Chapter 25: Heroes of Legend
The next morning arrived, bringing a bundle of nerves with it. Knowing what lay ahead, I was up earlier than usual to give myself time to prepare. I made sure to wash myself thoroughly and clean off any remaining blood from the day before. I almost broke when I scrubbed the blood off of my hands, as that same wave of emotion surged. Once I was clean, I found the nicest set of clothes I had. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I wanted to make a good first impression, and to do that I would need to present myself well.
Once I was dressed and clean, I had a quick breakfast. While eating, I reflected over the previous day. Something odd had happened to me, but Nova had been there for me and I couldn't have been more thankful. Talking with her had been difficult, but I felt the end result was good and there was a part of me that was eager to see her again.
I wonder if her parents are similar to her. If they are… maybe I should talk with her mom. If anything, she might be able to help me understand what is going on with my head.
Uncertain if I would bring it up, I made short work of a few eggs and a muffin while walking to the front gate to wait for Shimmer, Phyl, and Jolt to arrive. Ten minutes later, as the sun crested the eastern wall and lit up the city, I spotted Phyl. He was dragging along a bedraggled Shimmer who was struggling to keep up. Phyl strolled up to me with a wave, and came to a stop a few feet away.
"Morning! We're not late, are we?"
Shimmer plodded up behind him and fell onto her flanks. She yawned heavily and then rubbed an eye with her paw.
"Phyl, if we were up any earlier, not even the ancestors would be there to witness it. I wouldn't be surprised if Nova's family is still asleep."
Phyl grinned and patted her head.
"I'm not so sure. I would like to think that dragons like Spyro and Cynder are awake and active from morning until evening. You have to be on top of your schedule if you've saved the world before, right?"
Shimmer mumbled to herself.
"You can't do anything if you don't get enough sleep…"
A soft smile crossed my lips.
"Sleep is for the dead. Those of us that are still alive have things to do."
A glare was directed toward me, but it only made my smile grow. Phyl sighed with mirth and gestured a paw toward Shimmer.
"Sorry about her. She can be grumpy when she doesn't get any sleep, and when you're as excited as she is about meeting Nova's parents…"
I grinned.
"I know. I remember how she was when we left Farleigh."
Shimmer groaned and moved to bury herself under Phyl's wing.
"Stop picking on me! I'm too tired to defend myself right now!"
Phyl and I shared a look and silently laughed. He then enveloped Shimmer with his wing and we waited a few more minutes for a certain yellow dragon to arrive. When I saw him in the distance, I could see how fast he was flying and took a step away from everyone else. Phyl raised a brow, but before he could ask anything, Jolt shot down like an arrow, tripped on his landing and tumbled straight into Phyl and Shimmer, knocking them all over. Once they were all separated and on their paws, Jolt apologized profusely.
"Sorry! I'm so sorry! I overslept and-"
Shimmer sighed and stuck a paw over his mouth.
"It's fine. Now that you're here, we can go."
I took the first step forward.
"So we're all ready?"
"Yep!"
"Mhm."
There was a muffled yes from Jolt. I wanted to grin, but held it back for his sake.
"That sounds like a resounding yes to me. Let's go."
The four of us left the hall and walked to a section of the city I hadn't been in before. It was closer to the docks and the hearty smell of salt water filled the air. The buildings in this area were different: Instead of luxurious mansions or neglected neighborhoods, there were humble homes that held an aura of coziness. Outside, a mixture of the races mingled in the streets, and the looks that I had grown accustomed to were not nearly as common. Even more disconcerting was the fact that every so often a stranger would wave or say good morning as we passed by.
…Are we still in Warfang or did I suddenly grow scales and wings? And why haven't I been over this way before?
I was going to ask Phyl about it, but something else grabbed my attention. It was subtle, but I could feel the presence of… chakra. It wasn't a bad feeling, but the further along we walked, the stronger the sensation became. When we finally arrived at our destination, I realized that it wasn't one, but rather two strong chakra signatures that were placing me on edge.
…there's no way. It can't be them.
