Chapter 18:The Hunt Begins
The night was settling in for the city of Warfang, and to the guardians, it was setting for Asher as well. It had been almost two days since they departed, and they never stopped praying to their ancestors. Hoping that the black dragon would eventually find his sister, especially with the help of Hunter and Sparx. The three stood before a shrine they had set up behind the palace. Where they could give praise and wishes to the ancestors, they may have been old, but they weren't too old to be honorable dragons.
They always made sure to give best wishes to their ancestors, hoping for good graces in return. This night they had no clue how much they would need that good grace, as they sat in silence. Bowing to the shrine, many golden dragons spiraling and hanging around a red gate like shrine with candles lighting up the writing the dragons circled around.
"May our ancestors watch over us, as we wish to watch over their peaceful slumber in the world beyond."Terrador concluded with the prayers as the three of them slowly stood up.
"And may they watch over Asher and his friends on this journey…"Cyril added before their time at the shrine had concluded.
"Well! Now that all that is over, what say we all turn in for the night,"Volteer suggested, hoping to lighten the mood with some rest and humor,"Catra will start fearing for our health if we're not going to bed early enough."
"I suppose your right… Have we really grown that old?"Cyril asked after sharing a mild chuckle about their loyal maid.
"It does only feel like yesterday at times that we once stood before a young Spyro, training him for the journey that was ahead for him,"Terrador admitted as they exited their room of prayer and entered the main hall,"Now a days our biggest dangers have been petty thieves and what remains of Malefor's dwindling forces."
"Do not forget about the mercenaries. Asher himself warned of their chilling talent, and blood lust,"Volteer reminded them of the danger that remained with Asher's old crew,"They may very well be here as we speak and are just waiting for the opportunity to ambush us…!"
"Asher merely overestimates what his crew of mercs can do. We have the skill to deal with such a foe,"Cyril wanted to denounce such a threat, seeing as it was boasted of by a younger dragon,"They are merely mercs after all…"
"That's reckless thinking, Cyril. It may not be wise to overestimate your foe."Volteer warned of such skepticism for an enemy.
"Just remember what Asher was capable of before we trained him, he learned all that skill from these mercenaries."Terrador agreed, remembering the very skill Asher used against them.
Suddenly, Volteer stopped, feeling a change in the air around them, it was morbid, fear enticing. It made the hairs in his beard twitch and tingle with tiny spark circulating through it. His eyes scoped around the room, looking in every corner and space in the room, before giving his warning.
"Speaking of the mercenaries…!"Volteer responded, as his eyes darted to the open roof top, where he could spot a flame flickering off an arrow.
They all turned just in time to the ceiling, right as the arrow was let loose at them. It's high pitch soar shattered the wins around it, but Cyril was faster than the arrow and breathed a stream of icy wind to intercept. The arrow was frozen at the first contact with with the ice cold breath. It dropped like a stone, but the fire already reached the end of it's fuse. And caused an explosion the moment the arrow hit the ground, causing shrapnel and a mist to burst forth and obscure their visions.
Cyril was quick to open his mouth and begin sucking in the brisk evaporated mist. This manage to cease the obscuring fog, only to reveal Leo standing in the middle of three guardians. Right as he released another arrow sparking with fire, letting it soar right into the main doors. Where they then blasted clean off their hinges, allowing for three Avalarians to rush into the palace. Leo was quick to put a regular sharp arrow right to Terrador's neck to keep him still, while the less physically strong masters were left to defend themselves.
"They're here!"Volteer yelled, alarming the mole guards they had through out the palace.
The guards immediately rushed out, the first two immediately taking two twin axes to the skulls. Before the cross bows were out, and firing in waves at the door and through the smoke. Leo immediately switched priorities, and pulled out an electric arrow to deal with the firing squad. One shot right under Cyril's arm struck one guard in the back, and the lightning did the rest. Chaining through ten guards to the left, scorching their insides till the shock finally stopped their hearts.
They dropped to the floor, and Terrador grabbed Leo's arm at the same time. His grip was already crushing it, and Leo thought fast, as he quickly drew a normal arrow out and jabbed Terrador in the shoulder like a dagger. He let out a roar, and in return Terrador tossed Leo across the room.
