(The next day…)
The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon, lighting the sky a deep yellow to start the new day ... for Spyro and the others, they hoped it would not be the last. Fortunately, after the attack on the temple the day before, nothing else happened all night.
Drago got up first of all and got ready to get some fresh air. As he saw all the landscapes of the dragon's realm, he began to mentalize what was looming over them: the final war against the dark master. The last time he faced him, he had possessed Nina and made them fight each other… how could they beat him this time?
"It's normal to get nervous, Drago" his father told him, giving him a little fright, "The war is different from a simple fight: it is to decide the fate of many, and not just yours"
"Dad, why does war feel bad for you, but are you willing to face it?" Drago asked.
"If you had learned what I learned back in the day, you would also repudiate it: deaths, torture, discrimination, slavery, and much more. And everything ... why? Wealth, territories, desire for power, hatred that generates more hatred. Things so vain that they blinded and they saw the reality that we all shared life... "
"So much so?"
"For exmaple, in the second war of my world, a group called 'Nazis' tried to seize power. They… were the worst of the worst. A speedy killer is kinder than these guys: they tortured and killed people in ways you can't imagine. They were monsters. Was fighting to survive wrong? Was the mere fact of existing a crime? They never thought of that. And, those who opposed them, even from their people, ended up just as dead. "
There was a minute of silence, until he then he said:
"I never experienced or saw those things, but they were taught to me and I hated war ever since. But this war is to prevent that darkness that still permeates my world from spreading to this. This is to prevent the dark from winning: the war between light and dark "
"And do we have to pass our tests in order to help?" Drago asked.
"It is said that, to face the outer darkness, it is first necessary to face the inner one"
"And how did you deal with it?"
Jhonny gave a long sigh remembering that.
"After we were appointed by the previous guardians," he said, "We faced the other test. In the first, we traveled alone to specific places to harden ourselves physically and mentally ... In the second test, I saw my darkness: I saw myself ... as a human again."
"And how bad was that?"
"It was horrible, hard and it hurt my heart. My darkness told me that I was human and could never be like a dragon… it was torture for me: I had fought and shared so much, but there I was, throwing me in my face who I was… "
"And how did you win?"
"I accepted myself: maybe I wasn't a dragon, maybe I wasn't human either… I was myself. In that instant, my shadow transformed into a dragon as well and we fought. It was a battle that I almost lost, but knowing that I wanted to be who I was and knowing that your mother loved me, I couldn't give up… and that's where I discovered the essence of my mana "
"I understand, but ... I know that I am not the best student compared to Aurora, but I would like to have one more explanation about what they call the essence of mana"
"Okay, but I hope you don't fall asleep, okay?"
"Okay"
"It's okay. As we have already taught you, manna is the main source of energy for nature spirits. It is produced by the world and acts as the life force of the planet, so far clear, right? "
"Yes"
"Well, as you may have noticed, in previous battles, spirit gems provide that energy and we can sometimes find them in large quantities. However, fully replenishing it once it has been depleted takes a considerable amount of time. The spiritual gems do not come out of the earth like that because like that "
"Well, we have a whole chamber of them"
"It is true, and it is used in cases of extreme exhaustion. But, as rule number three says of mana, the spirit of the warrior makes it grow. That is because we are also part of nature. However, sometimes we ignore it, and only join a small amount of it "
"And ... is using it with all its power to find the essence of it?"
"That's how it is. If I have to compare humans with the dragons that inhabit this world, it is that the possession of the senses is similar: sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Then, the sixth overcomes perception: there is what makes use of mana, although many cultures call it by another name: chakra, energy, vitality, etc ... "
There was silence for a few seconds.
"But, when you extend your mind to capacities far beyond those limits, it is because you reached a new sense: the seventh sense."
"Seventh sense?" Drago asked.
"For this you must go beyond the limit, even for a moment ..."
"Is that what you do when you use the fiery dragon?"
"Not just me: Cynder, Ray, Thorr and Edel can too. With Spyro I think he also saw it yesterday ... you cannot become a guardian with just mastery of the element, flight maneuvers and so on ... "
"Woah ..."
The sun was almost up.
