This chapter took so long to write. Happy Easter everyone and I hope you enjoy! Warning: mature, possibly disturbing content.
Ember watched the pair leave, Spyro returning with his children in parade, "Finally catch your twin terrors?" The dragoness asked.
The purple drake chuckled, "Yes. They were trying to eat the chicken eggs. Nearly scared the chickens half to death."
"Wow, my niece and nephew really are terrors. It seems like they take after their daddy." Ember smiled, nudging Spyro playfully.
"Oh, yes. I have such terrible eating habits." Spyro agreed, sarcasm laced in his tone as the male rolled his eyes.
Ember mimicked his actions, Spyro narrowing his amethyst orbs, "Hey, you're copying me. That's not nice."
"Nhhhgggg!" Ember hummed, a pink, serpentine tongue wagging. Spyro snorted into laughter, shaking his head, "I swear you never change, Ember."
"Cause I'm too amazing to change!" She bellowed, chest sticking out in mock pride. The golden hued wyrm exhaled in a soundless laugh, looking upon his children to see that Arias was rather aggressively wagging his tongue at Seraphina, "Oh, Ancestors, now look what you did!"
"Awe! They learned something from their Auntie!" Ember cooed, Seraphina cocking her head in confusion at her sibling's antics, his tongue flailing every which way.
"That's enough, Arias." Spyro commanded firmly, if gently, yet the young male did not heed his father. Only when shoved by a much larger talon did the white drakeling obey.
"Awe, you ruined his fun." Ember replied, frowning.
"He was being rude. He needs to know when things are not acceptable." The large drake reasoned, Ember sighing, "I know, but still."
The pair watched the drakelings begin to snap and play, both adults sighing with nostalgia.
"Sometimes I wish we were young again. Do you get like that?" Ember asked, sapphire orbs glancing toward the male beside her in curiosity. Spyro turned his head towards her, holding her gaze for several seconds before casting his orbs elsewhere, "At times, yes. I miss being carefree and just having fun. Times are so different now. Now children can't even play without fear."
"Yeah. I miss those days. I mean, we had fun, didn't we?" She asked again, Spyro chuckling in response, "Oh, yes we did. I remember you would follow me everywhere."
Ember laughed softly, looking upon the ground, "I had the biggest crush on you."
"I could tell. Everyone knew about it. Funny how things change, hmm? I mean, memories stay the same and remain there for all our lives, but then we forget them. And then something happens, or we see or smell or even hear something, and they come flooding back as if we had never forgotten about them."
"Yes, it is funny. I think….memories are like dreams, you know? They just pop up and come back at the right time to make us remember or realize something. We just have to figure out what they are trying to say." The dragoness spoke, looking around in thought.
"So, what were you two talking about?" Spyro asked in curiosity, Ember turning her attention towards the royal male.
"Oh, quite a few things. Though it was mainly about food. That made me realize I have no idea what humans eat or anything, like their habits and such. So, Silas invited me to a human dinner!" Ember proclaimed, a bit ecstatic as Spyro looked upon the dragoness, blinking.
"You...at a human dinner? Are you sure a dragon can even eat human food?" Spyro asked, Ember pausing.
"Well….no, but I'll try anyway. There's no reason to be rude, right?" Ember questioned, the purple drake shrugging in response.
"Very true. Still, if you come back and vomit all over me, I claim bragging rights for the next week."
"Oh, boo-hoo. Vomit never hurt anyone." Ember replied, rolling her eyes.
"It spreads disease, Ember." Spyro stated, a bit bluntly as the dragoness shrugged in response.
"Oh well."
Spyro looked upon the pink dragoness before shaking his head, snorting softly, "You never change. What are you going to do till then?"
Ember paused in thought, looking down at the ground, "I think….maybe go and fly a bit. I haven't flown in a while. I think my wings got flabby. What do you think, Spyro? Are my wings flabby?" Ember asked, spreading her wings as the purple dragon laughed.
"No, no your wings are fine, Ember."
