XIII
"What. Was. That?"
Gaul's voice sounded in the darkness of the night. It'd taken hours of sitting in a unclean, murky pond, but Gaul was finally recovered. The other victim was coming along, still submerged a few hundred feet away from the temple. At the very least, the swelling, burning, and suffocation had subsided.
Gaul's remaining soldiers, one archer and a medic, had scrambled for answers earlier. The temple had never reacted to a sacrifice in such a way before. The horrible smell of burnt flesh was common, but aside from that, no other effects had appeared.
"We believe that it didn't accept our sacrifice." The medic, fidgeting with his combat knife. "Maybe that was the temple's defense mechanism, when someone offers it something it doesn't find necessary."
Gaul frowned. "Was that the first time you'd brought it a deer?"
The archer nodded, saliva leaking from his mouth. "No. In fact, we'd offered it deer multiple times in the past day or so."
Gaul thought for a moment. The temple must have gotten tired of the deer sacrifice, then. But, if so, then why didn't it have such a reaction when it desired more blood, not that that came from apes. Well, no matter now. The best course of action would be to simply find another animal to sacrifice.
"Find another animal. Anything other than what you have previously fed it. We've been set back, but no matter, I feel that we are close to unlocking it's powers."
The medic ape nodded, but the archer tilted his head in curiosity. "Sir, if I may ask, why are you so intrigued in the dark energy of this temple?"
Gaul looked at his subordinate with a raised, warty eyebrow. "It is not clear. This temple may hold more power than anything the Dark Guardians could imagine, much less attain. With it's secrets, we may just rise back to our rightful place on the world, before the dragons and their allies took it from us!"
"But, sir, how do you know for certain that you can learn it's secrets? It just attempted to poison you, and it could have ended worse if..."
"You dare to question me?"
The ape didn't back down. "I just want our little trip to have been for something, not some bullshit myth you heard from some peasant-"
Gaul suddenly moved. A loud "slick" sounded, making the other soldier jump.
The archer slowly looked toward his exposed arm and hand. Shakily, he lifted it, to find all but one of his fingers gone, replaced by fountains of his own blood.
The calmness of the night was interrupted by the howl of pain from the now-dismembered ape. He clutched his hand in his intense agony as sunk onto his knees. The medic took a shocked step toward him, but a look from Gaul made him step back hurriedly.
"In the morning, you will find another sacrifice for the temple, and if anyone ever questions my intentions again, my first act as supreme ruler will be simple: grind the accuser into a grease spot in the ground.
A trembling hand rose to the forehead of the medic. "Yes, sir!"
The quietness and calmness of these past few days had made Eozack worried and uneasy. Just this morning, he decided to have security guard all the bedrooms of all the Guardians. He'd gotten barely any sleep last night, and he'd heard Karaia had had the same predicament.
However, Eozack knew he couldn't risk having any of the Guardians killed. However, there was a good reason why he hadn't gotten any sleep last night. His visit to the blood bank today could ultimately make his sacrifice of sleep completely worth it.
He was out alone today. He had very few duties he had to attend to, so he took a walk through the park. The day was partly cloudy, but the sun fell perfectly on the trees and flowers in the park. Eozack calmly walked on the cement sidewalk, loving the peacefulness of the area.
He could only hope his little plan would succeed, that the peace could continue, for a little longer at least. Falzar had given him hope, true hope.
"Honestly," the Convexity dragon had said, placing a thick, red book upon his high rise bookshelf. "I'd never expected a visit from the son of a shape shifter."
"Falzar," Eozack's hands became fidgety, "I'd appreciate it if you-"
"Your secret's safe, my friend. So, what can I do for you?"
Eozack relaxed a little. "Any news on the Dark Guardians?"
"Dormant."
"What?"
Falzar waved a claw. A clear sphere of pure energy formed in front of him as he walked toward the male. "This, is live. They're in some sort of odd sleep state."
The dragon look on with curiosity at the dormant Destroyers, all resting in a cave. Brontes even was sleeping in an odd position, his rear end in the air. Had he not already been one of the murderers of the last generation of Guardians, the two dragons could have had a laugh at his funny sleeping position.
"How long have they been like this?"
"Years. Since after the murders. I don't understand, but I've been doing a little research. Either there is too little dark energy to feed energy off of, and they went into this sleep state, or they are simply waiting for the right time to strike." Falzar tapped his sphere, which immediately disappeared, as if it were only smoke.
"If that is the case, then allow me to switch the subject to a more prominent matter..." Eozack said.
"Ah. Figura, wasn't it? If it's her location you're looking for, I cannot help you. Her species is even more ancient than even us dragons, and their magic was far superior as well. I can do nothing but only provide you information."
Eozack was disheartened by the news. He was thankful he hadn't inherited his mothers powers, or her insanity, but he'd only wanted to see Falzar to find her location, and eliminate her as quickly as possible.
But, maybe there was some useful information on her/his kind.
"Anything you can lend me so that I may learn more about her then?" Eozack questioned the Convexity Dragon.
Falzar smiled. "There isn't much information besides what I know. Other records have been either buried, burned, or obliterated."
"Anything. Tell me anything you know."
