Chapter 5
The Valley of Avalar was in springtime. The trees were budding, blossoms of white, red, yellow, and blue creating a rainbow covering the landscape. Bees droned around, landing on and dusting on the precious pollen they carried onto the flowers, attracted by their vivid colors. Small animals wandered the meadows, out of hibernation, and glad to be free from the icy grip of winter. They ate nuts, fruits, roots, and leaves as they sought to fill their bellies with food after their long hibernation. All of Avalar was alive in the season.
All except the cheetah village.
Hunter sat against a wooden post, his hood over his head and his bow in hand. He eyes peered underneath the hood, scanning the area. He took in all of his surroundings, burning them into his memory like a hot iron. He tried to savor his final moments here. Hunter's melancholy expression was hidden from view by his cloak as he dreaded what was coming. They were leaving Avalar.
Hunter's eyes turned to focus on a bee, which was slowly buzzing about, making its way to a blossoming tree. Hunter kept his focus on the bee as it landed on a flower, scattering pollen all over the center. The bee went to one after the other, pollinating each one with greater care than the last. Hunter felt calmed by the sight of the bee, just doing what it was made to do. For the first time since Chief Prowlus had gave them the news of their evacuation, Hunter relaxed.
Unfortunately for him, Hunter was broken from his trance at the sound of a loud clang. Turning his head, Hunter saw the source of the noise. The town bell had gone off, with Chief Prowlus next to it inside the belltower. His sword was unsheathed and up in the air, and had obviously just struck the bell with the flat of the swordblade a moment ago. Hunter grimaced. The time had come.
Chief Prowlus waited until all heads in the village turned to face him. His sword stayed up in the air, calling attention to himself. Soon everybody in the village formed into a crowd around the belltower, all except Hunter, who stayed sitting against the wooden post. His eyes turned to Prowlus, but his body remained motionless, appearing as if he didn't hear the bell. Prowlus, however, knew that Hunter was watching and listening. He knew him too well not to know that. The cheetah leader shifted his gaze from Hunter to the crowd in front of him. They were attentive to him, awaiting the inevitable. Their eyes showed great sorrow, a paleness that was impossible not to notice. Chief Prowlus gave a deep sigh. He was no happier about this than they were.
"Citizens of Avalar!" began Prowlus, "Ever since the day the ring of fire dissipated, and the volcano ceased to erupt, I know we all thought that the age of peace had begun. But, only two days ago, the volcano once again spewed its flame over the land, and the ring of fire was fueled once more. Everything grew back to the way it was, as if nothing had happened."
"Something has happened, and neither I, nor anybody else here, knows how this is possible. One thing that is rest assured is that nobody here is safe anymore. My ignorance of the evil surrounding us last time this happened nearly destroyed us. Had it not been for Spyro and Cynder, we would not have survived. Meadow would have died as well." He stated, pausing. He looked everyone over, examining their responses. Their faces lit up at the mention of the two young dragons, especially Hunter's, which allowed a ghost of a smile to creep onto his lips. Meadow also smiled, near the middle of the crowd. Ever since that day, the cheetah village had considered Spyro and Cynder as heroes. Prowlus continued.
"I will not make the same foolish error. I will no longer ignore the evil that is coming, that is here. We must leave the Valley of Avalar!"
All of the smiles faded almost instantly. Silence hung on the air. The moment had arrived.
"We leave in three hours' time. Pack only your most necessary provisions. Carry anything that can serve as a weapon with you. We make for the dragon city by noon."
Hunter watched as the crowd dispersed, not eager to do their Chieftain's bidding. Getting up, he walked over to Chief Prowlus, who was getting down from the belltower. He sheathed his bow onto his back. Prowlus gave him a halfhearted greeting.
"Hello, Hunter." He said without much enthusiasm. Hunter replied back "Hello."
Prowlus decided to cut to the chase. "Look, Hunter, I know you're not happy about this decision to leave. But you told me awhile back that I could no longer ignore the evil around me. I will not do so again. I know it's hard, Hunter, but even you know that this needs to be done. We cannot stay here."
