Forgetting Who You Are
Chapter 6
The light faded, and the group was falling. After mere seconds Ciezan gathered himself and dived toward Vesh and Takkye.
Spyro woke next, and spread his wings. The speed at which the wind rushed past them surprised him and threw him off balance, sending him into a tumbling free fall.
Ciezan dove toward him and righted him with a fly by. The purple dragon steadied himself and thanked the gryphon, who bowed mid air.
Ash was in free fall, sitting upright, arms crossed, eyes closed. Cynder however, did not have the posture of her friend. And was instead unconscious, rolling through the air at blinding speeds.
Spyro took notice of this and dove for her. When he reached her, he began shaking and screaming her name. The ground was getting closer and closer. He set himself underneath her, and started slowly pulling up.
"No time for this"! He screamed in his mind, as he decided to pull up hard, straining his wings. he slowed them considerably, but not enough for a smooth landing. They skidded into a grassy hill, leaving a landing strip as they did.
His eyes opened and he stood. The adrenaline rushed through his body at a million miles an hour. He shook with every step, but it felt great. They made it. Maybe a bit off their target, but it didn't matter. He looked to the sky, and Ciezan landed softly with both young ones on his back.
"Quite the landing you two had. Too bad. I really liked this hill".
Spyro laughed. "If you're so worried about the hill, why save me"?
The gryphon turned his head. "I didn't do it for you. I just thought it'd be easier to keep you alive, than to keep the children from playing with your less than three dimensional body".
"Of course you did". He said as he shoved Ciezan playfully. He looked around, seeing no sign of their thrask friend. "Hey Ciezan? Where's Ash"?
They looked skyward, the thrask was still in his sitting position. And coming in fast. When he slammed against the ground, dust shot in every direction. It then gathered and reconfigured into the proper form. When he was made whole again, he doubled over, and puked blood. Spyro ran to him but stopped when he noticed what was wrong. Ash had no more left arm, and the left side of his upper face looked to have been bitten off.
"Ash!? What happened"?! He puked more blood.
"Incomplete glyph". Said Ciezan as he stepped next to Spyro.
"What? But we defended it! There's no way it could have been disturbed"!
"Cynder used some magic from the teleportation to cast that cyclone. She said she wasn't going to use much. But that much power is... addictive. She most likely pulled more than she meant. And probably continued doing so even after it had been cast. Less magic, less stability. We would have died, if not for his sacrifice".
Spyro's eyes went wide. "So it's our fault".
"Mostly her's. But sure. Take some of the blame if it makes you feel better". Said Ciezan coldly.
Spyro was going to give the gryphon a piece of his mind, but a voice cut him off. "It was no ones fault"! Said Ash between heaves. "I chose this. It was the only way. I screwed up the incantation too much. We would have ended up hundreds of miles away. Or separated by a hundred miles. That's why I used the void. The void masters accept blood as a buffer. I just didn't expect the tax to be so high". He puked again.
"What did you lose exactly"? Asked Ciezan.
"Three organs, my left arm, and part of my face. Nothing I can't live without. Hopefully". He laughed weakly, pulled a syringe from his bandoleer, and stuck it into his shoulder. He screamed in agony as his flesh began to bubble. He screamed louder as a new arm shot forth from his shoulder. Slowly Ash climbed to his feet. His body shaking intensely. "There. (Heavy breathing) New arm".
The two who had witnessed this were awestruck. "What the hell was in that syringe"? Asked the gryphon.
Ash spit more blood to the ground. "If I survive, I'll tell you". He walked past them. "Spyro, you can help Cynder right? I don't think I have the strength".
"Oh.. y-yeah. No problem". The thrask smiled as he continued toward the temple.
It took roughly an hour, but they made it to the temple door. After they managed to open it, a fowl stench blew past them. The temple had been abandoned for quite a while and it smelt like it. Spider webs covered almost every surface and water dripped from the ceiling.
They explored until they found a comfortable place to sleep.
The sleep lasted until just before sunrise. Spyro woke first, to a voice that echoed through the halls. He attempted to wake the others, to no avail. "Perfect. Of course they sleep like a rock". He turned his attention to the echoes. "I wonder who that is".
