Forgetting Who You Are
Chapter 7
And so they traveled, day turned to night, and they stopped to make camp within the swampland's.
The night was humid, making sleep difficult to find. Te fire they had made crackled, and illuminated only a small circle. Each took turns guarding the rest. Cynder had offered to take first watch. Afterward was Ciezan.
When the dragoness woke the gryphon, she did so gently, trying to keep from disturbing the others.
Ciezan's eyes opened, the light of the flames blinding him momentarily. When his eyes adjusted, he stood. With a few blinks, the sleep left him. He smiled to Cynder. "My turn already"?
"Sadly yes. As much as I'd love to let you sleep, I need some myself. Just look on the bright side". She gestured beyond a rock. "The water is beautiful. Not to mention warm. And you could use a bath".
She chuckled as he acted offended. "Well I never! I'll have you know that I smell fine. I only hint at garbage".
She rolled her eyes. "Well then, go be garbage behind that rock. I would like to sleep in peace". She turned and patted him on the cheek with her tail blade as she walked away.
He made is way to the stream behind the rock. Steam rose from the surface, and fireflies danced across the lily pads. Ciezan floated across the surface on his back, gazing at he stars above. "Not much guarding from here. Sure is peaceful".
A voice across the stream and a few feet into the swamp startled him. He swam silently to the edge, and crept onto land. Staying low to the ground, he snuck his way to the voice. It was quiet, but sounded like a conversation.
Ciezan heard the words clearly before he saw the owner. "I know. But how does it happen like this? Maybe that's not the problem. But what if it is"?
The gryphon stepped from behind the brush. "What are you doing"?
A startled Ash spun around and held a hand to his chest. "You scared me"!
Ciezan looked around. "Who were you talking to"?
Ash shrugged and stammered over his words. "I-I-I don't uh... know what you mean. I'm obviously alone". He looked around. "See, just uh.. just me. Just thinking out loud".
He wasn't convinced. "Conversations with yourself"? Ash nodded. "Whatever. You should be sleeping. Your shift is next".
The thrask chuckled nervously. "You're right! I should.. uh.. should go sleep. I'll do that now. Thanks Cie".
Ash moved past him as he grew more confused. The gryphon spoke under his breathe. "Cie? Since when does he call me Cie"?
As the sun chased away the moon, the group roused from their sleep. Tired eyes hung low, and sore bodies swayed heavy. The hard, swampy ground did not make for a comfortable bed.
Within the hours of light, they had managed to find food and water. The distance covered was significant for walking. With half of the group flightless, the skies taunted them with it's vastness.
Hours turned to days, days turned to nights, and the cycle began anew. It wasn't until they reached a waterfall that glistened in the light of the moon, that Cynder grew more and more excited.
"OHH! Spyro look! It's Twilight Falls! We're so close now! Aren't you excited"?! She smiled widely, barely able to contain herself as she looked over the forest below.
"Of course I am"! Spyro's words were powered by forced energy.
"Who are you most excited to see"? She asked, looking back at him.
He fought his mind frantically for a name, then it came to him. A name spoken in the vision at the temple. "Cyril"! He kept his composure. Much to his surprise.
Cynder raised an eyebrow. "Cyril? Really? But he's so arrogant. And he just goes on about his ancestors. That's who you miss the most"?
He nodded frantically. "Well, that may be true, but you have to admire his skill and abilities".
"I.. guess so. It's still kind of weird. Last I remember seeing you having an actual conversation with him, he was scolding you for ice that wasn't cold enough".
"Well he was right! It could have been colder, haha! What are we waiting for? I bet they're really eager to see us"! A bead of sweat rolled down his face.
Cynder looked at him a bit longer, then looked over the forest again. "You're probably right. We should move now". As she lifted off the ground to glide to the forest floor, and hand wrapped itself around her tail, stopping her and pulling her to the ground. She stared back in anger at Ash.
"The forest is dangerous. Especially at night. We would be best off making camp up here".
She pulled away and raised her voice. "But we're SO close! We can make by daybreak if we go now"!
Ash pointed to Vesh and Takkye, exhausted and on the verge of collapsing. "We would be fine, but what about them? The danger down there is well rested, unlike us. I know I would not be able to stop an attack. Could you"?
She was going to object, but looked back to the gryphons, whose eyes hung heavy with sleep. She shook her head, admitting defeat. "Smart choice. Now let's make camp".
The sun rose on the group as they traveled. Cynder had made sure to wake everyone up early so they could get to Warfang as soon as possible. For the rest of the journey through the valley of Avalar, she told everyone what she was going to do after meeting everyone. "A nice hot bath".
