Forgetting Who You Are
Chapter 5
The elder did not sit as they once had, instead they awaited the two dragons in the middle of the room. When the two had arrived, the elder went to them. "Welcome, young heroes". Their voice still sounded like a choir. "Our brother is awaiting you. Are you ready to depart"? They nodded. "Very well. I permit you entry". The elder touched each of them with a finger, and they disappeared in a puff of smoke.
They had been moved to a flat slab of rock high in the sky. It floated above where they had just been. Ash sat in the middle of an enormous symbol. It had many detailed drawings that all centered on a single point. The two made their way to the thrask.
"It's good to see you two made it. I presume you're ready"?
"Of course. We can't wait to get home". Said Cynder eagerly.
"Fantastic. Just so you know, we have a few... unexpected, tag alongs".
"Who are these... tag alongs"? Asked Cynder, hoping her guess was wrong.
He pulled a medallion from a pocket, and dropped it to the ground. "I permit arrival". A flash of light blinded both dragons. They shielded their eyes with their wings. When the light died, they peaked beyond the shields.
Now standing next to Ash were three gryphons. Vesh, Takkye, and another they had not met before. They had piercing white eyes, brown feathers, and tan fur. They were fair sized, only a foot or two taller and longer than Spyro.
"Spyro, Cynder, meet Ciezan. The caretaker of Vesh and Takkye. Desmios asked that I bring them with us since they were the targets of the attack. Until Spyro came along and saved them".
The two young gryphons were wrestling with each other when Takkye bit Vesh' ear. She howled. "OWWW! Takkye that hurt! Ciezan! Takkye bit me"!
"You started it"!
"Did not"! She screamed as she leap towards her brother. Pinning him to the ground.
Ciezan spoke up. " That's enough you two". His voice was demanding, but kind. "This is neither the time or place to be fooling around". The children ceased their wrestling and apologized. "Very good. Now thrask"? He said as he turned to Ash. "This isn't going to kill us is it"?
He shrugged. "It can. If it does kill us, it should be over fast".
The gryphon sighed. "Fantastic". He turned his attention to Spyro and Cynder. "Ah yes, I was told we would be joined by dragons. I can't say I'm happy about that fact".
Cynder rolled her eyes. "Great first impression. We do nothing and are already despised. Such fair and informed judgement".
The gryphon laughed. "Well I could bring up your past, but that's not why I personally hate you".
"Then what is the reason"? Asked Cynder.
"You really don't know? I'm surprised. Dragons are normally so proud of their history".
"Know what"? Inquired Spyro.
"The Great Hunt. At least that's the name you dragons gave it. Quite cruel in actuality".
"What is this 'Great hunt'"?
"I'm not surprised they didn't teach you". He cleared his throat. "The Great Hunt was a 'game' devised by the dragons of old. It started off as just that, but it soon became a sport. The dragons in question and many after them hunted my species to near extinction. Mine and our thrask friend here. This place is the only in the world we live peacefully. And as such have given us the name of Peace Keepers. Every clan outside this now barren wasteland are gone. If not for it's desert state, we would surely be extinct. But some of us don't see it that way. Desmios for example".
"As much as I love history lessons, we need to leave". Said Ash, impatiently.
"What's the hurry, thrask? I'm teaching them of their heritage. Their ruthless, bloody heritage".
"That's all well and good. But the fact of the matter is this is not a place of sanctuary. So we're protected by what we've got on us. And the energy cast by a long distance teleport is beyond what is necessary to attract the attention of the corrupted. So when I start, get ready for a fight".
"But it's teleporting"! Said Cynder. "Shouldn't it be instant"?
"Normally yes. But without a catching rune to act as a marker, I'm gonna have to guess our landing zone. It's already gonna be a few hundred feet above the temple. So get ready to fly".
"Why so high? In case you don't know Vesh and Takkye can't fly".