"Good. Without my wings I wouldn't be the best flyer in the world." She beamed, chest puffing in pride.
"Best flyer in the world, eh? Sure, I'll just let you think that." Spyro replied, chuckling.
"Hey, when Arias and Seraphina get old enough to fly, Auntie Ember is going to teach them some of the best moves ever!" Ember replied, laughing in play, "Well, I'll see you later, Spyro. Have some fun with your babies!" With that, the dragoness took off into the skies, Spyro watching her fly off.
"I sure will." Spyro muttered, sighing before returning towards his children, whom were rolling around in the dirt in play.
The wind wooshed as Ember's wings cut through the breeze, the dragoness well above the treeline. Once more, she twirled in the sky, dancing as she did the night before. Now, however, the sun warmed her scales, and increased her fervor and graceful spins. At times swift, at times slow, at times calm, at times wild her movements were, though it mattered not to the dragoness. Ember was dancing to her heart's content, and that was all that mattered to her.
However, Ember's dance had not gone unnoticed, and too late had she realized the same red wyrm whom she had mistook for Flame earlier. Ember felt the presence of a much larger male, and upon turning towards the newcomer had recognized Kirk, his bloodied scales and white plates reflecting in the noon's light.
Ember eyed the red wyrm with suspicion, for he was not civil towards her friends, nor did he act with respect. She watched his movements, and saw that he was mimicking her in body, dancing around her. Ember was cautious of his actions, studying him, and kept him at a distance. He did not bother to speak, and she had noticed that his nostrils were flaring-the male intent with something else other than speaking or striking a conversation, yet with what Ember did not know.
Kirk approached, almost making physical contact as Ember retreated with a powerful stroke of her wings. The male then approached once more, attempting to grasp her, yet Ember's grace far outmatched the male's and she once more retreated. She hissed, bearing her canines as a warning for the red drake to keep his distance, Kirk's pupils constricted into feline slits.
Kirk released a guttural growl from deep within, nostrils inhaling deeply, almost excessively so. The male continued to dance around her, Ember snapping at him to keep him at bay, hissing like an enraged serpent, her own pupils thin and feral with annoyance upon seeing the male's eager erection.
She now understood why the others were wary of this stranger-and now understood why she should leave. Naive she had been, but a victim she refused to be, for she had no interest in mating with this male-and would not allow him if she had any say. However, Ember knew that while every dragon had instincts, males were the most dangerous-especially when it came to breeding.
She snapped at Kirk whenever he came too close for her comfort, threatening to breathe a jet of flame upon his bothersome hide. In truth, Ember had seen herself as the adoptive mother of Spyro's children, and that bond had only enforced her instincts against breeding, for a rival male would surely kill her offspring. As far as Ember was concerned, this male was a threat.
Whenever the dragoness attempted to leave, Kirk would swiftly block her, and attempt to grasp her. However, while the red drake had the advantage of speed, his movements were clumsy, and the dragoness would twist out of his reach-and when the moment came, she broke from her prison and soared on the winds.
Ember dared not look back for fear that he might be right behind, yet knew that he was swiftly gaining by the ever louder beats of his wings and lulling hisses. A creature blinded by instinct, he matched every twist and turn she pulled in an attempt to lose him. In desperation to deter her dogged suiter, Ember twisted into a dive, seeking the forest for safety upon knowing Kirk did not have the dexterity-nor the proper size-to move within the conifers.
Kirk attempted to pursue his quarry, however found himself too large to break through the treeline without damaging his wing membranes. Roaring in rage, Kirk ascended with a powerful stroke of his wings, pursuing Ember from above as his shadow appeared to block out of the very sun.
Ember calmed, feeling safe and secure so long as she was within the forest, however that did not deter the pink dragoness from slowing. A thunderous bellow erupted from above that startled Ember, Kirk attempting to break through the treeline, talons scarring the protective trees as whole limbs fell.
