Chapter 15:A Land That Always Burns Pt 1
A blazing sun was glimmering across the horizon as it raised from the east. And it brought forth a light that began to warm the cold grass that endured a brisk night, and got covered in morning dew. The dew glittered from the welcoming light and warmth of the sun, as it stripped away the blanket of night's darkness. But the dark scales of Asher were unwavering, as he stood awake and alert. Cleaning up the supplies they had unpacked for dinner and slumbering last night, it was soon time to go.
As he packed up the gear, he took a moment or so to look to the comrades he was stuck with. Both of them still sleeping even at the break of dawn, Sparx even boldly slept on Hunter's nose. It gave the dragon an odd sense of ease, at least it was more ease than it was confusion for such behavior. But it was soon time to leave for their destination, Cynder's guidance beckoned them towards The Burning Lands. So he needed the two on their feet and wings, wide awake, and ready for the lands.
"Hey! Rise and shine, cuddlers. We got a burning land to investigate,"Asher announced and applied a light kick to Hunter's leg,"Come on! The sun is rising, and that means we need to be rising from the sack! Get up!"
Hunter wiggled his snout and groaned with morning weariness before his eyes could open. That was the moment Hunter saw the yellow dragon fly sleeping on his nose like a furry bed. He sighed, shaking his nose and blowing Sparx off his nose, this quickly awoke the dragon fly. He woke up flailing and screaming before face planting into the wet grass, muffled groans left his mouth. Before Sparx was able to lift his head up slowly with a mouth full of grass and dirt.
The dragon fly flew up and spewed out everything, rubbing his tongue to get any remaining dirt out of his mouth. He looked around, noticing that it was barely dawn, and they were awake. This was an uncalled for requirement, and he was ready to demand some answers for this early morning awakening.
"Ok, there better be a really good reason for waking us up this early in the morning."Sparx grumbled and flew into the air in front of Asher's nose.
"How's this for a reason? We got ground to cover and a land of fire to search,"Asher said in a low and demanding tone,"We don't have time to sleep in like a bunch of pigs on a humid hot day! Sleeping in will make us lazy and unfocused!"
"Right… Didn't know we were in the military now. How about some food, drill Sargent?"Sparx demanded some sort of breakfast if they were going to get moving this early.
"You want food?"Asher questioned and rushed for the bag Hunter had started to pack up.
Hunter allowed the dragon to quickly scavenge in the bag till he pulled out some thick Warfang white bread. He fried two in one hand and one in the other with some natural heating of his own. Once he had toasted the bread to a nice crispy brown, he was already digging into his own pack. Until he pulled out a little bit of his favorite morning snack, a vial full of honey. With a quick pour of honey that spread over each slice of toast, he gave Sparx one and two to Hunter in the form of a sandwich.
All he did now was cross his arms, drilling in the idea that the toast with honey was their breakfast. It was beyond a quick thing to make, gave the necessary filling they needed, and the honey would serve as their means of energy. As clever as it was, Sparx was less than pleased with it.
"Very funny, big guy. Now how about the real food?"Sparx asked, not liking the notion that honey toast was their breakfast.
"That is breakfast. All that toast will be enough for you, and it won't slow you down,"Asher responded to the spoiled behavior before hearing the smack of lips from Hunter,"At least some one appreciates a quicker and lighter meal…"
"Catra feared that I may be putting on weight.. So I…may as well try to correct that,"Hunter admitted while eating what he was given,"It's not bad… Convenient and doesn't require much in ways of supplies."
"Indeed… Now eat up, and get ready to leave for the Burning Lands…!"Asher instructed while walking away for a bit of alone time to gather his thoughts.
They both watched him quietly walk off, so quiet, they could hear the grass crunch. Once he had left, Sparx looked at the toast he was struggling to hold up on his own, and sighed. No amount of staring at the toast was going to make it disappear, so he had no choice but to make do. He began eating it, and after only two bites, he groaned with a saddening conclusion that hurt his ego. The honey toast was delicious, and he would be filled up by the time he finished it, Asher was right.
