Hide and Seek
Spyro dragged himself onto the wet, grassy bank some distance down the flooded valley, his blood floating gently on the rolling waves of the ocean behind him. He crawled upwards, to a point untouched by the briny water before finally giving himself time to catch his breath. He had lost his pursuers, meaning he could now tend to the many new wounds that adorned his purple scales from the violent clash earlier.
The salty waters, though they had cleaned the gashes, they had also left a sharp, stinging sensation that shot up and down his body, making even walking almost unbearable. But...he was alive.
His first instincts was to find somewhere more secluded, even though he was no longer followed, he was still exposed where he was. Ahead of him lain a thicket of dense trees with low drooping canopies, perfect to hide from prying eyes. He marched on, leaving trickles of scarlet blood that stained the shadowed, green grass.
He heaved himself further up the heather, the steep incline mellowing out to a flatter, dryer patch of land. Salty drips trickled down his scales and slipped back onto the grass. For a minute he trekked through the undergrowth, taking unsteady steps on his good three legs, navigating past thick tree roots and the odd stinger nettle growth.
The wild path opened up to small grove. A small rocky water cascade trickled down eroded paths and gently into the gathering pond below. Pretty yellow flowers hugged the edge of the water and gently fluttered in the brisk breeze. A thick tree canopy hung over head, shaking their rustling leaves to the wind. It was dark, but brief moments of faded light, combined with the orange glows of uncaring fireflies shone through, glistening off the silver scales of smooth sinuate fish that shone the shape of the cove.
Though Spyro couldn't explain it, the deep serenity of this hidden location filled his lungs in the form of crisp clean air. A weary smile pasted itself on his face as his limbered over to the pure water and settled softly on his stomach.
He slowly lapped the water, letting the refreshing liquid flow soothingly down his rough throat, washing away the stale ash and old dust that built up. Gulp after gulp he swallowed down, and once he felt his rugged thirst vanish he stopped.
Spyro then noticed he was being watched strangely by the fireflies. he looked up to get a better fixation on them. They looked similar to dragonflies, with a long thorax and two sets of beautiful, clear wings. But they were more forward leaning and held their glow at the tip of their tail, and not the centre of their body.
Their expressions read as both wary and curious of this unusual stranger in their home. While it was apparent they were sentient, they're lack of speech shown they were not as evolved as their dragonfly cousins.
The purple drake's eyes dropped and his smile faded, memories of his brother surfaced. He looked solemnly at his reflection on the water surface. A tear materialized in his dull, amethyst iris. For a moment he just stared, until one of the fluttering, glowing creatures also drifted into the liquid mirror.
He looked up, his features unchanging. The young firefly looked at him puzzled, before giving giving a big grin and zipping around the purple dragon's head. Spyro struggled to keep track of it's erratic movements. It was clear this unusual child took a liking to this strange purple creature. It let off strange whistle like sounds before stopping again in front of Spyro.
Behind him, another firefly snuck up behind and poked his brother, making the first firefly jump. They both then proceeded to chase each other around and around the purple dragon's head, emitting off their mellowing whistles.
Spyro couldn't help but crack a grin, no doubt the first brother was telling off the second firefly. It reminded him so much of his and Sparx's misadventures back in the swamp. Spyro will always treasure those memories.
Eventually though a much deeper whistle, presumably from one of their parents, called over and immediately both mischievous brothers zipped over. Spyro watched as together the family of fireflies vanished into the forest.
It actually made him think of something - how were his parents? It had only really dawned on him that he hadn't seen them in other three years. He wondered they were doing, what they are up to...did they survive the war? Spyro quickly shook his head, of course they did. The mushroom forest was secluded to say the least, and last he saw it was mostly unaffected by the events of the past.
Then he realised and gasped...they don't know what happened to Sparx!
Spyro slumped, dreading what they would think...it was his job to keep Sparx safe...and he failed. If they ever learn of his demise, it would tear them apart… But then Spyro thought. He hadn't seen them for such a long time, what if they think they're both dead?
Spyro sighed between tears, they had to know the truth. They had to tell them what had happened to their son. Sure it would hurt them, and even more so knowing it was their other's son fault... but it would kill them not to know the truth. He owed them that much at least. Then afterwards, he would leave for good.
He didn't look forward to the prospect of reuniting with his parents...but he would hate himself even more for not telling them the truth. He sighed and decided he needed something to occupy his mind until then.
Thankfully, his stomach picked a nice time to growl, indicating to his famished hunger, who knew how long it had been since he last ate. He remembered the the silver fish swimming in the clear pond, they'll provide a decent meal. While he was at it he could also properly wash away his bleeding wounds, that would have to do, considering that spirit crystals no longer existed.