Leo was quick to on his feet, and pulled out his last electric arrow to shoot down the last line of guards. He let loose the arrow with the best aim he could muster, before crashing against a pillar with a grunt. Thankfully the arrow made it's mark in the back of a guard's neck. Before it chained it's static through all the rest of them, killing them in the same fashion. Once the bodies of the guards fell to the floor, that was the moment that the Alphas began their assault.
Two rushed in, tossing small black ball bombs across the walls of the main hall. Letting them blast pieces of the room apart to seal off all the open door ways, while Thoranos and Brutis rushed to the guardians. Thoranos yanked his axes out of the heads of his previous victims. Just in time for Cyril to stomp his claws down, letting a sheet of ice quickly spread across the floor. They slid at first, but Brutis was faster than Thoranos, and simply took a big leap right into a flying right hook.
Terrador caught the hook, roaring as he body slammed the merc, while Thoranos hopped and slammed his axes into the ground. Letting them be his guide as he then slid on the ice. Using the ax blades to balance and help him turn, but Volteer was ready to follow up on Cyril's move. He prepared a breath of electricity to circulate across the floor to stop the advance of the Alphas. But Brutis was more than a big slab of muscle, and he knew how to come back from getting slammed.
He gripped Terrador's jaw upon getting slammed, and forced it close to avoid the breath. Before kicking the guardian in the chest, causing him to stumble back and slam into Volteer. This made Volteer close his mouth so he could prevent himself from stumbling. This offered Thoranos the opening he needed to leap and bring his axes down, one plunged into the shoulder of Volteer. While Cyril covered an arm in ice, and used it like a shield to defend against the other ax.
Volteer gripped the merc by his arm, letting his own lightning circulate through Thoranos. But this one rivaled Brutis in strength, and was able to summon the will to fight against the shock. He manage to flip over Volteer and yank the other ax out of Cyril's ice to drive it into the other shoulder. This allowed him to force Volteer to slam on his back before axes could be ripped out. Terrador wanted to help, But Brutis was quick to rush to his feet and slip on his cestus.
Before tackling Terrador, forcing him away from his fellow guardians and into a wall. He manage to punch Brutis away with an uppercut, but that only riled the fist fighting brawler up. He put his paws up, ready box, not realizing Cyril had him in his sights, and shot a dart of ice, hoping for a hit in the back of the head. But another merc objected to such a surprise attack. By swatting the dart away with a cross slash of his twin swords, and bouncing off Volteer to surprise Cyril.
Once all three guardians were distracted, the rest started to rush in with spears, hammers, and knives drawn. While outside, many guards were laying upon the stone floor dead. They never saw the Alphas coming until it was too late, and all them now laid dead on the outside. While the ones inside were freshly killed, leaving only three dragons open to a surprisingly coordinated attack. Felious was the last to enter the palace, just in time to see the carnage between his mercs and the guardians.
Brutis was brawling as he always did, Terrador was on the defense with his arms up. Taking every bone jarring jab the cestus laid into him with their iron studs making his arms ring. Finally he let out a roar to blast up the floor to blow chunks of marble and stone at the mark. He merely back stepped and unleashed his fastest jabs and side steps to avoid and punch through the rubble. Terrador had taken this opportunity to rush him, roaring and throwing a stone hard punch of his own.
He crushed against Brutis's jaw, tearing his hood to the point that it flew off his head. But the strong cat bared the pain and returned the favor with a low hook right to the belly. This forced Terrador away, for once again, his soft underbelly proved to be a weak spot for his foes. Something Asher noticed before, and now Brutis caught it right off the corner of his bruised eye. So he rushed in, throwing a feint jab towards the jaw of Terrador, only for the real blow to be an uppercut.
Terrador had put up a guard for his gut, but the uppercut broke it with a mind shaking uppercut. Spit flew up, and Brutis smirked as he saw the opportunity to go on a rampage against the guardian's gut. Swinging with very fast wide swinging punches, very similar to what Asher did before. It wasn't long before Terrador was up against the wall taking them to the stomach. Spewing blood and spit, when he guarded the body, all Brutis was needed some jaw cracking jabs to remove that guard.
Volteer wanted to help, but Thoranos had him locked in with a choke hold made from his axes. His legs wrapped around the torso, his arms crushing his neck while the blades were at the sides of his head. Ready to split the skull open if he dared to move or use his ability. This left Cyril to fight on his own, as he had hardened his arms with ice to trade blows with Swiftor. His ice held up, and he needed only one arm to deflect the swords that cross slashed and slashed at the sides.