He walked the halls of the dragon temple. The voice grew louder. It seemed to be beckoning him. He heard his name, but was unsure whether it was directed at him or someone else.
When he made it to a large room, he saw four large dragons, and a smaller purple one.
"Now", said the white and blue one, and ice dragon, "we know you're eager to start your training. But you must understand there is only so much we can teach you. And only so much we will teach you".
"I understand, Cyril". The purple dragon shared both Spyro's appearance and voice.
"Very good. You have already awoken your ability of fire. Now it is time for Ice".
He stepped forward and time seemed to speed up. Spyro saw his twin master every element. The scene changed and he found himself outside. The red guardian was scolding the purple dragon.
"What were you thinking?! You can't steal things from the market"!
The purple dragon rolled his eyes. "But I'm the purple dragon. These peasants should be on the ground, praising me as I pass.". He cocked his head to the side, running his eyes up and down the red dragon. "In fact... so should you".
The fire dragon was taken aback. "What would bring you to say such a thing"?
"If I remember correctly I just gave you an order. Do it! Bow to me and praise my name".
"You will not speak to me in such a way. I am your teacher, and elder".
"HA! As if I'd ever consider you a teacher. My power surpasses yours a hundred fold. And I should be treated accordingly".
The red dragon sighed, growing frustrated. "I don't know what happened to you, Malefor. But I hope you break free of it. I don't want to see you go down a path you'll later come to regret". He spread his massive wings and took off. Leaving the purple dragon to himself.
"The fool"! He shouted. "He's holding me back. They all are. They can't understand my power! I'll show them. I'll show them all"!
A females voice from inside startled him. "Show them what exactly? That you're angry? Afraid? Insecure"?
"How dare you speak to me that way! I am the purple dra"...
He was cut off by a tail to the face. "You are nothing but a child. The color of your scales mean nothing if you have not the skill or restraint to use what powers you claim to have. You are a fool".
The purple dragon grew angrier with each word. "HOLD YOUR TONGUE THRASK"! He shot a shard of ice into the chest of she who taunted him. She fell to her knees, clutching the ice.
"Like I said... You're... a ... fool". She fell to the ground, blood pooling around her cold body.
The purple dragon grew panicked. He shook the body of the thrask that lay before him. "Hey come on! WAKE UP! I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to! It was an accident! I SWEAR"! Tears formed in his eyes as he took off into the night.
Spyro blinked. the scene before him changed back to the chamber where he had first seen the five. Ash stood over the pool of water in the center.
"You saw it didn't you? The turning point. What solidified his evil. He told the guardians she attacked him. And that severed our alliance with your kind".
"He looked sad, and scared".
"He was". Ash turned around. " He carried the guilt of that moment for the rest of his life. Right up until you killed him. The elders still don't know the truth. They loved him too much. They didn't want to believe he killed out of anger. And then he ran".
Spyro looked down, saddened by the tale. "Why did I see myself"?
"No idea. Maybe it's to show you why. So you can bring it to the elders. I take it this isn't the first time something like this has happened to you".
He shook his head. "No. There was a... dream. But it was more like a nightmare. A burnt dragon said I killed him. That he didn't want to die. Do I know him"?
Ash stared into his eyes that cried for an answer. "No. It was just a dream". He walked away in silence.
Spyro looked around the room. He was sure he'd been here before, but couldn't remember. He made his way to the pool of water. As he stood over it, the liquid began to shimmer. It showed a great tree. A single name came to his mind, "The Chronicler"!
When he looked up, he was no longer in at the temple, but instead a grand library. A black and white dragon with a blue cloth draped over his back stepped from behind a large hourglass.
"Well now. It has been some time hasn't it"?
"Chronicler? How did I get here"?
"You're currently swimming in that pool of water. I brought your mind to me". He pulled a book from the wall. "This is why. Your book has been rather illegible for some time now. And to make matters worse, I haven't been able to add anything to it. I feel it is due to your thrask friend. They've always been quite the problem for me. The prophecies are nice. But they distort my sight".
Spyro read through the book. "This doesn't make sense. 'Walls forward, fruit picked. This is the last end of the beginning. Unbind the eternal'? What does that mean"?