When Spyro pulled the planet back together, a colossal amount of energy was needed, and the large purple crystal where he performed the act provided it. But what no one knew at the time was that the very crystal Spyro harnessed also served as a central focal point to all the crystals on the surface. Spyro's miracle shattered the crystal, and caused a chain reaction that drained every other crystal of their energy, never to be replenished.
At first no dragon thought much of it, not even Spyro. But he and all other dragons quickly learnt the hard way how much of a luxury they were. Many dragons suffered horrific injuries, and learning that healing crystals were a thing petrified them, as they were no longer as invincible as they once thought. Wounds took time to heal - and scars never faded. To their luck though, dragons wounds still healed rapidly, just no longer instant, this included their mana reserves, even they eventually restored naturally.
Spyro stood up and waddled into the shallow water. The scared fish darted off in random directions. Spyro lowered himself, letting the cool refreshing liquid lap away at his scales, peeling off the red stains.
He remained still, and as he did the shining fish begun coming out of hiding from underneath drowned rocks. They unknowingly approached the purple dragon, and when one blundered into reach, he lurched his sharp claw out and pierced the side of the panicking fish. Spyro had done this dozens of times by now and was almost an expert at it.
The fish tried squirming free but the talon was dug in to deep. Spyro placed two more talons around the fish and with his other injected the other claw into the head of the fish. It seemed cruel, but it was a humane way to kill it without letting it suffocate. Spyro then promptly swallowed the thing whole, letting out greedy sounds of gurgling as the fish slid down his gullet.
He repeated this process again: catching a fish, killing it, and swallowing it. After his sushi meal he felt satisfied. His wounds had also stopped leaking, leaving him not having to worry about blood lose any longer. He turned and crawled out the crimson-stained pond.
Even then, Spyro felt weak, he hadn't given himself the time of day to rest. But now that his other needs had been met, he had the massive urge to curl up and fall asleep. This was only confirmed by the gigantic yawn he took.
Though he was technically still very close to Warfang, he felt secluded enough that he shouldn't have to worry about sleeping a few hours; after that then he'll head to the swamps.
He curled up on the soft damp grass and closed his eyes. For a few minutes he struggled. He wasn't used to this silent darkness. He always had Sparx close by, with his fluttering glow serving as a comforting bed light.
Eventually though, he drifted off into a light sleep.
Charditus and Volterra were making quick progress in arriving at the temple. After explaining the situation and what the minimised threat Spyro now posed, the Guardians agreed to entrust Charditus and the others with the elimination of Spyro. They also thought it was sensible to consult the pool of visions on possible leads, even if they weren't sure if they could use it. The Guardians could not offer their help in that regard since neither had that gift, but they told the two where the temple was and the necessary steps needed to use the pool.
They were merrily discussing the different places they could visit along with many undiscovered lands all around the globe, what mysteries they could uncover, the treasures of old only told in rumours.
"I still would not say it was an entirely bad idea going back to Mt Boyzitbig. I've heard there is a type of crystal said to give off a heat so intense it can burn you from the touch alone, it's also stated to be the heart of the volcano itself," Charditus said.
"But what about the imminent eruption? I wouldn't want to be catch in something that nasty. Why don't we start somewhere more peaceful, like Avalar? I had heard the clouds rarely cover over there, wouldn't it be nice to see the sun and the moons again. Plus it's beautiful there anyway."
That was pretty much how their conversation went. Of course, despite the disagreements they weren't getting annoyed, if anything more excited, as the world simply broadens in size. But of course, neither forgot they had a dragon to hunt first.
To Charditus, it felt like Deja vu. It was only this morning Umbrafor was given the task of capturing Spyro...now the guardians had given him the same task.
"Is that it down there, Charditus?" Volterra suddenly perked up.
Charditus broke away from his thoughts and looked down to where Volterra was indicating. Down below, the flickering glow of burning torches marked an entryway of sorts, only made more prominent by the encompassing darkness.
The two descended down, the closer they got, the more certain they were this was the famous temple where many eggs once resided, where they eggs might of been kept had Umbrafor not intervened.
It was an odd thought, that it turned out that Umbrafor had saved their lives, prevented them from falling down the path many other unfortunate eggs had. Umbrafor saved them in this world, so he could turn them into chainless slaves for the next world, only to have them aid in his destruction…
The two wandered in, despite the ancient feeling that befell the place, it was obvious that life did inhabit here only just hours ago. The torches still wavered with their dancing, orange flames. Signs of life became more apparent as the familiar muffled bellowing of of a certain ice male filled the temple with tempered words. "Because you served Umbrafor the longest, that's why."
