Hey everyone! Long time no see, huh, in this story, anyways. I finally managed to pull myself out of the deep, dark pits of writer's block and write chapter 9!

I hope you guys like it!

~Kiyiya

p.s.: I will start referring to myself as Kiyiya, those who review are welcome to as well. However, my profile name will remain the same.

xXxXxXxXxXx

Chapter 9: A Civilization Long Lost

The group waited in silence until Hunter returned about an hour or two later. When Hunter reentered the clearing, he had his bow and quiver strapped to his back and a short sword sheathed at his waist.

"Chief Prowlus was reluctant to let me go, but he knew that I'd do more by helping you." He said, "He's sending search parties to Warfang to see if they can get in and find survivors. Those they find will be brought back to Avalar to be healed."

"That's good to hear," Blane said, "but I don't think we'll get far today."

"I agree," Hunter said, looking at the setting sun, "we should set up camp."

Everyone got up and started gathering firewood and food, but Nguyen didn't. He felt something strange and looked around. He heard a whistling sound and moved his head just before an arrow flew past his head and embedded itself in the trunk behind him.

"What was that?" Spyro asked, dropping the firewood he was carrying and looking around.

"I dunno," Nguyen said, sniffing the arrow before adding, "This arrow was dipped in a knockout poison."

Then more arrows flew into the clearing and hit everyone at least once. Blane shook his head to clear it after pulling an arrow out of his shoulder. He looked around and saw everyone else was out cold.

"Who's out there?" He shouted, "Show yourself!"

Two more arrows flew from the trees and hit Blane's other shoulder, causing him to fall to the ground. He struggled to lift his head and saw several blurry figures enter his vision before he blacked out.

xXxXxXxXxXx

When Blane awoke, he was in what looked like a hut on a bed. His wounds were bandaged and on a table next to him was plate of meat and berries with a bowl-like cup of water next to it.

Why attack us then treat us like guests? Blane thought. He pushed the thought aside when his stomach growled.

He was about to take a bite of the meat when Cain's voice in his head said, "Wait! Smell it, it could be poisoned."

Blane sniffed it and it smelled fine. He took a bite and it tasted delicious. He took the rest and ate all of it before turning to the berries. They were strange-looking; they were pinkish with little leaf-like green things growing off the skin.

He sniffed it for a moment before a familiar voice from another side of the room said, "They're dragonfruits, try 'em they're good."

Blane spun around and saw Talea standing in the doorway with a grin on her face.

"I take it we're not prisoners, then?" Blane asked jokingly as Talea came over and sat down next to him.

"Nope," she said, shaking her head, "they thought we were enemies."

"Who's they?" Blane asked, turning his head to look at her.

"Elves," she said.

"You're kidding," Blane said in disbelief, "why didn't you tell me there were elves here?"

"To be honest, everyone here thought the elves disappeared a long time ago." She told him.

"Maybe they'll help us against Ragnarok," Blane said hopefully, "c'mon I want to meet them."

"And they want to meet you," Talea said as they got up and walked out of the hut, the dragonfruits and water completely forgotten.

xXxXxXxXxXx

When Blane and Talea left the hut, they were greeted by, what looked like, the entire village of elves and, to his relief, Nguyen, Spyro, Cynder, Hunter, and Sparx. To his surprise, the elves were very friendly and they were extremely apologetic and wouldn't accept that he forgave them so easily.

Eventually, the elves started to disperse until there was only one left. He was tall, like most elves, about 7' and he looked fairly young, but with elves it's impossible to tell. He was dressed like one who held high authority and Blane felt immediately humbled to be in his presence, for some reason.

"I am Fian, chief of this village of elves." He said, kneeling in respect, "I have seen a dragon of light only once in my lifetime, but I didn't think I would live to see another."

"You've seen another light dragon?" Blane asked, surprised, as the others gathered around him and Fian.

"Aye," Fian said with a nod, "it was long, long ago. He fell from the sky terribly wounded not far from here. Said his name was Arcaein and he knew he was going to die. He told me that the next time I saw a dragon like him, to tell him that he was sorry and told me to do whatever I could do to help him."

"He knew that I'd come?" Blane asked, still in shock.

"Almost certainly," He told him, "and I never lost hope that you'd come."

"How old are you exactly?" Sparx asked, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes.

"Old, very old," Fian said, standing up and chuckling, "Now how may I help you, dragon of light?"

"You can start by calling me by my name, Blane," He told him, "And then send anyone you can spare to help the Cheetahs find survivors in Warfang."

"As you wish," Fian said, "Blane."

He then walked off, talking to a few elves as he passed them before entering a large hut. A few moments after he entered, several elves armed with bows, quivers full of arrows, and swords ran out and into the forest.

"It's amazing, how much they respect you," Hunter said, scratching his chin.

"They don't respect me," Blane said, turning around and walking back into his hut, "they respect my color."

"I know how he feels," Spyro said, watching him go. They all began to disperse, but Talea stood there. When everyone left, she walked inside.

xXxXxXxXxXx

When she got into the hut, she saw Blane sitting on the bed with his tail wrapped around his paws and his wings tucked against his back. His back was to her, but he knew she was there. He was silent as she came and sat next to him, but he closed his eyes as if he was unworthy to even look at her.

"What's the matter?" She asked, looking at him with concern.

"It's my fault," he said bitterly, his eyes still closed.

"It isn't your fault," She told him, knowing full well that he meant what happened to Warfang.

"It is," He insisted, bitterness still giving an edge to his voice, "if I hadn't come, then Ragnarok never would've attacked the city."

"He would have and you know it, stop blaming yourself," She said.

"Why do I even bother?" He shouted, "I'm supposed to be a hero and defeat Ragnarok, but I couldn't even protect Warfang!"

"Don't you remember what you did for your brother?" She asked him, her voice still calm, "You threw Ragnarok out of his mind like he was nothing more than a tiny nuisance!"

"And then Cain got loose and nearly killed all of you!" He pointed out, opening his eyes and turning to look at her.

"But then you tamed him!" She countered.

"I wouldn't say tamed," Cain said, forming next to Blane, "but your girlfriend is right. You need to let go."

Blane's gaze flickered over to him for a moment before going back to Talea. He hadn't noticed that their faces were so close that their snouts were touching and, by the looks of it, neither had she.

Cain sighed and shook his head before saying, "I'll do it."

He pushed Blane a bit, causing him to fall off balance and on top of Talea, bringing their lips together. Cain chuckled to himself before he faded.

xXxXxXxXxXx

I really want to hear everyone's opinions on this because I need to know if I'm doing well! Also, people's OCs will start to come in play in upcoming chapters so I'll let those who I've know when they will appear. I look forward to seeing your reviews!

~Kiyiya