Chapter 8:
The pathways through the cave felt dark and heavy, just as the madness outside had felt. The cave itself was a unique combination of black, blue, red, and purple with a slight glimmer across the surfaces. The lair was surprisingly empty, with the only sounds being the footsteps of the trio and droplets of water falling down from the ceiling. The sprite was in front of the two, leading them through, a slight worried look on her face. She had no idea what will happen once they find the little menace. She just hoped it wasn't bad.
Not much sooner as when they entered, they found the villain they had been looking for. He was operating a rather large machine, one that was spitting a dark aura. He looked frustrated, although Rayman expected him to be cackling evilly. It didn't matter to him. He just wanted to teach him a lesson. The guardian glared at him, gripping his fists. Skye quietly hid behind him.
"So you're behind this, Magician." Rayman growled.
The little teensy jumped and faced him, glaring at him a bit. He gave off a slight smirk.
"Oh, why, if it isn't Rayman, the little hero of the Glade. And you seem to have brought back my subject, and a child? Heh, how amusing."
"Save it. I know you're behind this."
"And what if I am? You're pathetic to flee the scene when your home is in danger. Some hero you are."
He went silent and the screeches and roars of dragons crashing and destroying whatever they could around them could be hear. Rayman's heart dropped. Even if he were to step out right now and face the beasts, what would it do? The continuation of never-ending dragons would crush him. As much as he didn't want to, he had to back down and find another way to stop them.
He gritted his teeth and glared at the Magician. "Says the one who's starting the problem in the first place!"
The Magician cackled. "Oh, contraire, my old friend, it isn't me behind this at all. I was just… merely assisting."
"Oh yeah? And who might that be then, huh?"
"Why, you're standing right next to her."
Rayman turned and looked at the sprite, looking down in shame. He was at a loss of words. Was the same girl who helped him escape the dragons was the sole reason they existed in the first place?
"You did this…?"
"Look, don't believe him, please… he used me to power his machine. I never wanted to harm anyone."
"And power she did." The teensy smirked. "By escaping, I think she made it better for everyone. I mean, I can't turn off the machine, so, endless hordes of dragons will continue to spawn, and the Glade and the Heart of the World will belong to me. All thanks to her."
"I didn't want to do any of this and you know it, you little—"
"I wouldn't talk that way to the fellow who saved you."
The sprite fell silent. Rayman looked at the two, angry and confused. He growled lowly, looking at the villain.
"Saved? What in the world are you talking about?! What exactly is going on?!" The hero bursted out, huffing a bit.
The Magician just smirked. "You really don't know, do you?"
He stepped over and grabbed Skye away from them. Rayman snarled, readying his fist.
"Take it easy." He let her go, moving her besides him. "I know this girl. And I'm sure you do too."
The guardian glared at him, demanding an answer. Indeed, he got one, one that seemed to take him by full surprise.
"You and Pix are this girl's parents."