Distance

He had been gone for a couple of hours now…

Solaria gazed at the large front door, expecting the disgruntled purple dragon to slink through at any moment. He often disappeared for an hour or two after an argument. She didn't know where he went or what he did in that time, but everyone has their way of dealing with anger.

She turned her attention to Ignirius for a moment. Even though he was playing with a couple of wooden blocks, she could tell he was missing his papa. She sighed before getting back to the task at claw of wiping the windows clean. Hard work was her method of venting frustration, just as disappearing was for him.

Why couldn't he understand what his actions were doing to her, what it was doing to them?! She tried her hardest to change him for the better; it was what everyone wanted. But he rebelled like he was trying to prove a point.

What was it that caused him to change? And how can you change a dragon who won't help himself?

She exhaled sadly. Crying wouldn't solve anything here. She needed to clean the last few windows, and then probably go tell Cyril how it went.

Secretly, she thought she knew the reason. It was her. She was the problem. There was a part of her Spyro couldn't stand, a part he loathed so badly that it overruled any positive traits she might have. But what? Would Spyro simply be happier without her?

That very idea made Solaria tremble. The thought of Spyro agreeing made her heart plummet.

She couldn't control it any longer. Tears leaked from her ruby irises and stuttered sobs fled her maw. She wept into her trembling claws.

What devilish sin had she commited for her mate to hate her and drag the one dragoness she loathed back to further mock her? Just what was she meant to do? Too much hinged on their marriage for it to fall apart… too much...

Alone in the corner, poor Ignirius could sense something was wrong, but his child mind could only babble nonsense. His grief-stricken mother ignored his pleas.

In this very moment, the family was divided, held together only by fragile threads.

The depressed drake did eventually return, just as the orange sun was beginning to set. Yet there was no sign of either mate or child.

That was because, by then, Solaria had already grabbed dinner for her and their son, leaving Spyro to fend for himself. But as he sat at the dining room table alone, crunching away at his cold chicken from nights before, it gave him time to think about what had happened.

Why was she angry at him when she was the one trying to push him into a corner? The idea of her pressing for information irritated him…

He took a deep breath in and exhaled. He needed to keep calm; it was why he disappeared for a few hours before.

He chewed on the lackluster meat in front of him, trying to draw his attention away from her. Yet, the harder he tried, the more she came into thought.

He understood that she was stubborn; it was just who she was. But why couldn't she get that there were things he shouldn't have to tell her?

Every day she ranted at him, belittling him on his flaws and telling him what he should be doing. And if he retaliated, then that triggered an eruption of anger. It was the same looping circle, all stemming from the same source…

The twisted entity that called itself his dark side.

Spyro had been at war with that abomination for the last ten years, fighting to keep the shadows at bay, lest they consume his mind and innocence. But it hadn't been without its effects.

He'd been aware of the changes, trying to correct them as he went without much success. He knew that, in the last couple of years, he'd been constantly tired and negative. But this burden had robbed him of his optimism and bountiful youth, reducing him to a sad husk of senility. Honestly, he didn't know what people still saw in him...

In truth, he'd never told anyone about it. How could he? Malefor, a purple dragon, was still on some people's minds like a bad aftertaste. The recent celebration had only ignited these feelings. The hatred of one purple dragon and the love for another. If people learnt that their hero caged a crazed evil within, who knew what would happen.

Solaria would be devastated… and probably wouldn't ever let him see their son again. The guardians would turn their backs on him and he would be left even more isolated than before. He didn't want that. He didn't want to be cast aside for something he wasn't in control of.

Spyro wept at the table, just as Solaria had hours before. He couldn't tell the truth… or even ask her to simply trust him. They weren't close enough despite being mates. He was alone in this battle, with no one to talk to and no one to tell, and it hurt, like watching everything he loved turn or fade on him.

It just wasn't fair! Why did it have to be him? He'd done what he needed to, and yet he was the one that got cursed. Were the ancestors laughing at him? Pointing and smirking at this 'powerful' dragon struggling with himself? Did they get kicks out of how miserable they could make him, making their puppet dance while cutting away at the strings one by one?

He clenched his claws and forced them down on the table. Tears streamed from his eyes as he stared at the heavens with gritted teeth. He'd never wanted any of this...

For a moment he held this feeble form before collapsing in on himself…

Hours passed as Spyro sat alone in the dark kitchen. The sun had set and only the rays of the silver moon illuminated the hollow room. He knew already Solaria and Ignirius had gone to sleep through the sounds of various doors opening and closing.

He didn't know what he was doing, just sulking alone thinking about nothing like an empty shell. But he didn't want to move; he had no reason to. It wasn't even cold; the many windows created a greenhouse effect, leaving the air inside warm and humid. He still didn't feel ready to face Solaria again.

Eventually, the embrace of sleep got to him and he fell asleep in the chair.

