-IHTYNA NWO TON OD I :REMAILCSID

...TNEMOM A NO DLOH .TIHS

There! Fixed the blasted thing, I was typing normally but was writing it backwards! Well, to be fair I was reading this while looking at a mirror... oops. Anyway, on with the story.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING OR ANYONE IN THE SPYRO UNIVERSE. ONLY MY OCS.

Chapter 46: The Blood-Soaked Shade

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"I will not be defeated! Not by the likes of you! You humans were a problem back when my ancestor, Sarvax, helped devise the plan to eradicate every last one of you and you are a problem now!" Neal froze, suddenly understanding what Axian had just said. Axian continued however, frost and ice beginning to build over his scales as he prepared to unleash a full-power Ice Fury.

"I am Axian, last descendant of Councilor Sarvax, and last of his bloodline! You humans are beneath me! You dragons who would ally with them, befriend them, mate with them! You are all TRAITORS to your race! Malefor will return, and with his return, humanity will finally be reduced to ash as it should have been all those centuries ago!"

Then, at that moment, a flash of magic momentarily blinded the group and Neal faintly saw Bianca amongst a group of apes. Geist was at the forefront and in his hand... was the Astral Sword.

Geist strode towards Axian and grimaced as Axian saw the blade and fear registered on his muzzle.

"Axian, I am Known as Geist, but I have another name. I am the youngest son of Gaul, the Ape King, and I share his name. You and Malefor have trod upon us for the last time, and now, with this blade, we shall end you!"

Geist, Gaul, threw the sword at Axian and pierced his chest , sinking effortlessly into the dragon's body to the hilt.

To Neal's horror, it was exactly as Eve had described it. The sword easily glided through the scales and bone, slicing Axian's heart in half as the blade passed through almost as if it was guided to it. Worse however, was how the light in Axian's eye started to grow dim, but suddenly the entire eye went jet black.

Axian's head jerked back, his entire body going rigid, and a scream the likes of which Neal had never heard, or thought possible for a living creature to make, erupted from Axian's maw. The scream was one of absolute dispair, fear, anguish, pain, and hopelessness and despite himself, he suddenly began to feel sorrow at what he was witnessing.

Then, the body fell to the side and was silent, but black fog began bubbling up from the wound around the sword as if something inside was being burned. Then, every single scale on Axian's body cracked as if it were made of fine glass. Blood oozed up from in between the scales and the body seemed to decay and shrivel up right before their eyes.

Within moments, Axian was little more than a bag of scales and bones, seemingly mummified in the span of seconds, the sword still protruding from his chest and glowing ominously as if somehow pleased with itself.

The display was so grotesque that even Gaul backed away in fear, cursing himself for a fool and demanding answers from Goro and Bianca who were just as horrified as everyone else. One by one the dragons descended into the ruins but none went near Axian for fear the sword might actually have a mind of its own and seek to slay them. Neal cradled Domino, Rivet and had a comforting hand on Frost, his eyes locked on the remains.

Axian's body was dead, that much was certain. What Neal, and everyone else, had just witnessed, was the undeniable death of Axian's soul...

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Within moments of Axian's passing, a pitch black miasma began to radiate outward from the sword, which, to Neal's eyes, began to shake and twist and vibrate as if it were actually alive.

As if it were reveling in accomplishing what it was meant to do. A sword forged with one purpose, one use:

To kill dragons...

Gone was the apparent beauty and elegance of the blade. Now, to Neal's eyes, it was an abomination, a horrid thing that should never have been brought into the world. He felt queasy at the mere sight of it buried in Axian's chest.

Then, as if to add to the horror, the black miasma began spreading all across Axian's desicated remains, turning the shattered scales black with decay and slowly making the body crumble itself into dust. This event lasted only moments before all that remained was the sword, still hanging in the air as if impaled in the body. Then, slowly, somewhat lazily, the sword floated back into Geist's general direction and laid itself at his feet.

If the situation hadn't been so dire, Neal would have laughed at how quickly Geist backpedaled from the blade, almost tripping over his own two feet. Instead, Danny broke from the stunned stupor he was in and went towards Geist and grabbed him by the collar of his tunic and looked the stunned ape in the face.

"Just what the ever loving fuck have you DONE?!"

When Geist offered no answer but stammered something incoherant, Danny looked to Goro, the same furious expression still on his face. In fact, Neal was sure he saw veins bulging in Danny's neck and forehead.

