Hello everyone, here we have the second part of the last chapter. Hope you will enjoy it!
-Azotac
The rest of the first day passed rather quickly. Cynder managed to dispute the race and also achieve a well deserved second place, just behind an adult wind dragon. She also tried to battle for the first place, but quickly tired out trying to reach and maintain the same speed as the winner.
Still she was very proud of her self and of her attainment.
Spyro watched her step on the podium situated on the northern wall, illuminated by the beautiful sunset light. The purple dragon couldn't be more proud of her, since she made really great progresses in integrating with the rest of the citizens and her decision to participate to a competition like that was a great demonstration of her will of join back into society, leaving back her dreadful past.
Soon after she returned to him and her friends, which all congratulated to her. Seeing her smiling like that was something that never got Spyro tired, at the contrary, it sparkled in him happiness and joy all the times. He admired her in awe once again, focussing on her beautiful emerald eyes that he loved so much and descending downward to-.
"The neckband!"He thought abruptly, widening his eyes.
"Sorry guys, I have to leave you for some time, see you later."He said to the group and without another word, he darted up in the air directing southwards. The others watched him disappear quickly in the crowd, then shrugged.
"So guys, are you enjoying the festival so far?"Asked Cynder to her friends.
"It's pretty cool I should say. There are a lot of interesting things to see and do."Stated Auros.
"I agree. It's really good to see the city back to his original state. This event was something that was needed."Continued Gaia.
"What do you want to do until midnight?"Questioned Cynder.
Gaia was about to answer, but her stomach spoke for her instead, emitting a low noise. The earth dragoness grinned a bit embarrassed.
"Well, I think this speaks for it self. Shall we grab something to eat?"She asked expectantly.
"I totally agree, since we hadn't lunch today, I'm pretty hungry."Answered Auros.
The small group of friends darted up in the air, directing towards the Great Hall.
Spyro landed in the Temple courtyard, which was being set up for the midnight show. He dodged the series of mole labourers that were working around and climbed the staircase, finally reaching the great wooden door. He speeded through the corridor and into the main hall, directing towards his room. After few minutes he entered it and began to look for that leather pouch that he never uses, so he began fumbling around with the mess of his dwelling.
"Cynder is right, I should really get this place tidied up."He thought.
Again after some minutes of fanatic searching, he finally found the incriminated bag underneath a pile of scrolls. He opened it and began counting the coins inside, to check if they were the right amount.
"Ninety-one, ninety-six…ninety-eight…Oh, one hundred and three! Perfect!"He muttered, between himself. He then closed the pouch and strapped it onto his right foreleg and directed to his balcony, taking flight.
When he arrived at the shop the sun was already behind the western mountains and a series of torches had been lit along the streets to keep the main ways illuminated during the night.
Spyro landed on all four, in front of the stall that he visited the same morning. The owner bowed his head to the young hero then took out from behind the stall a small wooden casket and posed it on the counter. Spyro opened it and found the neckband gently nestled inside of it, wrapped in a black velvet tissue. The purple dragon smiled and pulled out his leather bag and poured the content on the counter.
"There should be one hundred or so coins. Keep the rest as well, sir."Said the youngster, taking the casket underneath his left foreleg.
"Thank you very much, Master Spyro. Have a nice evening."Said the mole, bowing his head.
"You too."Said the dragon before taking flight back towards the temple.
The purple hero returned to his room and deposited the box safely over his desk. He opened it to admire once again the beautiful jewel, as he pictured in his mind his loved one wearing it.
"I cannot wait to give it to her."He thought, before directing back towards the balcony and taking flight, in search of his friends.
Few minutes later he landed in front of the Great Hall, assuming that his companions were going to have something to eat. He found his friends sat at the usual table, chatting. He reached them and he accommodated near Cynder.
"Sorry guys if I left so brutally, but I had totally forgot that I had to do a thing."He said apologetically.
Cynder was about to question him, when Auros answered:"No problem at all, Spyro. I hope it's all fixed up now."Said the white dragon smiling. Soon after a mole brought them the food.
"And you actually arrived in perfect time for dinner."He continued, passing the platters to his friends, as they all began to eat.
"Sorry Spyro if I ask, but what kind of element did you use before? I never saw purple fire."Asked Nix curiously.
