A Faun's Place in Nature
A/N: Mature themes strongly implied in this chapter
"Cynder didn't get me. In fact, she didn't pay much attention to me. I hardly did anything in there…"
"Well, at least you're okay, darling. And don't worry about what you could or couldn't do. You helped Spyro and Sparx more than enough throughout their journey."
"And you took on one of the Dark Generals. That's quite cool."
"Yeah, except I had help from other Dragons that time, Sparx…" Elora mumbled.
"What was that, sweetie?"
"Oh, um, sorry, Mum, just talking to myself."
Elora was sitting on her bed in the new room she and her family had been given by the Guardians in the Dragon Temple. Specially designed by Artisans to their specific needs, it was a bit more spacious compared to the bedroom Spyro, Elora and Sparx had slept in back at the Hideout. Elora, her parents, her foster brothers and their parents, could all sleep comfortably in the same room. They'd even cast a little spell to give the room a scent reminiscent of the Swamps the children had grown up in.
Elora's mother, Shabae, was straightening the sheets on her bed, but now, she looked round at her daughter's words.
"Is something wrong, Lora? You can tell me."
Elora sighed. "I guess I'm still bothered by how little I got to do against Cynder, to help my brother."
Shabae smiled. "You're too hard on yourself, Elora. Frankly - no offence - there wasn't much you could've done there. I'm actually wondering why you went with Spyro at all."
Elora stared at her mother in disbelief. Yeah, that was a super helpful comment! "We're siblings! We stick together! Where Spyro goes, I go!"
Shabae was taken aback by Elora's sudden anger. She wasn't used to this kind of attitude from her daughter.
"Th-there's no need to take that tone with me, Lora," she tried to soothe.
"Well, just mind what advice you give me, then!" Elora snapped, and she swung her hooves off her bed and stalked out of the room before her mother could call her back.
As she clopped down the corridors of the Temple, hardly noticing where her hooves were taking her, Elora could hardly believe her mother's words. As if she'd felt insignificant already! Okay, maybe 'insignificant' was an exaggeration: she had been pretty good with a bow and arrow, and she was a capable swordfighter as well. Still, surely she could do more! Surely, if Apes could learn to wield the Elements, why not a Faun? Elora knew Fauns had Magic of their own that allowed them to connect with nature, but it was more utilitarian than anything that could be used in battle. Was it possible to learn more?
Elora stopped, sighed and slumped against the wall. There had to be something. But where could she learn that something? Could she ask Volteer and Cyril about it? They were Magic Crafters, after all.
"Excuse me, I beg your pardon, sorry to interrupt, young Faun, but your slackened physical posture and downcast visage would indicate a diminished amount of serotonin in the cerebrum."
Elora looked up. Volteer was standing over her, looking concerned.
"Hi, Volteer," she greeted.
"Can I be of assistance, any help, a step in the right direction, Miss Elora?" the Electricity Guardian rambled.
"Well, actually," Elora replied slowly, "I was just thinking about asking either you or Cyril a favour."
"Well, since Cyril is so condescending and patronising towards any organism that doesn't have an Icy complexion and exhalation capacity, I therefore offer my considerable service, assistance, help."
Elora's eyebrows knitted. She was still having trouble understanding what Volteer was saying half the time, especially since he spoke so quickly. She finally realised that Volteer was offering her his help.
"Okay," she accepted. "I was wondering if it would be possible for me to learn Magic casting."
"Ah, so you desire to compliment your hand-eye coordination and proprioception…"
"Talk in plain!" Elora almost shrieked in exasperation. Volteer flinched. Elora's anger abated quickly. "Forgive me, Guardian Volteer; I meant to say, could you please not use such big words? I'm still learning."
"I see," Volteer replied. "Well, why do you wish to compliment, I mean, add to, your archery and sword skills with Magic?"
"I want to be of better help to Spyro in the future," Elora explained. "Everyone says I did my best, but I just wonder; what if next time, Spyro's power isn't enough? I want to be able to protect him, should that ever occur. He's my little brother, after all. Is it possible for Fauns to learn Magic?"
"Possible? My dear, Fauns and Satyrs were once talented Druids."
"They were?" Elora exclaimed in surprise. "How come they don't do it anymore?"
