Chapter 16: The ebbing line
Seraph hugged the wall of the cavern, peering around to look out the entrance to the tree line in front of him. Dargus held against the opposite side, keeping watch alongside him. Neither drew their eyes away, maintaining an absolute focus on the treeline.
Dawn was fast approaching, the sky lit up in pale blue without the natural shine from the sun with it yet to rise. Seraph and the other dragons still physically able felt relief with no sign of attack throughout the night taking shifts between watch and rest.
Seraph felt a recurring thump trample through his mind, leaving an uneasy sensation throughout his body. His claws tensed, scraping into the stone, ready to swipe in an instant. His heart beat faster than natural and exhibiting heavy breaths through his snout. Beside him Retrax laid against the cavern wall asleep as were many of the group behind including the wounded.
The poison dragon wouldn't direct his eyes elsewhere, not even for a second. Instinct whispered endlessly into his head, telling him he can't afford to lose focus with the obvious threat that could befall them at any moment. He caught a couple of glimpses throughout the night of remnant movement around the bushes and trees, but that was all.
It was obvious the remnant knew they had fortified in a better defensive position thanks to the cave but with the injuries to the group it left the poison dragon in a sensation of dread to the truth they wouldn't be much of a match it they stormed in numbers. Yet, they still didn't attack.
Retrax slipped off the wall, hitting his head on the floor. The thump sprung from Seraph's eyes to look at him thanks to the sudden noise. For a moment watched the yellow electric dragon pick himself and blinked away, looking back to the tree line.
Retrax panted observing his surroundings until he was calm enough to compose himself and lifted onto his fours laying eyes on Seraph and Dargus keeping watch over vigilantly. He hugged his body against the cavern wall and crawled across to look over Seraph towards the outside, noticing the sky.
"It's nearly dawn?" Retrax questioned, a lot of curiosity overtook him and turned to Seraph "Have you seen anything?"
"I saw movement a couple of hours ago but nothing since," Softy declared Seraph keeping his voice down. He kept his eyes trained to the outside, not looking anywhere else even for a Milli-second, his entire body tense and stiff "But make no mistake! They are out there."
Retrax absorbed the words from the knight, contemplating the situation the group was in. He looked around seeing black shadow dragon Gnabry checking over the wounded along with the only mole still able to walk. He looked over Seraph to the outside again, peering at the tree line.
"Why didn't they attack during the night? We would have been at our most vulnerable then," wondered Retrax.
"I agree…" Seraph concurred with the electric dragon's thoughts "So why didn't they? Something's going on out there."
With Retrax awake, Seraph finally averted his eyes to look back at the rest of his team. He was glad at least two of the injured dragons were at least standing, albeit very painful for any movement as they struggled to move from their spots.
The situation felt very tough for Seraph. He knew the critically injured still could not move alone and there weren't enough able bodies to move them and fight their way out. They couldn't stick to this stalemate much longer.
Why? Was the only word that sprung into the dragon's mind as were the others. Gifting them this respite allowed many to recover their mana energy and vitality. But even then there was only five members battle-able with four dragons and three moles hurt.
Seraph spotted Xavir trying to raise himself onto his fours. He straightened his forelegs, unable to get a decent grip on his paws. But his hinds wouldn't listen. Groaning every time he tried to lift himself up on his hinds, they came straight back down as a jolt of hurt coursed through his hind legs.
"Xavir don't strain yourself! Your body has not healed enough," Stressed the shadow dragon Gnabry. Holding his paws palm out towards him, trying to stop the young dragon.
"I thought I could do it," Apologised Xavir gritting his teeth as more sharp twists of pain riveted through his flanks. Seraph eyed the cuts on his scales, particularly on his flanks now stained with dried crimson blood, the lacerations closed up naturally from a dragons fast healing thanks to the offering of mana from his peers. Although it would not be enough to heal him, still at the mercy of his injuries.
"Xavir."
The young dragon paused upon hearing his name called to look at Seraph walking over and placing a paw on the young dragon's shoulder "You need to rest Xavir. You could stress your injuries even more if you overdo it."
"I know sir… but," The young ice dragon tried to speak back but found himself cut off.
"Xavir. Don't worry yourself, we will get out of this. The most important thing you need to do right now is save your strength," Seraph reassured. A look of determination flashed from him into the young ice dragon, jaw gaping with heavy gasping breaths.