Hunter sullenly nodded his head. "Yes, Chief. We all know this must be done. I cannot blame you for trying to help our people survive. The revival of this evil is most unusual. None of us like this, but it's necessary. I am sorry for showing disdain towards you for this the last few days."
Prowlus gave a smile. "That is most alright, Hunter. I forgive you. These last few days have been very hard for us all. After all, this is our home. But we cannot possibly be safe here knowing that Malefor is still alive. They will overcome us if we were to stay. The dragon city will provide us shelter and protection for the time being."
Hunter furrowed his brow in thought. "But Prowlus, wouldn't Warfang be a major target in his conquest of the realm? Wouldn't we still be in danger there?"
Prowlus sighed, and then shook his head slowly. "There really isn't any option, is there? Even so, we would still be safer there than we would here if we went under attack. It's our best bet."
Hunter nodded his head. "Yes, it is. You are right. Despite us having few options, that is the best one here. We'll just have to take it as it comes."
Prowlus also nodded his head, and turned around to gather his own provisions. "We leave in three hours. Gather your provisions."
Hunter waited until Prowlus entered his home, than patted his bow and small pouch at his side.
"I have all I need right here." He smiled to himself. He proceeded to sit at another post, with hood over head, trying to enjoy his last hours in Avalar, his home.
Spyro and Cynder were in the same meadow that he had proposed to her before. The sunlight glistened upon the dew dampened grass, reflecting the light like mirrors. The birds sang upon the new day like a chorus of angels. Spyro strangely felt himself moved by the beauty of it all. He turned to Cynder, saying the same precious three words.
"I love you."
She turned to him, smiling broadly.
"I love you too, Spyro."
Suddenly, she got up, and began to walk away. Spyro squinted his eyes in confusion. He called back to her.
"Cynder? Where are you going?"
She looked back at him sadly. "I cannot be with you, Spyro." Without another word, she turned her head back around, walking away. Spyro swiftly got himself up, running to Cynder, who was leaving him.
"No, Cynder! I thought you said you loved me! Don't leave me!" he cried.
A wall of fire erupted out of the ground, between Cynder and Spyro. The purple dragon skid to a halt, stopping just short of the new wall of fire. He sobbed as Cynder faded away on the other side of the fire.
"No, Cynder! I love you! Don't leave me here alone!" he pleaded.
But Cynder was not listening. Instead, she resumed walking, not even bothering to look back to Spyro, who stood there, shocked. She faded into the fire, lost to sight.
Spyro felt everything around him turn dark once more. All faded away into the void of shadow surrounding him. The sun turned into a dripping blood red, the only thing remaining besides the endless darkness. Spyro stared at it, intrigued by its light in the endless void. Spyro heard a voice, its icy chill piercing his thoughts.
"She has left you. Your love is lost in eternal darkness. There is no hope for you now."
Spyro fought it, trying to pry the voice from his mind.
"Leave me alone! Let me go!"
The voice spoke out one last time. "As you wish."
Spyro suddenly felt himself falling, sinking into the abyss. He was powerless to move, and felt the darkness close in around him…
Spyro's eyes snapped open. He felt his heart pound in his chest like a drum. Spyro shook his fearful thoughts from him. As he slowly sat up, he heard Cynder's voice.
"Spyro? Is everything alright? Did you have another nightmare?"
He sat back against the wall behind the bed, angry at himself for having awakened Cynder.
"Yes." He answered. He heard her speak again.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked him. He gave a long, deep sigh.
"No, I can't." he said to her. She frowned.
"Spyro, you can't hide your feelings forever. It's not healthy. Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"
"Yes."
She sighed. Spyro didn't want her to share his burdens, but she did want him to. She wanted him to share them with her. She didn't want to see Spyro like this, and she wanted to help, but Spyro wanted to keep them to himself.
Cynder gently lifted the covers off of her, and then got out of bed. Sunlight was streaming into the room, indicating morning had arrived. She stretched her wings, and turned her head to Spyro.
"Well, it's morning now, and Cyril told us to meet them downstairs at sunrise. He said it was important. Come on, Spyro!"