Frightened by Kirk's viciousness, Ember blindly flew, swerving between the conifers as Kirk continued to attack from above, thunderous snapping of branches and talons scarring in his wake. Slowly, Ember felt as if her protection was being destroyed, multiple, deafening cracks filling the air as heavy branches fell to the ground, her hunter breaking through.
Fear instantly turned Ember cold as a shadow descended upon her, and a massive weight slammed her to the ground, both dragons rolling as thick trees snapped and earth erupted into the skies. Ember groaned in pain, eyes closed before forcing herself to open them, coughing as the dust settled. Dazed, she slowly got up, feeling the soreness of her body as she used a fallen tree for support.
Ember shook her head in an attempt to regain her focus, her blood freezing as she heard a guttural growl, Kirk emerging from the settling dust. He appeared a bit bruised, yet there was nothing that would depict serious injury. In fear, Ember backed up against the fallen tree, hissing lowly and baring her canines once more. It did not deter the male, for he approached, causing Ember to shrink into herself, now having no where to flee.
The pink dragoness looked around desperately, seeing Regensburg in the distance-so close yet so far away. She snapped and scratched Kirk as he got too close, the male taking a step back in surprize as he shook his head, wound bleeding gently.
"Stay the hell away from me!" Ember hissed, voice hoarse as she attempted to make her tone sound more intimidating despite her vocal cracking. Her crystalline eyes involuntarily began to water in terror of what most likely would occur, "You...You can't do this! You shouldn't do this! It….It isn't right!"
"You will leave her well enough alone, blood wyrm!" Kirk's head snapped with a deep growl upon hearing a challenge, Ember's eyes widening upon seeing Rorek, "Rorek!"
Kirk hissed, agitated by the intrusion, "This is none of your business, human!"
"No, yet I tend to make actions against women my business-especially if she is whom I call friend." Rorek spoke, and despite his disadvantages did not back down, "You disgust me. Only those weak and cowardly would impose themselves upon a woman without her consent. Take your lustful urges elsewhere-or better yet handle them yourself-until you come back with a clear mind and spirit. Look at the poor girl! She is terrified of you! Do you want your offspring to be born from violence? To have the mother of your children damn their very existence? Is that what you want?"
Kirk's posture began to slack, his eyes being cast the ground in contemplation, "I…..no. No, I….don't want that. I just….I just wanted to save my species. I took it too far. I'm sorry, Ember. I never meant to...try and…..I need to clear my head." Kirk replied, eyes dilated and downcast, head hung low in shame and embarrassment.
Kirk dared not look at Ember, the drake far too ashamed to meet her gaze before launching toward the skies with a powerful stroke of his wings, fleeing.
Ember shook, wrecked and unsettled as she released deep sigh, "You didn't have to do that. He could have killed you." Ember stated, Rorek looking upon her, shaking his head.
"I failed my daughter. I would not allow myself to fail again." The man replied, Ember shakingly stepping away from her fallen tree, calming slowly.
"Thank you. I mean that, Rorek." Ember spoke, voice shaking a bit from her start.
Rorek shook his head, "Do not thank me, Ember. I did nothing worth noting. Are you injured?"
"Hmm...no, I'm fine I think. Just a bit bruised from the rough landing." Ember replied, testing her wings, slowly walking towards the man.
Rorek looked upon the pink dragoness, and upon closing the distance rested his hand upon her shoulder, grip firm, "Ember, can you promise me something?"
The pink hued wyrm looked upon the man with curiosity, finding his touch cold, "What is it?"
"Promise me that you will protect those two drakelings, and that you will prevent Spyro from trending down my path. That is all I ask."
"I...I will. I promise." Ember answered, a bit confused as the man stayed his hand upon her shoulder for some time before releasing a great sigh.
"Thank you." Rorek whispered, voice soft as he patted her hide, "Farewell, my friend."
Ember looked on in confusion as the man broke contact, walking away, "Bye, Rorek. See you later."
The necromancer chuckled in response, almost sullenly so before disappearing into the wood.