"But…" Xavir said in a pleading voice wanted to argue but Seraph once again cut him off.
"I know your scared. We all are! But I will find a way. I promise," Seraph declare with such confidence capable of motivating anyone "And you can help me Xavir. Rest and save your strength. Doing that will reassure and help me plan to find a way out of here. Can I count on you, Xavir?"
The young dragon leaned up ready to argue, but no words came out and slowly withdrawn himself back laying on the ground and taking the weight off his legs. He didn't like it, but he wasn't about to argue with the knight. He laid up against the cavern wall to make himself as comfortable as possible on the stone floor, as rigid as it was.
Seraph grew a relieved smile, pleased with the understanding of the young dragon "Thank you Xavir. You rest up now, I'll need you as ready as you might b…"
"Seraph!"
The poison dragon's sense lit up crazily on the call of his name and swung his head around so fast, looking to the source near the cavern entrance. His eyes widened and his breaths hollowed quiet, his nerves aching with the familiar feeling of stiffness. He quietly trickled over to the entrance, moving up against the wall behind Retrax.
"What is it?"
"I saw something!" The yellow electric drake exclaimed focusing his sight ahead towards a bunch of bushes "There was movement next to those bushes. I couldn't make out the creature, but it was a two-legged creature."
Seraph peaked his head out to look upon the spot Raxus pointed out and focused his sole attention. Silence filled the surroundings with nothing but whispers of shallow winds passing by the cavern's mouth. Everyone's breathing was so quiet and their figures stiffened up so much you would wonder if they were breathing at all.
He waited and waited for a sign of anything. The minutes ticked by but nothing; no movement or any sign a creature was within the bushes. The quiet only unsettled the knight even more. He was under no illusion; more and more he became convinced the remnant were waiting them out. They were out there waiting, skulking and planning their next move but taking so long.
"That's it! We can't wait much longer," Seraph concluded with a gruff of annoyance in his voice. He turned his head around, calling out, "Gnabry! Come here!"
The black shadow dragon responded hastily making his way over to the cavern wall taking position behind the knight "Yes sir?"
Gnabry curled up his wings, noticing the death glare Seraph shot out to the bushes. A low growl exhumed from the knight's snout showcasing a hint of the gritting sharp teeth from his perking lips, frustration making itself known to the dragon.
"I have a mission for you!"
#
Fires raged throughout the street, illuminating under the darkness of night. Pieces of wood and cobble splattered across the path dusted and burning under such fires a strong whiff of smoke sprawling upwards.
Spyro stood in the centre of it all, his heart aching in pain, his jaw opened wide in shock, his eyes blinking endlessly. Static and blurriness overcame his eyesight. His vision lightening up in the static, darkening all his surroundings further, barely able to see anything. His senses overwhelmed, his mind was screaming from the experience.
He looked ahead of him to see a body laid on the ground, bloodied and bruised, but the interference prevented him from making out who it was but recognised it was a dragon around his size. But he couldn't see anything rubbing his eyes. But the static was relentless.
Looking to his right to see a foot smash into a column of wood covered in fire for a tall two-legged figure to emerge out of the flames. Of what he could make out its armour was bone but well-built as if there was more and its armour so black and sturdy.
A half torn cape running down its back, reaching down its waist and two long horns across its helmet. It stood above the injured dragon, Spyro could still not identify what it was. The creature brandished a sharp thick sword facing upon the dragon.
Spyro breathing felt heavy looking upon the creature's face. Covered by the helmet, noticing its shape with a snout which would show an orc. But the eyes changed his perspective with the red shining. He couldn't see any features, not even the irises. With a flash the creature's head turned to face him and a bright flash of red come upon Spyro's face the red eyes glowed so brightly blinding him and the static overwhelmed his mind everything going black.
#
Spyro's eyes flung open, inhaling a heavy breath into his mouth. His eyes blinked repeatedly, his mind raced with immediate questions and thoughts. His eyes peeking in multiple directions at the ceiling above him. The top of his horns scratched against the cushion underneath him.
He blew a huge breath to settle and gather himself. His senses unloading and calm entered his mind but questions poured into his head 'What was that?'
