Welcome back to The Violet Riddle. Last time, after regaining consciousness, Robert Langdon gave Spyro and Cynder a hand in deciphering a bit of the riddle given by the orb left at the scene of the Guardians' murder, revealing this somehow connects to the nine Elements. Confirmation from Ember and Flame that the Guardians were missing the crystal necklaces they were wearing throughout the day. Langdon and the group realize these gems are needed for some kind of ritual, which the Guardians were apparently performing when they died. All of this prompts a trip to the Temple, where presumably there's more information on what is going on here. So, what do they find? Read on to discover...
(Our story resumes deep in a swamp, where we focus in on Spyro, Cynder, Ember, Flame, and Langdon, trying to get down to the old Temple. It's very clear that Langdon was not expecting to be trudging through a swamp in Harris Tweed, and he definitely does not have the right footwear for this, looking up at the four dragons flying above him)
Ember: (Seeing Langdon is struggling with the terrain) We can give you a lift if you'd like, Professor Langdon.
Langdon: Is it much farther from here?
Flame: Should be another few minutes.
Langdon: For you? Or for me?
Flame: For any of us, really.
Langdon: I'll keep walking. Thanks for the offer, though.
(And true to Flame's word, just a few minutes later, the group is standing outside an ornate, yet slightly ruined, structure, marked by moss and archways protruding from the ground)
Langdon: The architecture of this place is beautiful. Reminds me of the Pantheon, but without the oculus.
(As the group approaches, a green dragon with what looks like some sort of cape and collar steps out of the doorway)
Terrador: (To Langdon) State your business here.
(This catches Langdon off-guard, giving him the look of a deer in headlights. But just as he stands there a little bit scared, Spyro and company land)
Spyro: He's with us, Terrador.
Terrador: Ah, Spyro. It's been a while since you were here. (Seeing the entire posse is with him) I assume this is not a social call, though.
Cynder: We really wish it were, Terrador.
Terrador: What seems to be the situation?
Spyro: Your successors have been murdered.
Terrador: By the Ancestors. Murdered?
Cynder: And a lead of the investigation brings us here.
Terrador: What lead, if I may ask?
Spyro: A set of 9 gem necklaces, one worn by each of the Guardians, has gone missing. And at the scene, an orb stating some maddening riddle.
(At this point, Terrador realizes exactly what is happening here)
Cynder: And it looks like you know exactly what's going on here.
Terrador: Indeed I do, and it's not pretty. We must make haste.
(With that, the group starts heading inside the temple, with Langdon attempting to follow, but Terrador stops him again)
Terrador: I have yet to understand what your purpose here is.
Spyro: He's with us. Professor Langdon has been so kind as to be our interpreter of runes.
Terrador: (Looking to Langdon with curiosity) You can read runes?
Langdon: Not fluently, but yes.
Terrador: Interesting. Very well then, you may pass. Volteer is manning the Archives, I will inform him of the situation. Please, follow me.
(With that, the group starts following Terrador through the Temple, with Langdon managing to catch up to the group after a bit of running)
Langdon: (To Cynder) You talk like you know this guy.
Cynder: We do. At least, Spyro and I do. Terrador was the Earth Guardian when we were kids. After Tectonus took over, he ascended to the title of Elder, alongside Volteer and Cyril.
Spyro: Ever since, the trio have been maintaining the old Temple, while their successors assisted in rebuilding the Warfang Temple. Mostly in memory of their former leader, and our dear friend, Ignitus.
Langdon: Ignitus?
Cynder: A dear friend of ours, who sadly passed during the war against Malefor.
Spyro: He was the greatest dragon I've ever known.
Langdon: Sounds like you knew him quite well.
Spyro: He was the one who taught me what it meant to be a dragon. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor or father figure.
Langdon: (Not having heard the word "figure") Wait, he was your father?
Spyro: No. He was a father figure to me. But the man who raised me lives not far from here. (Thinking about it) Once this is over, I really need to visit home again.
Cynder: It'll have to wait until later, looks like we're about at the Archive.
Terrador: Here we are.
(With that, Terrador places a paw upon the door, and miraculously, it opens, allowing the group to step into the dark room as our tale ends for today)
And that looks like a good spot to wrap up for today. So, it looks like Terrador knows exactly what's going on here, and it apparently has him worried. And believe me, knowing somewhat where this story is going, it should have him worried. But what is the situation? Tune in next time to start finding out. Same time... same channel!