the Sangheili warrior.

"Those weapons you brought back are working fine, some of mine and Prowlus' warriors have half of them but others preferred to keep bows and arrows, and sticking to swords. All of the moles troops are ready, all in their barracks right now" Hunter explained the situation within their arsenal, "We have enough of our own weapons that we could hand out to the entire city, but if those elites inside are gonna get their own tech in their own hands, it's best you tell them to grab their weapons of choice. We can't be too cautious now the battle is just around the corner".

Thel huffed at this information, nodding his head, "I'll tell them to choose their weapons right now then" Arbiter turned around and started walking into the restaurant, but Hunter reached out for Thel's right shoulder.

"That's not what I was urged to tell you though" Thel came back around and listened, "Prowlus sent one our warriors to scout the outside perimeter today mid morning, one of our finest...he never came back" Hunter's tone sounded concerned now.

"Today mid morning? How far was he out?" Thel needed to know everything, something might not be right.

"By now, he could've gotten to where the Shadow crashed or even further, but he was one our best, that cheetah covered his tracks wherever he went and always knew the way back. There's no way he would've gotten lost" the concerned and close to nervous cheetah paced near Thel, "Only two explanations for this, he was either found and killed by a large group of Grublins...or the Brutes are closing in much faster than we're really expecting..." Hunter shuddered, as if he was feeling the Brute presence coming closer. Thel growled within his neck.

"Damn it, Magnaruckus probably lied...who was it that Prowlus sent?" Thel asked curiously.

Hunter felt something clogged in his throat, feeling a hint of anxiety welling in him. He brought up the courage to say it, "His name is Meadow. Prowlus sent him because Meadow has experience wandering these lands...he insistently volunteered to do this" Hunter aggrievedly sighed. There's a number of ways about what happened to his fellow feline comrade, but Brutes were the most obviously blamed reason.

"Meadow...the same one Spyro and Cynder found and rescued during the war days?" Thel remembered seeing Meadow multiple times, most prominently when he first met the cheetah warriors.

"The very same..." Hunter confirmed.

Arbiter drew his left hand over his face, sighing and shaking his head. Knowing that they had to be told, Vadam gave Hunter a specific order.

"Break the news everyone inside the restaurant, then go tell the dragon guardians. The Lekgolo and some moles are still on watch in case they see something, so if Magnaruckus has lied about their arrival, we'll be immediately notified" Arbiter wanted to keep continual survey of the city surroundings. If Meadow has been captured or killed by the Brutes during the afternoon, they're much closer than predicted and the defences have to be ready in case something goes wrong.

"We aren't going to mobilize?" Hunter thought Thel was going to have everyone geared up and ready.

"Not until we see the threat in full preparation. If we set up everything, and if we're wrong, everyone will be tired by morning, and that's no good when it comes to awareness of a battlefield...which this city is soon about to be" Thel looked around. Buildings will fall, depending on where the savage monsters fire their weapons of annihilation. Hunter nodded his head.

"I see. Guess it's time to tell the others then" the red caped cheetah walked back to the front door, looking back at Vadam, "Aren't you coming back in?".

"Only for a moment. I need to say my temporary farewell to Cynder and the others. I need to check on those Hunters anyway...I meant the Lekgolo" Arby pinpointed out.

"I knew what you meant, no worries there" Hunter opened the door for themselves to go back in.

"You two are brave creatures, surviving all of that...not one of us has those kinds of experiences" Savarsu was glad to fully listen to the dragon's story.

"Well...maybe there's one exception to that" Cynder smirked, drawing her attention to the door. Everyone else at the table did the same, seeing Thel and Hunter walk back in. Hunter gulped down any saliva stuck in his throat.

Darst was the first to ask, "So what were you two talking about out there?"

Arbiter sighed, turning to Hunter.

"...I told Thel about the cheetah's current situation with using your weapons and technology, and so far, only half the weapons have been taken. Other cheetahs have decided to keep their swords, bows and arrows at their side" Hunter repeated what he told to Thel.

"If you're going to choose your weapons Sangheili, I suggest you head to the armoury and take whatever you want" Thel ordered them, giving them the decision to choose the weapons of their choice.