Pushing aside the unsettling sensation, I looked at Nova's home. A large but rather plain building made of brick and stone stood in front of us, without any discernible feature that would signify that anyone of importance lived here. It was well crafted, but it blended in with the other homes in the area. There was a short gate that wrapped around the house, but it was unlocked so Shimmer went to open it. This alarmed me, because I wasn't so sure that I wanted to go forward.
Okay, barring the fact that I'm bothered by whatever the hell is giving off that chakra, this can't be right. Wouldn't heroes live in a fancy estate like Phyl's parents do?
"Hey Phyl, are we… at the right house?"
"Uhm… I think so. The address is correct. Why do you ask?"
"…No reason."
Phyl gave me a curious look but said nothing. He turned and hurried after Shimmer who was already at the front door and I joined them after a considerate pause. Jolt was hot on my heels, but must not have been paying attention because when I stopped, he bumped into me. I almost jumped out of my shoes and shot an annoyed glare back at him, making him flinch. I sighed and waved a hand while Shimmer knocked on the door. We waited for a few seconds before the sound of claws scrambling on the floor echoed from inside. A small red dragon, barely waist height, opened the door and stared at us with a blank expression until realization seeped in.
"Oh, you're…"
He turned and yelled back into the house.
"Nova! I think your friends are here!"
After that declaration he left, leaving us standing alone with the door open. Shimmer didn't wait and invited herself in, shortly followed by Phyl. Jolt and I hesitated, but tailed behind them. Once I was inside, I couldn't believe what I saw.
There were dragons of all ages and colors scattered around the rooms I could see from the foyer. Some of them noticed us, others didn't, and some didn't bother because they were too engrossed in their own business. Two identical ice dragons stared at us from the second floor and proceeded to whisper between themselves without breaking eye contact. A pair of hatchlings, barely taller than my knees, barreled through the foyer gleefully. I had to step out of the way to avoid being run over and before they could move on, Nova barked at them from another room.
"Gale! Shear! No running in the house!"
The hatchlings froze, but one of them slipped and ran into the other. The two fell in a heap of claws and wings, and as Nova entered the room their flailing abruptly stopped. She looked at them, sighed, and shook her head.
"C'mon guys, you know the rules. If you want to run, go outside."
They both apologized as Shimmer stepped up and helped them untangle from each other. Once they were free, they sheepishly hurried away and disappeared around a corner. Nova watched them like a hawk, then turned to us.
"Hey! Sorry about that."
Shimmer slid up to Nova and threw a foreleg around her.
"Nova, don't you dare apologize. Did you see how cute they were?! Agh! I can barely take it!"
"Oh, uhm… ok?"
Phyl placed a paw on Shimmer's back as she vibrated with excitement and peeled her away from Nova. Jolt, meanwhile, tapped his claws together and did his best to hide behind me and stay out of sight as the twins stared him down. I glanced back at him and attempted an encouraging smile to hide my own unease.
Just keep calm and act cool. First impressions, remember?
"Nova, I didn't know you had a family this big. Are all of these dragons your siblings?"
Nova smiled and tilted her head back and forth.
"No, but that doesn't mean they're unwelcome. Almost all of the dragons here are family in everything but blood. To explain it briefly, Mom and dad have an open house policy for any young dragon that finds themselves with nowhere else to go."
I barely managed to catch Jolt's eyes going wide. Phyl whistled and Shimmer started to edge out of his grasp. He pulled her back just before she could escape, and I smiled at their antics.
"That's very kind of them. I imagine that they don't handle it all alone though."
"You're right. They have a few hired paws that help around the house and keep things in order."
Something made a loud thud in another room. There was a long moment of silence before arguing ensued. I heard a smack, a cry, then the same hatchlings from earlier darted into the foyer. They slid to a stop when they spotted Nova, eyes going wide. Nova winced and threw a paw over her face.
"…at least, that's the goal."
She sent a withering glare at them, and they both carefully backed away until they felt they were safe. Then they scurried away. I watched them leave, then glanced up at the twins that were still eyeing us from above.
That's not disconcerting. I wonder what their deal is?
I decided to ignore them. I cleared my throat and stuffed my hands into my pockets.