"Yeah, it was really something never seen before! Is it like some secret purple dragon's stuff?"Asked excitedly Gaia.
Cynder watched Spyro with an unreadable expression, then returned to eat her meal. The young hero finished to eat before answering.
"Well, it's kinda of a long story. I don't know if you want to hear-"
"Nonsense, of course we want to hear it. Right guys?"Asked Gaia, watching Nix and Auros which both nodded in agreement.
"Plus, we got yet a couple of hours to spend before the pyrotechnical show at midnight."Continued the earth dragoness excited.
Finally Spyro sighed.
"So, the element that I used this afternoon is called Convexity or Aether. It's a really rare kind of energy that doesn't come form this world."He began
"Not from this world, what do you mean?"Asked confused Gaia.
"I mean that it literally doesn't come from this world. You see, there's a realm, also called Convexity, that acts as an airlock between our kingdom and the dark realms, where…Malefor was prisoner. It's really a weird place, Cynder and I have been there once."He continued.
"Don't make me remember it, please."Added the black dragoness, shivering.
"Aaand, what exactly does this Aether element do?"Asked Nix.
"Well, to begin with, it's a power that surpasses by far any kind of elemental magic that already exists. It practically…disintegrates instantly the enemy."Said Spyro.
The three youngsters in front of him just dropped their mouths open.
"Disintegrate? You mean…"Said Auros astounded.
"Literally kills any kind of enemy that puts between it. Some larger type take a longer time to get beaten, but in the end they all fall."Answered the purple dragon.
"That's scary… Do you know if anyone else can use this kind of power?"Asked Nix.
"The only ones that can wield convexity are me, Cynder and Malefor. But since the last one is gone, only Cynder and I remain with this affinity."Stated Spyro.
"So Cynder acquired the power from the Dark Master?"Asked Auros.
"Yes, with all the other dark elements I can wield. At least that bastard did something useful for once."Stated Cynder, snorting.
The group kept chatting about Aether for quite sometime, also listening to all the experiences of the two young heroes with that mysterious element. Minutes turned into hours and it finally came the time to leave the Great Hall for the pyrotechnical show.
Spyro and his companions took flight just outside the hall, directing southwards and they landed few minutes later in the temple courtyard, where there were already a lot of citizen gathered.
"Damn, we lost the good spots."Snorted the black dragoness.
"Hey guys, why don't we take place on the roofs up there?"Said Auros, pointing his white wing towards the buildings in front of him.
"Good idea! We're gonna have an amazing view from there."Said Cynder.
"I don't think it is safe."Said the purple dragon reluctant.
"Why not? We are smaller than adult dragons, I think the ceiling will hold our weight just fine."Replied the white dragon.
Spyro finally sighed.
"Fine, guys, let's go!"
They all took flight and in a couple of flaps of their wings, they landed on the tiles of the flat roofs. It wasn't really comfy, but they had the complete and unobstructed view of the great Temple, which was dimly lit with a series of torches arranged along the staircase and the perimeter.
They could see some dragons taking position on the roof of the building, their figures barely visible only thanks to the moons' light.
Few minutes later all the lights went out and fire bomb exploded in the air, signalling the beginning of the show.
Then it was pure wonder.
A series of colourful explosions painted the night sky, illuminating the crowd in front of the Temple and the five youngsters accommodated on the roofs. In their eyes the reflections of those beautiful fireworks. The two heroes had never seen something so beautiful in their life and they never thought that the fire element could be used in such artistic ways.
Spyro extended his right wing over Cynder and pulled her closer, she rested her head on the purple dragon's shoulder, their gaze never leaving the astounding spectacle before them. Staying closer to her loved one like that and admiring the beauty of the fireworks was really all she could ever ask.
"I wish this moment could last forever…"She thought.
Meanwhile Nix was watching the white dragon beside her. The colours of the pyrotechnics were dimly reflecting on his snow-white scales and on his golden chest. She couldn't do nothing but stare at him, almost losing focus on the surroundings. Auros suddenly noticed and turned to face her with a broad smile tinted on his face. Instantly she recoiled, glancing away in embarrassment.
