(In the meantime…)
Nina, Drago, Aurora, Flint, Rayla, and Ash flew south as the green islands turned into islands of a more wintry color.
"How many times have you come here?" Nina asked Drago and Aurora.
"Several" Aurora mentioned, "You know, to visit our grandfather. We have never come before for such an important mission and we have never seen the cave of reflection, have we, Drago? Hey?"
But Drago was distracted, thinking about the morning conversation he had with his father… if facing oneself means facing his darkness… what was his darkness? "
"Earth calling Drago!" Nina yelled, waking him up.
"Hey? What's the matter?" he asked somewhat startled.
"You were somewhat distracted, what is wrong with you?"
"Well, I was worried about the evidence ..."
"Always so worried ..." Ash laughed, "You'll see how this test will be sewing and singing ..."
"And you, always with your overconfidence ..." Nina reminded him. Then, she turned to Drago, "Hey… I'm a little nervous too, but we sure can face it, it can't be worse than fighting each other, right?"
"I guess ..." Drago mused unconvinced.
They continued to fly for a while longer in the south direction, until the air began to get colder and colder. On the other hand, the green islands that flew over gave way to islands bathed in white snow and ice, while, in the sea, icebergs appeared floating on the freezing surface.
"Dante's freezer in sight!" yelled Flint.
The fortress had grown many years after Spyro first went to rescue Volteer: what once were castles had formed houses of stone and ice, ideal for the life of the ice dragons. However, not all the defenses had collapsed: the towers and some snow catapults were still mounted, as well as snapdragon cannons. Dragons were also working on great walls of ice.
At the sight of the place, the young dragons swooped towards the keep because, if they flew in just like that, then they would be mistaken for the enemies. Once landing in what looked like the entrance. Almost instantly, several ice dragons surrounded them.
"Stop!" one of them ordered them, "Who are you?"
"We are the Skylanders" Nina told them, "We come by order of the guardians"
"Hmm ... I've heard of you, but I've never seen you, can you prove it's true?"
"Um, well ..." said Aurora, "Master Cyril is our grandfather"
"That's right" Drago supported him.
"Ah, I remember… Aurora and Drago, right?"
"Let them go!" said a voice and Cyril appeared, "They are my grandchilds"
"Grandfather!" the brothers yelled in unison.
The guards apologized and Cyril greeted each of the young dragons. Then he led them inside the place.
"Excuse the security, we are very tense about this war" Cyril told them as they walked inside, "I never thought that in a few years a new catastrophe would happen again"
"Don't worry Master Cyril" said Nina, "We are ready for this"
"I would like to share that encouragement, but the last war cost us many lives, cities and almost the entire world. This is not a simple threat, it is something much worse "
"Why is everyone who's grown up telling us that?" Rayla asked.
"Because ... young dragons, war can take away your loved ones and sometimes you see it with your own eyes without being able to avoid it ..."
For a moment, the young dragons were silent: it was not just any wisdom speech, but it was more like a personal experience, as he had been one of the leaders of the previous war.
"We have a path to the tunnels through our ice statue hall," he continued, "Since we finished with the diabolical trolls and the apes, we have rebuilt the place in the old glory of the ice dragons. But we have also decided to annex a path to the Cave of Reflection "
Cyril led them to where a hexagonal tower was mounted. Inside, the place was spacious and several ice statues were arranged in rows, like a large museum.
"Here we showcase our best work," explained Cyril, "In times of peace, we dedicate ourselves to ice sculpture and thanks to the low temperatures they will never melt. Behind that statue, there is a door that leads to the underground caves and the cave of reflection "
The last of the statues was a couple of dragons united: a couple.
"Wait ... is that you, Master Cyril?" Nina asked when she saw the statue
"That's how it is"
"So ... who is with you ... is she our grandmother?" asked Aurora.
"Good deduction Aurora. Yes, I made this statue in honor of Eira long ago. The first ... was destroyed during the near end of the world in the last war. After that, I wanted to create another one"
"It is very nice of you"
"Do you know something? You remind me a bit of her…" he told her, "She also loved poetry and was very intelligent… But, this is not the time to get so sentimental. You have a mission and we must go to the Cave of Reflection "
Behind the statue, there was a huge circular portal with the symbol of the ice guardian, much like the one that led to the crystal chamber in the Dragon's temple. Suddenly, Cyril blew a blast of icy air towards it and, reacting, the sunset parted to give way to a frozen cave and something shiny from the ice around it.