"So… are your parents home?"
Nova smiled brightly, settling my nerves, and motioned for us to follow.
"Yep! Mom is in the study, and dad is out in the backyard. I can introduce you to them, if you'd like."
Shimmer bounded forward with glee.
"Uh, yes! There isn't a dragon alive that wouldn't love to meet them!"
Nova's smile softened.
I wouldn't be so sure about that, Shimmer.
Without skipping a beat, Nova began leading us through the house. It wasn't lavishly decorated, but everything had a fine quality to it.
We walked down a brightly lit hall and into a massive room with a long, wooden table. The table was messy, and several dragons of various ages were chowing down on breakfast. Others were helping to clean, and we had to step carefully to avoid getting in the way as they scurried about. We walked hastily through the room, earning a few curious stares, and walked through another hall until we made it to a large study.
As soon as we stepped through the doorway, I was immersed in an incredibly strong presence of chakra. It lay thick in the room and covered me like a heavy blanket. I sucked in a sharp breath as genuine fear struck me like a punch to the gut. My body told me to run, but I planted my feet firmly and stood my ground.
I've never felt anything this monstrous before… Not even the hokage has this much chakra.
When I braved a look at Cynder, I finally understood why it was difficult for others to trust her. She was tall and slender, with dark scales and a magenta underbelly. She had ivory horns and claws, along with a tail that ended in a sharp blade. There were also several long horns that ran along the side of her head and as I took in her appearance, one word that came to mind that described it all.
How can a hero appear so sinister…?
"Mom! My friends are here!"
Cynder, who had been engaged in a conversation with another dragon, turned her head and I felt her sharp, teal eyes pierce my very being. She glanced at all of us in turn and then apologized to the other dragon.
"Excuse me for a moment."
"Of course."
Cynder nodded, hurried over to us and gave a smile.
"Well, if it isn't the friends I've heard so much about. Welcome."
Her voice in no way matched her appearance. It was cool and calm, and as soon as she spoke, some of the tension I felt faded away. I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding and tried to ignore the pointed stare the mystery dragon was giving me. I kept my head low while my friends introduced themselves. When it was my turn, I bowed curtly.
"Thank you for having us. My name is Kiran."
Cynder flushed with embarrassment and waved a paw.
"Oh, there's no need to be formal. Consider myself no different than any other dragon you've met."
Shimmer lit up and stepped forward with glee.
"Really? That's perfect because I have a thousand questions to ask! First, can you tell me your entire life story? Second, what was it like helping Spyro save the world? Third-"
Shimmer's next words were unintelligible because Phyl put a paw over her mouth and pulled her back.
"Shimmer, why don't we save questions for later? I don't think we want to bombard Miss Cynder right now, do we?"
Cynder smiled gratefully.
"I appreciate the concern, Phyl. I wouldn't mind answering a few questions, but I must finish my discussion with Aerus first."
The dragon behind Cynder was still eyeing me warily. Nova's smile faded and she stepped forward.
"Mom, you promised you'd have time for this today."
Cynder sighed.
"I know, Nova, and I will. Let me finish this and then you'll have my full attention."
Nova didn't argue, but was clearly disappointed. It was quiet until a new voice emanated from Cynder's head.
"Nova's… friends?"
Cynder saw my eyes shift and adopted an amused smile when I spotted a hatchling laying snugly between her horns. He had small golden stubs for horns and purple eyes that were staring intently at all of us.
"I see you've noticed my passenger. He seems quite interested in all of you."
Shimmer followed my gaze and her eyes grew to a size I had never seen before. Her maw dropped open and I thought I heard her squeal ever so lightly under her breath.
"I don't mind waiting! I've got to know though; Who's the little guy on your head? He's so cute!"
Nova piped up, albeit begrudgingly.
"That's my baby brother, Ignitus."
Jolt gasped and squinted to get a better look.
"Ignitus? Like, the Guardian of Fire, Ignitus?"
Cynder lowered her head down and Nova picked Ignitus off of her head.
"No! Leggo!"