In response an equally agitated voice of a female responded. "Oh? And what about Cynder? She served Malefor but I don't see you hassling her?"
Both dragons exchanged surprised glances before rushing up to the door. Charditus placed his paw on the door, in response the rose-red door shuddered open, revealing the circular room within.
The bickering voices also became clearer.
"We'll that's because she's pretty, unlike you."
"Hardly. She's barely good enough to be a trophy wife."
Both dragons were squaring off in the centre of the room, practically eyeballing each other.
"Oh good...just what we need...another Blizarus," Charditus sighed to himself.
To one side, Cynder just looked plain uncomfortable to say the least, with one dragon defending only her looks and another insulting her for her past. A wave of relief washed over her when she saw Charditus and Volterra enter though.
Both Blizarus and Saphira also turned.
Charditus sighed once more, of course it wasn't going to be this easy… "What were you two arguing about?"
"This 'lady' here thinks she doesn't have to be the one to go get our dinner, even though she owes us big time."
"Owe you? If it weren't for me, the world would have been destroyed. In fact, if it weren't me Charditus would never have thought of going back to find you." Both dragons clashed once more.
"Ha, you would like glory wouldn't ya? But I knew Charditus would come back for us."
"Enough, both of you. Those events are in the past. If we are travelling together, then we take turns, it doesn't matter who gets dinner first. Eventually it will be your turn anyway."
Both dragons grumbled, but reluctantly separated, they wandered into separate rooms.
Charditus then turned towards Volterra. "I hate to ask this of you, Volterra. But do you mind being the one to get us some dinner? I need to remain here in case those two start arguing," Charditus exhaled.
"Of course not." Volterra nodded, she felt and understood his frustration.
"Again, I'm sorry." Charditus then noticed Cynder approaching. "Perhaps if you don't mind, Cynder. Could you help Volterra?"
"Not at all." Cynder smiled.
"Thank you. In the meantime I'll see what I can find."
Both dragonesses nodded. "The pool of visions should be in that room." Cynder notioned with her wing.
"Right, thanks."
Both dragonesses headed out the front entrance, while Charditus headed for the meetings room.
Now that the drama was over with, Charditus could actually get a proper view of the place. It was well decorated for a place thought to be abandoned. With plenty of clean tables, beds and stools designed for moles circulating the place. He then remembered an off-hand comment by Cyril mentioning that this was where they were hiding so it was no surprise really.
Despite the well-decorated atmosphere, the place was lacking in smaller details: like food, cutlery, weapons and more.
This was because a couple of hours or so before, when the guardians made haste for Warfang, Beartha stayed behind to ensure that the moles and dragons got together their essentials for the long journey back to Warfang.
Charditus entered the meeting room, where the green pool of slow swirling liquid sat in it's sandstone basin. Just in front of it, a disgruntled white dragon moped.
Charditus wandered to his side, neither dragon looked at each other as an uncomfortable silence settled like falling dust. Charditus was just staring at the rotating greeness, while Blizarus had his eyes fixated on the broken doorway, not taking anything in...but deep in thought.
"I know what you're trying to do, Charditus. But it won't happen. I won't allow it," Blizarus bitterly spoke.
Charditus raised his head, his confused eyes trying to read Blizarus's blank expression.
Blizarus also turned his head. "You can't just take Saphira in, treat her like she's been here forever and expect everything to be fine."
Charditus could only question what Blizarus was insinuating.
"Don't play the dumb game with me. I know you only let Saphira join us because you hoped she could fill the void left behind by Earthena."
Again, Charditus was only left with baffled expression on his face. Then out of nowhere, Blizarus raised his voice. "How can you just be that dense and ignorant?! Earthena can never be replaced, and you shouldn't even have tried to, that's just backstabbing your own friend, a friend who died for us."
Blizarus then turned and stormed towards the doorway. "You may have turned your back on her but I haven't and never will. I'll be sure to kill Spyro if it's the last thing I do."
It was then Charditus realised how much Earthena meant to him. While Charditus was a close friend, Earthena was always there for him, encouraging Blizarus to be true to himself. So to suddenly lose her in such as manner...Blizarus was lost without her.
But he missed her so dearly as well, and would never try to replace, to put it bluntly, no one could ever replace that dragoness; she was unique, and more importantly, their friend.
Charditus realised he would need to be there for Blizarus more now than before, and that goes for all of them.
Then he had an idea. One he was sure Earthena would smile upon.
"Blizarus," he called out.