And that dragon was currently walking down the hill, looking to the surrounding mountains in the distance. One of which was pouring water down from a top it's icy looking peak. That water fall it made brought down a stream that flowed right in a cavernous underside of the hill. The very spot that Sparx must have gotten water from, the rushing water of the creak was loud, but oddly soothing. It definitely fitted the sort of background he needed to be alone with his thoughts.
So he took a seat right at the opening of the underside, and right by the creek. For once, he sat like a normal dragon would, watching the flow of the water as it glittered like fine sapphires. The stream was pure and cold the moment he dipped a claw into the water and swished it around. Hoping to disturb the flow, see a ripple, or perhaps even scare out a fish for the next dinner. A sigh passed through his sharp teeth as he stared aimlessly into the stream, and finally cooled down his head.
Once he had done that, that's when the thoughts came in with echoes of questions. Will this all be worth it, or will this end in great humiliation? Was it truly the right thing to do when he left his family of mercenaries? What will he really achieve doing this, and what will be the consequences?
"Do not concern yourself with what was or what could have been, Asher...!"
Asher shot up, hearing that very familiar voice he had only heard in a dream before. He looked around, and he could not find the source of the voice, he grew alarmed and vigilant.
"I don't like games…! Come on out, and stop playing games, old timer!"Asher demanded before a splash was heard from the water.
He looked down, seeing that there was not one drop of water that splashed up from the stream. He looked deeper, letting out a small huff before sticking his claw in the water once more. This action seem to do just the trick as a small ripple from his claw suddenly revealed the dragon from his dream.
"Ignitus…?"Asher responded as the water revealed an image of the dragon himself in the water.
"You need to be cautious, Asher. Any form of doubt will hinder you, and cause a great pain within yourself,"Ignitus immediately started to speak as if Asher was his own student,"You must let go of doubt, do not cripple yourself with any lack of confidence. You have two very good comrades at your side that will follow you to whatever end…"
Asher looked away, as he heard Sparx ranting and talking all kinds of crap with Hunter. As new as they were, the idea of them remaining loyal to him when he was once considered an enemy. Not to mention their confidence proved even more so than his own since this journey started, he didn't know what to think.
"What if I can't…? What if I end up giving in…?"Asher sighed, and asked the most honest question he's ever asked in a long time.
"Then let them help you find the strength. You're are not alone, and you never will be,"Ignitus instructed and encouraged some trust upon Hunter and Sparx,"Try your best, young dragon. And remember who you are doing this for…"
With those final words, a great ring and a ripple from the water made Ignitus's face disappear. Only Asher's reflection remained, straight, stern, but hiding his doubt within. He remained in silence, trying to shake away the doubt that continued to linger in his head. The dragon would then need to be forced to throw it aside the minute he heard a solid landing to his left. Where Hunter now stood, completely packed up and ready to go, but the question was, was Asher ready to go?
"We're all packed up, and fed. Just say the word and we will move out to the Burning Lands."Hunter informed, and Asher steeled himself before giving him a nod.
"Let's do it…! No more looking back…"Asher agreed and stood up to leave with Hunter.
Swallowing his troubles, the both of them went back to Sparx where Asher could get his own pack to carry. With that, the three comrades finally moved out, two took flight, the other started running. No words were shared in this final home stretch, just determination, and self preparation of the minds. For this land held great significance in the past, and it had some stories to tell. But that could be saved for another time, until then, they needed to be ready for anything that awaited them in the Burning Lands.
Anything could be possible, from Grublins, to Apes, and maybe even petty cutthroats. So they needed to be head strong, their minds focused, and their combative spirit must shine. It was then that endurance needed to be tested as well, the flames and heat of the lands struck them once a mere mile stood between them. Asher barely felt a sight raise in the temperature, but Sparx and Hunter were a different story. They could feel the heat almost immediately, embers nipped at their cheeks, and the air burned away at their energy.