"Well…" Volteer seemed hesitant to reply. "Elora, have your parents told you… that Satyrs and Fauns… Satyrs, especially, have been… quite promiscuous in the past?"
Now that word, Elora definitely understood. As her parents had indeed told her, shortly after her thirteenth birthday, Satyrs had once demonstrated a lack of respect for boundaries. Though Fauns were generally more peaceful, they too had been stricken with this wild and unchaste behaviour.
"We've moved past that, though, haven't we?" she pointed out. "Mom and Dad told Satyrs and Fauns learned to tame their desires."
"Yes, but there's still a possibility of relapse, I mean, going back," Volteer informed. "And it's why they abandoned Magic. They don't wish to disgrace its usage again, should that happen."
"Right…" Elora said slowly. There was a moment's pause. "Is there a book on Faun Magic I can read?"
The Dragon Temple had its own library, with books and tomes divided into sections for a specific Dragon role, plus books on the vast history of Avalar, and the various species that populated it.
Volteer, looking somewhat hesitant, had chosen for Elora a book specifically about the history of Fauns and Satyrs. It was called Green Beauties: An Encyclopaedia of Satyrs and Fauns.
It was certainly an interesting read for Elora, although most of it, she already knew from her parents; their biology, physiology, behavioural traits, etc. As such, she simply skimmed the first lot of chapters.
At last, she found something that looked like what she was looking for: Faun magic. Elora settled herself more comfortably, and began to read.
'Through their connection with nature, Fauns discovered the ability to channel the power of the natural world into spells. Eventually, they learned to master this power, and became skilled Druids. They became one with nature itself; extensions of its will and its sheer unpredictability. They could affect the environment around them, making plants and trees act against enemies; communicate with various animals via telepathy; and even develop a basic manipulation of the natural elements, similar to what Dragons can do.
Druids sought to maintain the balance of nature, accepting all that was good and bad in the natural world. However, this acceptance and inherently neutral philosophy ultimately proved something of a vice. Satyrs and Fauns were often known for their strong sexual desires, and they accepted this as part of their nature. Alas, some Fauns began using their magic to satisfy their desires, whether seducing other beings or mating with various creatures, sentient and non-sentient alike, through transformation spells. Often, this would get very promiscuous.
This eventually got so bad, that Fauns felt they had dishonoured their gifts by using them for such unchaste means. As penitence, it was decided that Fauns would swear off magic altogether, and all practices of Druidry be discouraged. Those who refused instead decided to leave the Dragon Realms and live out their remaining years as anchorites. It's possible some Druids still live beyond the Realms, honing their skills and remaining hidden, to prevent any more unpleasant encounters.
Today, Fauns and Satyrs use only simple chants to summon animals or weave their clothing from surrounding foliage.'
This had been more or less what Volteer had told Elora earlier.
Elora lowered the book, thinking. So, some Satyrs and Fauns may still practice Druid magic. The ability to draw on the power of nature itself sounded amazing. And turning into other animals… Elora imagined for a moment how she'd looked as a Dragoness herself.
But her intrigue was short-lived, as she suddenly remembered why Druidry had been sworn off. Elora shuddered. She knew her people had struggled with their desires in the past, but she'd never suspected it had once been that bad.
Did this mean that if she wanted to practice Druidry, she'd have to leave the Realms forever? Cut herself off from her family? Her brothers?!
Elora started when she heard the library door open. She looked up. Cynder came in, shrouded as ever in her dark blue cloak and hood. Her head was bowed, so she didn't notice Elora sitting in the corner. She withdrew a book from the Magic section, took it over to the nearest table and settled down to read.
Elora considered Cynder. Ever since the Black Dragoness had been freed from Malefor's control, the Faun had been unsure of what to think of her. Her brothers had taken opposite views on Cynder: Spyro trusted Cynder completely, but Sparx seemed afraid she might attack them at any second. Elora, meanwhile, accepted that Cynder hadn't been herself when she'd chased them across the skies and fought them in Convexity. But those encounters had been so terrifying that seeing Cynder now made Elora remember them vividly. Plus, what if Cynder was just acting, as Cyril suggested?
