As soon as they reached the end of the line, it hit Cynder that Ignitus is too heavy to carry for a half-mile. He was far too weak to walk on his own, but that was the only way.
"C'mon big guy, time to go." Sparx said, nudging him. Ignitus slowly crawled off the leaf. The bleeding had stop, but the scars were a memory that would stick with him for a very long time.
"Sparx, you'll have to lead the way. I have no idea where you and Spyro came from, and this swamp is full of dense trees. Do you think you can find a safe path?" her voice was deep with concern. Never in her whole life had she wanted anything more than for Ignitus to live. He was one of the few who accepted her. Not only that, he raised her and made sure she was safe once again.
"I think- I mean I know it's around here somewhere… I remember getting lost when I was little. I had to head north. Let's go!" he said with a faint look of excitement and fear.
The hike was long and excruciating. Ignitus was getting weaker by the moment and sometimes needed rest.
"I appreciate your efforts, really, I do. I'm not sure that I'll make it all the way. You can head back to the temple. The other elders could need help." Ignitus said through choking coughs.
"No way. We're already halfway there!" Sparx yelled back.
"And besides, the other elders are fine. I can fell it. They're okay, a little shaken up, but okay." Cynder's spirited burned through the very words she spoke. The elders were fine, something inside of her was reaching out to make sure, and they were alright. "If we stay here, nothing good will come. If we keep going, at least we tried! You always told us to keep going for the goal, sure situations were grim, but you always knew we could! Let's go now!" the raging intensity of Cynder's soul was going nuts. The power of her words was surging through her veins. The heat of the sun itself wasn't powerful enough to match her.
"Even if we get him there in time, what are we going to do about the traitor? He's on the loose and crazy! He called me a wrench… or something like that! The jerk, and after all I've done for him, too." Sparx said, beginning to mumble.
"Sparx, I'm trusting you, take him back with you. I'm going to track down Spyro." She replied.
"You've gotta be kidding me! He has huge claws, huge teeth, huge wings, and some serious anger issues." He spat back.
"I can find out where he's gone. I can sort of feel him near now that he's darker now. No need to worry about me. I better set off." Cynder said.
"What? Hey! Get back here now!" Sparx said as she flew off into the distance.
The morning sun peaked through the clouds in some areas, giving Cynder a false sense of security. Warmth in a sea of coldness made her newfound senses go crazy. She felt sleepy whenever there was a break in the clouds; it amazed her how fast she could get used to a sudden temperature change. At this rate, she could fall asleep if the cloudiness were to clear up. I need to stay focused; whatever has happened to Spyro needs to be stopped. The only true friend I ever had. I have to help him, whether he wants it or not. Hang on, I'm coming! She thought to herself as the wind rushed by her.