Chapter 11: Three teams, one place, infinite troubles
Spyro and his team followed the underground path that safely bypassed the Phoenix State. However, they had to cross multiple chasms, underground rivers and complex mazes of canyons and ridges. Hunter and Sven nearly fell off since they have less balance than the two small dragons.
"Come to think of it, the age curse has its uses after all," Spyro said.
"Well, happy you then," Hunter said while looking down the canyon.
The route was narrow and a slip will result them to plunge down into the deep abyss. The dragons might probably survive because they could fly…but not the cheetah and the human.
"C'mon, let's keep moving until we can find a safe place to set up camp," Cynder said.
"You two take your time scouting the front for a safe place. Me and Sven…will catch up," Hunter said.
"We will? I mean, we will," Sven agreed hesitantly.
Spyro and Cynder took off and flew ahead of them to search for a suitable camping site. They were careful not to hit any cliffs and overhangs as it was dark and they couldn't fly too long because the dampness was putting weight on their wings. Sounds of rushing water were as loud as any surface river, creating a nice feeling even if they were in a dark and damp place. After 10 minutes of scouting, they found a flat piece of land near a river that had a light blue glow. Spyro lit a flare and threw it into the air to signal the two. After 15 minutes, they arrived.
"Damn, I really wish I were a dragon," Sven groaned.
"Well, at least we're here," Hunter said.
The two dusted themselves and stood straighter. The nice environment caught their eyes and they found it relaxing.
"Cynder and I used to hang out here before I became king. It's a rather hard place to find so we can have time all to ourselves anytime we want," Spyro said.
"I must say, you sure own a nice hidey hole. Mind telling me why the water is glowing light blue?" Sven asked while kneeling beside the river and dipping his finger into the water.
"It contains magic and the water nourishes the plants on the surface and even heals those that are critically ill or injured. I've sparred with Cynder once here and I hurt her quite badly. I tried spraying some of the water on her and she got healed just like that," Spyro said.
"We're not sure where the water is from. We tried tracing to its origins but they just stretched ahead into unknown territory. It has to be from a very powerful magical source," Cynder said.
Sven stood up and tasted the water. It tasted like pure honey and he felt some energy returning back. Looking upstream, he saw it winding around a corner at a far end.
"I should come here to investigate it if I have time. This is rather intriguing," Sven said with interest.
The team set up camp and decided to call it a day. It was 7 p.m. according to Sven's watch and the tents were set up. They bathed in the river and surprisingly, it didn't pollute like how normal waters do. Added to that, the soothing feeling it gave them not only healed any wounds on them, their lethargy was gone, at least temporarily. At 9 p.m., they were having a barbecue and a friendly chat.
"I used to tell General Marcos about how his mother looks like Gaul. Man, the expression on his face was priceless," Sven laughed.
"Didn't you get fired for that?" Hunter asked.
"Nah, Marcos thinks that I'm too precious to fire. Says that I'm the only one who can count one to ten without stumbling," Sven said.
"That's what he said? What about the others?" Cynder asked.
"He says that most of the personals are more interested in being stuck up so they can get higher positions within the military. Heck, many of them are idiots to think that Marcos is a softie like Brigadier General Mokona," Sven stuck his tongue out.
"Uh Hunter, I think you overcooked your marshmallow," Spyro said as he pointed at the blackened marshmallow.
"Oh man, I spent quite some time trying to make it look and taste good and now it's gone," Hunter groaned.
"Well, too bad for you," Cynder grinned.
As midnight closed in, the team settled down and got some rest after the temporary energy boost faded. It didn't take them long to slip into the Realm of Dreams. On the surface just outside the Phoenix State, three young dragons stood near a wall that served as a border for the state. Even from outside, they could here quarrels and a battle going on as the state was in turmoil.
"Why are they fighting anyway?" Ignitus asked.
"I heard dad say that no one is taking the state seat ever since Tiberus became Clan Governor. Two opposition parties are now fighting for a position as State Chieftain but so far, the votes were not enough to guarantee the political party leaders the seat. Pretty lame eh," Ravager said.
"I have no say in this," Ignitus muttered.
Ravager took out a grappling hook attached to a string from his backpack and threw it upwards. The hook grabbed onto the top of the wall and held firmly. Ravager pulled the rope to confirm it.
"Why can't we just fly over it?" Fiona asked.
"I've always wanted to do this," Ravager smiled and started climbing the rope.
Ignitus and Fiona looked at each other and shrugged. Well, Ravager was rather funny in some ways. The two followed and climbed the rope. They reached the top of the wall and sneaked quietly past some guards posted on the wall.
"The Right Wing Party really messed this one up. Heck, look at Genette. That birdbrain actually made several gaffes while making his speech. I think the votes will go to the Left Wing Party for good," one guard smoking a cigar said.
"Faux pas much. That guy needs someone to control his tongue," another guard said while polishing his weapon.
"Well, at least he doesn't click his beak like how Tiberus does. It was rather annoying but he is a good leader. I don't think Genette or Flamewing can match his intellect and skill," the first guard said and threw the spent cigar away.
"That I agree. I swear that the day anyone like Tiberus comes along, I'll die happily," the second guard joked.
The three dragons moved silently across and climbed down the other side of the wall. They were in dangerous territory now and they couldn't afford to be seen by anyone. Moving silently across empty streets and dodging patrolling guards, they sneaked stealthily into an alleyway.
"Now that we're here, how are we supposed to call it a day when we are in such dangerous territory?" Fiona asked.
"I'll find us a way. Just be patient," Ravager whispered.
He looked around and spotted a back entrance to an abandoned building. Ravager eased opened the door and beckoned the other two to enter before he entered and closed the door softly.
"We should be safe in here for now until dawn. To make sure that no one sneaks up on us, we take turns to guard the entrance," Ravager whispered.
"Great, this is what we get for doing what you say," Ignitus muttered.
"Shut up and obey. I'll leave you here if you don't stop being like that," Ravager growled softly.
They were too tired to argue so the three of them went to sleep…forgetting to guard the entrance. However, they were lucky as no one came to disturb them that night and they slept away peacefully until dawn. When midnight arrived, Collette approached the Phoenix State with her horse panting loudly and her back was aching.
"Prime Minister Collette, what are you doing here?" a gate guard asked.
"I've come to find three lost dragons of the king's. Have you seen them by any chance?" Collette asked the phoenix.
He thought for a while and shook his head.
"I can't say I have. No one has ever come here ever since the turmoil began. If we did find them, we would have had them locked up by now," the guard replied.
"Then I suggest you dispatch some men to search for them. If not, the king is going to skin you alive and Ember won't be pleased as well," Collette said.
"What?! You mean Duchess Ember's daughter is also missing?!" the guard exclaimed.
"Why are you so surprised?" the vixen asked curiously.
"Nothing…it's just that I heard that Ember rarely lets her daughter on her own…considering that she is some coward. No offence to her. Besides, I thought that she always kept a strict eye on Fiona," the guard said.
"Not when she is in Spyro's castle. I heard that Ravager, Ignitus and Fiona have come this way in order to reach the Waldreich Mountains," Collette added.
"What in the ancestor's name for? That mountain is a curse and three youngsters want to go there? Something is wrong with their heads," the guard muttered.
"For whatever reason it is, I want to know when I get my pas on them. Dispatch some men to look for them and no one is taking a break until they are found," Collette said with full of authority.
"Yes ma'am," the guard said.
"One more thing, get someone to take care of my steed. He's tired and needs some rest. Also, prepare a room for me in an inn. I'm staying here for the night," Collette added.
At the Village of Black Dawn, Juno was being held by magic chains. She struggled and gnawed on the chains but to no avail. Juno kicked and screamed until an irate guard came in.
"You might want to shut that maw of yours before I get Argus to curse it shut," the guard threatened.
Juno wasn't scared though. She had inherited her father's courage and even from young, she didn't fear much.
"He can curse anything he like you dummy. You're just a big bully and big meanie like that stinky ape!" she growled.
"I'll chop that yapping maw of yours!" the guard yelled and brandished his sword.
Before he could touch the young dragon, Argus stopped him by shooting a lightning bolt at his back.
"Stand down you fool, I want her intact," he growled at the guard.
Turning to Juno, Argus mustered the kindest smile he could give and it disgusted him.
"Forgive that big meanie, he's a brainless fool. I guess I haven't introduced myself yet," Argus said softly.
"I don't care," Juno said with her arms crossed.
Argus went close to her and his shadow overshadowed her like an eclipse. Juno can't help but shudder a bit.
"Oh, you will after I'm done with you 3 months from now. My name is Argus a.k.a Reaper. Your father's name is rather well-known around the world and I'm honored to have his daughter here," Argus said.
"You'll be more honored if I had that butt of yours gnawed off and barbecued," Juno growled.
"Heh, you have a lot of cheek for a young and puny dragoness like you. You somehow reminded me of your mother when she was young," Argus smiled darkly.
"How can this be? Dragons are longer-lived than apes," Juno said.
"Did your mother tell you that? Dear oh dear, how can she be teaching someone as innocent as you the wrong things?" Argus said with fake sadness in his voice.
Juno just glowered at him.
"Apes are just as long-lived as dragons. We are not your usual apes that hang on trees and eat bananas. No, we are apes that have been born from rock (like Journey to the West). We are more intelligent, more deadly and more powerful than our brainless ape brethren. I assure you this, young dragoness that I have been alive since the day your mother was captured and corrupted. I witnessed how my father corrupted her mind and darkened her soul and I've even done so on her myself," Argus said.
"What are you talking about? Mama is never evil. She's the kindest dragoness in the realm!" Juno shouted.
"Oh dear, she's hiding things from you. Your mother was an evil dragon, made to serve the Dark Master. Everything went well until that meddling father of yours came by to ruin our plan," Argus said with a hint of anger in his voice.
"Too bad for you," Juno said while sticking out her tongue.
"But there's more. She fought your father and your father could have died. If it weren't for the power of Convexity, we could have resurrected the Dark Master quickly without delay," Argus said.
"No…mama would never hurt papa. She loved him…she always does," Juno said with a quiver in her voice.
"She loved him?! You naïve dragon, she never loved him! Cynder used him and lured him to the Well of Souls! She might have lost to your father but I can assure you that her darkness is not all lost. That entire 'I love you' thing is all complete rubbish, hogwash, nonsense! I really feel sorry for you because they hide their history from you and your brothers. That is the worst sin a dragon could commit: hiding one's past," Argus said.
"I…I don't believe you," Juno said, her voice getting weaker.
"Believe it or not, it's the fact that will remain in the history books. They might seem all Goody-Goody Two Shoes but in the past, they are in conflict. Your mother harbored darkness in her heart while your father harbored darkness in his soul. No wonder they make a good couple," Argus said and turned his back on Juno.
That was the last straw for Juno. She roared out as loud as an adult dragon and her voice could be heard throughout the village. Her eyes became bloodshot and her fangs grew longer. Juno's body was black and a dark aura emitted from her. She tried to break out from the bondage and nearly succeeded but Argus just bound her with even stronger chains.
"You're just like your father, young dragoness. It seems like some of his dark powers have been transferred to you," Argus said casually as if nothing had happened.
Juno just growled and snarled like a feral beast but the chains held her tight.
"You make a very good candidate for resurrecting the Dark Master. Truthfully said, your powers surpass even your father's. A dark dragon with bloodshot eyes means complete darkness when darkness of the heart and soul is combined into one new offspring. Like I said earlier, your parents do make a good couple and I mean it," Argus laughed evilly.
"You leave them out of this!" Juno yelled in a demonic hollow voice.
"Don't worry; I will leave them out of this…until they are ready to see their beloved daughter turn into a beast like how your father once became when he got trapped in the beam of evil energy," Argus said.
Turning to wards the door, he snapped his fingers and a cage fell on her.
"Perhaps you need some solitary confinement. I'll be back once you have calmed your temper," Argus said softly and went away.
Just as Argus left, Juno reverted back to her normal state. Tears flowed from her eyes as she thought about what Argus had said earlier.
"It can't be true…right?" she asked herself.
The next day, Sven was the first to wake up. It took him a few moments to realize that they were underground and darkness was not strange. He looked at his watch and saw that it was 8 a.m. in the morning. He took a quick dip in the magic river, which is quite refreshing by the way, and got dressed. Sven then woke the others up and had them prepare for their journey.
"Is it time?" Hunter asked tiredly.
"It is. My watch never lies," Sven said.
"Then I guess you've been doing a lot of tweaking on it to actually get it to follow the Atomic Time (a very accurate time adjusted nicely by the humans). Spyro, Cynder, it's time," Hunter said while shaking the two dragons.
After preparing themselves and eating some breakfast, they hiked upstream and followed the river as it was also the way that Hunter had traced on the map.
"Fancy that, our quickest way is actually the river," Spyro said enthusiastically.
"Best still, I can collect a few samples for the science team to research on. They would be more than interested in examining this," Sven said while shaking a bottle full of the light blue liquid.
As they head further upstream, the team encountered a place that looked like a catacomb. Hunter consulted his map and shook his head.
"That's odd; we should be under a forest by now. Why is there a catacomb here?" he asked.
Spyro stared at the catacomb entrance that was lined with skulls and shook his head.
"I have no clue about this but I don't think it's a good idea to venture into it," Cynder said.
"I know but even if we don't like it, we still have to go through it. It's the only way," Spyro said.
He took a deep breath and entered it. Sven and Hunter looked at each other and shrugged.
"Well, here goes nothing," Hunter said and followed Spyro.
Sven then turned to Cynder.
"After you my lady," Sven said with a polite gesture.
"Much appreciated," Cynder smiled but it was crooked.
After Cynder entered, Sven let out a sigh and took out his rifle.
"I'm a damn fool," he muttered to himself and entered.