Goro, however, was ofthe same mind as Danny and angrily moved to Geist and, much to everyone's collective shock, struck Geist in the back of the head. That proceeded to make Geist mutter a curse under his breath and heave a sigh.

"I-I didn't think that would happen..." Neal nodded.

"None of us did. However, Eve explicitly told us what that sword was and what it could do. You decided, of your own volition, to take the sword after we had returned it and used it to do... this. You claim to not want to repeat the mistakes your Father, Gaul, made, but so far, I'd say you're following a little too close to his footsteps." He heard someone start to speak up but Neal looked to the source, Macai, and slightly shook his head.

"He needs to hear this. Tell me Geist, or Gaul, or whatever the hell your name is. How do you expect to get dragons to trust your intent when you willingly did this to one of their own? Yes, Axian was a bastard and needed to pay for his crimes. God knows I would have killed him myself for what he did to my kids but I held back, wanting him to face justice for his actions." He looked to Terra and shockingly realized that if she, Growler, or Toxis had been a moment faster, it would have been one of them that had been stabbed with the sword.

"Instead, now Axian is dead, we know nothing about what else Shadra or Malefor have planned, and furthermore you may have destroyed whatever trust you had started to build with your companions." Goro nodded.

"Indeed. Geist, I respect you for still wishing to become King and for the fact that you overcame my tribes' trials, however, I cannot, in good conscience, say you completed your trial by strength. Axian is slain, but it was due to a cursed sword and not your own strength." Geist froze at Goro's announcement and visibly sagged.

"Sage, do you disgrace me?" Goro shook his head.

"No. I do not condemn you to disgrace. I am in the least position to do so. Axian is dead, but there is still Shadra. Plus, there are the warlords who still serve Malefor. You can still become King. This is something that you must now overcome." Geist nodded and faced Neal and Danny.

"On my honor, I did not intend for this to happen. I thought it was just another sword, but now I see that it is an evil thing." He turned to Eve.

"I also apologize to you for not taking your warning to heart. It seems I still have a ways to go with trusting others words and warnings." Eve nodded slowly and then looked to the sword.

"It is also my fault as I didn't stress the warning enough. I would not seek this fate to befall anyone." Neal looked to the others and nodded.

"In the end, we did what we came here for. We saved the kids, and defeated Axian. All that's left to do here is... well... what do we do with this sword? Eve says it can't be destroyed, and I'm not comfortable with simply leaving it where anyone can get a hold of it." Macai frowned.

"Why not just throw it in the sea and be done with it?" Bianca frowned and motioned to the sword.

"I'm sensing powerful magic that awoke inside the sword when it killed Axian. Magic that, if left unchecked, could potentially cause great harm. I recall a tale about a similarly enchanted item that, no matter how much the owner threw it away, sold it, dropped it down a well or cast it out at sea, the item always reappeared on his doorstep the next day."

"It kept up until one day he through the item out the closest window in a rage and, by sheer coincidence, his child was outside playing. The item struck and killed the child and, in despair, he took the item and jumped off a cliff." Bianca casually waved a hand seeing she had captured everyone's attention.

"After a few years, someone moved into the home and the very next day, the same cursed item was there on the doorstep." Neal gazed to the three young dragons who were clearly shaken and he gave Bianca a flat look.

"Okay, cursed relic stories aside, seriously, what do you propose?" Bianca sighed.

"I have a friend, a powerful enchanter, even more powerful than I. She could possibly find out something about the sword. The thing is, she lives on a small island near Archaen's Triangle and is very reclusive. I would teleport there but the island is warded against such spells. The only way to reach it is to sail there." She faced Danny.

"For that, I need your help, and the help of another." She glanced about and saw Hunter and nodded.

"Hunter of Avalar, would you accompany me?" Hunter slowly nodded and gave a small smile. Danny looked to his brother and then walked towards the Astral Sword.

Placing his hands on the ground, he channeled his magic to create a long lead-lined box that, gingerly, he placed the sword inside, closed the lid and locked the box with a steel chain and a padlock the size of his fist. He looked to Geist.

"For the duration of the trip to the island, you are not to go anywhere near this box. I'm saying this not because I don't trust you, but because I don't know if this sword has some sort of power to convince whoever used it to seek it out wherever it is." Geist nodded understandingly and turned to leave as Danny and Hunter lifted the box and started to carry it out. Neal spared a glance at where Axian's remains had been and looked to Terra and Spyro.

"Could you two help me bring the rest of the castle down? We can't allow Malefor to reclaim this place and I feel that, on a personal note, none should return here to this place because of what was done."