Spyro got up as well, and together they both exited the room and descended down the stairs. He voiced his curiosity.
"I wonder what this is about now?" He said to Cynder. She shrugged.
"Something important. That's what Cyril said to us last night. I don't know, Spyro, but I'm not sure if I want to, either.
As they rounded the corner, they saw three guardians standing around the pool. Sparx hovered around Cyril's head. Terrador's voice boomed around the room.
"Come in, you two."
They did so, and sat down on the floor. Terrador began.
"As you obviously know, the ring of fire has returned, and the volcano has come back from dormancy once again. Because of this, we know that evil has been revived again." Spyro and Cynder waited for Terrador to continue, but Volteer interrupted.
"In these troubling times, safety is most important indeed. We all regret knowing this, but we are not safe here. We have already been overrun in this very temple before. Surely if we went under attack, we alone would not last. Through this matter, we have decided to relocate elsewhere."
"Yes, yes, to the city of Warfang I might add. There is the safest place within the realm. We will be safer there than here, that's for sure."
"So, we're leaving? Since when?" asked Spyro.
"Since last night, Spyro. I'm sorry about the short notice, but we need to leave today. It is better to leave sooner than later, and the sooner we leave, the better. Once again, I… We are sorry for the short notice."
"We're leaving now?" Spyro said, surprised. "We just got here, Cynder and me!"
"Don't worry, Spyro. You can catch up on your love life later." Spyro shot Sparx a hard glare. Cynder giggled briefly.
"We will leave shortly. Is there anything you brought with you on the way here?"
"No." They both answered in unison. Terrador nodded his head.
"Good. Then we leave now."
Desraa approached the chambers of Malafron. He turned the brain shaped knob to the left, and entered as the door swung open. He walked in five paces, and was about to drop onto his knees and recite his titles, when Malafron interrupted.
"Stay on your feet, Desraa. Is my army ready?" he asked eagerly.
Desraa gave a single nod. "Yes, milord. I have rallied them together in three days' time as you have ordered. They await your command.
Malafron gave a pleased sigh. "Good, Desraa, my general. You have done well. Now listen to what I am about to tell you."
The cheetah general listened in. Malafron spoke.
"The two dragons, Spyro and Cynder, will be there. They seek shelter from my wrath, but instead, they will experience it firsthand. Those fools! Do not allow your soldiers to kill them, but injure them if you must. As long as they do not die, this plan will go into full effect. Fail me, and you will wish you had never been born."
Desraa felt a shiver down his spine. Malafron did not make empty threats.
"Proceed with your army into the underground passage. You will emerge on the other side of the wall of fire. Take the siege engines in last. Take no prisoners. Leave no one that you encounter, except Spyro and Cynder, alive. Destroy the city."
Desraa gave a nod. "Yes milord!"
He turned, exiting the chambers, and to the army awaiting outside of the catacombs.
He exited the tunnels, to see an army, as far as the eye could see, stretching across the burnt landscape like a blanket over the land. Desraa arose onto a tall rock, hearing the massive army give a mighty roar at his arrival. He rose his hand, and the army gradually died down in volume. Desraa shouted out among the grublins, "Today, we make for Warfang!"
It took some time for Desraa to calm the blood frenzied army to quiet down. He roared out once again.
"Follow the orders of Malafron! Take no prisoners! Show no mercy! Destroy the city!"
"Leave only the two dragons, Spyro, and Cynder, alive! Capture them, bring them to me. As for everyone else…" he paused, "Leave none alive!"
The frenzied cries became deafening. Desraa screamed out among them.
"Forward, march!"
A mighty column of soldiers began to march, ten men wide, and ten men deep per column. Each column separated into their own unit, each one marching into the grand tunnel before them. The mighty army marched, underneath the ground and invisible, awaiting the moment where they would emerge into the field of battle.
Thus, three paths were drawn to the dragon city of Warfang, two seeking protection, and one seeking to destroy it.
Authors Note: Chapter 6 coming soon!
This story is book 1 of 3 of a planned trilogy. I hope you're liking the story! Please, review!