The book lifted from in front of Spyro, and made it's way to the shelf. "I don't know. This is the speech of the seers. Only the writers can understand such nonsense. Though, we haven't been on good terms for quite a while. I need their prophecies, but they don't need me. So I have no place to ask for a translation".
"I could ask Ash".
The Chronicler shook his head. "He gave his sight and writing to bring you to the temple".
"That's right. Why would he do that? He barely knows us"?
"That's something only he can answer. But be warned, he will lead you wrongly. You must not believe everything he says. The thrask are not an angry species".
Spyro was confused. "What do you mean? Why would he be angry"?
A chime echoed through the halls and the two dragons looked to find the source. The chronicler sighed, "Well. That's all I have for you. If you need to speak further, come visit me. I'll be waiting".
Spyro's sight started to blur. "Wait! I don't remember where you are! I don't remember anything! Come back"! He awoke, raising his head from under the water. After shaking himself dry, Spyro made his way back to the chambers he came from. Voices were heard beyond the old wooden door.
He creaked it open only a crack, and listened. Nothing of interest was said.. He pushed it open the rest of the way. The group looked towards the creaky door. Cynder smiled as he stepped in.
"Well, where have you been? Not getting food without us I hope".
"Oh.. No. Just exploring".
Ciezan stood and walked to the door. "I am going to find food for us. Could I ask that one of you stay with the young ones. I'd hate to lose them in a place this large and unfamiliar".
"I'll stay". Said Ash.
"I will too". Added Spyro.
The gryphon shrugged. "So be it. Come Cynder. I'd love to see how your kind hunt".
"Likewise". They departed for the fields ripe with game outside the temple.
The young gryphons slept soundly, so deeply an explosion couldn't wake them. Spyro looked to Ash, who sat on a windowsill, starring over the plains and rolling hills.
"Hey, Ash"? He turned his head. "How are you holding up? With the whole, 'three less organs' and all"?
He shrugged. "No different. I don't exactly know what I lost. I just know I lost three organs".
"Well you also lost your ability to see and write prophecies, didn't you"?
"What's your point"?
"I'm just wondering how it must feel, to lose something you've had all your life. To give up who you are for strangers you could have very well let die".
He jumped from the windowsill. "Even though I lost something that made me unique, I don't feel as though I've truly lost anything. I rather feel as though I've shed a weight. As though I'm truly free now. I'm no longer bound by what will happen no matter what I do. And instead I can focus on what I want to make happen".
"But isn't that your culture? Won't you miss your friends and family"?
He laughed. "Of course I will. But I won't miss being treated the way I was. That's for sure".
Spyro was becoming curious. "How were you treated"?
"Like I was a hero. Like I was the legacy they would cling to when our culture was teetering on the brink of failure, and corruption. I was never seen for myself. Instead I was defined by the scars I carry. They never understood".
"What didn't they understand"? Asked Spyro as he laid down. "The pain"?
"They never understood what it was like to truly feel loss. I am now the only one who survived Cynder's onslaught against my people. And I have to say, it's hard even being near her".
"How could you think that way? That's not who she is anymore"! He said angrily.
"You don't think I know that? I understand that your past doesn't have tp define who you will be, but I saw the terror she caused first hand. I even suffered for it. Now I'm sharing a room with the very one that nearly wiped my entire species from existence. And the gryphons. Their hostility is well earned".
"But you saved her! So you can't think she's all that bad"!
"My culture defines her as our savior. Funny how our 'savior' almost killed us. Sure we weren't the nicest, but we were a hell of a lot better than to destroy a lush green world because one species 'might' be a problem".
"Where is this coming from"?
"It's not coming from anywhere. I've always felt this way". He pulled away from the window. "Do you know why I saved you? Why it wasn't someone else? It's because of you, Spyro".
The purple dragon was confused. "Because I was in trouble"?
"No. When we see, we look through time. I saw her die. By the hands of the corrupted. When I did I have to say, it was nice. But It changed. We decided it would be best if we bring our 'savior' home. A different thrask was going to get her. But he was insane to say the least. Enamored with her is the biggest understatement of time. He would have brought her back, and begged the elder to let him take her as a wife". He paced around Spyro. "And she'd say no, of course. But he was strong, and rejection from him 'goddess' would have broken him. He'd have forced her. And when he was finished, he'd throw her into the solution after killing her. Their child would survive and be praised as the perfect one".
