Author's Note: I'm really sorry for the delay! I have been really busy lately, and not to mention I had a few edits with this chapter before I could be pleased with it. Since it has been a while, I went ahead and started working on the next chapter, and that should be out soon as well. Thanks for reading!
Chapter 7:
The twin moons shimmered lowly, creating a bright twilight in the night. The maroon, feathered dragoness that carried Rayman and Skye was high up in the sky, and finally landed atop of a grassy summit. She lowered her wings and let the pair climb off her. Rayman stared up at her, crossing his hands. So many questions ran through his head.
"So… who are you then?" He asked the beast quietly.
She looked down at her claws, not answering. The hero was impatient and asked again.
"Hello? I asked who you are."
The dragon looked over at him and the little one.
"Oh, right." She sighed a bit and stood on all fours. She was, indeed, massive.
"My name is Pix. I came from Clearleaf Forest. I've heard about you and this little one, so I-"
"But how?" Rayman interrupted. "I've hardly ever been there, but I bet I would have remembered a dragon."
Pix glared down at him, putting her snout in his face. She growled lowly. "You realize I can eat you whole, right?"
Rayman stared at her and smirked. "But you won't."
She was about to speak, but sighed. "…Hmph. Whatever. There are reasons for that, y'know."
She sat back down, and her feathery form diminished into a light, and then faded. A sprite, just a little taller than Rayman, appeared from the light, crossing her arms. Familiar shackles still gripped her wrists and lower calves, loose chains still hanging from them. They looked as if they had been forcefully snapped off.
Rayman stared at her, confused. "You're… not a dragon?"
She rolled her eyes. "Of course not, idiot. Although… I can't really turn back now. A lot of my energy is gone."
The limbless guardian hesitated. "Huh? Why is that?"
The charcoal-haired sprite shook her head. "It isn't important right now. But I know who was the one responsible for all these overgrown lizards."
Rayman agreed. "I think I know who too. Do you know where we can find him?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Follow me, and be quick."
The pair followed this mysterious girl down the summit without question. As they were venturing, the loud cries and roars pierced the girl's ears. She looked down, her dark eyes heavy with sorrow.
She thought to herself quietly. "This really is my fault."
Near a slope of the mountain, they came across a wall of colorful plant life and vines. The sprite moved closer and brushed away the plants to reveal a stone wall with a combination pad and lock on it. Rayman watched closely, but the sprite did nothing.
"Hey, aren't you going to unlock this?" The hero asked.
"Well… I don't know the combination." Pix responded.
"Are you kidding?!"
"Hey, I was locked up in there, forced to do things against my will, and I never got a say in any little thing I did! How do you expect me to know?!"
He went silent. Was she… a prisoner?
She shook her head. "Never mind. Look, if you want to get in, you're going to have to find a way through this. I just don't know any other way-"
A sudden blow was heard from behind her, causing her to turn. Rayman had punched a hole through the wall, causing rocks to tumble down and reveal a secret base.
"…Around." Pix finished. She crossed her arms. "That's one way to get around. Let's hurry up."
The sprite followed behind the limbless pair, but something inside her was causing her to feel a tremendous amount of guilt – she truly did believe this was her fault, and could not shake the awful feeling she was luring them into a trap…
To be continued...