Upon finding herself alone, Ember sighed deeply, shaking a bit from the chase. In an attempt to calm her nerves, the dragoness lay down on the ground, limbs exhausted from the strain. She did not want to return to Spyro only for the purple drake to see her in such a distraught state, for it would cause him to worry-and while what Kirk had attempted was wrong, she was well passed the matter.
Her eyes grew heavy, and as hard as she tried, she could not keep them open for long. Slowly, but surely, Ember fell into slumber.
By the time Ember had awoken, the sun had almost set behind the forested horizon. Groggy, the dragoness noticed the sky, and though she felt as if she were forgetting something, she could not think of what. Only after a few seconds of ponder did she realize, crystalline eyes widening, "Oh, Ancestors! The dinner!"
Cursing at being tardy, Ember forced her stiff wings to propel herself into the skies. Turning towards the small town, Ember made haste towards her destination. However, upon arriving, Ember realized that she did not truly know where her destination was, for she had never located the house of her friend.
Embarrassed, Ember had landed upon the ground, the dragoness looking around. Though the pink wyrm was hesitant of choosing which path to travel on in search of her friend's dwelling, she was glad very few humans were outside to witness her behavior-for they would surely laugh upon the female.
After a few seconds of thought, Ember broke off towards the left, trying to secretly glance into the homes of the humans without looking suspicious in an attempt to locate her friends. She figured it would be rather easy to find, since Regensburg was not like the apparent larger cities she had heard about. Still, she felt a bit odd trying to spy into the homes of innocent men for her invasion of privacy.
Ember continued to walk down the road, yet to her dismay found no sign of her friend, and her anxiety rose at the prospect of seeing rude towards the human family. However, in passing a small cottage, the dragoness was startled to hear a rather loud crack. Pivoting her head towards the source, Ember turned towards the cottage where she had believed herself to hear the noise, and had slowly approached in curiousity.
Spying through the dusty window, the pink drake's eyes widened, and she involuntarily released a gasp in shock. Inside the cabin, Ember had seen the very man she was looking for, tied to a chair and being beaten with some sort of whip. Smoke began to pour out of the dragons' nostrils, and her pink scales flushed to a light shade of red as rage overtook her. She did not know what was entirely going on, yet what she did know was that someone was hurting her friend.
Unable to withhold her wrath, Ember rushed towards the door, throwing the wood off its rusted hinges as she forced herself through the opening, roaring.
Startled, the Reverend shrieked, and in his haste to reach safety had tripped and fell over the toppled over chair, impaling himself on his own dagger.
Silas did nothing, though the force of the draconic roar appeared to harm his ears as he flinched slightly.
"Silas? Silas, are you okay?" Ember asked, moving towards the man and nudging him, the knight groaning in response.
Ember frowned, reaching down to cautiously snap the rope with her jaws. Arms freed, Silas lay limp for several minutes, breath shallow before slowly awakening, "...E…..Ember?"
"Yes. I am here." Ember cooed gently, turning towards the young knight as his voice was weak, the man obviously dazed and confused.
"I….I want to...go….h...home." Silas stated, spitting out more blood as he struggled to rise, Ember approaching.
"I know. I know." She ushered gently, nuzzling him as she aided him on his own two feet, Silas heavily leaning against her form.
"Come on now, Silas. Let's take you home." Ember ordered gently, yet firmly. However, the man shook his head.
"No. I….I will go...home. Safer. You should...go." Silas spoke, Ember astonished that he was even refusing assistance in this horrid state. However, she knew that he would not take her company as an answer-and despite Silas being in such a state-allowed the man to stumble towards home alone.
The single thought of returning home must have been the only thing in that man's mind, for he did not even realize the body of the Reverend, dead from an accidental suicide.
Ember shook her head, leaving the horrid cottage and taking flight, watching Silas from above.
Spyro slept with his chicks, the songs of locusts filling the night air. Arias and Seraphina lay close by, a shadow slowly looming over the pair. Silent, and swift, a pair of hands darted out from the darkness, grasping Seraphina and hoisting her into the air. The drakeling was unable to cry as a hand clamped her jaws shut, her abductor fleeing into the shadows of the forest.