Blizarus stopped and looked over his shoulder. "What?"
Charditus smiled. "How about a race?"
Cynder threw yet another slimy frogweed into the air before gracefully slicing it open with her talon. Volterra could only look in awe at such aerial combat.
"How did you get so good at fighting?" Volterra asked.
"Through Malefor...but I rather not talk about that," Cynder replied.
"Oh. That's fine, sorry."
"No need to be."
Silence fell between them. They had been hunting for anything that either wasn't inedible, or trying to eat them. Only moments ago they had been wondered oblivious into a nest of bulb spiders.
The two wondered further down the flooded bog.
"I owe you another apology," Volterra spoke at last.
Cynder stopped and looked back at the lightning dragoness. "Why?"
"Because, I… I was afraid of you, I was scared you still had a bit of evil in you. But I was wrong, you were forced to do those things"
At first, Cynder did feel a shed of irritation that people didn't understand or refused to acknowledge that she was manipulated into what she did, but more so she was upset because deep down she felt that those actions were still her fault. Besides, at least Volterra realised it wasn't Cynder who did the actions, but Malefor controlling her.
"Again, not your fault. I'm sure a lot of people are like that, and I don't blame them...I've done, unredeemable things, which is also partly why I'm here...trying to stop Spyro." Cynder's voice faded, her head slightly dropped.
Volterra picked up on this subtle cue. "Just like how Spyro cared for her enough to search the realm, she probably feels the same to a degree. I can't imagine how terrible it must be, to have to fight those close to you…"
"You don't have fight him if you don't want to," Volterra spoke up.
Cynder raised her head and looked back.
"You can leave it to us to stop him-" Volterra realised how tactless she sounded. "-I'm sorry, I didn't mean any rudeness or-" Volterra added in slight hysterics.
"It's fine," Cynder assured, "I want to be here, I want to help."
Volterra could only stare, but after a second she nodded, silencing herself before she made herself look even worse.
Both dragonesses trudged on.
Cynder liked this dragoness. She was polite and well spoken, unlike her two icy friends.
The faint sound of running water filled their ears.
"Do you hear that?" Volterra asked.
"What are we waiting for?"
Both dragons raced closer to the increasingly audible sounds. Moments later the mushroom forest opened up to a dirt bank, stretching on for the entire length of the visible river. Golden opaque waters flowed slowly down, towards the ancient grove.
Neither had seen a river this lush or brightly coloured before. Little, green eel like creatures leaped from the sunset river. While they appeared plentiful, they slipped in and out of the water so quickly that trying to catch them would require either split second reactions or blind luck, neither of which dragonesses felt they had. If they wanted dinner then they would need to strike them in the water.
Easier said than done. The golden waters meant trying to look into it was like looking through pure liquid gold.
However, instead of giving up, Volterra approached the water edge and observed. Cynder curiously followed. "What are you doing?"
Volterra pointed a talon out to a section of river to their left, next to the bank. "Right there, there's a group of fish."
Cynder looked at her strangely as Volterra walked passed. Volterra stopped at the spot and looked at the baffled black female. "Could you help me scoop them onto the land please?"
Cynder approached slowly, she was confused to say the least, but Volterra's confidence told Cynder she knew what she was doing.
"At one, put your claws in and scoop towards us," Volterra instructed as she put her claws out ready."
Cynder nodded and did the same.
"Three, two, one." Both females plunged their talons into the shining liquid and flung the water between them. Water went everywhere, but more astonishingly to Cynder, so did about eight fish.
She looked at the lighting dragoness with amazement. "How did you know?" was all she could say.
Volterra couldn't help but grin back. She had made a legendary hero, one who had accomplished the most impossible feat - breathless. "Well, it's thanks to my ability."
"Your ability?"
"Yep, light goes out of my eyes, bounces of things and comes back." She felt silly explaining it, but still she smiled. "All the sentinels have abilities like that, but mine, well it isn't much use in combat," She admitted.
"Are you kidding me, that's amazing." Cynder had heard of dragons using their abilities in unique or odd ways. But not one where a dragon can use their eyes to summon energy.
"Well…"
Both dragonesses enjoyed their evening, appreciating each other's company as they racked in plenty of fish for all five dragons.
Eventually, when they felt they had caught enough, they inverted a mushroom head and deposited their load into it. Cynder then picked it up and both dragonesses merrily made their way back to the temple.
Both dragons barged down the hallway. A white blur followed by a red one streaked into the room on the very end, only then did they stop.
Blizarus whooped and paraded around the room. A big grin swept over his face. "I told you, I was faster."