"Neat, I want a Fuel rod" Tesk wanted to go with power, but Ventor declined his request.

"You'll be driving that Locust young Raskar, you don't need a Fuel rod gun. A Plasma rifle or Carbine would suit you better if you're ever going to be jumping out of the machine" Tesk's captain suggested to the young blood warrior. A moan of annoyance came out of Tesk's mouth.

"But there is something I have to tell you all, something that Spyro and Cynder need to hear. Thel though says he needs to leave" Hunter was about to inform them about Meadow, in which Arbiter took this as the chance to say a little goodbye.

"Everyone, I'm sorry about this, but I must check on the Lekgolo. Thank you for everything, it's been nice to see some familiar faces at the same table" Arby was about to depart, surprising Cynder, Yapflop and Darst.

"You're leaving? Can't you stay just a little longer?" Cynder wanted her unofficial Sangheili brother to stay at the table with her, and knowing if he goes, it might be the last time she really talks to him face to face.

"I can't, and Hunter will explain why. Darst, Spyro, Cynder, and everyone else, I hope to see all of you ready for battle the next time we reunite. Get some sleep everyone, you'll need it" it was to be noticed that Arbiter was concerned for all their safety. He knows that will people will die, but knowing who will depends on how fate will reveal it.

"Hmm...ok Thel, see you in the morning. Let us hope luck is still with us by then" Darst spoke out to the departing Arbiter, thinking and hoping the very same thing.

Cynder waved her right forepaw to Thel, but he had missed her act when his back was turned to her. She'd suddenly felt disappointed. Usually Thel would look back at her at certain times. She thought to herself then "Maybe he just has too much time to worry about her when he has a whole city looking up to him for guidance against the Jiralhanae. I don't blame him"

She looked up to Hunter, "So what's going on? Is there a problem?".

Hunter started speaking in front of the group, still grieving over their loss, "Prowlus sent Meadow far outside of the walls today mid-morning, just after Thel's speech. He volunteered to scout far out into the wilderness and come back when he found where the Brutes were setting up their assault, then come back to report...he never came back".

The instant devastation hit Spyro and Cynder hard. Their gapped mouths told Hunter that they could not believe this. How could Prowlus even let Meadow go on a mission like that, let alone it was his idea. Sparx eyes were wider than ever.

"You mean...the guy we helped get back to your half destroyed village? that guy who had a broken leg?" Sparx finger quoted broken leg.

"Yes. We expected to see him come back tonight...but it's been too long" Hunter lowered his head down at the floor, leaning forward on the table, feeling nothing but angst inside his heart.

"Meadow...no, not Meadow" Cynder shut her eyes, grinding her teeth with the urge to kill whoever has taken him, or worse. Spyro noticed her anger, and he had to make sure she kept her temper cool, otherwise risking her other side come out uninvited.

He wrapped his left wing around, grabbing the black dragoness's attention, "Let's not have another Shadow of Intent. But still, what was the point of sending Meadow out there in the first place!" Spyro's roaring voice got the moles to all turn around, scared off by the purple dragon, and some getting out of their seats and backing away.

"I told you Spyro, Meadow volunteered to do it!" Hunter responded with the exact same tone, but Darst stood up himself, being taller and more fearsome looking than the other two.

"Then why didn't you step in and go against the cheetah's idea?" Kino's low but deep Sangheili voice was enough to make almost anyone give him answers. Hunter sighed and wiped his eyes.

"I did, but the other warriors and Prowlus thought it would benefit us knowing their entire force, counting out how many troops, vehicles and aircraft, then pinpointing their location in addition to how long they could get to the city with an estimated time. If he'd came back, we might've set traps up for Magnaruckus and the rest of them" Hunter had fully explained the reasons of Meadow's mission, but Ventor jumped up and slammed his fist onto the table.

"You're a fool then! You can never spring traps effectively against Brutes, especially if there's going to be huge numbers of them! Not to mention, they also have a Scarab" Ventor knew Brutes were not easy to bring down with traps, it's brutality that's going to be the decider for both the invaders and the defenders.

"We could've at least tried though!" Hunter yelled at Ventor, quite aggressively.

"Guys, calm down" Tesk didn't like the argument that started unfolding, but they ignored him completely. Veartra helped Tesk with this situation, standing up and looking at her officer.