"Go wake up your friends, we'll leave in thirty minutes"
(Minutes later…)
With Flame and Ash back at the temple. They all gathered in a room, ready to leave.
"Ready, we're going," Nina said, ready to spread her wings.
"Wait, Nina" Spyro stopped her, "You can't just leave ... We have something for you ..."
Jhonny walked to a wall in the main room and began to feel the surface. Suddenly, a wall of the wall collapsed and he revealed a room furnished with armor like the ones used in the last war.
"I never thought this room would have to be opened" he commented, "Anyway… with the Dark Ones on the loose without knowing when or where they will attack, we must be ready for whatever. Now, everyone to arm themselves has been said "
As expected, the young dragons tried on their armor: bracelets, helmets, and tail armor. Each wore armor that matched their colors: Nina a dark armor, Drago and Ash wore armor with gold and orange motifs, giving the impression of fire, Rayla one with gold-yellow motifs giving the impression of lightning, Aurora wore a silver-celestial armor and Flint one with green-brown colors.
"Do not trust that by having armor you are stronger" recommended Thorr, "The Dark Ones are driven by the darkness of their heart, and the only way to defeat them is by reaching beyond where your mind and heart can go"
They all heard the words and, changing their cheerful faces from receiving armor to serious ones, they prepared to head towards their next challenge: the Cave of Reflection under Dante's freezer.
(In the meantime…)
Spyro, Cynder, Flame, Johnny, Edel, Ray, Thorr were flying in the direction of Skycity for the meeting with the great council. The dragon temple had been reinforced with a high-level spell that only a guardian could access, in addition to a couple of sentries.
"Do you think Nina will be okay, Spyro?" Cynder asked somewhat concerned.
"Sure you do, Cynder" he replied, "All together can defeat a single of the Dark Ones. You must have confidence in her "
"Yes it's true. I'm sorry, it's just that… I never thought that she had to be in a war… I don't think it's good at all that our daughter… Well, you know… "
"I swear to you Cynder, this time we will kill Malefor once and for all"
"Thanks, Spyro. It means a lot to me"
"Skycity in sight!" yelled Ray.
Skycity was equal to or even bigger than Warfang. The buildings were built of marble, polished stone, quartz pillars, and some parts of gold or shiny stones. All the houses, without exception, were made of the same materials. However, there had been a problem: a part of the city where there was rubble was being repaired.
"Another attack from the Dark Ones," Thorr commented, "God, they don't even have respect for the council city."
"Well, their hearts are full of darkness" explained Jhonny, "I doubt they show respect for anything ..."
"Yes it's correct…"
The place designated for the meeting was the great dome in the center of the city. Many dragons from different cities or towns were already gathering. Once they all landed, they were greeted by an old mole.
"Welcome" he told them, "Masters Spyro, Flame, Jhonny, Ray and Thorr; and also ladies Cynder and Edel… we were waiting for you, the meeting of the great council will start in a few minutes "
"Thank you very much, Tidus" Jhonny replied. Then, he turned to his friends, "Come on, let's go in."
The interior was more like a marble palace with a glass ceiling. Around him, there were several golden stones that lit up if it was night. As the seven of them made their way down the main hall, they could see various statues of dragons that had been known in the past. One of them, to Spyro's surprise, represented Ignitus. In front of them, a large door loomed in front of them.
Barely standing in front of the door, it was divided to the sides like the doors of the temple. The interior was a round room, in which several seats were arranged in rows in the same way, each one with a symbol that represented the city to which it belonged, that meant that there were several representatives per place. In the middle, it was the place occupied by the oldest dragons. Near the center, a place was arranged for Warfang: four places for the four guardians and another three next to him for Spyro, Flame and Cynder.
It should be mentioned that several of the places were already occupied. Some were already known to the group, having come there several times. Representing the Ice Islands, there was Frost (who waved them from his position), since he had been sent by Cyril because he was guiding the young dragons in Dante's freezer, and a couple of dragons more ice. Another acquaintance was Terrador.
"I'm glad to see you too," he said, "How are you, Cynder? Is Nina okay? "
"Yes" she replied, "She has gone to Dante's freezer at this time."