Even Charditus, who would only often watch these things happen between Blizarus and Earthena, had to admit that was fun. Even though he didn't win, the thrill of a non-life threatening urge like that was enough to put a smile on him as well. "I suppose you are, for now," Charditus breathed.
Blizarus stopped and exchanged a knowing smile.
"Come on, Volterra and Cynder will be back soon, the sooner we test the pool of visions, the sooner we can eat and be out of here."
"Sounds good to me."
Charditus paused and looked at the leaving Blizarus, he was surprised by his response. Usually Blizarus would be at the very least moaning. But this time there wasn't even a hint of disagreement, in fact, he sounded happy doing a boring task.
"Perhaps it's because we did something he wanted to do?" Once again Charditus smiled. Maybe, instead of getting frustrated when Blizarus disobeys, maybe do something that he wants to do.
"Are you coming, Char?" Blizarus asked.
Charditus broke out of his thoughts. He smiled back at his friend. Both dragons padded back down the hallway into the mole training room.
While they walked, Charditus decided he needed to answer Blizarus's earlier protest. He sighed and readied for the storm. "Listen, Bliz. I never want to replace Earthena, it's impossible. She was dear to us all."
Blizarus grinned back. "Yeah I understand, sorry for my moaning, just needed to get it off my chest, you know."
Charditus nodded back appreciatively. "I may not be as great as Earthena, nor do I plan on it, but I will try my best to recreate the moments that she gave you."
Blizarus smiled back. Both were glad that earlier mis-communication was cleared up and there were no hard feelings.
They entered the training room.
"Oh, hey, Charditus," Saphira called to the side, she was in the middle of performing some stylish aerial maneuvers. "While you're here, could you help me train? There is only so much one can do with a non-existent opponent." She laughed.
"Actually," Blizarus delightfully interrupted, "me and Charditus where going to the green pool thing."
"I would gladly," Charditus replied.
Blizarus quickly reeled back and turned to Charditus. "What?"
"It's fine, Bliz. I do not believe we will be leaving here tonight, we'll most likely be getting some sleep after our meal. We can check the pool of visions later."
"But-" Blizarus cut himself off before coming to a decision. "In which case, I'm joining as well."
"Sorry, bud. Wouldn't work, besides, Charditus has already volunteered."
Blizarus grumbled. "Fine...I'll just got and test the pool myself."
"You could always watch, Bliz," Charditus added.
"No, it's fine. I'll go test the pool myself." Blizarus stomped off out of the room, leaving a wary Charditus and a happy Saphira to watch him.
Charditus turned back, he'll make it up to him later. "What is it you wanted to train then?"
"Close combat," Saphira replied. "I was thinking that due to Spyro's different breathes, it would be useless to try and fight with our own breathes. But get in close enough and he will have to resort to claw swipes and biting, then it would be an even fighting field. While one of us occupies him the rest of us can close in and surround, then go for the kill."
Charditus could only appreciate the genius of that plan as he nodded approvingly.
"Glad to see you like it. Anyway, let's get this underway." Saphira took a few steps back.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
Blizarus grumbled towards the pool room. "Stupid...Saphira...friend stealer."
In truth he wasn't heading there, he was looking for something to appease his hungry anger. He looked to his left - the kitchen. Maybe there was something half decent he could munch in there.
He explored the kitchen, which looked more like a canteen with the layout of the tables and long serving counter to the side. The white drake snuck behind the counter and started delving into the cupboards.
"Yeesh, when's the last time they cleared this out?" Even though some of the condiments had only been there for a month, the amount of dust on them suggested otherwise. Jar upon jar of different coloured spice he shifted to one side, looking for something that wasn't in anything stupidly hard to open.
Eventually he found a sack containing a couple of brown, flaking, round vegetables. He pulled one out and inspected it. He didn't know what it was, but it smelled disgusting, like 'clog-your-nose' bad, but they at least didn't look off. Plus Earthena was always saying some things taste nicer than they looked, or smelled in this case.
He took a large chunk out of it. Instantly a taste most foul brutally marched upon his tongue, assaulting it with flavours of bitter defeat. Salty tears welled in his eyes, and his face wrinkled up like a old white tomato. He spat the unholy food out of his defiled mouth. there was no redeeming qualities about this monstrosity at all, it was an evil vegetable.
In spiteful hate he lobbed the brown innocent vegetable at the wall, where it broke off into thin layers and cluttered down onto the sandstone floor.
Immediately Blizarus gave up his endeavours as he skulked out the kitchen.
Deciding there was very little else to do or eat until the girls came back, Blizarus headed for the pool of visions.
