Chapter 48: The Third Prophecy

"Cynder?"

Cydner's eyes flicked open at the sound of her name. She got to her feet, feeling strangely light-headed. She glanced around. A burning, ruined city stretched onwards for as far as she could see. There was no sign of anyone else. Of course there was nobody else. This was a city she had razed two years ago following a month-long siege. She groaned. It was another dream.

The dark clouds loosed their load and rain began pelting down like hail. If it was to be another nightmare, Cynder decided she might as well make herself comfortable. She picked out one of the less damaged buildings and ducked through the doorway. She sat down and miserably waited for whatever horrible vision this dream had in store for her.

"Cynder?"

She spun to face whoever had called her. A female NightWing stood serenely in the doorway, as if waiting for her.

She knew it was a NightWing because she had the same star patterned wings as Starflight. As a matter of fact, she bore a striking resemblance to Starflight. And yet, she seemed ghostly.

"Who are you?" Cynder demanded, still suspicious. "Where am I and what's going on?"

"Be at peace, Cynder," the dragoness replied. "My name is Farsight and I bear you no ill intent. Quite the opposite actually, I'm here to help."

Cynder cracked up at that. She threw back her head and laughed long and hard. Farsight watched patiently, never once showing even the slightest hint of irritation.

"I'm sorry," Cynder stated after the gales had subsided. "You have no idea how many people I've known who claim the exact same thing only to manipulate me into doing their dirty work. Go ahead and promise me a world or whatever it is you had in mind, I'm not falling for that once again. I'm not even sure you're real. You could just be a hallucination brought on by indigestion. Though, you do bear a striking resemblance to Starflight."

"Cynder, you have every right to be mistrustful," Farsight replied. "I don't blame you. I can't imagine how you must feel being used like that your whole life. I'm so sorry that you've had to go through all this. If I had only got to you first, things would be different..."

Cynder's mistrust was instantly replaced by guilt. "I've done terrible things," she admitted, her eyes downcast. "I've tried to convince myself that I had no choice in it but it always comes back to haunt me. I knew what was happening and I didn't resist. He commanded me and I didn't even hesitate to obey. I don't understand. Deep down, I know I'm the Goddess reborn, but something keeps telling me that I am evil no matter how much I wish otherwise. Why would you feel sorry for me?"

"It wasn't you, Cynder," Farsight replied. "You might not believe it but it was indeed Malefor's, or rather Demise's, influence that made you what you were. Demise corrupts everything he touches. His power was what made evil come so naturally to you. Had you not been in his thrall, you would've done differently."

Cynder felt better at Farsight's words. Maybe there was still good in her after all. It was Hylia's duty to protect the Golden Power, a power that Link possessed. She was Hylia's reincarnation. She wasn't a monster. "I believe you," she stated. "You said you could help?"

Farsight smiled gently. "Yes, I can. So much has been kept from you. And yet to you falls the most important role in stopping the Dark Master." Cynder's eyes lit up at those words.

"It's time someone told you the truth," Farsight continued. "You currently occupy the uneviable position of a dragon straddling three simultaneous prophecies. The fate of the universe at large rests on yours and the Hero's shoulders as these prophecies hurtle towards their cataclysmic conclusion. Any other dragon would've cracked under the weight of it all but you've held up fairly well so far. So first of all, congratulations."

Cynder smiled. "Thanks, I guess. But I don't get it. I know I'm the Wings of Sky in the Dragonet Prophecy and I'm Hylia reborn referenced in the Twilight Prophecy. But the other one is about Spyro and only Spyro. How can I involved in all three of them?"

"I understand that Ignitus showed you the Prophecy of the Purple Dragon," Farsight replied. "But he and a lot of other dragons don't know is that the Prophecy of the Purple Dragon is incomplete."

"Incomplete?" Cynder asked.

"Yes. The dragons of old realised that if the prophecy were to fall into the wrong hands, the forces of evil might prevent it from coming to fruition. So they scorched the last two paragraphs of all copies of the prophecy in an effort to fool the Dark Master if he ever acquired it."

"So that's what the scorch marks on the scroll were!" Cynder exclaimed. "The last two parts of the prophecy!"

"Indeed," Farsight confirmed. "They hid the original, intact version in the NightWing archives alongside the only copy of the Twilight Prophecy and it eventually fell into my possession. And I have kept it for you." She produced a scroll from under her wing and offered it to Cynder.

Cynder accepted it and began scanning through it. The last two paragraphs read:

Second, a hatchling stolen on brightest night,

The wings of sky obscured from sight.

From shadow to free her no matter the cost,

For without the black dragon the cause is lost.

Malefor's bane is the chosen one

And by his own ilk will he be undone.

The shadow defeated by the sun,

Evil's strength at last overcome.

When she finished, Farsight said, "See? It specifically refers to the 'black dragon' and the 'Wings of Sky'. When I first read it, I believed it to be a mistake. But it's no mistake. You are all three-the black dragon who is also Hylia reborn and the SkyWing of the prophecy."

"But I have no idea what I'm supposed to do," Cynder replied. "My friends and I left the Dragon Realms to get away from Malefor. Do I have to go back now?"

"No," Farsight replied. "At least not yet. You have the Dragonets of Destiny with you. Follow the path they go on, Cynder. They will lead you to safe pasture to lay your eggs before moving on to caring for them in Faron. The Hero will meet up with you there."

Cynder nodded in understanding as her eyes widened in realization. "What do you mean 'lay your eggs'?" she asked. "You don't mean I'm gravid!"

Farsight nodded. "You are carrying seven eggs," she stated.

"Right, so how did I get here?" Cynder asked. "I remember leading my friends to a world gate. But everything after is a blur."

"You headed for an island in SeaWing territory," Farsight explained. "You and the Dragonets of Destiny led your pursuers into a thunderstorm, hoping to lose them. You succeeded in that, but you were hit by a freak wave that washed you under. Tsunami is currently carrying you to safety."

Cynder's vision began to grow blurry. Farsight, the buildings, all of it began to flicker. She could hear the sound of rushing water.

"You're arriving at your destination," Farsight told her. "We've only got moments left. Cynder, before I go, I need to tell you something. Things won't be easy. But take heart that you have allies. You have friends you can count on."

Water was rushing in through the door now, flooding the room. Farsight began to fade away.

"Wait!" Cynder cried, trying to keep herself above the water. "Will I see you again?"

Farsight nodded. "I'll always be there to guide you, Your Grace. Now go. You're needed elsewhere. Be safe, Cynder."

Then the water rose over Cynder's head and everything went dark.

Meanwhile, a lone Gerudo sat in his castle, overlooking the undead that lurked in the streets in the town below as he played his organ. The song entered a crescendo as a humanoid lizard walked in.

"The goddess approaches, my king," the lizard stated in an alien language.

The man smiled. "Good," he replied in a demonic voice. "Send Helmaroc King to slay her."

The lizard bowed. "At once, my lord." The lizard left.

Deep within the Gerudo's mind, he was fighting a dark monster with fire for hair.

I will never bow to you! Ganondorf exclaimed. I only wanted salvation for my people, not the destruction of the lands I desired!

Oh, really, the Demon King replied. You are my puppet and you will do as I see fit. The land will be bathed in a blood soaked sea of darkness for all time!