He began to squirm, worked his way out of her grasp, then scurried behind Cynder's foreleg.
"Yes, just like the former guardian. It's a name that carries a legacy with it, and Ignitus was a dragon that Spyro and I owe much to."
Cynder prodded Ignitus with her snout, moving him out into the open.
"Ignitus, why don't you say hello?"
Ignitus hesitated, but then warily bumbled forward until he was right in front of Jolt. Jolt gave an awkward wave that Ignitus wasn't interested in, so he moved on to Shimmer. She lowered her head, and the two entered into a staring contest until Ignitus sneezed. Shimmer giggled and shortly after began tickling and playing with him. I wasn't sure what to do and slid over a few feet to stand next to Nova and Jolt shifted his attention to the shelves of books adorning the walls. While the rest of the group was distracted, I whispered to her.
"Your mom seems nice."
"Mhm. That's her."
Cynder kept an eye on Ignitus for a few moments, then glanced back at her guest. Meanwhile, Shimmer had moved on to something new, and now had Ignitus firmly placed on her head. With a grin, she looked at Cynder with beaming eyes.
"I think I just made a new friend."
"Yes, it would seem so."
"Friend!"
Cynder paused, then with a hopeful smile turned to Nova.
"Would you mind watching your brother while I finish up? It would help me immensely."
There was a brief pause as Nova hesitated.
"I… can, though today was supposed to be-"
Shimmer bounded forward with a smile, interrupting her."
"Wait, wait! I'll watch him! Ignitus and I can go explore the house! I'll be super careful with him, I promise!"
Cynder was startled by the outburst but thought it over for a few seconds.
"…Alright, but don't be running off or flying with him, and stay on the main floor. There's not much to see upstairs and I don't want anyone to slip and get hurt."
Shimmer made a quick salute, then grabbed Phyl with her tail.
"C'mon! Let's go learn all the names of everybody!"
Phyl paled a bit and gave me a desperate look as he was dragged away. Nova and I glanced at each other and broke into smiles before she shook her head.
"Welp, I guess Shimmer and Phyl are gone for a bit, so that leaves us three."
Jolt started to tap his claws together again. He swallowed hard and then closed his eyes.
"Miss Cynder, would it be alright if I… looked at some of your books? I don't think I've ever seen a complete collection of the Chronicles of Ashes before, a-and-"
Jolt was too nervous to finish. Cynder smiled warmly and waved a wing backwards.
"Feel free to look around, and if you'd like, you can borrow a book if it catches your eye."
Jolt glanced up at her.
"Really? Are you… sure?"
Cynder nodded and Jolt took one nervous step before he dove into the room. Cynder smiled, and before she turned back to us, Nova caught my attention. She jerked her head slightly toward her mom and held expectant eyes on me.
Wait, does she want me to talk to her mom now…?
I balked and shook my head. Nova frowned and motioned again but I mouthed no. Her tail flicked behind her, and with a frown she called over to her mom.
"Hey Mom, if you have a second, Kiran wanted to ask you something."
I shot Nova the most annoyed look I could and then covered it up as Cynder's curious eyes were now on me.
"What is it?"
I tensed up and scrambled to think of something to say.
"U-uhm… The thing is… I mean- Nova mentioned… You have…"
I clammed up under the pressure. Cynder waited patiently as my face heated up, but nothing came forth. Nova, seeing me flounder, wrapped her tail around my shoulders and dragged me out of the room.
"Hold that thought mom, we'll be back in a bit!"
I imagined that Cynder would have been confused, but her voice was exasperated.
"Nova, what are you up to?"
"Nothing! I promise!"
Cynder gave her a knowing look and sighed.
"…Right. Just make sure to come back before noon. Spyro and I are heading into town after that."
"We will!"