Spyro was wide eyed by ths point. "So what happened? Why was it you and not him"?
"We are denied any rewriting of prophecies. We cannot interfere and must let it run it's course. But I couldn't let that happen. So I killed him. Hid us away and blame someone else".
Spyro hesitated to ask. "How"?
"Made a deal with the Nomads. They make us blind to the sight, and I grant them one favor. A favor from a thrask is invaluable! As so many tell us. They accepted".
"What did they want"?
"Passage. They wanted to get through the Valley of Talons. But I knew that couldn't be done. But I tried. Then they changed their minds. 'Bring us to the mainland' They said. I had a way out. Long distance teleportation. It was a good plan. But then you happened. Until I was locked away in time, I could not see you in my visions. No one could. I was going to let Cynder die. If only you weren't there. I could have ended my hatred. Given up my anger. But no. I convinced the elder to send me instead, and I saw you. Vision upon vision assaulted me. I saw this, I saw what will happen. And I wanted to kill her. I wanted to wring her neck dry. But I knew I couldn't once I saw you. It was my job to kill her, and the corrupted would be blamed. They didn't care. But now, I can't. You have to see the end of your prophecy".
"The one that doesn't end with her"?
"Exactly. Do you want to know how it ends? Why you don't end with her"?
"She dies? Or I die"?
"Ha! You wish. She finds someone else. You give up and live the rest of your life sad and alone. You become detached and kill yourself. It's too bad. She really does love you. But you just can't love her back can you? You know she isn't evil, but you can't remember what makes her so great. You think she's a monster, somewhere deep down. And you can't deny it". His words were spiteful. They built a rage inside Spyro beyond what he could understand.
"STOP"! He screamed. "I don't care what the stupid prophecy says. She isn't a monster. Even if I don't believe it, I know it's true. I may not be able to convince myself, but that won't stop me from trying! And it shouldn't stop you either! You once said that anger will give you a goal, but that goal will always be misguided and foolish. Why don't you remember that"?
He shrugged. "You're right. It is misguided. But that doesn't make it any less of a goal. You don't know what she did to my people. She should pay for every life she's ruined. Not just for me. But everyone who's been influenced by any of her actions".
"Don't you think she's suffered enough? She'll go through her entire life hearing about her past. She'll carry that guilt with her all her life. Why should she pay right now? Wouldn't you rather see her suffer in the long run"? He had no time to regret his words.
Ash went to speak, but hesitated. "I hadn't considered that. Guilt works much better than pain. It's like a poison, slowly eroding ones life force, until they wither and die. A shallow husk of their former self".
"So you aren't going to try to kill her"?
The thrask clawed at his head. "I was never going to kill her. I've wanted to, trust me. But after actually meeting her, I can see she isn't the same. She has changed but she's still the same creature that destroyed my life".
"Well her life was destroyed first. If you want to hate anyone, hate Malefor. It's his fault she ruined your life. Don't blame her for his evil. It's not fair".
Ash swallowed. "I can't forgive her, but I can try to direct my anger towards the one actually responsible. As much as I hate to admit it, you're right".
"If you've felt this way the entire time, you've done an amazing job at hiding it. Well, until now".
Ash laughed. "I suppose. You aren't going to tell her I planned on killing her before this, will you"?
Spyro shrugged. "I don't know, I might need a favor in return. I have heard a favor from a thrask is invaluable".
Sighing, he accepted. "Fine. You've twisted my arm. But we're doing a blood bind. And should I mention you haven't completed your last promise"?
"What? I helped the clan. I almost died helping them to boot".
"I guess you did help around. Even if it was only two days. Alright. We bind each other. You know the words"?
"I think I' heard them enough to get it".
"Alright then". He pulled a dagger from his back, and pierced his and Spyro's palm. They shook hands and spoke the words of binding. After it was done, Ash added to the subject. "I almost forgot that you don't know the words of breaking".
Spyro raised an eyebrow. "What's breaking"?