Morning came, early as usual in the height of summer. The beams of sunlight penetrated his eyes, forcing him awake after a moment of grogginess.

He stretched out, his back aching from being slumped over all night. Spyro realised he'd spent the night in the kitchen... That was a first. But he didn't care; all he did was sigh. He got himself a hot drink since he was down here anyway. As he sipped, he wondered what went through Solaria's mind.

Yesterday, when he returned from the garden, there was only silence. He could tell she was still angry, since she held onto these things with a grudge. She needed more time before they could talk civilized. Either that or he wasn't the one ready.

Maybe a morning flight could solve both issues. He wasn't sure, but it was better than moping here. He still felt groggy and tired, and stumbled as he got up from the chair.

As he got halfway, though, the familiar sound of a door closing up on the balcony briefly caught his attention. Solaria was awake and carrying their precious child. They exchanged glances, yet neither could read what was going through the other's head.

Spyro turned away without a second glance.

Solaria put her paw out and almost called his name. But he vanished into the depths of the temple and she sank back down.

Everything she tried only pushed them further away from each other. Something desperate had to be done, something that threw everything out of the window to salvage their marriage. She really needed to see Cyril...

"Pardon?"

Captain Adonis was left with his maw open.

He and Cynder were sat in his office. It was a fairly bland office in terms of colour, but this was made up for by the decor. Dark oak shelves lined the west wall, decorated with picture frames of smiling moles and dragons in Warfang's famous black-and-gold armor. On the opposite side was an engraved chest with a red cloth on top, rotated forty-five degrees.

Directly in front of Cynder was Adonis' desk. On it was a simple candle, a few papers, and a picture of a badly drawn dragon with the word 'daddy' written on it. Cynder presumed it was done by his child. The door was shut behind them, leaving the room lit by candlelight.

"Excuse my lack of manners, but you want to quit?" Adonis questioned. He couldn't wrap his head around Cynder's simple words.

"That's right." There was a certain look on Cynder's face, one that could've easily been mistaken for smugness. In her opinion, she'd thought long and hard on this, even slept on it, and decided that this wasn't what she wanted.

"But– I don't understand. Why would you want to quit so soon?"

"I've decided that becoming a guard isn't what I want to do with my life."

Adonis was getting desperate. "I beg of you, Cynder, please reconsider. You have a lot of potential, probably more than anyone I've trained in the last five years." His paw laid flat on the desk with the palm open, almost like he wanted her to take it so he could pull her back to sense.

"Don't let the other recruits hear that," she replied with a slight smirk. "But I'm good. Thank you for your time." Cynder got up from her seat.

Adonis stood straight up, which slightly startled her. "I'm sorry if this is about yesterday. But what I was doing was for the best. Now, please, don't recklessly abandon this chance." His voice had gotten serious with a hint of annoyance.

She didn't know if it was his tone or his words, but that line agitated her. "Whose best, exactly? Yours or mine?" She tilted her head.

"Yours, obviously," Adonis said as he shook his still open paw.

Cynder shook her head disapprovingly. "Please don't act like you know what's best for others."

"But I know it's for the best, I assure you."

Cynder didn't know what it was about the situation, but she found herself even less convinced to stay. "No, it isn't," she reaffirmed. "This place" – she gestured around her – "isn't for me. Now, if you will excuse me, I've got places to be."

Adonis was also getting frustrated. He simply couldn't fathom any reason why Cynder would turn up the best offer anyone could give her. "Can I ask? Has Spyro been pressuring you into doing this?"

Cynder stared back at the captain bizarrely. Where had this come from? "What? No! Spyro has nothing to do with this."

Adonis raised his paws. "Okay. I just had to be sure."

"Anyway, what has Spyro got to do with this?"

"Nothing. I just needed to make sure he wasn't pushing you to do things you didn't want to."

Cynder was still left confused from this. Something must've happened for Adonis to say something so abstrused. "Why? You're not making any sense. Spyro is the kindest dragon I know; he would never force me to do anything."

"I get that. I still respect him myself. But…" He trailed off, leaving Cynder in anticipation.

She sat down and leaned in close. "But what?"

Adonis shook his head. "No, never mind. You won't like what I have to say."

"No." Cynder pushed her claws on the table. "You can't leave me in suspense like this. Tell me."

Adonis let out a heavy sigh. "Alright, I'll tell you. But you've got to promise you won't repeat this back to Spyro."

"I won't, I promise."

"Fine…" He leaned in close, almost like the purple dragon was eavesdropping right next to them. "Spyro… isn't the same dragon he was ten years ago. He's become more hostile and temperamental. Have you noticed that?"

Cynder thought back to when Spyro yelled at her. His attitude still gave her shivers; she'd never seen him like that before… "Kind of, but I thought that was because he was having a bad day."

Adonis shook his head. "No. He's been like that for a while now. Wrathful and hateful. Anyone that even slightly upsets him triggers him; even his own mate is susceptible to his anger."