Hunter could feel his fur starting to dry out and singe, while Spark's wings started to struggle with moving. A groan came out before Sparx suddenly felt his wing's seizing up and even steaming. With a gasp, Asher saw him start to drop, and went for a quick grab to save the dragon fly.
"I gotcha,"Asher made the grab and held Sparx in both claws to assess the issue,"Your body is already heating up…! The fire's here are too strong…!"
"No…! Don't you…even think about…taking me back…!"Sparx groaned and struggled to stay conscious.
"You'll overheat, and you will die! We have nothing to keep you cool…!"That proved to be untrue, as an idea came to mind from the mere word, cool.
With Sparx almost ready to pass out, he thought fast, and decided to make a sacrifice. He growled and pulled out the canteen of water Sparx collected for him, he was quick to take a drink of it. Before he would then leave it at half full and put Sparx inside the canteen itself. With a small poke of his claw, he made a ventilation hole for the dragon fly to breath through the cap. Sparx saw darkness closing in, before it suddenly shrouded him instantly, along with water and cooler temperatures.
Once he had rubbed his eyes and felt the spike of cool water around him. He shot up with a gasp and looked around, seeing only metal walls and clear water illuminated by a small red ray of late. This light of which that came from the very fires they were about to approach.
"Hey! Did you really just put me in here?"Sparx yelled out for an answer, as his voice echoed through the flask.
"There was nothing else we could use to keep you cool!"Asher yelled back, getting only silence as he was then able to come to a stop.
Hunter came to a stop, and was in short of breath from the heats draining dry air. He was sweating, but he manage to brave the heat as Asher flew down to meet up with him. So they could both look at the very thing that killed Ignitus himself, the great wall of fire that safe guarded the Burning Land. Once they were side by side, they looked over the great scale of the wall's size. It was all too new for Hunter, while Asher had witnessed this wall before, but not with the knowledge he now had.
The heat did prove strong, forcing Asher to put Sparx away in his cloak for safe keeping. While Hunter decided to take some precautions for traversing this deadly wall of flames. That was as simple as removing his cape and his shirt, he folded both and placed them on a soft pile of ash. This left him bare chested with only his bow and quiver on his body.
"So… You spoke of a way for us to get through these flames. Without ending up like Ignitus…?"Hunter questioned, and Asher slowly nodded.
"Get close to me, and no matter what happens. Don't let go…!"Asher instructed briefly, leaving Hunter a bit hesitate to do so.
"Uh…what exactly are you going to be doing?"Sparx echoed from the canteen.
"Just hold on tight to me, and don't let go! Unless you wanna burn to death!"Asher yelled and pulled Hunter right up against his body before running.
Panic threaten to overtake Hunter as Asher rushed straight for the fire wall. But the dragon's quick warning allowed his mind to steel itself and prepare, just as the scales around Asher began to glow red. Steam was emanating from his scales before Hunter closed his eyes and braced for extreme heat. He waited, as he heard the great flickers and roars of the blazing wall rumble his ears. But there was no searing or blistering pain, or the sound of his flesh bubbling and melting away.
He only heard the flames, and felt the bright red glares of the fire light against his eyes. Once he had finally opened his eyes, Hunter witnessed the absolute impossible. He was traversing the great belt of fire without so much as a singe or burn, his body remained completely untouched. As he noticed the steam from Asher was around him, protecting him like a thick blanket. The steam dampened his fur, showing him just how he was able to move through the fire alongside Asher.
His body radiated a heat as hot or even hotter that blocked away the heat from the flames. And the steam kept the both of their bodies from getting dried up by the dry heat, as long as Hunter remained close to Asher. He was safe from the heat and the threat of dehydration.
"Unbelievable…! You really are full of surprises."Hunter admitted, and Asher gave a small chuckle while remaining focused.
"Hey! How far did we make it? Are we at the wall of fire yet?"Sparx yelled for an answer, and finally got one.