Before continuing, four elder dragons entered the hall. So, knowing that the meeting was going to begin, they all headed to their places. Once everyone was assembled, they proceeded to discuss the matter. One of the dragon elders (a fire dragon named Flavius), began to speak:
"Thank you all for being present at this extremely important meeting. Especially the heroes of the previous war and the guardians ... "
All seven of them made a slight bow of thanks.
"… Sadly, we find ourselves in a rather compromising situation: darkness is once again closing in on the realms. Yesterday afternoon our beautiful city suffered a violent attack by creatures belonging to the dark army of the previous war ... "
A murmur spread among the assembled. For an instant, several doubtful glances fell on Cynder, as she previously belonged to the dark army, this made her feel a bit despised. Spyro was going to protest, but Jhonny stopped him while she said:
"Don't worry, Flavius also trusts Cynder"
Spyro calmed down a bit. To his reassurance, after the murmur, Flavius continued:
"I know that many have doubts, but the oldest of us have confidence in our guest, Cynder. She, well, she collaborated with the defeat of the Dark Master and the salvation of the world… However, we would like to know what the current threat is… "she turned to look at the group," Guardian masters, can you explain the situation better? "
As one of them had to explain, they all arranged Jhonny. As he was the leader of the guardians, he had to take that responsibility (although deep down he felt a bit uncomfortable).
"Master Flavius, fellow council members ... We do indeed have a threat: Malefor is not dead ..."
After the explanation of all the events that had occurred so far, there was a new route of murmurs among the members of the council. Then another of the elder dragons, Sephton, got up to ask:
"How is it possible that Malefor got new allies? Who are these 'Dark Ones'?"
"From the information we have obtained from one of them," continued Jhonny, "They are creatures from another world who have allowed the darkness to devour their hearts. Their negative emotions incite them and make that darkness grow, allowing Malefor to have given them powers"
"By any chance, do you know what world they come from?"
"That's how it is. From a world habited by creatures called humans"
Another of the elder dragons, Salem, got up to ask:
"How can we be sure that this entire world has not been placed at the Dark Master's disposal? It could be assumed that the threat is much greater "
"I assure you, grand masters, these are only acts caused by some. Not all the habitants of that world have darkness in their hearts, there are also those who carry light to help each other"
"If so, we would like to speak with one of the beings that habit that world. A being of those that you mention, to have a clearer confirmation that not all are like that. Otherwise, we will not only have to wage a war against the dark ones, but also against humans"
Spyro, Cynder, Edel, Ray, Thorr, Flame, Terrador… they all looked at their partner hoping he wouldn't say anything about it. Spyro tried to speak:
"With all due respect, old masters ..."
"No, Spyro ..." Johnny stopped him, "It's true, you need to know ... Okay, old masters, you must know ... that you are talking to an inhabitant of that world. Before, I was a human "
Several murmurs ran through the room, even louder than the previous ones. The group was worried about their partner. Flavius raised a claw and immediately fell silent.
"Guardian of Fire, Jhonny" he said, "If it is true that you came from this world, you have kept this secret from your fellow council members and that would merit punishment… However, because we have also had doubts with Miss Cynder and also you have proven to be a very efficient and creative guardian to rebuild a world that is not your home world, you are absolved of hiding secrets and… you and your companions will be appointed as generals in this dark war "
There was a sound of jubilation among those present. Spyro and the others came forward and also received their general titles.
(1 hour later, outside the cathedral ...)
"Hey, I'm sorry" said Thorr, "I shouldn't have let you talk all of this or reveal your secret."
"Something tells me that things will never go back to the way they were," Spyro inquired.
"Maybe, Spyro" Jhonny replied, "But if it is true that I have a dragon part, I cannot live without being honest with my friends and colleagues. Besides that, as a guardian, that is my duty "
"More than a guardian, you are now a general" said Edel, "Well, we all are"
"Well then ..." Cynder said, "What do we do now?"
Jhonny thought for a moment and then said:
"Let's gather all the armies from the nearest cities, starting with Skycity. If some dragons or dragons wish to protect the youngest, who enlist together with a group towards LunaVillage, one of us will protect them so that they arrive safely "
They all nodded, taking responsibility for their new duties.
"Well, if Malefor wants one last war, we will give it to him," said Spyro, quite determined.