It was actually only a couple of minutes of later when Volterra and Cynder came back. Cynder was dragging the mushroom of fish with her maw down the rocky tunnel, with Volterra in the back insuring it doesn't tip over and to help guide Cynder.
Together they made it to the centre of the room. To their right, they saw Blizarus angrily dunk his head into the green pool. To their left, Charditus and Saphira sparring in aerial combat.
"I'll get those two?" Cynder asked.
Volterra nodded, "And I will go get Blizarus."
Both dragons parted and headed in opposite directions.
Volterra headed into the pool room, where a frustrated Blizarus huffed and looked dead ahead.
"Dinner's ready, Bliz," Volterra spoke up.
Blizarus turned his head, finally a face he was happy to see. "About time."
Both headed back to the first room.
Charditus saw Cynder from the corner of his eye, and deciding this practice was coming to an end.
He was currently in the air with Saphira on the ground, anticipating his next attack. Charditus didn't care if he won or lose, so he decided to go all in.
He dove for her, but his reckless attack meant Saphira easily dodged it, and slipped over tail underneath his legs when he landed.
Charditus fell to his side. He rolled onto his back, but before he could do anything Saphira pinned him, her hand on his chest. Their faces were only inches apart.
Both dragons knew it was over and such stop resisting, they're looked upon each's eyes. Saphira was enjoying this moment.
"Could you please get off me, Saphira, you won," Charditus said.
Saphira broke from her spell, slightly annoyed that he ruined the moment. "But I thought it was quite romantic."
Charditus just felt awkward. "Please."
Regardless she got off and sighed. He was her only friend, and she didn't want to do anything to lose that, lest she risks falling alone again. Charditus was the only one she could call a friend, Blizarus only tolerates her and would happily see her leave, and who knows what Volterra thought of her… As for Cynder? While the others trust her, there was always something off about her; perhaps it was her lingering past, maybe it was her unique relation with Spyro, but she shouldn't be trusted.
"We've got dinner," Cynder commented.
Saphira waited for Charditus to get up before the trio set off for the centre room, where Volterra and Blizarus were waiting. Saphira and Blizarus gave each other cold looks. Underneath their petty arguments earlier, daggers were glaring at each other, which unfortunately made everyone else too uncomfortable to speak.
It got even worse, especially for Volterra and Charditus, when both ice dragons tried sitting as closely as possible, almost touching scales with Charditus, in order to prove dominance. Charditus remained irritatedly silent as he got up and wandered over in between Volterra and Cynder.
In reply the white drake snarled at the light blue female and put a hefty distance between them.
Eventually, the meal came to an end, everyone had their fill and agreed it would be a good idea to get some sleep. Charditus hoped the bitter events of the day was the cause of all this tension.
The penta of dragons made their way to the dragon sleeping section of the temple and chose their rooms. After another argument (between you know who) about who was sleeping in the same room as Charditus, it was strongly insisted by the fire male himself that he would sharing the room with Volterra.
Of course, Blizarus was outraged about this, he always shared the room with his squad, and so he unspokenly blamed Saphira.
Cynder felt sorry for Charditus and Volterra, and after saying goodnight to them all, disappeared into her own room.
Blizarus and Saphira went into two separate rooms, and would've no doubt slammed the doors behind them if they could. Charditus sighed a fresh air of relief, less than an hour together and the two were already doing his heading.
Volterra had a worried expression about her face and placed a comforting wing over him.
"Thank you." Charditus accepted the kind gesture with a tired smile as the two curled up together onto the pile of hay abandoned neatly in the centre of the room. Their final thoughts of the day going out to Earthena before nodding off.
Charditus hoped tomorrow would be easier…
As Spyro had fallen asleep earlier than Charditus and his friends, it was only naturally that he would also wake up before them.
Over the course of the night, Spyro's wounds had sealed, fading slightly. While he couldn't do much else, he could now at least walk on his front leg.
He remembered his plan, to head to the swamp and tell his parents of what happened to Sparx, then disappear from here forever.
After drinking his fair share of water and catching himself another tasty fish, he exited the serene grove, passing by the tree roots and stinger nettles once more. The overgrown path opened up to the vast flooded canyon. To his right, the once formidable dam, and to his left, the curving land that now serves as the coast to the ocean.
From this information, and from the journey he made yesterday, he made a calculated guess to where home was.
For a couple of hours he flew, eventually reaching the edge of the mushroom forest. Memories of dread filled his mind, fearing that Cyril, Volteer and others still resided in the nearby temple, but then he remembered they were back in Warfang, with hopefully everyone else. Besides he wasn't going into the temple, just near it.