Nova dragged me through the hallway and house against my will, paying no mind to all the dragons that stared at us as we darted by. We didn't stop until we made it to another room and she pushed me inside, then shut the door behind her. I stumbled forward and felt entirely out of my element as I looked around and realized that we were in a bedroom. The room itself was small, but filled to the brim with personality. There was a shelf stuffed with trophies and awards, and a few more packed with small knick knacks and treasures. Pictures and drawings of all kinds sat on the walls, and a desk full of neatly stacked books occupied a corner of the room. A large, black cushion made up the bed, and there were small cabinets lined up on the far wall. Everything was in its place, and despite how full the room was, it was almost calming in comparison to the rest of the house. It took a moment, but I realized that this must have been Nova's room. Uneasiness swelled inside of me.
Okay, this is not a place I expected to visit today. What am I supposed to do? Ask about all of her stuff?
I spun around to leave, but Nova was standing between me and the door.
Oh great. Now I'm trapped.
"Hey, what's going on? You had the perfect opportunity to talk just now and you didn't."
I crossed my arms and held back a growl.
"You can't be serious. I can't open up and talk about something like that on a whim! I have to be prepared for it! Besides, your mom was clearly busy and I didn't want to interrupt."
Nova groaned and let her head sink down.
"Really? You had last night and this morning to mull over it. Wasn't that enough time?"
I grew flustered and shifted my gaze downwards.
"Well, I mean yes, but-"
I sighed.
"-I wasn't… You can't drop it on me so suddenly. I… If I'm going to ask your mom for advice, it can't be spontaneous. I… have to do it myself."
Nova seemed perplexed and stared at me for a solid ten seconds. Then, with a slight nod, she stepped away from the door.
"Ok. If that's what you need, then I won't push, but be aware that you're on a time limit."
"I know."
I swallowed hard.
"Could we… chill for a minute and then go meet your dad? I can talk with your mom after, I just need a few minutes to recover from that humiliating interaction I just had."
Nova shrugged and then sat down on her haunches.
"I suppose we could. We're not in that big of a rush."
I dipped my head thankfully and she smiled. I took a deep breath, then ran my hand through my hair nervously.
"So… this is your room, right?"
Nova suddenly became aware of where we were and jumped to her paws. She darted over to her bed, snatched up a worn plush dragon and shoved it under her pillows.
"Yes, it is. Sorry for the mess!"
Mess? The room is practically spotless…
"I'd hardly consider this a mess. It's actually very clean and organized, so try not to stress over a stuffed dragon."
Nova blushed and took her paw away from a pillow that she had been straightening.
"Right, right…"
I leaned against a clear spot on the wall.
"So… why did you bring me here?"
"Well… my room is quiet and calm, unlike the rest of the house. I figured you would talk to me here."
"Ah."
More at ease, I stepped over to her bed and picked up the stuffed dragon she had hidden. Her face went pale, but I smiled and set it back down.
"Don't be embarrassed. I think the little guy is cute."
"She is cute. And please be careful with Sofia. She's a gift I got from my dad when I was a hatchling."
I nodded and adjusted Sofia so she rested against a pillow. Nova relaxed, and my eyes drifted back to the features of the room. Nova noticed me looking at some of her awards and winced.
"I try not to be gaudy, I swear. I've just collected a lot of things from school and fighting, and I don't really know where else to put them…"
I smiled.
"You don't have to defend yourself. I know how awesome you are."
I ignored her annoyed groan and took a note from Shimmer's playbook by sticking my tongue out at her.
"Really? Since when are you this immature?"
"It's a recent development. I blame considerate and slightly overbearing friends."
Nova rolled her eyes, and I snickered.
"Sorry. On a serious note, all of this is impressive. You must have worked pretty hard to get all of these. "
Shimmer flushed red.
"I don't know whether to be embarrassed or flattered, but thanks."
I shrugged.
"Either is fine as long as you don't get a big head."
She smiled and I moved over to her desk. There were several pages stacked neatly in a pile, and many of them had passages that looked similar in form to a poetry or song.
"What are these?"
Nova gasped and shoved me out of the way. She scooped up the papers and shoved them in a drawer before turning to me with a horrified look.
"Nothing!"
"Yeah right. You wouldn't have reacted if it was nothing."
"..."
"Aren't we supposed to be honest with each other?"
"..."
"C'mon, please?"
"..."
"You're no fun."
I sighed and started to look for something else to ask about, but Nova cleared her throat.
