XI
"So, let me get this straight," the still-confused Cyril asked Spyro later that night. "One of our red crystals reacted with a a piece of the wishing stone... and it... aged you?"
The now teenage Spyro nodded once. "Pretty much. It increased my intelligence as well."
Cyril's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he then shouted, "Fascinating!"
Cyril circled the purple dragon, taking in all the details. His wingspan was about seven feet, he guessed, his body was now bigger and a little muscly, plus his scales had deepened in their color.
He couldn't belive it, yet, before him stood a much older, more powerful purple dragon. He was utterly lost as just how did this happen, but it was no matter now.
The wishing gem and the crystal that caused this sat on the table, both of them pulsing quietly.
The other Guardians entered the room.
"I... still cannot explain it. Spyro is a teenager now, and more, he has become stronger," said Ignitus.
Volteer walked over and grabbed the wishing gem from the table. He studied it as it pulsed orange.
"We must be grateful that that is all it did to Spyro," Terrador stated. "If the wishing gem has power like that, it could've easily killed or harmed him, or one of us."
"Yes, yes, but now, we must return to the main objective. Spyro mentioned before his... transformation, that there are other pieces to this gem we must find." Volteer tapped the gem with his claw, causing small archs of electricity to crackle.
"Yes, but for what purpose again?" Cyril asked.
"Spyro wished to bring back to life a purple dragon that he believed could defeat the Dark Guardians. Personally, I believe we should just have them eliminated immediately with the wish."
Spyro shook his head. "Maybe trying to bring back someone to beat up the Dark Guardians would be foolish. I mean, who knows if he'll even accept our plea for help? The past purple dragon could just leave us, and enjoy his new life, unopposed by anyone."
"We already have one part of the gem... we will consider our wish later, but for now, our focus is keeping our people safe, and finding a way to win this damned war." Ignitus said.
The orange gem pulsed again, just after Volteer set it down on the table.
"So, then, what's the plan right now? Just keep fighting and hope to win?" Spyro said.
"You being much older now has it's advantages. I'm reluctant about putting you in the middle of the fighting, but I do believe some training is in order for you, especially if your other elements have awakened."
Ignitus looked to the Electric Guardian. "Volteer?"
"I'll see what the squirt can do. I have been looking forward to this actually," Volteer said with a white smile.
The temple.
Covered in vines, built with marble and engraved in symbols and writings, none of which Gaul understood.
He didn't care. This place gave off a strange aura, feeding his darker emotions. He felt like he wanted to kill anything that drew breath, and this was only amplified by his intense hatred of his "masters."
He stood outsides it's massive, open doors. It was clear this place hadn't been touched for centuries. The inside had old torches hung to the walls, the tips black where fire used to burn. There were small gargoyle statues on the walls as well, but they were eroded so much the tops of their heads formed a large point.
Gaul stepped in silently, accompanied by his reluctant remaining soldiers. They felt the aura of the temple as well, and it terrified them. They understaood immediately the dangers of this temple, and were counting down the seconds until they left.
The temple had a small, flat altar in it's center. It had aged decently, though a puddle of water surrounded it's base, with a few dead plants sitting in it.
Gual stepped into the puddle, placing his hand on the top of the altar.
"Ack!"
He yanked his hand back immediately, his finger bleeding from a small cut.
The altar glowed to life, shining a bright orange that illuminated the temple. A voice spoke within Gaul's head.
More.
Gaul looked at his bleeding finger. Blood? The temple of Darkness wanted... blood?
Gaul whipped around to his remaining soldiers. "You!" He pointed to one. "Come here!"
The ape frowned, wiping snot from it's nose. "What is it, sir?"
"That was an order!"
The ape cautiously walked up to Gaul. The ape general wasted no time. He quickly grabbed his soldier's hand, much to his suprise, and pulled him with superhuman strength. He slammed his subordinate's hand onto the altar.
Th soldier cried out in pain, quickly gripping his bleeding hand as well.
Gaul looked to the altar expectantly, now sure blood was it's desire.
More.
Gaul groaned. So it was blood that it craved. Great. Gaul didn't want to sacrifice his lood to unlock the temple's power. He need to be at his full strength for the uprising. But...
He glanced at his soldier, who now had his finger in his mouth like an injured child. Gaul smiled at him, making the other ape uncomfortable.
Who said it had to be Gaul's sacrifice?