Eventually though, some of the surrounding terrain became familiar, allowing him to begin tracing back to where his very first adventure began…
...And soon he found it. It was all there, the tree he and Sparx played tag around, the natural ramp that took them further into the mushroom forest, all of it if was still here - except his parents.
"Mum? Dad?" he called out loudly. It felt eerie, hearing his voice echo. Like he was simply home from another day of playing, that the past three years had never happened.
Nothing.
He looks around, hoping to find the glimmer of a set of red or blue wings. But nothing. Were they hiding from him?
Spyro shook his head, of course they would never do that...Maybe they didn't make it after all.
Again, spyro scolded himself, of course they're still alive.
Then he heard a dull thud, like something soft yet rigid was tapped. He spun around and once more called out. "Mum?"
Charditus woke up the next morning, later than Spyro by at least an hour.
His eyes crept open, his limbs beginning to fidget, he open and closed his lips to dampen his dry mouth.
He then felt an unusual pressure rubbing against his flank, looking down he found the easing form of Volterra reacting to his motions.
He smiled, this was the first time he had shared a bed with Volterra like this...and it felt good. He cautiously got up while also making sure Volterra was undisturbed from her sleep.
He crept across the room, more silent than a mouse. The door did make a slight ruckus, but not enough to disturb the slumbering, yellow dragoness.
Charditus slipped out and scanned the surroundings. Cynder layed patiently in the training room. There was no sign of either ice dragons yet.
He wandered over to the old training room, where his now unsilenced footsteps alerted Cynder to his presence.
"Good morning," Cynder called out.
Charditus nodded. "Morning."
"Is Volterra not up with you?"
Charditus shook his to the side. "No, she is still asleep."
Cynder nodded in response. Neither said anything else.
"I've tried the pool, unfortunately nothing." Cynder got up, both dragons begun walking towards the pool room.
"That's fine, do you know if anyone has tried?"
"I think your white friend has, but I'm not sure dunking his head forcibly into the pool counts."
Charditus could only laugh innerbly to himself, it was a typical thing for Blizarus to do.
"His name is Blizarus, and I can agree he will need to try again. What is the proper way of doing it then?"
"From what the guardians told me, you have to close your eyes and your mind, then slowly place your head into the pool."
"I'll try that now."
Both dragons entered the portal room and approached the pool. Cynder watched as Charditus closed his eyes, took a deep breathe and lowered his head into the emerald liquid.
His world turned dark, as the gurgling water suffocated sounds attempting to touch is ears. His mind remained black for a few seconds, a few turned into ten.
Eventually, the necessity to breathe overtook his calmness. He removed himself from the water. He gulped in a deep breathe.
Cynder waited for the fire drake to regain control of his heavy breathing before asking the obvious question. "Any luck?"
Charditus shook his head, "nothing."
"That's fine, we've got three more dragons."
Charditus nodded in reply. "We'll wait for them to wake up, then I'll take Blizarus to go get some more food."
"Do you need me to come?"
"No need, thank you. I'm trying to get a structure going so that no one does more than they should do."
"Got it. What should we do in the meantime?"
The topic of the pool, along with his sparring match with Saphira had prompt him to come up with a suitable subject. "I understand this is a touchy subject for you, but perhaps you could enlighten me with Spyro's fighting style? It could help us plan an proper offense designed to expose his weaknesses."
Cynder pondered to herself, secluding to her thoughts as she recounted the times she has seen him fight, from that she found a pattern. "He prefers playing it safe, evading attacks until his opponent reveals a weakness that he can expose with a flurry of heavy strikes. He also tries to force opponents into unfavourable positions, such as forcing wyverns onto the ground or disarming orcs. Alternatively he may keep at a safe distance and strike fires with his elements, differentiating his elements depending on his fore."
Charditus nodded, this knowledge was valuable, it would give them an edge over him and allow them to better prepare. But even then, they cannot claim victory yet. Spyro has once fought four of them and won without worry. He had even survived Charditus's famous Thermoblast at point blank.
Both dragons then heard approaching footsteps.
They turned to see Volterra with Blizarus slightly behind.
"Good morning," Volterra hollored.
Charditus smiled. "Good morning, Volterra, Blizarus. We were just testing the pool and also discussing our plans of taking down Spyro."
"Good, because that asshole needs to be taken down as soon as possible," Blizarus bitterly spoke, it was clear that yesterday had left a sour taste in his mouth (or maybe it was the remnants of the onion).
No one replied to the comment. Instead Charditus took the conversation away. "If we could get you two to briefly try the pool?" he coaxed.
"Tried it, didn't work," Blizarus immediately responded.