Finally, Swiftor attempted a downward strike with both, and Cyril confidently caught both. But Swiftor thought fast and lifted himself off the ground to give the bold dragon a drop kick to the nose. This forced him back, and allowed Swiftor to take a step back to rethink his next move. He remembered that this foe was experienced, so he needed to be aggressive and tricky. He needed to be fast on his thoughts, for Cyril recovered quickly and roared before charging in with a breath of ice.
Swiftor got his strategy in line, and nodded before rushing the guardian head on. He jumped and manage to flip over the breath, hoping to drill the swords in like daggers into Cyril's shoulders. But once again, Cyril noticed this same trick and immediately grabbed for his arms again. This time, Cyril attempted to start freezing Swiftor's arms, preventing him from fighting any more. But Swiftor had more than just his arms for fighting, and exploited that by simply dropping his swords.
Before swinging himself just enough to kick the hilt of the swords into Cyril's hips. A roar from the guardian was music to his ears, as Swiftor was then released from his grasp. Allowing Swiftor to land, and smash the ice shackles on his arms against Cyril's head until they shattered. Allowing him to yank the blades out and kick Cyril in the chest, forcing him to topple over onto his that,, he lunged over and around, and drove the blades into Cyril's shoulders, making him roar with pain.
This pain kept Cyril in check in the same fashion as Volteer was with Thoranos. Terrador was quick to follow, after a two hit combo hook to the gut and final hay maker to the right temple dazed the dragon. Lights fluttered, the studs of the cestus felt cold and solid against Terrador's head. While his vision went blurry, and his balance became unstable, allowing Brutis to finish him. But hugging the dragon's sore gut, and flipped him over his head to drill him into the floor with a suplex.
He gave Terrador a follow up kick that knocked him towards the other guardians. Just in time for Felious to stand before them with his claymore drawn and pointed it towards them. Only when Terrador was put in a choke hold was Felious able to kneel down to their level. While his mercenaries lifted their heads up, so they could finally talk about Asher.
"So…! How was it? Training my boy in your ways?"Felious broke the ice with a question on Asher's progress with them.
"Well we couldn't teach him everything…! He just left a day ago, wasn't the most patient dragon we had under our wings."Cyril was quick to inform them of Asher's departure long before they arrived.
"No doubt a desperate means of escaping your agonizing lectures and sage talk,"Felious mocked their wisdom, making his crew chuckle at the mockery,"You wouldn't perhaps know where he might have flown off to, do you?"
"Well, it wasn't like he was actually willing to stick around and learn much-"Cyril tried to answer, but the complaint encouraged Felious to back hand him after his words seem to insult the Aloha's dragon.
"You must have a death wish to speak about the teachings I gave that dragon,"Felious admitted his offended feelings for the insults on his teachings,"That dragon is the most dangerous mercenary this world has seen because of MY teachings! MY lessons, MY training, MY guidance! And clearly it was more than even you guardians could handled…!"
"With a mad feline like you in his ear… Now we can see why he left…!"Volteer was bold enough to taunt, bringing up the reason that Asher left him.
Felious turned to Volteer, grazing the sword against his arm and neck, irritated by the bold mockery.
"He left because of this obsession with that sister of his! You're little petite dragoness,"Felious passed the blame onto Cynder, the dragon of Asher's obsession,"Ever since he learned about her, he was obsessed with finding her, then you send that pet, Hunter to speak to him. Then the next day he leaves!"
"He may have been raised by you, but Asher can make his own decision,"Volteer insisted that Asher did things of his own accord for his own desires,"It's like a young bird, eventually he must leave the nest and go on his own journey."
"Lies…! Lies from a bunch of old fools who bit off more than they could chew with MY dragon,"Felious spat and pressed the blade of his great sword to Volteer's neck,"Now no more words! You will tell me where he went, or so help me I will part your heads from your shoulders, and raise them on pikes for all Warfang to see!"
In his rage, Felious met Volteer face to face with eyes shimmering with green across the pupils. At the same time, the necklace had glowed like a great jewel, before Volteer could see through the merc. And could see a familiar, dark, and twisted old foe glaring back at him with a growl. The dark aura was all too familiar, his malice, his vengeful spirit, his desire for all out destruction. It sent an old chill of fear surging up and down his spine.