"Ventor! Sit down!" she hissed at her captain, immediately shutting him up and sitting back down, with mumbling growls, "Hunter, it may not be your fault, but the Brutes have now either killed your associate or captured him and tried to gather information" here, she couldn't comprehend the consequences of Meadow's aftermath.

"If they captured him, he'd never give out information. Even to the most menacing of foes. And if they did kill him...I just hope his death was quick and painless" Hunter sighed, sitting in a chair behind him.

Not one word was spoken after Hunter's, only cricket chirps took over until Sparx and Yapflop interrupted.

"Umm...we cool now guys?" Sparx had both of his hands raised, hoping the shouting and yelling stopped.

"I'm cool" Yapflop smiled gleefully like a 5 year old.

"Hmph, takes a female to quiet down arguments..." Savarsu had death stares from not only Veartra, but Cynder also looked a bit offended by that, "What?".

Darst pushed in his chair and walked by the elites side of the table, "Either way, Meadow is lost to us. But why bicker over this when the real enemy is out there and coming for our blood" his tone of voice sounded militaristic.

Spyro nodded, thinking similarly, "Exactly. Remember what Thel said? We have to put aside our differences. It's sad about what's happened to Meadow..." Spyro had his down, but Cynder took over.

"But we must add that as fuel to the fire, that being our resistance, and exact payback for what the Jiralhanae has done to us over the past week. We've already lost a few too many friends, so I say we show those monsters everything we got" she jumped on top of the table, "And give them one last battle to the death if we have to".

"I am with Darst and the Dragons. They speak with honour and pride. Thel wouldn't like to see this happening during the fight tomorrow" Tetrestu willingly stood up, looking directly at the crimson zealot, determined to destroy Brute forces. Kino nodded at the once formerly silent elite.

Darst placed his right hand onto Hunter's left shoulder, grabbing his attention, "I'm sorry for your loss. But tomorrow, there will be casualties, so we must take it and fight back with all our might to ensure we will see the next day. Go and tell the guardians about this, but don't let this recent event cause you to lose your fighting spirit. We need everyone at their best tomorrow" the Sangheili's words sounded sincere, giving the cheetah some hope back.

Hunter got up and cleared his throat, "I don't plan on losing that spirit Darst Kino. Expect to see me taking down your...our...enemies together" and he promised just that. Darst responded with a respectable smile.

Sparx flew around the cheetah and the elite, "Hey, don't both of you have jobs to do now?".

Darst and Hunter instantly turned to each other.

"I better be off then. Spyro, Cynder, take care. I hope everyone else has a good night" the noble cheetah bid his farewells to everyone, opening the door and leaving the building, going into the cold dark night.

"See you tomorrow Hunter..." Spyro murmured to himself.

"Alright elites, get to the armoury, choose your weapons carefully and find a room at the Grand Atrium to sleep in tonight. It's going to be a rough day tomorrow" Darst circled around, looking at the others, who were getting up from the table to leave the restaurant themselves, but not before Tesk talks to Veartra.

"Hey, thanks for the bit of help with Ventor and the cheetah" the young but mature enough Raskar said to the female Sangheili.

"They needed to calm down a bit, it's hard enough trying to fight Brutes" she smirked at him. Suddenly, Tesk seemed immediately shy towards her. He was the exact same height at Veartra. Some differences between them were Veartra's thinner body structure and more curved armour, plus, Tesk's armour was a lighter blue. She had a darker blue with a tint of purple.

"Umm...are you alright in the head Tesk?" she asked him because he was just staring at her. His hearts started pounding erratically for some reason. He shook his head, ridding of the daze.

"Guh, sorry. I think we better get going" Tesk passed by her, walking quickly to get to the door. Veartra raised both of her brows, "What's wrong with him?".

Spyro, Cynder and Yapflop all went to leave as well, but Sparx flew right in front of them, quickly grabbing their attention just for one moment.

"I better catch up with the cat then. Cynder, I'm going to give this one warning: Don't do something 'intimate' with Spyro tonight or I will know" he pointed at her, not needing to go into full details.

"Excuse me? What do you mean by that Sparx?" Cynder narrowed her eyes down. She didn't seem all to happy with that warning, but doesn't know what he meant specifically.