"Solaria?!"

Adonis nodded.

Cynder almost couldn't believe the words he was spewing out. Hateful Spyro…? Those words just didn't belong together. Was this some convoluted plot to get Cynder to reconsider? "This isn't some plan to keep me here, is it?"

He shook his head. "No. I realise now nothing I say will convince you, even though I still believe you should reconsider. I'm just warning you to be careful around him. He's unpredictable, and I might even say dangerous. At the rate it's going, I don't see their marriage lasting for too much longer."

"Excuse me?" Cynder cocked her head. She'd barely heard him under his breath, but didn't think she'd heard correctly.

"Sorry, just muttering to myself." He sighed once more and looked down at his desk. Cynder's contract stared smugly back at him. He'd only received it yesterday, yet it was already being voided…

"Did you say their marriage was falling apart?" She didn't mean for that to slip out, which wasn't helped by a slight amount of interest.

"No…" Adonis narrowed his eyes."You're free to go, Cynder. But one last thing. Be careful around him and don't go snooping into his business, particularly his marriage."

That last part made Cynder shudder, but thankfully Adonis didn't notice. The way he was sternly looking at her felt like he was piercing deep into her innermost desires.

"I...will be..." She was hesitant to answer. Underneath those words hid a warning. She didn't know what gave it away – maybe it was her and Spyro's past and her unseemingly coincidental return – but Adonis knew.

She got up from her chair and stepped out of the office. She tried to muster up a fake smile on the way out, but his glare only pursued.

As she wandered the deserted, run-down corridors, she retreated to her thoughts. The events of their talk journeyed through her head like a train.

Despite telling herself over and over she couldn't have that one thing, she still loved the purple dragon. Even though there was no way in this sweet realm they could be together anymore, a small part of her believed there was chance… She loathed this part of her, a truth she couldn't change, and it stung like salt on a wound. Adonis's words had only opened that door even further, as images of her hero Spyro strung in her mind.

And the news that their marriage was falling apart...

"No, Cynder. Get a grip on yourself." She softly slapped herself in between words. "Spyro is taken because you were too late. That's on you and you can't change that. Spyro is a good dragon who will make their marriage survive. Just focus on being a good friend...just a good friend…"

As soon as she got outside, she decided to find a quiet place for herself. These thoughts were too distracting to ignore. She found herself a building ledge overlooking a quiet street. Only a few moles and dragons dotted it. She sat on her stomach at the edge and let her claws lazily hang off.

Another thing was bugging her about Spyro. The hateful nature Adonis claimed he had. She didn't want to believe it, but the longer she dwelled on it, the more it made sense. His fit of anger against her, the problems between him and Solaria. Was this only a part of the bigger picture?

She decided that she would be the one to get to the bottom of this. Tonight would be a good place to start, maybe get him to open up. Something was obviously bugging him; getting him to reveal that was only the first step.

Finally, one last thing Adonis had said irked her. The final nail in the coffin. The part where he droned about what he thought was best for her. She pouted at the idea, for this was a passionate subject for her and had been for a long time.

Even before the Night of Eternal Darkness, she'd often pondered what her goal in life was. Owed to her past, she'd never felt she could remain to the temple, despite what the others said. It was the reason she'd decided to leave, to find her place out in the wider world.

Despite this, her circumstances kept changing, and whenever she did decide what she wanted to do, life had a funny way of throwing her back into the bigger picture. This put her back to square one.

She looked up to the sky. Despite all this, the core principles remained the same. Only she knew what was best for her, just as Adonis or Spyro knew what was best for themselves.

If you can't make your mind up, though, then just talk to the person you trust most about it, because sometimes it's better to have an outside voice. They can be trusted with your deepest secrets and problems and help you come up with a solution. But at the end of the day… it was her decision.

It was her decision to return to Warfang, her decision to quit the guard…

Then she remembered. "Oh crap… Spyro isn't going to be too happy about that. But he'll understand, won't he?"

The dragoness realised she had already formed a plan for this situation. One of the reasons she did leave was because she wanted to become a bounty hunter. The stories that Banzai weaved of adventure and danger made her smile like a child. That way she could have her thrills while also helping people.

Banzai had mentioned he kept in contact with some of his old buddies and that they used to frequent a bar known as the King's Bounty. She was hoping the manic mole could set her up with some of these contacts to give her headway into that line of work. Spyro couldn't complain since she was still holding a job, one that she would enjoy immensely. On top of this, she could do it at her own pace.

But before she could start dreaming of these adventures, she had to actually go find Banzai.

Cynder smiled. This morning had been worse than she'd hoped for, but that was alright. Adonis was a thing of the past and now she had the potential of a new job and a dinner with Spyro to look forward to.

She got up, stretched her wings, and went to find the Angry Blazer.

Hey all, sorry for my recent silence. I was taking a break from writing but now I am back. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter!