Chapter 36: Lesson

Silver's house shook as Rift ran through it, screaming bloody murder. Attached to him, a deadly Brown Recluse spider.

Rift: *BLEEP!* You Silver! *BLEEP!* You to *BLEEP!* When I get you, I'm gonna *BLEEP!* you so bad that you *BLEEP!* black and blue you *BLEEP!*

Silver sighed as he continued pressing the censor button, bleeping out all of Rift's cursing.

Silver: Such hostility. This button is gonna break with how often I have to press it.

Silver turned to the audience.

Silver: I don't own any of the Spyro characters or story, only my own OCs and storyline. Rift belong to RiftyAgon. If you don't like the story… take it away Rift!

Rift: GO *BLEEP!* YOURSELF!

Silvus' POV:

The flight from Dragon's Claw was short. The three days that took me to get to Shimmering Shores went by quickly, mainly due to the fact that I paced my flying. I wasn't in any hurry to get back so might as well not waste myself. I flew over several mountains and then over the same plains where I last saw Trak and Kafto one year ago. The flight over the ocean was easy, though uneventful, other than the fact that I saw an ape fleet to my left. But soon enough I made it to the white island.

Instead of coming around the front side like I normally do I went around the backside of the mountain. Instead of another beach like the rest of the island, the backside of the mountain created a large cliff. There were several large rock structures on and around the back of the mountain and island. This was the place that I did my flight training, or going to. I spent a little bit of time flying around the area.

Due to the fact that there is no sun here, I didn't know when evening came and went. I flew to the entrance of the temple once my wings began to feel like they were about to fall off, feeling sore when I arrived.

I hope I never lose a wing, that would be horrible. Not being able to fly around...

I was walking through the main hall of the temple, intending to go straight for my room, when something caught my eye. I stopped and turned to look at the blue armored statue of the first Water Guardian. Gabriel told me that the names of all the former Guardians of that element were written on the pedestal. My eyes swept over all the names, none of them I could read.

Did Void lie to me? I know how to read my mother's name. I was taught to write all the names of my family.

"Looking for something?" The sudden voice of Gabriel caused me to jump a foot off the ground. I turned to glare at the quiet old dragon but I tuned to only see the ghost of a smile on his face. "Ahh, the Water Guardians, always an interesting bunch they were."

I turned to face the statue once again, confused by what he meant, until I took a closer look at the statue. The dragon standing there, if you look close enough, was not a drake, but a dragoness.

The first Guardian was a female?

I voiced my confusion to Gabriel and he gave a light chuckle. "Revma was the first to wield the element. She discovered many techniques that are still used today, though some, all long forgotten." He chose this time to sit on his hunches and stared at the statue and the banner behind it. "She was the first Water Guardian, as all who first wielded the elements were considered Guardians. Every dragon you see in this hall..." Gesturing to all the statues in the hallway. "Has discovered each individual element we see today all but thousands of years ago."

I just stood there, taking in all this new information about the elements and those who first founded them. "Amazing" Was the only thing I could say.

"You should feel honored young Silvus, not many dragons get to see this forgotten history."

I do feel honored to be in the presence of all these mighty dragons. Each one held their head high, proudly wearing their armor. Looking at each statue, all the dragons had unique physical differences despite all being made of this marble. Each set of armor had their differences as well.

After looking at each statue from where I stood, I couldn't help but feel compelled to bow each time I enter this hall. As soon as that thought left my mind, I looked back over at the water pedestal, staring at the many names of all the Water Guardians. Searching for any sign of my mother's name.

"You seem drawn toward Revma, is there any reason for that?" Gabriel asked. I didn't want to ask him if I couldn't find it. I know her name and it wasn't there. I don't want him to think I was being stupid and then have him tell me Guardians cannot have mates or children.

I tore my eyes away from the statue to meet Gabriel's gaze. "No reason at all." I said innocently. He looked satisfied by that answer and stood up and made his way towards the stairwell leading to the map room.

"Come, tell what has happened with Kafto and Trak." He said.

"How-?" I began. "Never mind." I stood up to follow him.

On our way down to the map room, I took all that time to explain what had transpired during the past week or so. He didn't interrupt me once, even once we reached the map room. He did look surprised when I mentioned Void and Rift being related to me though I didn't mention in what way, he muttered something under his breath that I did not hear. He stopped when I assured him that Kafto was alright, for the most part.

"That is good news indeed." He said looking down at the map again. Why does he always do that? "You are dismissed Silvus, we will resume training after you rest."

"Yes Master Gabriel." I said bowing then turning to walk out, but then I remembered something. "One more thing that I forgot, Void left you a message."

Gabriel turned around to face me. "Oh?"

I relayed Void's message that I made sure that I would remember. The space between Gabriel's brow lessened as I relayed the message, doing the job that I was training for. Once I finished, Gabriel looked to the ground and let out a sigh. "Choosing the next Fire Guardian falls under the jurisdiction of Ignitus, I only approve of the selection. But if you wish, you can make a suggestion to him, Silvus." At that, he turned away and said something under his breath that sounded like, you are forgiven old friend.

"You are dismissed." Was all he said.

All I did was nod and left the room for my room. I couldn't wait to get a good sleep in for the night. My wings were killing me, but I couldn't rest just yet. I needed to head to the water floor, to that library, it should contain water dragoness name translations. I hope...

I did just that, searching the large room on each shelf looking for what I needed, but could not find. I didn't want to bother Gabriel with this, he seemed...off by the message I relayed. Void was his former pupil. But why didn't the Fire Guardian proceeding Ignitus make the choice.