"...It's poetry."
I held back a grin.
"Poetry?"
"Yes."
"Could you read me some of it?"
"Absolutely not."
"Why not?"
"I don't want you to make fun of me."
I scoffed.
"I wouldn't make fun of you."
Nova avoided looking at me.
"…I know, but I still worry about what you will think."
"Well, don't. We're friends, right? I might joke around or laugh, but you don't need to be afraid of what I think. Besides, if I step out of line you can kick my butt."
Nova half-smiled.
"Don't tempt me."
"I'll try not to."
Nova rolled her eyes, took out one of the papers and spent a few moments looking it over.
"If you laugh, expect that butt-kicking asap."
"Of course."
Nova eyed me warily and then cleared her throat.
"A shadow's reach is ever expansive.
Who can escape its depth?
Though toil and gain draw forth the edge,
Escape is but a breath."
"There. Happy?"
"After that? No, but I think it was well written."
"…really?"
"Yeah."
Nova seemed pleased to hear that, and set the paper back on her desk and a smile. Seeing her happy helped to put me at ease and I didn't want to stay in here longer than we needed to.
"So, can we go meet your dad now?"
Nova flicked her tail over to the door, opened it, and motioned for me to follow.
"Sure! He might be napping, but I"ll wake him up if he is."
I trailed after Nova as she led me once again. My nerves frayed as we neared the back of the house and another chakra overwhelmed me.
Be calm. There's no reason to be afraid.
Nova skipped out the back door. I was right behind her, but stopped once I was outside. A large purple and golden dragon was fast asleep in a sunny spot, oblivious to all the hatchlings that were busy playing behind him. Nova briskly walked over to him and nudged his foreleg a few times with her paw.
"Hey, dad!"
Spyro grumbled something under his breath. Then, his foreleg shot out and pulled Nova into a warm embrace. Nova shrieked and squirmed in his grasp while simultaneously smacking his face with whatever limbs she could reach him with.
"Dad! Seriously!?"
Spryo cracked an eye open and grinned.
"What? You're the one that woke a sleeping dragon. Naturally, there are consequences."
Nova pouted and threw her head back in exasperation.
"Ugh, you're the worst."
"Ouch. That's some harsh words."
Nova sighed.
"You know I don't mean it. Now can you let me go? There's someone I want you to meet."
Spyro glanced over at me and let go of Nova. Once she was free, she shook herself off and moved to stand next to me. Spyro stood up, yawned, stretched and smiled warmly.
"Who's this? One of your friends?"
"Yes, this is Kiran."
Spyro dipped his head and smiled brightly.
"Ah, I thought so. It's nice to meet you in person. You've been causing quite a stir lately and I've heard a lot about you."
I bowed quickly. The motion was harsh, and I was tense.
"Nothing bad, I hope."
Spyro chuckled and shook his head.
"I've only heard positive things from those I trust. Nova happens to be someone that speaks well of you, so there's no need for you to worry."
I sighed in relief and Spyro leaned down to inspect me closely.
"They weren't kidding about your appearance though. I've never met a creature quite like you before."
Nova stepped forward and shoved Spyro's head back.
"Dad! Don't be rude!"
Spyro leaned back with an apologetic smile.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to offend.
"You didn't. I understand the curiosity."
"Really? Then why don't we sit and talk? There are some rumors floating around that I'd love to squash, and Hunter will be extremely jealous if I can get the scoop before he does. I can already picture his face…"
Spyro grinned widely for a split second and before I could protest, he gestured for us to follow him to a more secluded spot. We did so, and all of us sat on the ground, though I began tapping my fingers nervously against my leg. Nova flashed me a quick smile, but it did little to help.
"So, Kiran, I've been told that you're not from this area. I think that's apparent, but that begs the question: Where are you from? I've seen most of the world at some point during my life, but haven't met anyone like you."
I locked my gaze onto my lap. Umak's warning rang clear in my mind, and I considered what to say.
I can't put everything into jeopardy. I have to ride this out, but… I have to say something. So… what should I tell him?