"Let me put it to you this way! Unless you wanna die a fiery painful death, don't come out of the canteen!"Asher yelled as the fire became a bit more intense.
Asher felt his body grow heavy from the flames, but this was hardly the first time this happened. It only meant he was passing through the worse of the flames, and soon they would be through the wall. With a growl, he kept going, only to stop the moment he saw a strange blue light nearly side swipe him. At least it was what he saw, while Hunter was almost ready to soil himself from the abrupt stop. One slip, and those fires would cook him alive, he looked to the startled dragon, as Asher looked around for the strange light.
"Asher! Now's not the time for stopping! We must get across the wall while you have the strength to endure the fire!"Hunter yelled to draw Asher away from his oblivious searching.
"What? You mean you did not see that?! The blue light?!"Asher yelled before realizing how intense the fire was getting.
"All I'm seeing is a lot of fire that's only getting stronger and more hostile!"Hunter warned, and got Asher to understand the rising danger.
"Dammit! Hold on!"Asher shook his head, and focused back on the task at hand.
Flying as fast as he could, panic crept up on him the minute he felt the heat agitating his scales. He felt himself starting to grow hotter with each second, and he did not dare to see how much heat he could handle before it became too much. So the moment he saw the opening, he rushed for it. At full speed, a roar began to rise from him, revealing some of the panic he wanted to hide. This promoted Hunter to yell out in a moment of fear as well, before they made the close call.
Asher flew out of the wall at last, and slammed into a mound of ash and blackened rock. The land was hot, but not nearly as hot as the wall, so Asher's steam was able to cool the both of them down. They laid there, collecting themselves and coughing up the ashes the face planted into. With a groan, Hunter was the first to stand up and assess their surroundings. It felt like a hot summer day rather than a giant furnace, so the inside of the land proved easy to walk in.
Asher was next to stand back up and dust himself off from the emergency landing. He took in the surroundings as well and let out a strong deep breath, for they had all made it without an issue. There was a mild scare during the last length, but Asher got them through the fire all the same.
"Well… Can't say I'm completely use to close calls like that completely…! I'm use to a more controlled situation,"Asher admitted another difference he felt between these new comrades and the old ones,"Are you both well?"
"I'll be fine. Sparx?"Hunter called out, and the dragon fly pop the cap off to peek his head out.
"I'm good! The water kept me cool. Boy… It's hot, but at least it's not painstakingly hot here."Sparx admitted and flew out to look around the ashy landscape.
"Of course. This place had to be inhabitable so that grublins and disciples could live and work here,"Asher explained why the actual land itself was able to be handled with ease,"If it were as hot in here as it was in the wall or that brutal heat wave outside, nothing, not even grublins could have lived here."
"Fair enough. I guess the only question left is…where do we start looking?"Hunter asked while looking around the bare looking lands covered in ash.
"Just start looking around high and low if you have to. I'll follow the bracelet's directions,"Asher planned out the search accordingly while aiming the bracelet forward,"We'll find some sort of clue to where they went. If we're lucky, we might just run into them here."
"Don't know if I want that to happen or not. That would just make this trip boring."Sparx admitted while the other two just shook their heads.
"I'll take the east. Sparx can go towards the west. Asher, you can take the north,"Hunter decided to designate the directions they would take through the Burning Lands,"If we run into any sort of trouble, we all have a means of signaling each other."
"What? I don't get it?"Sparx was dumbfounded by the assumptions.
"I can shoot fire arrows into the air, Asher can breath fire into the air, you can fly into the air and glow."Hunter explained further while Asher nodded towards the idea.
"Oh… Sounds good! Let's move out then."Sparx pointed to his direction and slowly flew off towards his own escapade.
"Agreed… Good luck, Asher."Hunter wished the best of luck to the dragon before he too left off in the opposite direction.