"No… Malefor…!"Volteer exclaimed quietly before taking a punch to the got, forcing him to the floor.
"Very well! Line them up! We're taking the heads of the guardians!"Felious announced and mercenaries did not hesitate to make it happen.
Thoranos and Brutis quickly picked up their two captured guardians and threw them forward. Brutis gave Terrador a couple slaps to the face to wake him up before holding them on their knees. Terrador looked around, watching as his fellow guardians were forced to be hunched over. Allowing their necks to be extended out and properly positioned for a beheading.
"What…? What's happening?"Terrador asked, just before he saw Felious stand at his side and warm up his sword strike with a couple practice swings.
"I'm afraid…this is the end for us, Terrador… We…have lost…"Cyril finally answered and closed his eyes to accept this execution.
"Oh dear…! And we had just retired not too long ago…! This is quite the way to go out at least."Volteer admitted and lowered his head to accept this death as well.
Terrador looked back to Felious, just in time for the cat to position his blade over Terrador's neck. He growled, and Felious shook his head in pity, but inside a darker voice was laughing. And only the three of them could hear it, and sweat, for they knew of only one being who had such a laugh. Terrador finally closed his eyes, clenched his teeth, and grasped the floor with fear. So was the way death felt in the moment, a touch of pure and powerful fear was all too understandable.
Felious slowly lifted up and over his head, his grip tightened over the grip of his sword. His pommel shining as his aim was correct and sharp, with a twitch of his neck. He prepared to bring it down, Terrador could hear the wind of the sword's momentum, and braced for death.
"STOP!"A more gentle voice called out for peace, and it's female tone stopped Felious in his tracks.
His blade dangling half an inch from Terrador's neck, while their eyes shot open. The guardians quickly looked towards a door to one of their rooms, and there Catra stood. The owner of the reasonable voice that begged for peace and miraculously stopped the blood thirsty Alpha. The mercenaries slowly turn their heads to see this female Avalarian with growing smirks. Some even chuckled while Felious slowly stood tall and held the sword to his side.
"It's not their fault! Asher forced us all to teach him! He threatened us with death if we didn't comply,"The guardians gasped, for Catra chose to do something that they had decided against,"They chose not to train him after the danger he posed, but he overpowered them and forced us to! They're innocent!"
"And how would you know that, scullery maid?"Felious questioned this new person who dared to impede on their hunt for the black dragon.
"I was the maid treating his wounds and the wounds of the guardians as he trained,"She explained, even when Cyril shook her head against the decision, begging her not to go through with Asher's instructions,"I fed him, bathed him, even supported him, even after all he did here…!"
"Goodness, quite a tale of my boy's impulsive needs and desires, wouldn't you agree Leo?"Felious asked to the mercenary that currently had an arrow drawn back and aimed to the side of her head.
"Indeed, Felious."Leo replied and smirked and shook his head to shake off some rubble on his head.
"You were here watching them the whole time, perhaps you'd like to verify her story?"Felious asked of his spy, the eyes fell to him as he gave one singular chuckle at their shock.
"Of course… I was here the whole time, right under your noses, pleading with Asher to rethink his decisions,"Catra gasped at the reveal, terror filled her heart as the lie was about to be exposed,"But… So far her story checks out…! He was even a bit of an ass to me when we talked. He was not a nice dragon with these fools…"
The guardians were baffled, and their hearts dropped, there was a spy among them the whole time. And now he's suddenly going along with what Asher demanded that they do. Catra slowly looked to Leo, and he simply kept a straight face while Felious took a moment to think.
"Hmmm… Well now… It's worse than I thought then. He's out of control,"Felious feared and slowly sheathed his sword to determine what was happening here,"He's going to find this sister of his, and by the description of this behavior. He may very well return to destroy us with this family of his…!"
"What?!"The mercs panicked and exploded into murmurs and concerns for their guild.
"How the hell…? When did this become the idea…?"Leo personally saw confusion and some sort of madness for what Felious decided on.
"Enough! If what the wench says is true, then Asher truly has gone rogue,"Felious decided and gestured his mercs to gather around him,"We must find him and put him down as we had planned. He's verified who he's loyal to, and that makes him our enemy!"