"If one party fails to complete their end of the contract, then the other speaks the words of breaking. If they're telling the truth, the words will kill that who had not completed their end. In this case I'm the only one bound. But I could take you with me if any previous contracts remain unfinished".
"Sounds... great. I guess. What are they"?
"You'd start by saying the name of the one who failed to complete their end. The thrask found a way around this by never having a name associated with them. But it's been decided that my name is Ash. So you would say; Ash, you are bound by blood, broken is your word, and now broken are you. May others learn from your dishonesty".
"And that kills you"?
"Only if I actually failed to complete my part of the deal. It's a favor, so you can ask anything of me. Desmios asked me to bring his children and their guardian to Warfang. And I did, well, am. Now I'm no longer in debt to him. He could have just asked without calling the favor. But I guess when you're basically threatened by time itself, you do anything to get what you want".
"Yeah, that entire day was pretty crazy. Do you have any ideas as to why the nomad was after Vesh and Takkye"?
"Well", He looked towards the sleeping gryphons. "I really don't. Maybe as a buffer for passage? An incentive to let them through the Valley of Talons. And he might seem scary, but Desmios has a soft spot for his clan. Especially his family. That's why Ciezan is their guardian".
"What's so special about him? Are they family"?
Ash laughed. "Not even close. What makes him special, is his fighting. We would occasionally have tournaments. And low and behold, Ciezan won. A lot".
Spyro was a bit surprised. "I didn't think he was that good. He held his own sure. But I didn't notice anything special about his fighting".
"That's what gets you. You'd never expect him to be able to fight the way he does. That stance he uses is deadly. If you ever happen to fight him, don't underestimate him". He looked over toward the window, two figures were heading in his direction. "It looks like they're back. We should meet up with them". He locked eyes with the purple dragon and spoke sternly. "And say Nothing... about our previous conversation".
Spyro nodded, and looked toward the gryphons. "Should we wake up Vesh and Takkye"? Ash gestured a yes and they bent down to the young ones, waking them gently.
When they managed to wake them, Vesh and Takkye were as energetic as ever. Laughing and playing all the way to the entrance of the temple.
Cynder and Ciezan were laughing and telling jokes with a deer corpse and three rabbits trailing beside them.
"Really? I'm amazed that you got away with that"! Said Cynder laughing her way through the sentence.
Ciezan raised his hand. "I swear it's true. You can ask anyone. Well, don't ask Desmios. He doesn't know it was me".
She shoved him playfully, smiling. "That's terrible! Out of everyone he should be the first to know"!
Ciezan shrugged and turned his attention to familiar voices screaming his name. "Ciezan"! Said the young gryphons in unison as they embraced him warmly. "Did you get what you wanted"?
"We did, yes. This should be enough. Are you hungry"?
Vesh stood on her hind legs and sucked her stomach in. "I'm this hungry"!
Ciezan laughed and poked her tummy. She giggled and fell onto her back. "Well we can't have that now, can we"? He turned his head toward Spyro. "Could you start a fire for us"?
"Sure". He said, looking over the gryphon and dragoness noticing how much they changed. The purple dragon walked to a brazier, filled it with wood from a small pile they built up beside it, and the flames came to life with an exhale.
Ciezan and Cynder brought the game over. The gryphon used his talon to skin the animals, and Cynder severed limbs and cut chunks of meat with her tail blade. they laid a metal grate over the flames, and rested the meat onto it.
"So", started Spyro, "you two seemed to have hit it off".
Cynder smiled widely. "I know! Isn't it weird? I thought maybe we wouldn't get along what with my past, but once we managed to move past that, we found out we have so much in common. We like the same food, have similar senses of humor, and both love learning about each other's culture".
"That's great"! Said Spyro, forcing a smile.
"I bet you two would get along great. When you have a chance, talk to him. And ask him to tell you about the ink stain. It's really great".
"I'll uh... I'll do that. Definitely". Another forced smile.
Once the meat had cooked, they each ate their fill.
Ash stood, stretching the stiffness from his bones and muscles. "We should get going. We have a long journey ahead of us".
The rest of the group agreed, and set on the path to Warfang, and reunion with their friends.