He looked to the dragon fly, and then the Avalarian, watching them vanish from the left and right. Inevitably, he ended up on his own to investigate the path forward towards the mountain. He was nervous to go anywhere near the mountain, but he simply reminded himself to stay in the ashen lands. There was no need to visit the past within that mountain, so he took a deep breath in. Before he began to walk to the north, but fate had something else to show him, and he needed to see it.
And fate started with a simple flower of large curved red pedals with fiery orange edges. It's yellow center stigma was the shape of the tiniest flame, while the anthers and filaments were orange with red dust glittered on them. This flower looked stunning, and it grew in the Burning Lands. He did not know it's species, for nothing had ever grown in this land before. But there were many flowers just like it sprouting up towards the north hills of ash, this felt like a sign.
So he decided to kneel down, and pick this fiery looking flower to see it up close. It's scent felt like a mix of something hot along with sweet honey, a quick whiff confirmed such a smell. He then began to simply gaze at the flower, while everything around him grew calm and still. The only form of sound was the flickering flames of the wall behind him roaring away. But the flower kept his attention for just a bit longer, as he sighed at it's beauty, even when it was alone, growing far away from the others.
Suddenly, a small breeze made the flower move a bit, before the bracelet began to glow. This alarmed Asher, and he darted his eyes towards the glow to see it do something a bit different. Rather than a red color, the glow went from red to green, and suddenly shot a ray of green light towards the fire wall. Asher shot his head towards the wall, and did not hesitate to rush towards the wall's edge. Where he waited for this strange anomaly to do whatever it was trying to do.
Then the very same visual set up happened around Asher and even a large chunk of the area within the wall. The light was even able to pierce the flames to reveal a different memory. One that came from an even deeper past, long before Asher was officially born. Not only did he witness the blue light he saw before, but now he could see what was in it, and he was shocked. Within the light was not only the red dragon Ignitus, but he could see that he was carrying a much smaller Cynder and even Spyro with him.
"They look so…young…!"This was all the black dragon could say before disaster struck.
"Ignitus! Let's turn back. There's got to be another way!"Spyro tried to push his master into turning around, but his orb of protection was already fading.
"Spyro…! Cynder…! I've never done right by either of you,"Ignitus struggled to even speak, as he admitted his guilt for the things these two young dragons suffered through,"Allow me... To do this…!"
"What is that old dragon doing?"Asher asked himself, knowing that the old master was weakening, and almost out of strength.
"What are you saying?"Spyro asked of his master with just as much confusion as the present onlooker.
"My path ends here. But yours lies beyond this… Draw strength from each other...and follow your heart…!"Ignitus's words were weak, but it's truth shook all of the young dragon's to the core,"It will never fail you…"
Asher shook his head, as Ignitus began to focus every last bit of energy he had. To see the true colors of what the guardians were, to see how much they truly cared for Spyro and Cynder. It was a completely different side from what the Alpha's taught him, and now a guardian was sacrificing everything before him.
"Now go…! Go…! GO!"Ignitus yelled with his very last breath, and exited the protective barrier.
The barrier then carried the two young dragons forth, and launched them out of the fire. Before they manage to land on the more solid obsidian ground, but Asher did not even pay them any mind. For he was still focused on the master of fire, as he ultimately fell into the flames. His body vanished within seconds, leaving a stunned Asher to witness the guardian's demise. He manage to compose himself, but Spyro was quick to draw his attention as he rushed to the edge of the wall.
"Ignitus! NOOOOO!"The purple dragon shouted with grief and shock.
"Spyro, stop! It's too late,"Cynder rushed and tried to hold the young Spyro back before he tried something crazy,"You can't do anything for him now…!"
"No…! He isn't gone!"Spyro insisted and even dared to make a leap for the wall, thankfully Cynder was able to grab him by the arm to keep him where he was.
"Spyro… Let it go…"She begged Spyro to let go of Ignitus and accept this noble sacrifice.