"This is madness…!"Volteer exclaimed, and Cyril was quick to shush him to prevent any further violence.
"Leo…! You've done well. Now we need you again! We need you to track him,"Felious called to Leo and gestured him with a wave of his paw to come forth,"You must have seen where he decided to leave for, correct?"
"Yes… Of course,"Leo was a bit hesitate to say after what he heard from Felious, he was slow to approach,"He's going north, towards The Burning Lands. Thought it be a good place to start his search."
"Good cat. We'll need you to track him once we get there. From that point we'll need you on his case,"Felious explained as Leo met him face to face,"Can we depend on you to hunt him up?"
"Yes… I can hunt him without an issue."Leo replied and looked toward the entrance towards the city.
"Good, then lets move out you kittens! We need to find that dragon and put him down,"Felious pointed towards the exit, and the mercenaries perked up and quickly ran for it,"We don't stop till the outskirts of The Burning Lands!"
Leo was slow to start walking, only when all the others left did he finally make his exit as well. Deep thought was starting to take place as he looked forward to remain unsuspicious. Felious didn't notice and waited till his crew had moved out before looking back to the guardians.
"Today's your special day. You get to live and rot away as the old geezers you've all become,"Felious warned and pointed to the three old dragons with the shimmering of green magic in his eyes,"You got off easy compared to the young dragon. Now you can all live with the guilt of what will now happen to Cynder's dear brother…"
"Malefor…?!"All three of them recognized a change in the mercs voice.
Felious merely chuckled and slowly turned around to leave them to their fear and shock. Only when the leader disappeared from sight did the guardians slowly rise to their feet. Contemplating not only this heart stopping and embarrassing defeat, but an even darker and dangerous revelation.
"Malefor…! How is this possible? He was taken away, his body destroyed by the spirits!"Volteer expressed his horror and lack of understanding for this daunting return.
"Possession perhaps? His soul merely leeching off the life of another?"Cyril theorized, but Terrador incited that there was more pressing matters to be concerned with.
"Whatever is happening, Asher is in danger. And the enemies are now hunting him,"Terrador warned his fellow guardians before turning to the maid that saved their necks,"You had heart, but what you did just put Asher, Hunter, and Sparx's lives at risk."
"Forgive me, but as Asher put it. Cynder would not forgive him if you all died because of him."Catra bowed and apologized for her conduct against the Alphas.
"Curse it all…! We need to get a quick message to Asher and warn him. You are dismissed Catra."Terrador chose to simply dismiss the maid rather than scold her.
She bowed once more, and left with not shame, but pride in what she did for them. She respected Asher's wish and the hearts of Spyro and Cynder themselves by saving the guardians. One had already died, so it became necessary to prevent the others from dying in such brutal ways. So she was willing to accept any punishment for her actions, even when punishment was the last thing on their minds. Volteer already prepared himself for a quick trip to catch up with Asher and his companions.
"Hopefully, you can reach them before the Alphas do…."Cyril prayed for Volteer to be quick and efficient with traveling across the land to deliver the message.
"I can travel like lightning. It won't take long at all…!"Volteer insisted.
"Good… Hard to believe there was a spy right under our noses watching everything,"Terrador groaned, a bit more insult to add to their injury,"We really are getting rusty and weak…"
"Yes but… There's something that is bothering me even more so,"Cyril admitted, and immediately thought of the spy and his sudden play along,"If he was the spy...and he saw everything… Why did he play along and agree with the lie?"
Meanwhile, Asher and his two allies were now a solid mile to the west of The Burning Lands outskirts. Without the belt they could leave without an issue, thanks to their giant new friend. As he roared to the sky in the distance, the three could sigh with relief to be out of the heat. The night was still young but it already grew cool, a refreshing change from the unmerciful fires. They needed to at least clear half a mile more before stopping to relax and set up camp.
At the very least, the long walk helped them to cool off and enjoy the nightly breeze. Sparx flying and darting around, catching fire flies and moths for food and Hunter quietly walking with his paws together. Asher in the meantime remained stern, but quiet, trying to find comfort enough to soften his defensive self. They still bared the wounds of their previous battle, but he preferred that they persevered. Licking wounds once the initial dangers have passed and they could settle down somewhere.