"…I'm… from somewhere far away. I know that's vague, but… Strongfang has set up a time for me to meet with the council, and I think it would be best for me to say my piece then."
The disappointment Spyro showed was immeasurable.
"Aww… I can't say that I'm eager to wait, but I understand. I should have known there were underlying machinations involved if Hunter didn't know all the details yet."
Spyro let out a sigh through his nostrils, then adopted a more apologetic expression.
"Anyway, if you're looking for our help I can only assume you've been put into a difficult situation."
I nodded.
"Something like that."
"I'm sorry. If there's anything I can do to help in the meantime, let me know."
"…Actually, there is something I'd like to say."
Spyro smiled.
"Sure! Go ahead."
I took a deep breath.
"I'm worried about what I'm bringing to you all for discussion. From what I understand, it's a sensitive subject that could cause… problems. I don't want to be turned away or worse, because I genuinely need help."
Spyro laid the tip of his tail on my shoulder.
"I see. While I can't promise that everything will work perfectly, I can say that I've had to navigate several delicate issues in the past. A few others and I won't be quick to cast you aside, and I promise that I'll do what I can to help you."
Spyro's reassurance filled me with hope and I smiled.
"Thank you. That means way more than you can imagine."
"You're welcome. Now, if I'm stuck waiting to learn about you, then I suppose I'll have to settle for something else… Such as… How did you and Nova become friends? She's neglected to explain that detail and I'm curious to know."
Nova and I glanced at each other. She shrugged and waved a wing.
"Why don't you tell him? I'd love to hear your perspective."
"Sure. We started training together at the arena and… things developed from there… I guess?"
Nova grinned.
"You're skipping some important details, Kiran. If I remember correctly, you were bumbling around in the dark until I helped you."
"…"
"Don't look at me like that. It's true."
"True, but unnecessary. Way to sell me out."
Spyro followed our conversation, but his enthusiasm faded at the mention of the arena.
"I should've known that she met you there. Ancestors know she spends more time there than anywhere else. I think she considers it her home at this point."
Looking aghast, Nova threw a wing over her face.
"Dad, seriously?!"
Spyro sat back with an over exaggerated sigh and pulled Nova into a hug.
"I'm sorry, Starshine. I get jealous over that silly place because I don't see you as much as I used to. You're growing up much too fast and I don't want to let you go."
Nova attempted to squirm out of his grasp.
"I know, I know, but you don't need to treat me like a hatchling. I'm not a kid anymore."
"Maybe in your mind, but you're still my little starshine. That won't change no matter how old you become."
"Dad, please, you're embarrassing me."
"Is that such a bad thing? You should humor me once in a while."
Spyro smiled, leaned down and nuzzled Nova heartily, ignoring her cries of protest. After a few seconds of this, she slipped into her own shadow and jumped out of Spyro's. She then ran over to me with a blush on her cheeks and wrapped her tail around my wrist.
"Ancestors, this is humiliating. Let's get out of here."
"Wait, I thought we were going to-"
Nova tugged on my wrist, dragging me forward. I tripped over my own feet and ate dirt, but that didn't stop Nova from pressing forward. I heard Spyro laughing behind us, and he soon gave chase and caught up to us.
"Hold on! Don't go running off yet!"
Nova came to an abrupt stop and I wrangled my arm free. I stepped to the side as Spyro approached and Nova turned to face him.
"What is it?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to send you running."
"…It sure seems like you were trying."
"I know. I was acting over the top because Sparx isn't here to tease you. I figured it was my duty to fill in for him until he gets back from visiting mom and dad."
Nova groaned.
"Dad, I don't need two Uncle Sparxes. One is bad enough already."
Spyro smiled sheepishly.
"Fair enough, but I know you love him. I see your smile when he turns his sights onto me or your mom. Heck, you laugh every time he mentions how chubby I was as a kid, even though it wounds me terribly."
Nova lifted her snout.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Riiiight… Well, there is something I'd like to talk to you about, if you're not planning on running away still."
"If you promise not to crack any more jokes, then no, I'm not."
"I promise."
Nova and Spyro moved their tails toward each other and bumped the tips together. They both smiled brightly before Spyro continued.
