Hey everyone, sorry for having to leave for a while, but I had to take care of a few things that take priority in life. I'm not officially back yet as I posted on my profile, but I hope to be back in a week, more likely two weeks. College work will take up time, but I hope to keep posting at a decent rate. There are only a few chapters left so thanks to all who have stayed with me through this. Please read and review people.
Chapter 10: The Age of Darkness
Hunter was standing in a small forest clearing, around him were Avalarians, Moles, and Apes unbound to Malefor's will, all willing to end the lives of Spyro and Cynder and thus ending the dragon race.
"Welcome to all who wish for darkness to vanish from our homes," Hunter said as he stood up from his spot on the edge of the clearing, "Most of us use to call dragons our friends and allies, sadly that was in a distant age. As all of us know the dragon race has declined due to civil wars and the introduction of super-empowered dragons, the purple dragons. All are dead from the conflicts they fought in no matter which side they took. Every last one died while fighting another purple dragon. The only one that survives to this day is Spyro the one that we all thought would save this world."
Murmurs ran through the crowd of creatures as Spyro's name was mentioned. Hunter waited for their silence that came a few moments later.
"I was at the War of the White Isles which took place three months ago. I watched darkness defeat the strongest power in the realm that remained true to its purpose. The Chronicler was killed by Spyro who has taken the power of Malefor making him even stronger than before. It's very well possible that there could be no limit to his power now."
"How can we defeat him then?" asked an ape, "There are many ape tribes to the west of the dark mountain of Malefor, but you say it will not be enough. What do you suggest?"
"That is why we are all here," Hunter replied, "There are few options and sadly none of them are solid plans."
"What do you mean?" asked a mole.
A growl from the woods sounded, "He means that he doesn't like to ask for our help."
The group turned from their various positions in the clearing to face the three large black dragons that entered the clearing, causing many to comment about the three to one another for a few minutes. The three dragons ignored the comments that they would pick up from the louder folk and continued to wait for main conversation to resume.
"What are you thinking Hunter of Avalar?" stated an Avalarian from a distant land, "These dragons betrayed their race to serve the Dark Master. How can we trust them?"
"You can't," growled Venirax.
"After Spyro and Cynder are dead that is," Krelas added.
"Our goals are the same until the two have fallen," Grex stated, "After that it will be different."
"This is what I mean Hunter," the Avalarian shouted.
"These three are the only ones who can stand up against Spyro and Cynder," Hunter sighed, "We need them as much as I hate to say it."
"What about Spyro's forces?" asked a mole, "What are going up against?"
"Spyro and Cynder have destroyed what armies were left after the War of the White Isles. They are killing anything that isn't a dragon," Grex answered, "If there are any left then they are too few in number and of little help to us."
The Avalarian from faraway lands had a companion with him who said, "Father what about the distant land?"
Hunter was quick to answer, "It will only delay the inevitable. Spyro and Cynder's darkness will spread over this land if we do not stop them soon."
"My son doesn't mean anywhere in this land," the Avalarian replied, "We live in the mountains to the east across the sea. Deep in the mountains we have found a pool that glows with a mystical blue light. When the pool is not lit up it is the purest source of water around in many miles."
"How does this pool help us?" asked Krelas who was getting annoyed by the lack of directness.
"It leads to a place that we cannot find in all the lands we have searched," the mountain Avalarian responded, "We can pass through and start a new world there in peace without the fear of the two purple demons."
"Malefor was killed so how can there be two purple dragons?" asked an ape.
"Cynder has become a purple dragon somehow," Hunter explained, "This makes the situation even more disparate."
"I think that this world through the pool is what we need," a mole stated, "Most of our kind are no warriors and desire to live in peace. If we can escape without a fight then that is the path that my kind would prefer."
"I believe that is what most of us desire as well," Hunter agreed, "The choice is simple now."
"What does that mean?" Grex asked, almost in disbelieve, "Are you suggesting that we just let Spyro and Cynder control this land?"
"Those who wish to live in peace through the pool will do so and those who wish to fight shall stay if they please," Hunter replied.
Grex's teeth showed as he growled. Hunter was slightly taken aback by this reaction until he realized why Grex, Krelas, and Venirax were so willing to help.
"I cannot believe that I almost allowed them to fight with us," Hunter thought, "They would kill us all after we were victorious."
The three dragons turned as one and left in anger from the abandonment of their plans.
When the Grex, Krelas, and Venirax where gone Hunter announced, "In a week's time we shall meet back here and head to the pool with all those who wish to come with."
The crowd dispersed into the forest each heading back to their families and tribes to share the plan with them.
Grex, Krelas, and Venirax cleared the forest a few hours later and were still enraged by the actions of the creatures they spoke to.
"We can still get help from others," Grex spoke aloud for his companions to hear.
"Who else is there?" Venirax asked.
"Yes explain further," Krelas stated, "Who else exists in this world?"
"Those that were damn for seeking power long ago," Grex replied.
"The Curtons?" Krelas asked with almost a laugh, "They do not exist."
Venirax agreed, "Yes Grex, the Curtons were a myth, a legend, no more."
"No they are real," Grex said, "The legends were made to keep any soul from entering that mountain that they dwell in."
"You mean the Mountain of Fire and Smoke?" asked Krelas.
"Exactly," Grex replied.
"How do you know they do exist?" Venirax asked.
"Because I found them," Grex answered, "They sought a place of isolation for their practices and I lead them to the mountains where they now dwell."
"You helped the demons!" Venirax exclaimed, "What drove you to help the cursed creatures."
"The damn spirits from ages past have no place in this world and you know that Grex," Krelas stated.
"Do not curse those who were made from curses," Grex growled, "You may find a greater curse placed on you if you are not careful. Now follow me and we will defeat Spyro."
A week passed and Hunter entered the same clearing from the last meeting and found many of the members waiting for him and the other leaders to make their way into the clearing. It was quickly agreed that they should head for the pool to escape the realm in fear of an attack from Spyro or Grex, Krelas, and Venirax.
The convoy travelled at a moderate pace for the size of the group. Hunter guessed that there was about a thousand refugees total and much to his surprise there was a very diverse population. He had almost expected more than half of the refuges to be Avalarian or mole, but there were plenty of apes, more civilized than Malefor's servants, and the mountain dwelling Avalarians.
Hunter has relieved to hear that all would accompany them through the pool and that none would be left behind to face certain death. This simply brightened his heart and he felt the hope that they would all finally be free from conflict.
"Soon we will have a new home," Hunter thought, "Ancestors watch over us."