And finally, they spotted a lone tree, tall and full of leaves that cast a great shadow. It's trunk thick and splintered in the middle, showing that it has seen much battle and destruction. It was the perfect place to settle down for some calm after the storm, so he looked back to his comrades.
"That tree should do for a spot for camp…!"Asher decided and pointed to the tree.
"Sounds good to me!"Sparx was more than happy to agree, only to get caught by Asher by his wings.
"We'll need you to treat our wounds."Asher implied to Sparx while letting Hunter go in front to reach the spot first.
"Why me?!"Sparx questioned, and Asher snagged his small weapon in a flash.
"Because you got the tooth pick weapon that can do a perfect stitch job and really get into the wounds,"Asher started moving again and explained how the treatments were going to work,"You can either do that, or you can get the firewood and start the fire. Pick your poison."
"Ugh…! Whatever… It's a sword, not a tooth pick."Sparx mumbled before they made it to the spot in time to help Hunter build the fire pit.
They assisted with building the circle of stones for the pit before Asher and Hunter got to work on the tree. Sadly, it's days finally needed to end as Asher pulled it up and threw it over. Where him and Hunter could break and pull it apart for fire wood, it was a two hour grueling process for such an old and strong tree. But it would serve them well as they piled a bundle of sticks and a thick log piece into the pit. And Asher only needed a small puff of flames from his mouth to get a fire going.
With that, they could sit down and finally lower their guards for a bit and enjoy the night. Letting a cozy campfire light their way, and help their bodies relax from their time in The Burning Lands. But by doing so, it allowed them to finally register the slow burning pain of their stab wounds and cuts.
"Ok… Sparx, now would be the time to get started on the stitching!"Hunter nodded, and Sparx sighed before standing up to receive string and fresh cold water for cleaning the wounds.
He grunted and summoned the strength he needed to start with Hunter first. Asher was immensely strong and his wounds were more fresh than Hunter's were, so the Avalarian needed them more. So he got to work on his back, having to gently pour cold water on the large cut on Hunter's back. He tried his best not to gag or dry heave, watching loose blood and dry blood wash away. It started to make Sparx realize just how lucky he and Spyro were when they went off on their adventures.
"Oh…oh…god…! Ooh…this is just so wrong…! Ugh…"Sparx whined as he took a rag to soak up the blood and clean off the wound.
"Oddly squeamish for a fella who agreed to be a part of MY company."Asher mocked Sparx while Hunter flinched a bit from the dry rag soaking up his messy injury.
"Well I didn't think I'd be playing the doctor in this team as well,"Sparx scoffed as the wound gradually closed up on Hunter's worse wound,"And don't forget who saved your neck. Me! That's right, this guy. Other wise you'd be piled up with Grublins eating you alive…!"
"What? You want a parade or something? Yes you saved me, and that's a good start,"Asher stood up and was not going to let Sparx get away with a self righteous demand for praise,"But don't think for a second that I'm gonna drop down and worship you. I've had others save my neck and I've saved their necks, and let me tell you right now, it ain't about doing stuff to get praised or trying to be some show off hot shot!"
"Well how else am I suppose to show you that I can be a good member of this team?!"Hunter yanked the string and Hunter almost meowed in pain, fearing for a dangerous blow out for himself.
"Do it because it's the right thing to do! Not because you want appreciation and attention,"Asher argued back and slowly sat back down just as Hunter's stitching finally ended,"And stop acting like a flustered and sheltered child. Be tough, and don't let personal emotions control your actions. You damn near ripped open Hunter's wound with that kind of stitching…!"
"Pfft…! Whatever…"Sparx scoffed and cut off the excess stitching before going for the smaller remaining stitches.
Silence took control of the atmosphere around them, bitterness had started out the night. As Sparx and Asher never stopped looking each other in the eyes with an unsteady feeling between them. The other injuries were easy compared to the one on Hunter's back, and were finished in half the time. His hands all covered in blood as he rinsed off the blood on Hunter's wounds, then washed off his hands. Before taking the stitching string and needle, his fists clenching tightly around the needle.
It started to tremble as he slowly flew over to Asher, exchanging glances with each other. Finally, Sparx sighed, he almost didn't want to bother with fixing Asher, but finally just relented. Asher's words finally drilled through his tough insect body, much like how his father's did when scolding him for getting into trouble. Asher sighed as well, and slowly presented an old iron pine needle to Sparx.
