LoS: Prophecy of Blood

Chapter 3

Valiria Flarian was reading her new book on her bed when the sun came up. Valiria, Val to her friends, was considered by most of her classmates to be the type that didn't read (not couldn't read, but didn't). And she agreed with them, why read when one could be out and training or playing tailball. So when she bought the book in the first place it surprised everyone, even herself. But it had felt as if she had to have the book, and once she started to read it she couldn't seem to put it down.

"Val, you already up?" Her mom called as Valiria flipped a page.

"Hmm, what is it mom?" She asked, her eyes glued to the page.

"Just saying breakfast will be done in a bit."

Val's eyes went wide as she put the book down and looked out her window to see the sun rising in the east. She then looked at the book, still lying there, open on the page she had been reading. This is impossible, she thought, How did I read a book for an entire night and not feel the least bit tired.

"Val?"

"Hmm...coming." She shouted as she closed the book and got off of her bed. She glanced back towards the old purple book and then continued down the stairs.

"There you are, ready for breakfast?" The elder scarlet dragoness said as Valiria descended the stairs.

"Yep, what's for breakfast?" Valiria asked as she walked into the kitchen.

"I thought I'd try and make a fish omelet, want to try?"

"Err..." Valiria looked at the mess of egg and overcooked fish that her mother dumped on a plate, "I think I'll just have some fruit, did dad already leave?"

"Yes, busy day in the Council today." Valiria's mom said as she sat down and bit into her omelet, "Eh, I think I got the seasoning wrong."

"Yeah, election day tomorrow. I wondered who'll win." Valiria said as she bit into a piece of fruit, not at all concerned with the elections, but thinking about the book which had held her attention for an entire night.

"I think Zithian supports Tykron, at least that's who he keeps talking about." Valiria's mother said.

"Well, I'm heading out." Valiria said as she walked to the door.

"Already?"

"I'll be back for supper!" Valiria called, already out the door and onto the morning streets of Warfang.

***Outside Warfang's Main Gate***

Cyprus particly crashed into the ground as he landed at the city gates of Warfang, much to two dragons on guards' surprise. He muttered incoherently as the guards rushed him to the apothecary, unaware of his surroundings or of the large cut along his side pouring out blood. He heard the healers mutter and tell him to be calm, but he didn't really hear them. He just wanted to close his eyes and drift away, but he couldn't. Not when Far'sy and Cleona still needed him.

"What did he say?" One of the healers, a young female cheetah, asked as they bandaged him.

"Something about a 'fair say', send for some red crystals." The other healer, a pale blue dragon, said as the cheetah quickly ran toward the crystal deposit.

"Will he be alright?" Someone asked. Cyprus thought he recognized the voice, but was to tired to turn and look.

"Uncertain, but we'll try our best." the healer dragon said as the cheetah came back with red crystals. "Good, now apply gently." Cyprus felt cool relief as his wound sealed up. Finally, he wasn't in constant pain. "Now it is just a matter on how much blood he lost."

"Can I speak to him?" The familiar voice asked.

"Can't do anymore harm, go ahead."

Cyprus suddenly knew who the familiar voice belonged too he mustered his strength and muttered "General Spyro..."

"I'm here." The young general said as he came into view of his soldier.

"Must...help...Far'sy and... Cleona..." He whispered, still to weak to do anything except breath.

"Where are they? What happened?" Spyro asked.

"Near the Mountain of...Malifor. We were attacked...while on patrol." Cyprus answered as he began to loose consciousness.

"By what, what attacked you?" Spyro asked, already formulating a rescue plan.

"Wyv...wyverns." Cyprus muttered as he fell unconscious. The rooms. Was silent for a while, then Spyro told the healer to tell him when Cyprus woke and then he briskly walked away to call an emergency meeting.

***Council Chambers***

Tykron loved emergencies. It was during an emergency, when your adversaries's attention was focused on another area entirely, one could strike. Emergencies set things out of balance, and he enjoyed every moment of it, especially when he could view both sides.

He took his seat on the Emergency Council, which he had held for a year, in between the two other elected representatives, Zithian Flarian (an middle-aged fire dragon who was one of his supporters) and Vicrora Distan (the only one who was left to oppose him for the Head of Council) and directly across from the Guardian's seats, four of which where empty (Seven in all. Volteer, Terrador, and Cyril were, of course, presented, but the chair for fire was now empty, along with wind, water, and light). Between them sat the four Grand Generals: Issan Warrior (the youngest, and possibly brightest, of the assembled, a wind dragon whom had proven himself a capable leader), Flamatric Inaicin (a large, old ice dragon who had severed for eighty years on the council), and Hirren Higher (a self-serving old earth dragon who would do anything to stay in power). And then there was the reason they were there, a young purple dragon, caring the rank of general, who was patiently awaiting them to be seated.

"What is it that we have been so hastily assembled for?" Flamatric asked, the old dragon had probably been woken up to attend the meeting.