He laid back, careful for his spikes not to tear into the thin cushion underneath him and ruffle the circling mound of straw. Left in a daze of confusion of what he experienced and how short it was leaving more questions than answers. If only he could have seen more clearly.
Steady breaths elating from his maw followed by the movement of his golden underbelly, his forelimbs laid across his flanks. He pondered for minutes running the dream through his mind over and over trying to make sense of all the detail he witnessed. The urge to learn more overpowered his mind. The fires, that dragon and that creature who stood above. Those blood red menacing eyes painted a picture through his mind. The question ebbing at him; Who was that?
His thoughts end interrupted when he felt a nudge turning his attention to a black paw rested against his upper chest. He peered his eyes right to look upon Cynder still fast asleep curled up against him. Her wings wrapped up at her flanks and a gentle breathing poured from her snout, nuzzled against the purple dragon.
The sight of the dragoness surged a content relief in him. Remembering last night he asked her to stay over and nothing feels better when they get to sleep and cuddle up together. It was these moments he cherished with her, such loving and innocent moments to spend together.
It looked as though she was getting a peaceful sleep pleasing the purple dragon, but he could not turn his thoughts away from that dream. He gently grasped her paw and placed it down on the bed and flipped himself over standing up on his fours careful not to wake the dragoness.
He looked towards the balcony door and stepped out of the bed. Feeling a couple of aches in his body he stretched his forelimbs, spreading the toes in his paws as far as he could. He groaned in total satisfaction and switched to spread his hind legs backwards and stretched out his wings fully. Feeling big twitches and cracks felt so sustaining.
He stepped over and peered through the door to notice a dimmed blue sky was building showing it was morning but sunrise was yet to begin but noticed white clouds building up throughout the sky. He needed a distraction from the endless thoughts plaguing towards that dream.
Closing the door, he went over to his table and grabbed the two stoned bowls Cynder had brought in when she collected drinks, deciding he could do with a drink of water. Licking his lips he felt parched seeing minor reason to go against his current decision.
Placing one bowl on top of the other grasping them into his right paw he limped over to the door a tad more difficult to walk but content he could easily handle it. Arriving at the door pressed the mana crystal on the wall beside it electrifying in green sparks around the crystal and Spyros paw. The door unlocked and slipped open for Spyro to pull and walked through. Before leaving, he looked towards Cynder sound asleep in his bed. Her tail casually bounced, and she groaned under her breath.
Content she would be fine, Spyro turned away, leaving the room and pulling the door closed. A 'click' boomed off the door, locking up and leaving Spyro satisfied to walk away with the bowls in his paw.
#
Spyro dipped his snout into the body of water, casually swallowing up the fresh liquid before gulping it down. Having chosen the water fountain outside the entrance of the temple fixed in the city square leaning his paws up on the side allowing him to reach over to drink. It provided a comforting ease to the muscles and nerves throughout his body and the freshness smacking against his tongue was well worth the walk out of the temple.
Spyro listened to the water barrelling out the top, pushing the water in all directions and dropping around into the main-body of water. The saturating vibrations occasionally hitting the part of the purple dragon's snout above the water tickled his scales.
A few more gulps of water and the drake removed his snout leaning back to catch his breath letting out an all so satisfying groan projecting a thought of 'Just what I needed'. He looked up to the sky, peering at the building mass of clouds on its way in the distance set to cover the entire sky.
Spyro huffed, disappointed at the prospect of getting no sun before sunrise even occurs hoping to have enjoyed another pleasant sunny day. He looked down at his reflection in the water. His blank, confused expression shimmered off the water, his lips curled to a small opening as his mind raced.
The nerves in his body tightened up once more than flashes of that dream overtook his thoughts once more. The static, the fire raging through the street and surrounding buildings. And that figure, the focus of it all. The one with the glowing red eyes and covered in black. But he found it impossible to make out the creature it was. His breathing became heavy, letting out big puffs from his snout staring at his reflection.
"What was it? What does it mean?" He questioned to himself with a frustrated tone.
He kneeled down closer to the water and hoisted his paws dipping them into the war and cupping some in his paws lifting it out and splashing it over his face. The liquid wetting his scales and horns with drips falling off his face to drop back into the fountain. He repeated the action cupping more water and splashing onto his face, eyes closed and rested his palms on his face rubbing the scales along his cheeks and head.