"Be careful, it is somewhat slippery" he told them and led the way.
The underground caves had their rocky walls mostly covered with ice that accumulated every year. Several stalagmites were formed on different sides, leaving room for a single path. As he walked, you could hear the dripping of water.
The dragons walked without speaking for a while until they reached a large stone door. When looking towards the top, there was a writing that said:
"The closer you get to the light, the greater your darkness. Look for balance and you will find the answer"
Cyril warned them:
"Young dragons, the test you are about to face is one of high difficulty. Success in this test will bring you to the level of the Guardians. Usually this test is made for slightly older dragons and even they have taken days to complete. However, these are dark times again… I trust that each one will make it out of the labyrinth "
"How long did it take for the current guardians to pass the test?" asked Flint.
"The maximum record that a dragon has taken in there is ten days. Edel, Thorr, and Ray took about two hours; Spyro took at least five; Cynder took a little longer and Jhonny more than a quarter of a day"
If the young dragons were nervous before those comments, now they were even more nervous: if the Guardians, Spyro and Cynder had taken so long to pass that test and were more experienced, how long could it take them? A whole day or more?
Even in the face of the nervous faces of the young dragons, Cyril walked to the stone door and muttered something they did not hear. Instantly, the door moved into a cave illuminated not by ice, but by glass so clear that anything was reflected off the walls.
"The test of reflection consists of individually entering the cave, looking for the way through the crystal maze, facing its reflection and looking for the exit. When they enter, they will not be able to find the exit if they listen, smell, feel, etc.… The senses are useless here. They have to go beyond those limits in order to win and get out. Extend your mind and find the essence of manna - the seventh sense. Only then will they open the exit. The key is in that door: Look for balance and you will find the answer. So ... Who is the first? "
The six young dragons looked at each other wondering who it was.
"Come on Drago, it is your turn" Ash told him.
"That? because I?" Drago asked.
"Because you were the first to be unafraid when Malefor kidnapped Nina" he laughed.
"Is seriously?" Nina asked, "Woah, thank you"
Drago felt a bit embarrassed because he never told her that detail.
"Well ... if no one dares, I'll go first ..." proposed Ash.
"Ha, I'd like to see how you pass the test ..." Rayla laughed.
"Hey, it's not a game…" Flint warned him.
"Don't worry, I'll be back before you guys have even entered…" Ash laughed and ran into the cave.
"Flame already warned me that she is overconfident" Cyril mentioned, "But I never thought that would make it so ..."
"Headstrong?" Nina laughed.
"Yeah, that seems ... Well, who's next?"
"I'm ready" said Flint, "I just hope I don't fall into some kind of trap like I know will happen to Ash ..."
And he went into the cave. The next was Rayla.
"See you later, good luck" she said before entering. Once she was gone, the next to enter was Nina.
"Well ... now I'm really nervous" she said.
"Be careful" Drago warned, "My father said that facing the darkness within is extremely difficult"
"It's true," Cyril told her, "It took your mother a long time to overcome the darkness that she feared. You may have the same difficulties"
"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind, master" Nina replied, and then turned to Drago, "You too be careful ..."
And he also entered. The next was Aurora.
"Wait a minute" Cyril stopped him and took out a small amulet: a brilliant gem of a white and light blue color like a piece of ice, "Take this, it belonged to your grandmother and I hope it gives you luck"
"Thank you grandfather" replied Aurora, putting on her necklace, "I'm sure she will. See you later, Drago"
"Good luck, little sister" Drago laughed and saw her enter.
"It's your turn, Drago" Cyril indicated, "Don't let your guard down"
Taking a breath, Drago proceeded to advance.
"Drago, I know you are not an ice dragon" Cyril told him before Drago entered, "However, you were the first to be born and I promised that I would always be there for you and your sister. Be brave, do you understand? "
"Yes grandpa, thank you very much" said Drago and, turning around, he also entered the cave.