Spyro and Terra nodded and, once the group was outside, Terra and Spyro linked their Earth energies and Neal channeled Earth magic and proceeded to finish collapsing the fortress. Then, Growler and Neal linked their energies to cover the rubble in a dome of ice and permafrost. Thus was Axian's fortress, and his tomb, sealed away from prying and curious eyes.

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Back at the dock, Neal and Danny stood facing their respective vessels. The Explorer and the Guardian, both bobbing steadily in the water as their crews rushed to get ready to sail. On the side of the Explorer, Geist and Macai hefted the box that carried the Astral Sword and, with Darte watching warily, began the descent into the cargo hold. As Danny started to move up the gangplank to board the Explorer, Neal turned to face him.

"Once this is settled, I expect you to come to Warfang." Danny half turned and chuckled to his brother and nodded.

"You can bet I'll be there. Chances are that Lyca's already planning a party for not only the two of you but also for rescuing your kids. I'm going to have to be there to start on my 'I'm the fun Uncle' persona. Plus, I'll have a chance to put on my class A's." Neal blanched at then and coughed.

"Seriously? Your Marine Corps uniform? All that's going to do is increase my workload of commissions. Dragons may not be able to wear human clothes and armor but they really do like displaying it. You flash those class A'a around and I'll be swamped."

Danny didn't reply but smiled as he finished boarding the Explorer and started whistling the characteristic opening notes of the Marine Corps Hymn. Then, as if thinking the joke between brothers was the funniest thing, Eve's Book appeared, quill ready and started writing:

'From the halls of Montezuma,'

'To the shores of Tripoli!'

'We fight our country's battles,'

'In the air, on land and sea!'

'First to fight for right and freedom,'

'And to keep our Honor clean!'

'We are proud to claim the title,'

'Of United States Marines!'

Neal shook his head in an exasperated fashion and glanced to the Book.

"Start writing another verse I'll use you for a doorstop."

Eve appeared momentarily, stuck her tongue out at him, and then vanished with the Book, leaving Neal chuckling on the Guardian's deck as snow began falling.

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Meanwhile, in Spyro and Cynder's cabin, the two of them were still processing what had happened. Despite Danny's assurances that the sword would never again see the light of day, Cynder wasn't so sure that the apes, having so willingly used the sword in the first place, could be trusted to be in such close proximity to such a powerful weapon. Still though, as she glanced out the window at the receding shoreline, Spyro came up and draped a wing over her.

"I know what you're thinking Cyn. Remember though, Danny has Hunter guarding the sword, plus several humans, as well as Darte and Bianca. Even if Geist tried to, he wouldn't get anywhere near it." Cynder nodded and nuzzled against Spyro and sighed.

"I know, still, one can't help but worry. You know the old saying where there's a will there's a way, right? I'm concerned that perhaps that sword may not be just a simple object, that it may just possess a will of its own." Spyro nodded understandingly.

"Bianca's story spooked you to, eh? Well, I doubt we have much to worry about."

Spyro gazed at Cynder for a moment then looked back out to see Danny's ship sailing along gently. Then, for some reason, a sense of unease chilled him down his spine. He looked to Cynder and saw that she had felt the same chill.

Suddenly, without warning, the Explorer stopped with a lurch...

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(On board the Explorer, moments earlier)

Danny finished charting out the map using the directions that Bianca had given him and was making his way back to the cabin. He smiled as he just faintly caught sight of Darte slipping into the cabin and proceeded down the corridor until something caught his eye.

He wasn't sure, but it looked like a shadow. Except, this shadow was red in color. Then, quickly as he had seen it, the shadow vanished, leaving Danny with a strong sense of dread. Footsteps echoed behind him and he turned to see Goro looking rather confused.

"Danny? You look like you've seen a ghost." Danny nodded.

"I'm not for sure, but I think I saw a shadow... but, how can a shadow be where no person is, and how can it be blood red-?" Danny stopped as Goro paled.

"I-It can't be..." Then, Goro collected himself and snarled angrily.

"Danny! Sound the alarm!"

Before he could ask the ape mage what was happening, Goro bolted down the hallway with a speed that stunned the human for a moment (as Goro was an old ape, Danny had assumed him not capable of such swift movement).

Just as Danny reached the corner Goro had vanished around, he was thrown against the wall as the ship froze in place. Then, he was suddenly thrown backwards as an explosion ripped through the ship and slipped into unconsciousness.

