Welcome back to The Violet Riddle. Last time, after nearly falling through the bridge, Spyro and Langdon made it to the Altar of Earth and recovered the last gem necklace. With the final necklace in hand, our dynamic duo heeds the directions of the Sorcerer, and heads back to where it all began, back to the scene of the Guardians' murder. So, what awaits as they travel? Read on to discover...
(Our story resumes as we left it, with Spyro and Langdon flying away from Tall Plains, six of the nine gem necklaces in hand, knowing the Sorcerer has the other three and Cynder.)
Langdon: How far out are we?
Spyro: Should be approaching the city in moments.
(After this, a few more moments of awkward silence follow, before Spyro realizes something grim)
Spyro: You think this guy will hold true to his word?
Langdon: Huh?
Spyro: The Sorcerer. Do you think he'll really let Cynder go if we go through with this?
(Langdon thinks about this statement. Thinking back on his previous adventures, he realizes just about all of them have followed through on their word, to destroy something or threatening to that is. But he can't think of one that ended up in a situation like this and would've kept their word to release their hostages.)
Langdon: I'll be honest with you Spyro, I don't know.
Spyro: You don't know?
Langdon: I've seen a lot in the last two decades, stuff that has shaken the foundations of belief for probably billions of people. I've stared down apocalyptic plagues, ancient orders brought to light, and now this story of a second Purple Dragon. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the nature of people is unpredictable. People will do anything to preserve the world they want, or shatter illusions set by others. This Sorcerer is acting in his interest and his alone. If he thinks it'll help him to spare Cynder, he probably will. If not, she's probably going to die. And I really don't know which solution works out better for him on this one.
Spyro: So it's up to chance?
Langdon: From what I've seen, pretty much.
Spyro: Not exactly encouraging, Professor.
Langdon: Just calling it like I see it.
Spyro: (Sees something in the distance) Well, it's our hour of destiny now. Here we go.
(And now we see what Spyro saw. The familiar structure where this story started all this time ago. Where the Sorcerer murdered the Guardians, setting this whole quest in motion. But as Spyro and Langdon land at the base of the structure, we transition back to the room with the violet orb, where the Sorcerer stands with Cynder tied to a column in the room)
Sorcerer: (Seeing Spyro and Langdon at the bottom) Ah, they've made it. If they're daring to come here, they must've followed through with my instructions. (To Cynder) Soon I will have what was stolen from me returned. (Putting his claw to Cynder's chin) And you will have made it all possible. For that, you shall be rewarded.
(Cynder clearly knows exactly what he's talking about and is disgusted by it, judging by how she looks like she'd be spitting on him if she wasn't gagged. But meanwhile, the Sorcerer resumes looking out the window at his twin targets, as our tale ends for today)
And that looks like a good spot to end. As of now, there are only two chapters left until the story is complete. Now I know this seems a little odd, particularly Langdon's remarks on these types of characters letting their hostages go. The only reason it's so vague is because I can't think of a single time in the books that hostages have been let go alive. If there was a moment of that, don't tell me, I do plan on reading through all of these books eventually. Now that aside, I can reveal this for the next chapter. Next time we get the answer to the big question of this story to date. Who is the second Purple Dragon? For the answers at long last, tune in next time! Same time... same channel!