"Just don't...Ngrr! just don't do anything stupid!".

Spyro decided to step into this, "Sparx, it's not your business about what me and Cynder do in our own time. And if you're thinking what I think you're thinking, WE CAN'T DO THAT YET!" Sparx's purple brother tried to make that very clear to the dragonfly.

"Whatever, just a warning" Sparx flew out of building's slightly opened front window.

"(Sigh) Still the pain he is" Cynder shook her head.

"What was he talking about?" Yapflop curiously asked, unaware of what it was about. Both young Dragons said to him with one word:

"NOTHING!".

Yapflop was speechless.

Cynder felt a bit bad for shouting at Yapflop. He didn't do anything, and he's been through as much as she has. The dragoness drew her right wing over her.

"Sorry Yapflop. I think you should go find Jabjab on top of the city walls, I'm sure he could use your company" she smiled cheerfully at him.

"Ok, bye bye!" Yapflop waddled like a child outside, and ran freely to the walls.

"Spyro, I have to go find Thel. Meet me at my room inside the Atrium and wait for me there" Cynder turned to her purple pride and joy. He wondered why she had to see him at this kind of night, there's nothing too important on right now.

"How come?".

"I just need to see him. Don't worry, I'll be back very soon. You just go to my room, it should be nice and warm in there, ok?" both of them walked outside, feeling the instant chills of the night.

"Brrr! Alright, be safe then" he gave her a quick nuzzle on her left cheek then took off into the sky, heading for the massive centre building of the city.

Cynder, now alone, had to find Thel. He never told where he was going, nor why he left without explaining his real reasons. She took off from the ground and her wings were suddenly strained by the weight of her armour, barely controlling how high she actually was. The coldness wasn't helping either.

"(Shivers) Darn these freezing temperatures!" her sharp pointed and edged teeth chattered quickly in response to the unforgiving cold.

"If I was a Sangheili who had a dragoness friend and is an Arbiter, where would I be..." she looked along the ground pathways, around buildings of all sorts.

She flew above the infirmary, going inside to find out. But he wasn't there...Clin was though. She checked to see if Arbiter could be at the resistance vehicle lot, but when she got there, no Thel Vadam in sight. Then she tried checking around the Blacksmith building. Again, Thel's not there. She started to get concerned, he left no trail behind, his whereabouts are unknown. He didn't even tell Hunter anything before leaving.

"(Teeth continue to chatter) where would Thel be at this time of night!...wait a minute..." she started to remember when Thel first came to the city, many days ago. When the sun was setting, she and Arby sat on the small field together..."He's there! Of course!" she curved her flight path around, creating a massive u-turn.

No one could see the dragoness up in the sky, she was blended in with the night sky. A truly remarkable dragoness, looking down onto the great city below her. Suddenly, seeing the field, she saw a tiny glint of shine reacting to the moonlight. She swooped in with clarity and grace, breaking through the cold and it's night. Spreading open her wings like a parachute, she glided down to the ground, landing perfectly onto the cobblestones.

He was calmly sitting there, by the tree. Cynder noticed something drastically different about the tree though, it lots of leaves on it before. Now, just one tiny piece of green sat there, just to be suddenly blown off by the breeze and falling down in front of Cynder. She frowned at the sight.

"Thel?" she quietly called to him.

No response. Was he asleep? she couldn't really tell, as she was behind him. She carefully treaded upon the hill, closer and closer to Vadam until she sat next to him.

"Everyone is counting on my Cynder...I don't know if I can uphold that promise with already a few gone..." his voice sounded regretful, disturbing, but mildly truthful. She looked up to him, not surprised by the sudden voice and words.

"Meadow and Shin may be gone...Rtas and Kintra too...and your kind may have had that traitorous Shenko getting you into this mess. But Thel?" he looked down to her, "...I'm more than confident that we'll defeat Magnaruckus and all those savages...the bigger they are, the harder they fall"...

Tension is building up still! thank you to everyone who once again waited, thanks to my reviewers for still getting me up to that 100 reviews and thanks to my Deviantart friends who kept me going at this story. I'm not gonna give up yet.

Review and comment, as always, have a nice day.