"Well then, as their caretaker you'd better take care of them. As for me, well I'll worry about that. You'll be pretty confused when we arrived. So get ready to react. It's been said some hit the ground before they realize what happened. Everyone ready"? They each gave a yes. "Good. Get ready to defend. Do NOT let them break the circle. It's on pretty good, but their persistent". He took a knee in the absolute center of the glyph. "Oh, and don't be touching anyone when we move. It can have messy results". He pulled another medallion from a pocket, and began chanting something in an unknown language to the dragons.
The ground beneath them began radiating magic. Spyro and Cynder could feel it coursing through their bodies. And it felt good.
A howl from below indicated the start of the attack. "That was fast. Sure are timely aren't they"? Said Ciezan in a joking tone.
Over the wall that surrounded the glyph, climbed the corrupted. Cynder was shocked by their appearance, but managed to regain herself before they attacked.
From behind another, came the Nomad. the thing was quite a deal larger than the others. Nearly a meter taller. And still bore the glowing white scar left by Spyro's breath. It's eyes locked with his and it pointed at him, death in it's eyes. With a howl a dozen of them rushed towards them. Three defenders, four targets to defend. No problem. Right?
Spyro instantly noticed the skill difference between the nomad and the others. What could go on for hours, instead took mere seconds. Swipes at the throat, and fire did wonders. Cynder kept them cowering in fear, and hid in darkness, only to drag them down into nothingness.
Ciezan stood in a bipedal stance and slashed them with his talons. They eviscerated the corrupted without effort. Vesh and Takkye stayed back, close to Ash. He couldn't do much except chant, but he made them feel safe.
"Are you serious!? It's 'Tak drosh veck'! Not 'Veil drosh eice'! This is your language"! Screamed Ciezan to Ash who quickly corrected himself. "You're lucky it doesn't have to be a perfect incantation. But the less mistakes the better our odds of surviving"!
A wail was heard from the nomad, who jumped from his perch and stepped unnaturally toward Spyro. the corrupted that were attacking him dispersed and went after the others. In it's demonic, distorted voice, it spoke again. "You...Will...Die...Dragon"!
It wasn't as fast as the first time. He saw the lunge coming and ducked under, following with a tail whip. It landed square on the creatures nose and sent it back a few feet. "What's the matter ugly? Not so fast as before are we"?
"Time...Not be...My...Prison. Can't...Afford...Risk". It lunged again. But this time it was sloppy. Erratic. A flurry of strikes came from the nomad as it cried in it's demonic tone.
The purple dragon jumped back. Getting closer to Ash and the young gryphons. "Not good". He thought to himself as the nomad swung it's tail with a newly fitted spear tip at the drake.
With Spyro engaged with the nomad, Cynder and Ciezan were locked in their own perilous predicament. The rest of the corrupted forces had their eyes set on the two, who now stood back to back fending off the advances of their enemy.
"Well this is just great"! Said Cynder, annoyed.
"I agree. Don't you dragons have any more magic tricks? I hear you're gifted with magic".
"I used a lot of my magic fending off the first wave. Sorry".
"Really? You're relying on your own reserves of magic? Can't you feel the magic in the ground? Draw from it. And devastate our enemies. But don't pull too much. The less we have, the less distance we cover".
She thought for a moment. "Alright". She concentrated, and pooled magic into her body. It was a feeling like no other. "Hold onto something". She warned as the built up power was released into a cyclone that floated off the ground just enough to not disturb the glyph. She then spread the wind around the glyph itself, forming a protective and impenetrable barrier.
The gust almost blew Spyro off his feet, but he managed to lower himself too the ground before the wind came over him.
The nomad was thrown back. After regaining itself, the creature began wailing on the wall of wind. It's blows glancing off every time.
"It sounds like he's finishing up! Get away from each other! Now"! Yelled Ciezan. The group disbanded and Ash screamed.
"PASS US THROUGH THE VOID"! He slammed the medallion into the ground, and light enveloped everyone inside the wind shield.
Ciezan yelled with a worried tone. "THE VOID?! ARE YOU INSA"... His words were cut off, as the gathered light shot itself into the air as an enormous column.