A groan reverberated out his jaw and his wings dropped from his flanks, brushing on the cobble beneath him. He slowed his rubbing as the thoughts vanished overtime returning him to a relaxed state. He lowered his paws to dip towards the water, the sharp edges of his claws brushing against the surface.
He looked at his reflection again, seeing the trickles of water dripping from his snout and dripped in quiet taps back into the water. His mind empty, turning to the thoughts of what will come of today. Remembering Cynder informing of the council to meet last night regarding in their words 'unsettling' events of what occurred. Hardly the word Spyro would use having ended up in the infirmary.
"Spyro? What a surprise!"
The purple dragon snapped back into reality, the iris in his eyes shrunk for a split second reacting to the surprise of his name suddenly being called. He twisted around to look upon Seyrus.
"Councillor? What are you doing up this early?" questioned the purple dragon.
"Ho-ho, Am I not allowed to roam the city in the morning, young one?" Seyrus asked, hinting a slight chuckle.
Spyro gasped under his breath and eyes shooting wide under the belief he just caused offense. He pushed away from the fountain quickly bowing apologetic to the elder "I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean it in that way!"
Spyros confusion only mounted when he heard chuckling. Peeking his head up to see the yellow dragon causally laughing, "Oh young Spyro. Calm yourself, I was only jesting. I know how you meant it."
Seyrus walked up beside him, the size difference dwarfing the purple dragon and sitting on his hinds with the fountain before him. Upon settling once more Spyro turned back and sat in front of the fountain too but much slower making a mental note of checking his tone.
"You're looking very refreshed after yesterday. How are you feeling, Spyro?" asked Seyrus, courteous to the wellbeing of the young dragon.
"I feel great, sir. Thank you," answered a smiling Spyro.
"That's a relief to hear. It's astonishing how quick you have recovered after your experiences," marvelled Seyrus. The councillor peered over the purples dragon's body noticing the shine projecting from his scales. The speed of recovery even from healing crystals should have left him exhausted longer than overnight, but he rose and surpassed the electric dragon's expectations once more. This earned admiration from the councillor in the abilities of the young dragon and how integral to the dragon race he would continue being "When I witnessed the state you was in, so many cuts and blood I feared it was traumatic. You appeared in so much agony."
"It was!" Spyro admitted, he recalled flashes from the day before. The wounds inflicted upon him, the stabbing especially. He was at the mercy at those grublins and if not for Cynder it had the potential to end so differently. Spyro ran his eyes tilting to the sides taking all the memories in of the time of weakness. "That orc stabbed me twice! I just couldn't focus myself after that mana explosion hit me, it wounded me so much I found it difficult to control my powers. As if they wouldn't listen to me.
Seyrus raised an eye over that statement, digesting the words the purple dragon spoke of his elements. Curiosity filled the dragon's mind propelling a buzz within him to question the young drake tilting his head to the side as he spoke, "They wouldn't listen? As if you could not control them?"
"I'm not sure… It was like something felt… off." Spyro tucked a paw against his chin starring into the chasm of fountain water to collect his thoughts, listening to the volley of water springing out the centre to splash into the body of liquid swallowing a lump built up in his throat forcing it down all the while innocently scratching his snout. "If I'm honest… I don't know what happened. I didn't talk about it, but after that explosion… I felt… wrong. My body felt it was all over the place and sometimes difficult to breathe. When we were fighting the remnant… Sometimes I found it hard to summon my powers and others I was fine. It made no sense to me."
"Very curious." Admitted Seyrus, rarely he heard of dragons finding difficulty with controlling their elements. Especially from an explosion of all causes. His eyes narrowed into slits debating the whole concept "But you feel fine now?"
Spyro answered by raising and twisting his left paw over to show his palm and angled his claws. He concentrated his focus into his paw and in a mere second licks of fire erupted from his paw, gently flustering upwards. The inner part of his paw glowed an outlining of red mana with the small flames coursing from it.
The display impressed the elder of Spyros near perfect control. Able to condense his elemental power to explosive heights small as a tiny flame to light up a room "It's astonishing Spyro. It takes years of practise and concentration to control an element so perfectly at any shape or size and emit an insignificant amount. But you! Mastery of the elements isn't easy, yet you've made it look so simple. I'm in awe."