"I believe Spyro has something to report." Terrador stated. The old earth Guardian was probably the closest to expiring, being over two-hundred and surviving the war had finally caught up to him it seemed.

"Yes, I do." Spyro said as all eyes turned on him, "Just one hour ago a member of a patrol party came back severely wounded. He is in critical care right now, but the rest of the patrol hasn't reported in. I have sent out search parties, but I believe they have been captured or killed."

The council chamber broke into conversation at this, everyone trying to voice their opinions at once. "Everyone, please!" Issan said to quite the crowd, "I believe Spyro has something else to add."

Spyro nodded and took a deep breath, "According to the soldier, wyverns attacked him and his patrol."

For a moment the council chamber was quite, then the silence was ended by an uproar of yelling and shouting. Opinions ranged from immediate action to wait and send out more patrols, and no one was really listening to what the other was saying.

"Quite!" Terrador roared. The chamber was again fell silent, "Now, one at a time."

"Terrador," Vicrora said, standing up, "I'd like to motion that we deal with this immediately by sending out a portion of our troops out to meet this threat."

"That's absurd," Zithian said, now standing up, "We have no confirmation about how many wyverns there are nor where they are."

"I agreed with Zithian on this one," Cyril said, also standing up "We need to know more before we act."

"And have another patrol brutally attacked! I think immediate action is necessary!" Inaicin practically roared, causing the chamber to once again erupt into shouting.

"Order! Order!" Terrador roared, quiteing the room, "Vicrora presented a motion, and I think Inaicin seconded." Terrador glanced at Inaicin and the ice dragon nodded, "Now, all who agree say "Agreed".

Vicrora, Inaicin, Issan, Flamatric, and Hirren all said "Agreed".

"All opposed say "Disagreed".

Volteer, Cyril, Zithian, and Tykron all said "Disagreed".

"The "Agreed"s have it, now whom shall lead the attack?" Terrador asked.

"I recommend Issan for this task." Vicrora suggested.

"I agree." Tykron said, inwardly smiling as his plan came together, "He is obviously the best to send. He has demonstrated great ability to lead an army in difficult terrain."

The same possess was repeated again to elect Issan to lead the army. Tykron inwardly smiled as everything feel in place, tomorrow it would begin. He was anxious now, waiting, but it would be worth it.

***Outside the Council Chambers***

"Come on Issan, let me come with you," Spyro pleaded as he and the slightly older with different dragon Grand General walked down the rode to the Main Gate.

"Sorry, but you are needed here to defend the city," Issan replied, "Besides, it'll probably be just a firefly chase, nothing more."

"But, two of my soldiers could be captured." Spory retorted.

Issan shook his head as they walked past the font gate, "No, Spyro, not this time my friend. This time you have to stay here."

"Alright," Spyro said, "but be careful, Far'sy was no fool, and I believe Cyprus's report."

"I will, may the Ancestors watch over you." Issan said as he took off into the sky, accompanied by two hundred other dragons.

"And may they watch over you!" Spyro shouted as his friend faded from sight. Spyro sighed and turned back and walked back into Warfang.

***Lair of the Wyverns***

Far'sy woke up in pain. Every bone in his body felt as though it was liquifing and shattering. It was a pain that would usually kill someone, but something held him back from death, even though he'd welcome it. He heard others talking asking him questions. Questions about Warfang and her defenses, but he refused to answer. They would not brake him.

In the end though, they did brake him, and rewarded him.

***Flarian Estate***

"Come on, I have to show you it." Valiria said as she, Watts, Anteria and Samson entered her house. The sun had now just set now and Warfang was just now slowing down for the night, the streets slowly emptying.

"This had better be good," Anteria said as they walked up the stairs to Valiria's room, "I had to cancel a badly needed claw manicure for this."

"Oh, come on, Anteria, it sounds interesting." Watts said as Valiria opened the door to her room.

"I think she's over exaggerating it." Samson whispered to Watts.

"Most likely," Watts admitted, "but there has to be something interesting about it."

"Here it is." Valiria said, showing them the purple book.

"An interesting title," Watts observed.

"I'll admit it does sound juicy." Anteria said, lying down.

"Yeah, read us an exert or something Val." Samson said, also lying down.

"Alright," Valiria said, flipping through the pages, "Oh, this sounds good, 'The Prophecy of Blood'."

"Well, lets here it." Watts said, taking a seat.

"Okay," Valiria said and then began to read the prophecy...

***Tykron Residence***

Tykron moved silently through his house, careful not to disturb his wife or newly hatched child. He moves out onto the balcony over looking the city and stares off into the distance, towards the mountains where his army is preparing to attack. He then looks at the star lit sky and begins to recite the ancient prophecy...

In the time after the war

Darkness shall rise once more

Befriending his most hated foe

Power over Death, backed by Ancient lore,

An ancient debt that he will owe

And in payment for sinking so low

Must in Blood be paid

Of many that he does not know,

Now Darkness shall raid

And Those whom fight it will fade

Unless light is found at Their core

The World will fall back to which it was made.