Seraphina squirmed in panic, Rorek firming holding her in place, taking the chick to a cave. The cavern was lit by several candles, and a ceremonial dagger lay upon the floor beside a pentagon, surrounded by the petals of a nightshade.
Swiftly, Rorek tied Seraphina down to a small, makeshift wooden board, the chick snapping in desperation, yet to no avail.
"Good, good! All according to plan! Soon, oh so soon….." Malefor mused, Rorek now rubbing the blade in nightshade, slowly, almost thoughtfully, nails slowly turning black.
"To live again…..it is no longer a dream! All I need is the heart of a dragon, and what better heart than the daughter of Cynder, the Black Dragon?" Malefor pondered, Rorek looking upon the chick, who cried for help, calls unanswered.
"Soon, I shall rule the world once more, and all shall bow before me!"
"Pride comes before the fall." Rorek replied, feeling a pang in his head as the dragon angered.
"Silence! I still have plans for you, human…..yes, many plans. Now, kill the dragon! Cut out her heart! Release me from my prison!" Malefor commanded, Rorek doing nothing, sitting there and staring at the panicked chick. However, his hand started to move on it's own accord as the dragon took control, blade hand rising to strike.
His hand shook, one will trying to bring the blade down upon the hapless chick, the other trying to stay his own hand.
"What are you doing?! Let my will be done!"
"No! You failed to kill this wyrm before with me, and I will not allow you!"
"Oh? You claim that was my doing, yet you yourself have claimed that this pathetic child was birthed at the expense of your unborn child."
"That means nothing….I was not in my right mind."
"Truly? Then why so hesitant if it is not true? You killed a child once with your bare hands."
"That has nothing to do with this!"
"And the boy that defiled your daughter? You meant to spill his blood!"
"He harmed my daughter! I was in a rage! The babe's death of was mercy, suffering from plague it was! I never killed out of cold blood!"
"Yet you thought! You attempted! Unleash the darkness within you! Obey my will!"
Slowly, the tip of the blade drew itself towards the hapless chick, hand shaking violently. Rorek's eyes remained upon the drakeling, vision beginning to well from unshed tears, "No….no, I cannot. I cannot. She is his daughter. His daughter. Just as she is mine."
Gently, the tears fell down his face, swiftly growing into a torrent as the man sobbed, body wracked. He was the reason for everything. He had been responsible for Anaya's death and their unborn child. He had been responsible for the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands of men that had fought in the war. However, most of all, he had been responsible for his daughter, whom he had not only failed to protect, but had failed to be a father of.
He had tried to warn them, had tried to make them promise to things they did not understand and even then they did not fully heed his warnings. Now, looking upon Seraphina, he simply could not, for she was Spyro's daughter, and Rorek himself had a daughter as well. And it was unfair to rob a man of his daughter when that man was worthy of being called a father.
Inch by inch, the blade drew closer upon Seraphina, hot tears staining Rorek's vision as he breathed in ragged, strained gasps. Slowly, the man stilled his breathing, lips moving, yet not words being produced. Then, barely above a whisper, Rorek spoke, voice weak, "I am sorry….Sophia."
Suddenly, the blade turned upon its wielder, cold metal easily piercing through cloth and warm flesh as Rorek released a strained gasp, breath briefly stilling.
"WHAT?! NOOOOOOO!" Malefor whaled in dismay, Rorek swiftly forcing the blade into his flesh a second time to the hilt, blood squirting and flowing freely, swiftly, staining his own hands.
His stomach muscles convulsed, spasming as he began to lean upon his side, falling. His breath was swift and shallow, blood thickly running from a corner of his mouth as the lifeblood coated his throat, and his body shook in shock.
Rorek's eyes focused upon Seraphina, his own hand still tightly gripping the handle of the blade that was within his flesh. His swift and shallow breaths had grown few and far between, slowing to an occasional, soft gasp until his breath had stilled.