He could see the purple dragon trembling, growing sadder at the loss of his beloved father figure. His teeth gritted, and his mind fought for acceptance over ignorance and denial. But ignorance was not easy to overcome, no matter how strong the mind was, and Spyro could not accept it. So his grief turned to rage, and rage awoke a great and dark power within his heart. One that once corrupted Cynder and fed off hatred, anger, rage and despair, it blackened Spyro's scales and whitened his eyes.
"NO!"He denied this heart wrenching truth with a voice that echoed like a hellish demon.
"No! Spyro, don't!"Cynder pleaded with fear as he flew up and dared to pull himself and Cynder into the flames.
"You can't stop me!"He defended his right to go in and try to save his mentor.
"No…! You damn fool…! Just let it go already! There's nothing you could have done!"Even if they could not hear him, Asher reacted on an impulse, and yelled to the darkened Spyro.
"You're right. Only you can do that. Please Spyro, don't do this…!"She continued to beg, seeing the pain that grew on his face from her persistence.
"Your master did this for you! Because you were the future, and he was willing to do anything to assure your future,"Asher ignorantly continue trying to speak to the images of this great past,"You have to honor this sacrifice, and do what Ignitus hoped you would do for the realm! Just…let it go…!"
Tears began to flow bright with white glistening shine from his bright eyes. Flowing down his cheeks like the tiniest stream as Spyro's head lowered towards the ground. With acceptance finally taking over, the young dragon floated down and softly landed before Cynder. Where he regained his true eyes and purple scales, but the tears did not waver as his eyes closed. Quiet sobs and attempts to hold back this grief could be heard, as Asher's eye shined with a sympathetic stare.
"We…have to go on… He wanted us to…"She spoke softer, hoping to calm his soul and show compassion.
"It wasn't suppose to be like this,"He finally manage to speak, trying to remain calm and prevent any shaky words,"I feel so alone…"
He admitted these feelings that kept his face to the ground, allowing his tears to drop to the hot ground. Forming steam as he stood their in a great misery, a dragon he saw as family was now gone. Without his mentor, he felt lost and incapable of doing anything, and so many enemies surrounded him. He felt like a dragon that was now stuck fighting a war all on his own. Asher knew these feelings, and reached out, wanting to console or support this legend.
"You're not alone…"Cynder was there however, and as she walked to Spyro and wrapped a wing around Spyro, it was clear that he wasn't truly alone.
She gave him the comfort he needed, letting his tears flow until the purple dragon could finally gather himself. Asher could only sigh deeply, realizing just how much she grew to love Spyro. This truly was a special bond, and there was no doubt in his heart about the lengths these guardians and this purple dragon went to.
"And you never will be alone…"With these words, the green illusion finally shut down the moment her cheek touched Spyro's.
The illusion ended, and Asher now stood in silence a the edge of the band of fire. To see these things and learn the kind of dragons the guardians were, the kind of guardian Ignitus was. Even more respect grew within the black dragon, as he stared into the blaze that claimed the master's life. He stood there for the longest moment, regretting the things he had said about Ignitus before. What he said disregarded and disrespected the red dragon, and everything he sacrificed for Spyro and Cynder.
He felt a need to make amends with this mistake, and looked to the flower he still held. It seemed like a perfect show of mistake, a flower that grew from a land of fire for a fire dragon. It seemed appropriate for this moment, so with one more sigh, he knelt down to the edge. Before gently placing the flower down and writing a secret message in the ashes to show his appreciation. With his respects paid, he stood up and offered a parting nod with only a few kind words.
"Thanks for looking out for her, old timer…"He responded, and turned around to quietly depart for the north of the Burning Lands.
As Asher walked away in the distance, he never got to see it, but his gratitude was answered. As a blue claw reached out from the flames, and grasped the flower ever so gently. From out of the flames, the face of a familiar dragon all colored in blue smiled and looked to the flower. He was flattered by the show of respect, for it had been a long time since any one dared to even come here. Let alone pay respects to him for his sacrificed, it was starting to look a lot more brighter and hopeful for Asher.