"Thank you… it's nothing special, I had brilliant teachers in the guardians," Spyro acknowledged, beaming in high spirits from the praise before killing the flames in his paw and placing it down.
"I wonder how far your powers will go! Only eighteen years of age, an adolescent and soon to reach the age of an adult and your powers are impressive. Physically a lengthy journey of growing to come, who knows how much potential you've yet to unlock. I find the whole notion to be an exciting one!" Confessed Seyrus, running endless praise into the purple dragon and ecstatic at the prospect of what the purple dragon could become.
The purple dragon drew a blank expression, digesting the words of the council dragon. The words of adulthood rang an impressive deal of curiosity in the young dragon. Staring into his image reflecting off the water, a flood of words and thoughts dashed over his mind, questions raised about himself.
The end of Malefor and the prophecy fulfilled, it had never occurred to him before. What would his life as an adult be like? What else would there be to discover and learn? Does he stand to have a future to look forward to? The tales of the former dark master flooded in again, recalling the tale he was like himself at the same age, young, caring and good willed and keen to learn.
Spyro relayed on the time he was reading in the temple library. According to the legends; Malefor was approaching his fiftieth year when he was exiled and gave into dark aether. Spending decades developing himself under the elders to become the prime of the dragon race in its golden age. Yet, just before that age something happened during that time most of the events lost from record and Malefor started changing. Exhibiting arrogance, impatience, bitterness and lack of regard, the texts explained.
It came to a head when Malefor attacked an elder out of frustration alone, which ultimately led to his exile almost nine hundred years ago and the eventual calamities to come. Centuries of war leading to so much death and destruction all the way, the eventual defeat of Malefor sealed away within convexity facing the combined might of the elders and guardians killing most of them. Yet the dark wars continued on for more centuries from the might of his forces.
What could make someone just turn so dark and emboldened with hatred? Spyro spent times curious of Malefor and his own destiny. How differently will this world revolve with him and his own future to come? It almost scared the purple dragon with the knowledge he had many centuries of life ahead of him. It felt he had learned so much already it excited him at the prospect he had the entire world to experience.
He observed Seyrus drinking out of the fountain, dipping his snout in at first to gulp then lifting out and dipping his tongue in scooping water into his mouth. The purple dragon switched his gaze to the sky above, the mound of clouds growing more but the pockets of clear sky he could see getting brighter.
"Sunrise will be here soon!" Spyro announced, grabbing the attention of the elder lifting his head and licking around his lips breathing a sigh after consuming the liquid.
"Well Spyro, It's been a pleasure as always but I will need to hasten to my morning duties soon. I hope to see the dragons in the infirmary will recover soon," Seyrus declared, standing on his hinds bowing to the purple dragon. Spyro responded in kind, bowing to the councillor.
"Of course sir, I will see Terrador soon I imagine about what will happen."
"I expect so Young dragon, the discussions were vast last night but the earth guardian shall discuss with the guard today of our plan… Will you be visiting your dragonfly friend today?" asked Seyrus.
"Sparx? Yes, I will soon I'm leaving it until after sunrise. I wouldn't want to disturb him if he has awakened yet." Answered Spyro, expressing his concern for his foster brother to his knowledge still out cold.
"Very considerate of you, young dragon." Approved Seyrus, expressing pride at the young dragon's way of thinking "He is lucky to have such a great relationship with yourself."
"Well… sometimes you wouldn't believe the things we have gone through together and the times he has put me through but I wouldn't change it for the world." Admitted Spyro, huffing an imaginary stress of the known antics he suffered with Sparx. He still fretted over the dragon-fly but understood he was in the best care possible and would summon him should the situation change. He peered to the two bowls he had brought down with him and grasped one, recalling why he had brough them in the first place to ensure a certain dragoness would wake to a drink.
Seyrus watched as Spyro filled one bowl and folded the empty one underneath. Suspicions took shape in the elders mind narrowing his eyes into slits "Curious Spyro? Why have you brought two bowls if your only using one?"