The young Guardians watched as the moles went to work. They were truly amazed by their speed and dexterity as they swiftly erected a glass cylinder tube about the size of a couch for cheetahs. In a matter of hours of building, they had the tube fully completed, standing around six feet tall with a cap on top.
The young ones were confused about it's purpose.
"Um. Exactly why do we need that thingy here?" Volteer questioned Eozack as he examined the tube.
Eozack tapped the sturdy glass with a claw. "If what Falzar has told me is correct, this little tube right here will be the undoing of Figura, once and for all!"
The elder dragon held his excitement inside. There was no guarantee this could work, but at least it was worth a shot. Who knew just how dangerous Figura was now with only Ignitus's power? If she attained all the power of the Guardians, they were doomed, but maybe not, if his plan worked.
"Okay. How will it work?" Terrador asked.
"It's simple. Figura's kind cannot resist power when it is easy to attain. So, that's exactly what we'll give her."
"What?" Cyril didn't appreciate whatever crappy joke had just conjured up. "You want to give her power?"
Now, the guardians understood the purpose of this strange tube outside of the temple. Apparently, Eozack means to supply Figura with blood, and make her more and more powerful. But, for what purpose?
"Do you want to get us killed? Ignitus can barely feel his legs every morning thanks to that monster, and you want to give her more power?" Ignitus questioned, his eyes wide with shock.
"Ignitus, young ones, that is clearly not my intention. However, I do intend to supply her with a massive amount of power."
"Why?"
Eozack started on his way back into the temple. "A balloon's gotta pop sometime. Anyway, return to the temple for today. That tube should begin to fill up soon, but for now, let's get some rest. Karaia should be returning soon."
The Guardians took uncertain glances at each other, then reluctantly followed the elder dragon.
"Damn that Eozack..."
Figura sat quietly in Karaia's room, late at night. Today, was a long, sucky day. Figura was tempted to kill nearly everyone at the wedding, but even she knew that would've raised some serious suspicion. So, for hours, she sat and watched the stupid ceremony, and listened to all the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and she couldn't wait until she got back, so she resume the actual fun. Or, at least, that was her plan.
"Why the hell did he beef up security around the Guardians?"
Hunter was quietly ate pieces of roast while she fumed. He swallowed a piece, then spoke nonchalantly. "Simple. With his new plan and all, he wanted to make sure the Guardians were secure so Figura had no way of getting to them, at least, not easily. Besides, she won't be a problem anymore once everything starts rolling."
A new plan?
Figura's anger was replaced with curiosity. "What 'new plan' are you talking about?"
"He's got some tube outside, and plans to fill it with enough blood to drive Figura insane or something. I don't know. Can I get to sleep now?" Hunter had eaten the last of his roast, giving the dragoness a tired look.
"Whatever. Scat, cat."
Hunter shook his head, and had walked away from her.
Figura shook her head in anger as she sat on her bed. She knew she was alone, so she switched to a cheetah form.
Well, now what? She could simply walk right past the guards and into their rooms, but late at night, she'd more than likely need a good reason in order to get inside. Worse, even if she could get inside, how would she suppress their delicious screams of pain and agony? Anybody would be able to hear that if they were close enough to the room, and then, she'd be busted. She could use Ignitus's powers to stomp anyone in her way, but there were powerful dragons that lived within the temple, and all around the city.
She wouldn't get far, no matter what she chose to do.
She'd have to wait for another opportunity. Maybe she could get the Guardians alone again, like she did with Ignitus, but how?
She growled in frustration. How the hell could this happen all of the sudden!? She was close, but now, everything is so damned complicated!
She pulled the covers over her in the massive bed, returning to Karaia's dragon form, just in case something happened in the morning.
"I'll figure something out. I've come this far, and I ain't stopping until I get what I want!" She promised to herself, before she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Back at the temple, years later, in the now quiet city, the sun arose. It was yet another day during the war against the forces of Darkness. The city, as mentioned, was quiet, it's life drained by the effects of all of the fighting. Families had lost loved ones, and many were sent far from home, fearing they'd never see it again.
Spyro awoke from his sleep. He yawned and stretched, and his eye caught the wishing stone that was sitting on his nightstand.
It was glowing and pulsing, like a heartbeat. It's glow was in a deep spectrum that literally lit up the room with different colors. Spyro frowned, confused.
"What's it doing?" He asked himself, getting out of bed and grabbing the glowing stone. Upon his touch, the stone changed color instantly, turning onyx.
"Um."
He placed the stone back onto his nightstand, and it immediately started to shift through colors again. He grabbed it, and it switched back to black. Once again, he dropped it, then picked it up. The stone pulsed quietly in his hand, in a slow rhythm.
"Interesting." The teenage dragon started to the main lobby. He awoken late in the morning, so he was sure the Guardians were out somewhere. He had no idea what the stone was doing, but he knew he had to see for himself.
Been a while since we saw future Spyro and Ignitus huh? As you can see, I just did a weekly post! I've adopted a sort of schedule, so we'll see how Saturday uploads work. I originally meant for this to be around 5,000 words, but, I had a bunch of assignments due through the week, and had to work on them or else. Try to expect uploads around 4 - 8 o'clock every Saturday. I considered adopting a two-week, 500-750 words a day schedule, for a total of 7,000 to 10,500 words per post, but I don't know. Let me know what you guys think of that, and the chapter!
Puncake.