"You're welcome… Asher…"Ignitus himself responded before flying back into the flames, and disappearing off into the horizon in the very blue light Asher saw in the flames.
South Of Warfang
As their adventure began, trouble had finally arrived a mile south of Warfang city. From the cliffs came Felious himself as he reached the top of a cliff and marched to the other end of it. He looked forward towards the city itself, while the other mercs were slightly slower to arrive. Upon arrival, they were caught up on another sight, from the violent destruction all over the cliff. To the broken chunk of rock missing from the cliff, it was clear that a chaotic battle occurred on these cliffs.
Brutis kicked a piece of rock over the cliff, and Swifter tried to investigate the destruction. Thoranos however made it to Felious's side and looked out towards the city. The big cat was in full focus mode, and he was determined to rampage that city for everything on Asher.
"He was definitely here. The big boy was in a nasty fight here, and clearly won."Thoranos decided to make some small talk with the leader.
"It was a golem of pure stone. Look down the side of the cliff."Felious showed off his thorough viewing of the scene without taking his eyes off the city.
Thoranos nodded, and slowly looked over the cliff edge where he did in fact find a golem. It was laying dead at the bottom of the cliff all broken to pieces and collecting dirt from the cliffs. He whistled with respect at the damage, imagining how much muscle Asher must have been putting out for the beast. This would make most of the newbies around the gang green with envy. This would normally fill Felious with pride, but it only made him angrier inside, realizing just how strong Asher proved himself to be.
"Hey boys! You wanna see the source of all this chaos? Look at what Asher killed down here!"Thoranos called to the crew, and they all gathered to look at the great beast below.
"This is worse than I thought… You trained this dragon well…! TOO well,"The dark one snarled with anger that infected Felious as well,"You fool! You couldn't just leave the dragon be…! You had to raise it and teach it your ways! You may have very well destroyed yourself and this crew!"
"Quiet…! I know you fear him more than anything…! Do not act as if you care for my mercs,"Felious demanded silence from Malefor as his eyes began to glow,"This is all about you and your fear for Asher…! I only taught him what I felt he deserved to know."
"And look at the damage he's capable of causing! This can't go on…!"Malefor demanded for actions to be taken for this disaster.
"I know…! And I'm already doing so. So just be silent, and let the Alphas work,"Felious silenced the gem imprisoned dragon before looking to his crew,"That's enough looking at Asher's mess! We make for the city of Warfang! There we will find some shelter until night fall."
The mercenaries cheered for the suggestion, for they had not stopped moving since they left their guild. They were growing tired and hungry, they needed a place to rest up and fill their bellies. And it was vital to keep a happy and healthy crew, especially if they were going to be attacking three dragon masters.
"How will we approach the palace when the time comes?"Thoranos walked back to Felious's side, wanting to know the strategy for getting the drop on the guardians.
"Leo will be waiting for us at the front door. He has the keys to the palace thanks to his snooping,"Felious informed of their favorite archer's conduct in the palace,"We just walk in the front door and ambush the masters while they slumber."
"And what happens if they dare to resist or withhold information about Asher?"Thoranos questioned, even though that answer was more than obvious.
"I don't think you really need an answer to figure that one out,"Felious decided to let Thoranos figure that one out for himself,"Now mobilize the crew. There's no more time to waste here."
"Of course, Felious. Let's go you tabby cats! Felious says we need to move out!"Thoranos did the honors of moving out the crew for a nice climb down the cliffs.
"I want to feel pride for what you did here… But my mind is made up, Asher,"Felious lowered his head to stare to the golem that laid dead at the very bottom,"You must be stopped…! Whatever it takes…! We will destroy you."
Hopefully this is accurate, but I've added a lot more emotion and action towards the scene of Ignitus's death. I think we can agree that the acting and scene was a bit…lacking. But I wanted to bring that scene to life, and really set the tone for this adventure, and what was to be expected of this story. So I hope you all enjoyed, and stay awesome every one.