She then felt something embracing her, as she noticed that the white dragon had extended his wing around her form. She left herself drag closer to him.
"Better like this?"He asked. The azure dragoness couldn't believe what was happening. She only nodded in response, laying her head on his chest.
The show went on for another half an hour before its ending was announced by three loud fire bombs exploding at mid air. The youngsters glided back towards the courtyard once it got emptied from the citizen leaving for their homes.
"Thank you guys for the amazing evening!"Said Gaia.
"You too. Have a goodnight and see you tomorrow."Replied Spyro.
The two young heroes and Auros directed into the Temple, while the two dragonesses took flight northward.
The morning after, the two heroes woke up together in Cynder's bed. The sun was veiled by the clouds, which casted a soft brightness all over the city. A gentle yet cold breeze coursed trough the air, making the purple and golden banners that still adorned the streets, wave silently at its flow.
The youngsters passed the second day of the great festivity resting, as it was meant to serve as a memorial to the victims of the war. Spyro and Cynder spent all the morning together, thinking about who they lost in that insane conflict that fell upon their shoulders.
Of course Spyro's thoughts flew once again to Ignitus and, with it, also the memory of that vision or dream he had few weeks before. He was still unsure about what he experienced as it seemed just too good to be true. That's why he also didn't say nothing about it. He didn't want to give to himself and to the others false hopes.
He also stood all day long comforting Cynder, who was having a more difficult time than him. The memories of all her victims were coming back afloat in her mind.
All the soldiers that lost their life under her claws, all the poor families slaughtered by her forces and her talons. All those innocent lives simply crushed by the blood thirst of a devious monster.
"Spyro, why it is so hard?"She questioned sadly.
"What's so hard?"He replied, caressing her neck.
"Remembering, it's... painful. I thought I was ready to face them in my mind. To see their faces, to hear their screams, but it's just... Terrible."She said, posing her head on his chest.
"I think that remembering pain, causes pain. Yet we need it grow stronger."He said gazing out of the window.
"And, you are the strongest dragoness I know. Nobody would stand what are you dealing with right now."He said comfortingly, draping his wing over her body in warm embrace. She snuggled closer to her purple hero, trying to grasp all of his warmth.
"Thank you, Spyro. For being here for me."She said.
"I will always be here for you. "He replied nuzzling her forehead.
The morning gradually shifted into afternoon and finally into evening, as the sun was now beginning his descent behind the western mountains. Spyro and Cynder were starting to get ready for their participation to Ignitus's memorial, when a knock came from the door.
Cynder moved towards the entrance and opened it, finding two moles with a box for each in their hands.
"Hello Miss Cynder."Started the first mole. Upon noticing that also Spyro was in the room, both the small mammals bowed their heads.
"Ah, there's Master Spyro too. Perfect."Continued the mole. They handled down their boxes onto the entrance.
"The Guardians would like you to wear these for the ceremony."Spoke the second mole.
Then the two bowed their heads and left in hurry.
Cynder watched quizzically the caskets before dragging them in and closing the door.
"What are those?"Asked Spyro curiously.
"I don't know, but the moles said that we have to wear them."She replied.
The two young dragons finally removed the lid of the boxes, revealing the content.
Inside the caskets there were two astonishing suits of armour, similar to the ones that were wearing the two Captains few weeks before. They posed the suits on the floor admiring them.
Spyro's one was of a lustrous gold with an amethyst violet streak running all across the various pieces. The chest plate was also adorned with a fiery purple drape.
Cynder's one instead was completely silver in colour, with a single golden line running in the middle of the chest plate, which was also decorated with a black cloth.
The two youngsters began to dress up, helping each other in securing the straps of the various pieces of the armours.
Cynder could only stare in wonder her purple companion while he fixed his last piece. The suit of armour fitted perfectly to him, enhancing his muscular shape and the colour of his scales.
"He's so handsome"She thought.
Once he finished, he helped the black dragoness to set in the back plate and in tightening the various laces and straps. He then admired her, losing himself into those emerald eyes that he loved so much.
"The neckband!"He suddenly realised.
"Cynder, would you like to come in my room for a second? I've got something to show you…"He then said, moving to the door. The black dragoness replied with a curios stare, before following him suit. As soon as they entered the room, Spyro placed himself in front of his companion.