The walls of Warfang were a sight to behold. From the ground they seemed to almost reach the sky.
As the band approached the gates, the heavy doors swung open, revealing a bustling city full of dragons of all colors, and moles. As they stood there, the eyes of the city fell onto them. Silence was the welcome they had received.
The six of them walked through the crowd that dispersed, creating a path to the center building, the grand hall.
As they walked, the eyes of the city grew unnerving. "Why are they looking at us like that? Haven't they ever seen heroes before"? Asked Cynder, looking between the the group.
"There sure are a lot of dragons here. More than I would have thought". Said Ciezan, pulling Vesh and Takkye closer and tucking them under his wings. "I just hope we're well received. The gryphons, thrask and dragons have had a rough past. Thanks to Malefor".
The sea of eyes followed them no matter which way they went. Leading them toward the main hall.
At the doors to the stone building, stood a mole. She had a smile on her face and a warmth about her. "It's so nice to meet you! I must say, I never thought I would meet the saviors of the world. Not many do. But I guess that's all changed now hasn't it? Well no point in keeping them waiting. They'll be so happy to see you after all this time. Follow me". She led them to a large room, covered from floor to ceiling with books. A large circular table sat in the center. Around it sat three large dragons. The elders. Spyro, Cynder and the mole were the only ones allowed entrance at the moment.
"Guardians"? Asked the mole as she approached.
The ice dragon sighed. "Yes yes what is it? We are very bu"...
When they turned to face those who had disturbed them, their eyes went wide. "Spyro? Cynder"? Asked Cyril in disbelief. Smiles grew and tears flooded their eyes in joy and disbelief. They rushed to the young dragons so they could embrace them, one at a time.
Spyro didn't know what to say, Cynder on the other hand, "It's great to see you too"!
As the elders pulled away, they wiped their eyes. "You don't know what your return means to us"! Volteer laughed. "You don't seem to have aged a day"!
Spyro and Cynder looked at each other. "What do you mean? We were only gone, what, a few weeks"?
The guardians exchanged glances. "Is that how long you think it's been"?
"What do you mean, Volteer? How long have we been gone"? Asked Cynder, a mild panic in her voice.
The electric dragon sighed. "Terrador"?
"Almost half a century".
Cynder's body shook, her eyes widened and she began breathing heavily. "Th-that's impossible! There's no way we were gone for fifty years! Tell me you're joking"!
Cyril looked down. "I'm sorry. But it's true. We had lost hope of you ever returning. And yet here you are"! He looked beyond them, towards the door. "Where's Ignitus? Is he hiding from us"? He looked to the two before him and saw their sadness. "Oh no. May I ask what happened"?
Cynder's eyes shed tears. "He sacrificed himself so we could make it to Malefor. He's gone".
The guardians shared looks of sadness between them. Volteer walked to, and wrapped a wing around the dragoness to console her.
Once their eyes had dried, Terrador spoke in a reassuring voice. "We will hold a remembrance ceremony for him. This time we have conformation. It can be done with a clear conscious".
Spyro spoke up, "Wait, What do you mean 'This time'? Are you saying you already had one"?
Terrador nodded. "Yes. For all three of you. We didn't know. We waited five years before we even considered the thought. It wasn't until a decade after your departure did we hold them. I hope you aren't upset".
Cynder smiled through her tears, happy they were honored. "Of course not. Why would we be? It's nice knowing we weren't forgotten in our time away. I'm sorry we kept you waiting". She stared into the eyes of each dragon elder, but her gaze was pulled towards the door, as someone entered loudly.
Ash pushed past the guards that crowded around the doorway. As he stepped in, the guardians got between him, and Spyro and Cynder.
Cyril spoke in a condescending tone. "I see a thrask managed to crawl it's way out of it's hole. What are you doing here? Your kind is forbidden to come to this city on counts of attempted murder".
Ash crossed his arms. "No warm welcome from an ice dragon, huh? Can't say I'm surprised. You've always been pretty hot headed. Kind of ironic".
"I asked you a question".
"Yes you did. But a question deserves an answer. And seeing as how I'm not going to give you one, really defeats the purpose of even asking, doesn't it"?
Spyro squeezed between the elders. "Ash, what are you doing? Answer the question".
"I don't know. I don't feel like I'm being given the respect I deserve. I want to see the ice dragon bow to me".
"How dare you"! Shouted Cyril, appalled. "You come into our home, speak to us in such a manner, and expect to be treated with respect? I should kill you here".
The two young dragons now stood between the thrask and guardians. "Cyril, Stop"! Ordered Cynder.
"Yeah," added Spyro, "don't do anything rash! He's the one who got us here. Without him, we'd most likely be dead".