"Use this… Regular needles won't be able to get pass dragon scales. Pretty tough stuff."Asher offered, and Sparx took up the needle.
"I know…! I had a brother that needed similar treatment."Sparx reminded him and got started on the deep stab wounds.
Asher stood still, the stitching, the pain, it was all too familiar and easy to endure. So many times he needed stitches, bandages, remedies, and so much more from so many injuries. Half of which came from his training as a mercenary, so much pain, so many lessons deprived from that pain. He had so much that he could in fact offer some knowledge, perhaps that was the way to break the ice a bit better.
"You know… I couldn't count how many times I got patched up like this,"Asher attempted a lighter conversation to fizzle out the tension between him and Sparx,"Every stab, every cut, every bruise, every cracked bone, half of which happened during my training at a young age."
"A gift from your hard family of mercs?"Sparx questioned the obvious.
"More literally than you think… Because of taking all this pain, I can handle so much pain now,"He admitted while looking to his injured leg with a deep breath,"It made me strong, appreciative, but not dependent or whiny or weak… The only way to handle an uncertain world…"
"I wouldn't know too much. We only learn so much after leaving the swamp,"Sparx replied and finally stitched up the gash in Asher's shoulder,"Spyro did all the heavy lifting. And I was just a light source and moral support, I almost never stuck out my neck when things got rough."
"You got lucky… The Apes, the Grublins, the Pirates. A lot of formidable enemies in their prime."Asher nodded and heard the first wound get closed with a snap of the string.
"This was your first time shedding blood and getting into the fights, isn't it, Sparx?"Hunter asked, and Asher verified it simply by feeling the tiniest trembles in Sparx's hands.
"Your first blood… I get it now,"Asher thought of the first time he had to kill, and how tough it was the first time taking a life,"You did ok for the first time… Better than I did my first time, if that means anything."
"It's just… I didn't like how crazy and tense I felt when I started doing it. Felt like I was going to just…keep going, and not know when to stop…"Sparx admitted that his trouble was simply the thrill and blood lust daring to corrupt his heart.
"Blood lust… It can happen in the rage of battle. But you did fine, and you didn't let it get to you..."Asher responded, and Sparx finally gave him a nod and relaxed.
"A weaker mind would have crumbled and would become feral and mad for violence,"Hunter added and looked into the fire for a bit of spirit to ask the question,"What was it like to kill something for the first time, Asher?"
Asher sighed, and needed a moment to recall the memory that had the answer. He tilted his head, finding difficulty to find the memory, then it came to him in a moment of panic. He was young, screaming, being carried off by vicious thugs with sickening plans for him.
"Felious took me out on the town for a bit of food… We ate at a little Tavern, he had an ale with mutton, and I got a whole rack of lamb,"Asher started to spin the quick tale of a kidnapping turned to brutal slaughtered,"Some sickos had some ugly fantasies to fulfill about bedding a dragon, even if it was four years old. So they kidnapped me when Felious got occupied by a waitress."
"He chased them down like dogs, got into a scuffle with big bubba lion while a Lynx tried to drag me away,"Asher continued, remembering the moment he took up his enemy's weapon and defended himself,"I took his knife from the side holster, and stabbed him twice in the eye and throat. He dropped like a stone on top of me…"
He recalled being there for a whole minute, a dead cat on top of him giving off the death stare. Before Felious had snapped the lion's neck and quickly rushed to yank the lynx off Asher.
"He got me up, and I started to cry. Looking down at the life I took, Felious looked like he was having a parental snafu,"Asher explained the moment he had before Felious offered a form of comfort,"He said… It was either me or him… And I chose wisely. After a while I understood, and that's when they felt I was ready to be trained…"
"You're not looking forward to the moment you have to face them as an enemy, are you?"Sparx asked while finally finishing the patch work on Asher's injuries.
"No… No way in hell am I ready for that…"Asher answered and looked deep into the fire that burned away memories, for that very loving family, was now out to kill him.
Sorry it took so long, but it is finally here every one. The hunt begins, and now the adventure gets going into full gear. So expect much more to come, hope some of you are still enjoying the story, I really appreciate the support and I will deliver for you all. Stay awesome everyone.