"Now, you wait here, with your eyes closed."He said grinning.
"Ok, purple boy. Just because it's you."She replied. Few seconds later Spyro returned with the wooden casket that contained the neckband. He gently posed it in front of the black dragoness and lifted the lid, revealing the jewel.
"Now you can open them."He finally said. Cynder obeyed and immediately opened her eyelids in excitement. When she eventually posed her gaze on the neckband, her jaw dropped in awe.
"Would you like to try it?"Asked gently the purple just nodded in response. Spyro got closer to her, unlacing the old and battered silver bracer and replacing it with his gift. The fit was just perfect and the colour of the neckband combined seamlessly with her new armour. He moved a bit away to admire her once again.
The light of the sundown was spreading all over his room, illuminating his black dragoness of an orange-golden tint. Still the emerald of the jewel and her eyes stood out in that light. Spyro couldn't be more in awe.
"Ancestors! She's so beautiful!"He said in his mind. Spyro's trance was interrupted by Cynder getting suddenly closer to him. She liked his muzzle few times before posing her forehead on his, hugging him strongly with her wings.
"Thanks Spyro…For making me the happiest dragoness in the world."She said with a single tear running down from her cheek. His answer was just a tighter hug, that enveloped Cynder with his warmth.
They stood like that for quite sometime before finally leaving the room and descending towards the main hall of the Temple. There were already the three Guardians waiting for them, all suited up with their own celebratory armours, which were pretty similar to the one worn by Spyro. Each one had a different colour of the drape, recalling their element. Terrador had a lustrous moss green, Cyril's one was of a royal blue and finally Volteer's had an intense, almost golden yellow cloth. On the right shoulder plate, they had enchased the glyph of their element, which symbolised their status of Guardians.
The Earth elder faced the two youngsters with pride in his eyes.
"Ah, Spyro, Cynder. Perfect timing!"He said."I see you are wearing your new armours. Do you like them?"He then asked, getting closer to the two heroes.
"I must say they really fit you well young ones. Those mole artisans really know how to do their work."Stated Cyril.
"Of course they know how to their work, Cyril. Our dear not-scaled friends are well regarded in all the realms for their exquisite craftsmanship and fine artistry."Began Volteer, but Cyril shot him a deadly glare, that made him falter for a second.
"Am I over talking again?"Asked the electricity elder.
"Yes you are!"Answered the ice one. The young heroes giggled at the scene and finally Spyro addressed Terrador.
"They're really beautiful. Thank you."Answered the purple dragon, smiling
"I'm glad you like them. Now follow us, let's begin this ceremony."He concluded moving towards the corridor. The other two Guardians and the youngsters followed him suit.
The small convoy arrived at the wooden door, which was promptly opened by the two guards in front of it. They exited on the large open space that preceded the entrance of the Temple. At their arrival a loud roar of appreciation came from the great crowd gathered in the courtyard. Spyro noticed that the purple banners had been replaced with fiery red ones, clearly recalling the former Fire Guardian.
"We're all here for you, Ignitus…"He thought.
The Guardians and the two heroes descended the stairs toward the first arch. Only there he noticed that the crowd had left free a slender passage that arrived in the centre of the courtyard.
There, in the middle, it was erected the monument to the memory of the fire guardian.
Terrador watched the crowd solemnly before commencing the eulogy.
"Dear fellow citizens. Dear brothers and sisters of Warfang. Today we are reunited to celebrate the memory of the former Fire Guardian, Ignitus."He began, his voice resonating clearly around him.
"He was known for his great kindness and wisdom. He was one of the strongest lights that guided us through the darkest times of the war. He ultimately gave his life in order to permit to our two young heroes, Spyro and Cynder, to defeat the greatest evil that our world has ever faced."He paused.
Beside him the two Guardians where staring proudly at the crowd, even if Cyril had a silent tear that marked his cheek.
Terrador watched Spyro, who nodded promptly. Without hesitation, he began his descent towards the monument. He walked slowly and solemnly, as all the audience watched him. He recognised many familiar faces between the crowd: his new friends, which smiled fondly at him, Hunter and Prowlus, all the dragons and soldiers that he met during his permanence in the city.