The three stopped, questioning Spyro's words. "Truly? You managed to befriend one of the thrask"? Asked Volteer.
"Not exactly". Started Spyro, "He befriended us. He found us in an abandoned city and saved me from these creatures.. And then he brought us to his home, and healed us there".
"How did he heal you"? Asked Cyril a tone of worry hung on his words.
"Well... it was a pool of... grey liquid. Thick like mud". Spyro looked to each of the guardians. "Why? What's so important about it"?
"That's forbidden magic. It changes you. Body and mind". Terrador looked toward Ash, who stood arrogantly in front of them.
"Change how exactly"? Inquired Spyro, worried he might have been affected by the solution.
"Horrible deformity, an insatiable bloodlust. A plague known as ".
Cyril was to the point of steaming. "Why would you continue to use something that dangerous? On one of ours no less! You have no place here. We made clear of that many years ago".
"Oh really"? Asked Ash, sounding sure of himself. "Well from what I remember, you nearly wiped my species from this world".
"We made our peace with you! It was you who ended that friendship! It was her! She's to blame". Cyril's word were shaking by the end.
Ash stepped forward again. "Do you really believe that? Are you so ignorant to the truth? So guilt ridden, that you have to constantly remind yourself that it wasn't your fault"? He chuckled. "Not the kind of guardians I'd want for my people. From what I know, Ignitus fought Malefor's claims of victimhood, but you didn't want to accept the fact that it might have been his fault. Ha. I bet you're happy he's dead".
"Cyril, think about what you're doing". Said the electric dragon.
"I know what I'm doing".
The ice dragon snapped. He shot a spear of ice at the thrask, who swatted it out of the air with ease. "Weak"! He taunted. "Look how you react to anger! I guess we know where Malefor got his temper".
Cyril lashed out again, launching more and more spears at the thrask, who either stepped to the side, or swatted them away.
When he did retaliate with his own magic, he raised his hand into the air, "All things fall to earth". And brought it down to his side. Cyril was forced to the ground with an overwhelming amount of force. He yelped as the ground cracked beneath him and his new found weight.
"Yield. Lizard". Cyril tried fighting the force, But in his old age he had no strength to fight, and so he gave up. Closing his eyes and admitting defeat. Ash released his grip. "It's nice to see you've learnt your place".
The other two elders came to his side and helped him to his feet. "What were you thinking attacking him like that"? Asked Terrador.
"I-I-I don't know what came over me. I just... lost control". He looked to Ash, who had turned and was walking away. "What did you do to me"!?
After he had left, Cyril composed himself. "I'm sorry you had to see that. It's not like a guardian to show weakness in front of his students".
"You're not weak". Reassured Spyro. "Nobody could predict his magic. Whatever element it was".
"It wasn't an element". A voice came from the door. Ciezan walked toward them, Vesh and Takkye in tow. "It was a law of nature. Gravity. Very old magic".
Volteer gasped. "A Gryphon"! he said excitedly. "I never thought I'd see the day! It was my construal that your kind had gone extinct long ago. This is astounding"! He looked to the young ones, who hid behind Ciezan. "And you have little ones! Oh this is fantastic! Astonishing! Stupendous"! He looked Ciezan over. Grabbing at his feathers, opening his beak and observed his wings.
Once the yellow dragon's curiosity had been sated, he stepped away from Ciezan, and returned to his position next to the other two. "You must let me examine you more exhaustively later".
The gryphon smiled awkwardly. "We'll see if I have the time. I hope I don't".
Terrador cleared his throat, gathering the eyes of those present. "Why is it I've never heard of this, gravity magic"?
"Exclusivity. Only the strongest and bravest of the thrask are allowed to learn it's properties. He is by no means the strongest or bravest, but he bears the marks of his goddess. And that makes him worthy. According to his kind at least".
Volteer grew even more excited. "Oh what I would give to study the properties of his capabilities! Do you believe he'd give me the chance"?
"Now's not the time, Volteer". Said Cyril, annoyed. "We can worry about him later. Right now we have a ceremony to plan. And afterwards a celebration to throw in honor of Spyro and Cynder's return".
"Isn't it a bit early for a celebration"? Asked Cynder.
Terrador's booming voice caught her attention. "We've waited nearly fifty years for your return. I don't think it's too early for a party".
"I'm just thinking about Ignitus. We can't mourn and then forget about it with a party".
"If we know Ignitus, he'd want you to have fun. Remember him in happy memories, and not mourn over his sacrifice". Cyril smiled as Cynder found comfort in his words. "Now then, would you like to see your rooms"?
"Of course we would. Lead the way".