That thought lingered in my head until I made it to my room. I set down my satchel on my desk, not needing it when I slept, and flopped down on my bed of cushions. A dreamless sleep enveloped me and I greeted it with a weary heart.

Today was different from my other training days. Instead of going straight to the combat arena for my daily exercises, I was to meet Gabriel in the entrance of the temple, where all the statues of the first Guardians were. I came down the stairs and into the hall to find the Light Guardian sitting down, facing me, next to the Water Guardian statue.

"Good morning Silvus. How did you sleep?" He asked as I approached him.

I sat down in front of him as I answered. "I slept well, Master." I didn't even bother to ask how he slept. As far as I know, he barely gets any sleep on this island. I don't even know what he does outside of training me.

"Good." Gabriel said. "Do you know where we are?" He asked gesturing around the room.

"The first hall of the Light Temple." I replied, saying what I thought I knew with full confidence.

Gabriel looked at me with a smile. "Incorrect." I was taken aback by this. "This is the Hall of the Ancestors."

My jaw slackened by this response. This is the place of the first Guardians. Were the first Guardians the Ancestors? But that doesn't make any sense. I decided to voice my question.

"What do you think." He said simply. Before I could ask anymore he began to talk again. "I bet you are wondering why we are down here." I gave a firm nod of my head, confirming his suspicions. "We are here today to discuss the Water Guardians."

"Why the Water Guardians Master?" I asked.

"It's time that we discuss the current and past Guardians." He said. "You will meet some of them soon enough."

But why start with the Water Guardians I wanted to ask, but didn't.

"The current Guardian of Water, is a young drake. He is called Vrochi, meaning rain. When I said that the Water Guardians were an interesting bunch, I meant it." Gabriel said while facing me, both of us sitting on our hunches.

Maybe I'll find out if my mother was truly apart of the Guardian order.

"Vrochi wasn't chosen by the Guardian preceding him. That Guardian wasn't eligible to chose the Water Guardian, according to the water dragons of the ocean city." Gabriel said.

"Why weren't they eligible?" I asked curiously.

"The Guardian preceding Vrochi was female, much like Revma, which is supposedly forbidden in the Guardian order. But the one that chose her was certain that no other was worthy of the position." He said, explaining why there was a female Guardian in the first place.

"What was her name?" I asked. This is it. This will prove if whether my mother truly was a Guardian or not.

"Her name was Delfini." Gabriel said. Void lied to me... Was the initial thought, until I heard the rest of Gabriel's sentence. "The reason why she wasn't eligible, was that she wasn't there to pick the next Water Guardian. As far as we Guardians know, she ran away with another dragon. We haven't seen her since that day twelve years ago."

Maybe that was my mother, and she ran away with dad? But that doesn't make any sense, this dragoness is named Delfini and that is not my mom.

"She became a Guardian twenty years ago, and even when there is currently a Guardian for Water. Vrochi still isn't worthy of the position. He is too ambitious and too controlling of the ocean city." Gabriel said.

"Why is he still a Guardian then?" I asked. As far as I know, Gabriel had the ability to take away the Guardianship of any one of them. "Couldn't you just disband him?"

Gabriel let out a sigh. "I could." He said. "But that would cause trouble. The water dragons of the ocean city chose him. If I took him down, claiming that there was no one worthy, that would cause trouble amongst them. They are our only anchor of the continuing peace among all the ocean cities inhabited by dragons."

"You mean there are more cities without Guardians in them?" I asked, I thought the only cities or villages were only with the Guardians. He answered with. "There are many cities among the realms that are not in the control of the Guardians, and that is how it's meant to be."

"Now then, one day, I will have you visit each of the Guardians. Each one will need to be told that you are to become my Messenger, as well as the other Messengers. They would likely want to know of you." He said before standing up and walking down the hall. "Now then, it has come to my attention that you haven't had your daily exercises."

I stood up immediately and made my way towards the training room. "Yes Master Gabriel." I said, understanding that he wanted me to head straight there. He went up the stairs, to wherever, and I went down. Intending for the many training rooms that were set out in the temple. All that was told of me was still on my mind.

The day went by as any old training day, Gabriel teaching me a bit more about some elements and some improvement on my medical knowledge. For the first time in awhile, I learned more about my abilities with ice. How I could guide it to other parts of my body, causing it to cool down. Once learn how to do that, I can learn how to use ice attacks through my paws, horns, claws, and tail blade; once it grows out.

At the end of the day, what I thought was the end according to Gabriel, he told me that I was suppose to meet with Vrochi and his Messenger some time next week. How he knew this, I have no idea, but either way I had something to look forward to other then my training. Meeting another Guardian is always something to be excited for, and it's about time that I meet another messenger.

I will see what the next few weeks will bring. For now, I got to rest my ever aching bones that feel like they will break at any moment. Gabriel said that once I've finished training, I will no longer ache but be strong. Strong isn't exactly the word that I would use when I look at myself, but already I could see some muscle showing. Either way, I still need my rest and now is the time for rest.

Silver closes trash can.

Silver: There it's gone now.

Rift sits as far away from the trashcan as possible.

Rift: Don't do that again.

Silver: Then don't cover my room in popcorn. Consider this payback.

Rift scoffs and walks away.

Rift: Whatever.

Silver: Well don't be such a sour dragon.

Rift pokes his head back in and looks at the audience.

Rift: See everyone next week! Leave some feedback, it really helps my so called friend here.

Silver: Bye peeps.