They were all there for Ignitus. To remember him. To honour him.
A cold breeze was coursing through the courtyard, only mitigated by the last warm sun rays that filtered through the clouds.
Spyro arrived at the feet of the monument. A small altar had been erected over a raised platform of stone. On it, there was placed a golden torch, contained in an also golden bowl. Behind the altar, a column had been placed, with a ceremonial plaque fixed on it. Spyro read in his mind the words carved on it.
-In memory of Ignitus, the Fire Guardian. May his fire burn forever, enlightening our path trough the darkest of the nights-
A single tear slid trough Spyro's cheek as he bowed his head in front of the monument. Then with his fire breath he lighten up the torch. Its brightness spread out across the courtyard, illuminating the soft shadows of the evening.
"May his fire burn forever, enlightening our path trough the darkest of the nights."Announced Terrador, with his booming voice.
The crowd repeated his words, almost like a prayer. Soon after the courtyard began to empty, with several dragons taking flight, directing to their homes.
Spyro joined back the Guardians and Cynder in front of the entrance. The earth elder watched him with a proud gaze, while Cynder got closer to him, nuzzling his cheek.
"Thank you for joining us today, young ones. I'm sure Ignitus would be proud of you."Said the earth guardian.
"Thank you Terrador. It has been an honour."Replied Spyro.
Beside the earth guardian, Volteer was intent on comforting Cyril who was silently weeping on his shoulder.
"C'mon, old pal. Don't be sad, you know he would be mad at you if he saw you in tears."Said the electricity guardian, trying to cheer him up.
"I know, I know. It's just-"
"Difficult…"Said Spyro, now closer to him. The purple dragon hugged Cyril's right foreleg, trying to comfort him as well. The ice one draped his wing over the youngster, embracing him completely. Cynder could only smile at that scene. She knew that, dragonflies apart, the Guardians had been the only family Spyro had ever had.
Finally they parted, both the guardian and the youngster smiling at each other.
"Thank you Spyro."Said Cyril, regaining his composure. The purple dragon smiled fondly at him, before directing with Cynder to his rooms.
The young dragons arrived in their dwellings, stored away their new armours and met soon after in Spyro's room. They sat on his balcony once again, gazing at the stars. Spyro admired his black dragoness losing herself in the sky above them. The moonlight reflecting in her deep emerald eyes, and on her obsidian scales. Her gaze eventually verged over him.
"Spyro?"
"Yea?"
"You're staring…"
"Sorry. It's just… You're so beautiful. I realise only now that I never told you that."
"You're forgiven."She said with a wide grin on her face, before jumping over him. The purple dragon yelped, while Cynder giggled.
"I think you are beautiful too and very handsome I should say."She said.
"Well, thank you."He answered. The black dragoness finally posed her head on his chest, while Spyro caressed her neck gently.
"Everything is just so perfect."He thought, turning once again his gaze towards the starry sky.
Thank you for coming this far in the reading. As you may have noticed, I tend not to narrate what exactly it's happening outside the protagonists' life. That's why I want the reader to be participants with them in discovering about the various events that occurs during the story.
The following lines are a small epilogue for this chapter, which introduce the action sequence of the next one. If you want you can read it, but I consider it as a minor spoiler.
— Epilogue of Festival of Memory - SPOILER —
Two scouts, a fire dragon and an earth one, were making their return back to Warfang during that same night. Their patrol went smooth as usual, as no signs of threats or important enemy activities were found since the arrival of the white youngster almost one month before. They were silently flying over the once called Burned Lands, which now remained only a desert of ash and solidified lava. In far distance the fire dragon could see the huge mountain that shielded the great city from the sea winds.
He already felt at home, when a noise came from his right, he turned around alarmed, only to find that his companion was not there anymore. He halted at midair, scanning his surroundings, but he found no signs of his comrade. He called his name multiple times, but no answers were received.
Suddenly a jolt of pain came form his underbelly, he clutched his abdomen with his paw, only to find an arrow firmly planted in his flesh. He didn't have time to react that another series of arrows reached him, tearing his wing membranes and his muscles. He emitted a low growl before plummeting into the darkness below.
A contorted figure emerged from the shadows. In its eyes, the reflection of the moons and the great wall of the dragon city.