Elora shook her head. 'Don't think that,' she scolded herself inwardly. 'Cynder's innocent in all this! You know that! Besides, how can anyone as beautiful as Cynder be so deadly? With those shiny, black scales, those beautiful green eyes, and that sleek figure and…'
Elora shook her head again, more vigorously. Had she been ogling Cynder for a moment? That was just wrong!
Elora decided to speak with Cynder. It was better than sitting around and letting her thoughts run away with her. That and it was a distraction from her conflicted thoughts over whether she wanted to pursue Druidry or not.
Closing her book quietly, Elora got up and carefully made her way over to Cynder. She took slow, careful steps to reduce the chance of her hooves clopping on the floor and startling Cynder. She hadn't forgotten how Cynder had attacked a Dragon cameraman when he pestered her with questions.
"Hello, Elora," Cynder greeted quietly, without looking up.
Elora stopped, surprised. "S-sorry if I surprised you, Cynder."
"It takes a lot to surprise me," Cynder noted.
"Right." Elora paused. Come on; think of something nice to say!
"So… you're looking nice today," she complimented.
"Thanks," Cynder accepted nonchalantly. "You don't have to be nice to me. I know you're really afraid of me. I don't blame you."
Elora's heart plummeted. She cast around wildly for a change of subject. Her leaf-green eyes fell on the book Cynder had been reading.
"What book have you got there?"
"It's about the practice of dark magic."
Elora took an involuntary step backwards, and then cursed herself for doing so.
"No spells, or instructions on how to use dark magic, mind you," Cynder continued, apparently choosing to ignore Elora's reaction. "Just what dark magic involves, and means of countering it. I'll need this!" Cynder's voice became icy. "I'm going to find Gaul, and Sirorrialth, and Ripto, and all the rest of them, and make them pay for what they put me through!" She slammed a closed paw on the table. "Even if I have to use their own tricks against them!"
Elora had to exercise great control over herself not to take another step backwards. Part of her was yelling to take to her hooves, but again, she chided herself for having such thoughts. Cynder was still drawn to dark magic, albeit out of a desire to get revenge. This was admittedly understandable; I mean, who wouldn't want revenge after all that? But surely, dark magic was forbidden for a reason, even if potential users had noble intentions!
"Umm, Cynder, you sure… that's advisable?" Elora asked slowly.
Cynder looked round so suddenly that Elora actually fell over.
"Are you saying I should let those monsters off for what they did to me?!" Cynder demanded.
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" Elora cried quickly. "That's not what I meant, I swear! I just meant… is dark magic the answer?"
Cynder's gaze fell. "Honestly… I don't know," she admitted. "I know it's forbidden… but it's all I really know. I'm afraid… I don't want to go back, and yet… I feel a pull towards the shadows." She dropped her muzzle into her paws.
Elora wasn't sure what to say. She was apprehensive that she might say something else that might inadvertently aggravate Cynder. The Dragoness was clearly in a state of turmoil over whether to follow a potentially immoral path…
Immoral…
"Cynder…" Elora spoke up slowly, "I think I know what you're going through right now."
Cynder looked round. "You do?"
"Yeah. I'm thinking of becoming a Druid, like my people did long ago. But doing so could put me at risk of becoming, well… more indecent to other people. You know, more likely to have my way with them; force them to…"
I get your point!" Cynder almost shrieked, her paws clenching so tightly, it seemed a miracle the claws didn't draw blood. Elora scampered backwards in fright, inwardly cursing herself for doing so, and also for angering Cynder again.
Cynder's face fell again. "I-I'm sorry, Elora… I realise you're trying to help me… I'm just sabotaging it. Still… that's honestly more than most have ever done for me so far. I… appreciate it."
Elora got to her hooves again. "Cynder, I'm sorry if I said anything that upset you."
"It's all me," Cynder asserted. "Not you. You need to leave, before I cause you any more harm. Thanks for trying to help, though."
"Cynder, I…"
"Please, just go…"
Recognising defeat, Elora gave Cynder one last consoling look, and headed for the door, the Faun Encyclopaedia under her arm.
"I'm sure you'll make the right choice, Cynder," she offered as a final encouragement to her former enemy, before the Faun left the Library.
"I just hope I make the right choice too," Elora added to herself.