"Prope-"
"Yes, yes, I've tried being calm, I've tried thrusting my head into it, ect. It doesn't work."
Charditus sighed. He realised unless he did something this attitude he did not like would only continue. "Right, Volterra?"
"I will try."
The white drake and yellow dragoness joint around the pool, like four guardians holding a meeting. All attention drew to Volterra, she grew apprehensive as if it all relied on her. Regardless, she tried.
She dipped her head in with her eyes closed, and after twenty seconds of patient waiting she withdrew, shaking her head disappointingly. "Sorry…"
"It's fine," Charditus assured, draping a wing over her.
"Oh great, so we have to rely on the Saphira to do it…" Blizarus muttered.
"It's honestly fine, Blizarus," Charditus again said.
However, despite the attempts at reassuring, apprehension was mounting and growing, and they were all feeling it. They had hoped that at least one of them would have the gift, considering the importance of their mission.
"Anyway, until Saphira awakes I might as well go get us some breakfast. Bliz, are you in? I would be interested to see who can catch the most between us."
The white dragon was practically over the moon as a huge smile formed on his face. Spending time with Charditus without Saphira interrupting and turning it into a competition, that was a double win for him.
"With pleasure," he eagerly replied, racing over to the front entrance.
Charditus turned to the girls. "We'll be back as soon as possible."
Volterra has a large smile about her as well. She was glad Charditus was using this time to understand Blizarus better. Cynder smiled and nodded as well.
"I'm going as well," The familiar voice of Saphira broke through, slicing Blizarus's bubble of happiness in two.
Immediately he frowned at the uninvited dragoness. "Like hell you are."
Charditus knew how this was going to go down, his mind had already worked out a plan. "Actually Saphira, I need you to test the pool, you're the only one who hasn't yet and unfortunately none of us have the gift."
Blizarus evilly smiled in delight while Saphira tried coming up with an excuse. "I can do that afterwards, could I not? Besides, I really need to stretch my wings."
"Sorry," Blizarus happily butted in. "You heard Char, and he's picked me already. It won't work with you aswell."
Saphira growled to herself. She realised she had no argument when Blizarus had used her own logic against her. She sighed, she had lost this battle, but not the war. Maybe there was still a way for her to get around it though… "Fiiine."
"Thank you. Bliz, let's go." Charditus wanted to leave before another argument broke out.
"Later," Blizarus gloated as both males left the temple.
They flew a short distance over the brown mushroom forest and found a piece of undrowned land overlooking a largish swamp with a even more mushrooms sitting wet in the murky sludge. How anything even edible, let alone delicious, could grow here was a miracle. A few springy frog weeds hopped around along with a few buzzing insects but that was it.
Charditus was just trying to find the Silver River, where Volterra and Cynder had found their motherload.
"See anything, Bliz?"
"Apart from lively, pitcher-plant cabbages, not a lot."
"Maybe you aren't looking hard enough." Once more it was Saphira, following them around like a shadow. She descended like a thunder cloud above Blizarus, landing the other side of them. "There is always food, you just got to look."
"I thought you were checking the pool, Saphira?"
"I did, but nothing," she replied casually.
Charditus and Blizarus looked at her alarmed while she lazily brushed it off.
"But like I said, I needed to stretch my wings."
Charditus mind was in worry mode. With no one able to use the pool, then how would they find Spyro? He forced himself to calm down, they'll regroup at the temple and come up with a new plan of action. They've run into this situation before, having to hunt down a target in a particular area...a large, continental area… "One thing at a time, Charditus."
"Mom? Dad?" a voice rang out. It was faint, but still audible enough to make out the words. But it was the tone that scared Charditus the most. All three dragons turned towards the calling, that was scarily similar to one dragon in particular - Spyro.
Charditus thought he was imagining it, but the baffled expressions on his friends' faces told otherwise, it was something certain to check out. That in the flukiest, unbelievable circumstances, that both parties had blundered into each other.
"Stay low and stay quiet," Charditus ordered, as he made a mental pinpoint of where the echo came from.
The trio quickly took off and dangerous flew between the labyrinth of mushrooms, Charditus just halted them before they broke out into another clearing. They landed softly, only making what would be considered natural sounds before ducking behind some shrubbery. They peaked over, being careful not to expose themselves.
Ahead of them, exposed in the open and oblivious - Spyro.
Woot, another chapter done, hope you enjoyed this chapter all! Talk about coincidence, poor Spyro doesn't seem to be able to get a break. But are his parents here, or are they dead?
Plus it looks like introducing Saphira to the group has induced some 'problems'.
What do you all think will happen next?