Spyro noticed the glaring gaze he received from the elder dragon, "Oh I would take a couple of bowls of water back to my room but… err… I. I over-compensated. I will get some more rest in first before I start the day, you know as Terrador instructed and such." defended the purple dragon, jumping over his words trying to sly himself around with alluring fear he failed massively. Grasping the bowl in his paw he looked to the elder one last time sporting a big grin "I will see you soon Councillor, I won't take up anymore of your time."
He tried to make a quick escape, limping away towards the towering entrance to the temple. Seyrus watched him skulk away, amused by the poor almost cringe justification and the hasty departure. The yellow dragon chuckled shaking his head and called out, "Okay young one, I will see you soon. Be sure to let Cynder know I said hello!"
Spyro halted in a snap, twitching still at the mention of the black dragoness redness overtaking his cheeks and eyes sprung wide open. His usual confident demeanour dropping into one of shyness peering back to see the councillor with his back towards him walking away. He gulped down the lump building in his throat and his breathing quickened for a split second.
'How does he know?' Spyro asked himself, startled by the revelation, and the redness in his cheeks brightened. It was a mystery he couldn't figure out. He never slipped it to Seyrus by accident. Or was it just that obvious? Either the surprise caught him good. The purple dragon shook his entire body from head to tail, pulling himself together to trample off into the temple feeling completely discombobulated by the elder.
Wahoo here we go again. I trust everyone is coping well in these time as the world continues to fall into chaos while here I am in the world of Spyro sowing my own seeds of chaos with a big smiling face.
So I'm sure you will notice I have been digging into some lore this chapter and well in the past this has been a problem for me with certain viewers believing I change lore. Well I assure you not especially where Malefor is concenred as truth be told there wasn't a lot of official lore to dig up on it. How long ago and what finally made Malefor tick as well as how old he was. So in support of the main lore I am expanding and creating my own lore in parts too.
Rest assured I am keeping to the canon lore as best I can while at the same time we have to add and create or own lore to go with it as writers while I try to keep it as canon as possible but this is the story I want to tell and show so please respect that but I'm happy to have discussions about it having loved the trilogy since its release.
Anyway reaction time:
I was growing a little concerned that people were starting to lose interest however you lot listed below shut those fears down straight away and all past reviewers who are regular. You guys are awesome and I appreciate the support as always.
Az0tAc: Yes I enjoy these little intimate moments they have, It's important in any relationship the emotional but also physical moments they experience together but ofcourse for ratings sake gotta be careful of course haha. Although might be revisiting that in the future. Glad you enjoyed as always.
DiabloPProcento: They had a very enjoyable night of cuddling together hehe. But as I point out just courting for now. I like portraying the idea of them being sneaky teenagers while they haven't gone too far yet in terms of a relationship and still in the age of learning stuff. Sometimes its difficult to get the message across what's truly happening but I try my best hehe. Glad you enjoyed.
Voidreader: Well we shall see what is to come. There is some much content to come and I'm hoping I'll be able to speed up on delivering my content but in these times no guarantee unfortunately. Hope your enjoying this journey. To answer you question regarding Pokémon: I doubt it the passion for that is gone, Spyro my original passion has full attention and commitment now and I have a long journey planned for it. Providing of course I reach the end of this wonderful journey. Who knows what I'm feeling then but for now I'm just not feeling Pokémon. Thanks for the interest though.
Kraft58: Ah mentor, your words are very kind as always. I'm glad you enjoyed the politics as well as I voiced many times that was a worry for me. That certain fan we know and love did indeed go crazy and I look forward to his reaction once more. I know you want me to lower my morals for a story standpoint. I'm trying and well recent discussions may show that but who knows what happens it is a long journey ahead of us. An 8/10 very flattering as always and I really appreciate. Thanks as always for your guidance and help mentor.
RioloverBardenBellaforlife: Ah my favoured fanboy reviewer. Your reviews arw a pleasure as always. And torturing you of course as well (evil laugh). Ik now any Spyro cynder moments pluck those heartstrings anytime I present one and you never disappoint I love the enthusiasm. I'm glad you enjoyed the politics also and that touch of Terrador last chapter I wanted to expand on how the guardians felt a bit although Cyril and Volteer are elsewhere anyway. But hope you enjoy and I look forward to more reaction.
Oh Btw guys if you haven't noticed i have put up a poll important to the story. give it a vote if you haven't aalready.
Thanks for your support and I hope to see you the next time.