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Neal watched in horror as the first twenty feet of the Explorer's bow exploded outwards in a tremendous fireball. The sound of rivets popping and steel shrieking was deafening. What was off was that the fireball had been more crimson, like blood, than actual fire. He felt the Guardian lurch as the ship immediately turned towards the stricken Explorer.

He immediately ran to find volunteers to assist him in the event there were wounded...

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The alarm claxon was the first thing he was aware of as he came to. The next was Darte standing over him, a fearful expression on her face. He was also aware of water covering his right arm and slowly rising. Slowly, painfully, Danny rose to his feet with Darte acting as support.

"What happened?" Darte shook her head.

"No clue, I was thrown from the bed and then against the door when the explosion happened. I come out here to find you on the floor with water rushing in." Danny paused to look around.

All along the corridor, the regular lights were flickering and the red alarm lights were flashing rapidly. Danny mentally though of the forward part of the ship, the cargo hold, and summoned the Book.

"Eve, damage report." The quill began to frantically write.

'Unknown explosion in forward cargo. The sides, bottom and top of the prow are all peeled back by the force of the blast and multiple sets of rivets have popped, allowing plates to seperate and water to enter. Compartment one is gone but the bulkhead is holding, barely; two and three are flooding, and the hydraulic systems controlling the watertight doors are nonresponsive. There is seven degree list to starboard and a five degree forward pitch. The Explorer is sinking and there is not enough time to save it.' Danny nodded.

"Any casualties?" The Book floated for a moment and then paused.

'I'm detecting Goro and Hunter, they are in compartment two and are both unresponsive.' Danny looked to Darte and back to Eve.

"Alert my brother, abandon ship. Darte, help me forward to get Hunter and Goro."

As he said that, Geist appeared with a pale expression.

"What happened?" Danny sighed.

"Cargo hold exploded, ship's flooding. Goro and Hunter are in the bow. Can you help me get them?"

Geist nodded but as Danny began to move he suddenly felt unsteady and felt both Darte and Geist grab him before he faceplanted the deck again. He was alerted by more footsteps and turned to see Neal, wearing a full rescue rig, and looking relieved to see him.

"You alright?" Danny shook his head.

"I think I hit the deck to hard when that explosion happened. I can't seem to steady myself." Neal grimly nodded.

"Probable concussion. Darte, get my brother to the medbay on the Guardian and whatever happens, don't let him fall asleep." Neal turned back to see the three crewmen he had also created rescue gear for behind him.

"Mal, check the port side cabins, work your way to the stern and then out. Rexal, you have the starboard side. Elden, you check the engineering room. Eve, are there any other areas of the ship?"

'No, there isn't, however at least twelve crew are still in their cabins, scared out of their wits. The only ones in need of immediate medical attention are Goro and Hunter in the bow, and Xander in the ship's galley. The galley is on this deck with entrances on the port and starboard sides.' Neal nodded and the rescuers split up going along their routes. Darte meanwhile helped Danny back up to the deck where he was gently guided onto the Guardian and placed in the medbay (previously the hangar).

Neal turned and, with Geist beside him, started towards the bow.

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Thanks to Eve, the source of the incoming water was obvious to Neal. Although the cargo hatch had been sealed, keeping out the imediate rush of water, the explosion had popped a series of rivets free and water was coming in between the hull plates. He knew that by the way the metal was creaking it was only a matter of time before the bulkhead gave way and doomed the ship. Wading through knee high, cold salt water was nothing to him but Geist was obviously not used to this.

The ship had dropped further by the bow but not enough where they couldn't keep their footing or anyone could slide across the floor. Thankfully though, the layout of the ship was simple enough that it was easy to find Goro and Hunter who, as Eve had said, were slumped against the wall. He gave a cautionary glance to Geist who was warily watching the hatch to the cargo hold which, to Neal's eye was holding despite being bowed out to the point it was a miracle it was still attached. Several rivet holes were open and water was spraying through them. As he approached the unconsious duo, he was relieved to see that they were breathing.

However, something was odd.

Goro's staff lay beside him, split in half, and charred black as coal. Hunter's bow and quiver of arrows was shattered beyond recognition, and his longsword was halfway melted. It was as if they'd been exposed to the explosion but yet, there was not a burn on them.

As Neal shouldered Hunter and Geist grabbed Goro, the ape sage came awake at once, eyes wide in terror and said one word, a name.

"Fangur..."

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Hey guys, sorry for the delay. I actually had to rewrite this chapter a grand total of eight times before I could get the story to go in the direction I wanted it to go in. If you can't remember who Fangur is, go to Chapter 37.

I'll try to get the next chapter out sooner but I can't make any promises.