"So, Nova, with how busy we've been lately, we've had less time together. I'd like to change that, and I've been thinking… Why don't you start attending some of the council meetings with me? I think it would be a good idea for you to dip your claws into the political arena, and it would give me someone to chat with when there's downtime."
"Aren't Terrador and Hunter there as well? You can talk to them, can't you?"
Spyro shrugged.
"They are my friends, yes, but Hunter isn't the most talkative and Terrador… He's as serious as they come. I hold them both in high regard, but it can be difficult to hold a conversation."
"…I don't know. Can you give me some time to think about it?"
There was a sliver of disappointment on Spyro's face.
"Oh… are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Alright, take all the time you need. It's not like I'll be going anywhere anytime soon."
"I know dad."
Spyro cleared his throat and glanced up at the sky.
"So, is there anything you two would like to do before lunch? I'll be free until then because I've got a date scheduled and I don't want to be late. "
"Uhm… I was going to go talk with Cynder, actually."
"Oh? What about?"
I shriveled under the question, but thankfully Nova came to my rescue.
"It's nothing. Just a question that only a dragoness can answer, so don't worry about it!"
Spyro raised a brow.
"Ah. Well, you might want to do that sooner rather than later. It won't be too much longer before we get going."
"Yep, sounds like a good idea. We'll see you later!"
"See you two in a bit!"
Nova grabbed my wrist again and led me back to the house. Once we were back inside, Nova stopped and took a deep breath. She turned towards me, noticed she was still holding my wrist and let it go.
"Crap, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drag you around like that."
"It's fine."
I rubbed my wrist until the ache began to fade.
"Why didn't you say yes?"
"What?"
"Your dad. Why didn't you take his offer?"
"...I'm not very interested in politics. I've seen how stressed it makes my dad, and I know how visceral the discourse can be. I don't want any part of that and I have other obligations already."
That didn't sit well with me. I was more biting than I meant to be with my next remark.
"It seems like he really cares. Don't you want to spend more time with him?"
Nova gave me a confused, almost shocked look and snapped back at me.
"Of course I do. Why do you think I'm considering it? And why do you care so much? Is it because you're looking for another in route to the council?"
"What? No!"
"Then why?"
I winced and looked away.
"Can we… drop it? I didn't mean to snap at you or imply anything."
"No, we're not dropping it."
"…"
"I'm not going to let up on this one. Something is bothering you."
"I don't want to talk."
Nova snorted, though her tone lightened.
"Just try. Consider this a chance to be honest with me, like you said you would."
I groaned inwardly. Warily, my eyes scanned the room. Once I was sure we were alone, I relented.
"...I'm… not entirely sure. Your parents are present and they seem… nice."
"Were your parents not those things?"
I shook my head.
"My parents cared about me, in their own way. They're not around anymore though. My mom died when I was young and my dad left my village shortly after."
Nova sighed and placed a paw on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry. Maybe seeing my parents stirred up some emotions you didn't know you had."
"I guess it's possible. That's for me to sort out though."
I paused and rubbed the back of my neck.
"You should say yes. Unless you have another reason to say no."
"I might have a reason."
"Care to share?"
Now it was Nova's turn to look uncomfortable.
"I feel like I have to tell you or I'll be a hypocrite."
"You don't have to, but I think it would be fair."
She sighed.
"Ok. I'll share what's on my mind then."
Nova pulled me closer so she could keep her voice down.
"I would love to spend more time with my dad. However, his attention is always split, and so is my mom's. Both of my parents are so preoccupied that it feels like they're not present when they're with me. I understand it's because of their responsibilities, but it leaves me feeling… ignored, I guess."
"I… don't understand. Isn't being with and supporting you enough?"
Nova tilted her head.
"What do you mean?"
"...Responsibilities come first, right? If you have a duty, you must fulfill that before everything else. My mom served my village, and my dad worked as a merchant. Any leftover time was then given to me, if there was any. I had an understanding that what they did was more important than me."
Nova frowned.
"No, Kiran, that's wrong. How could you place the value of a job or position over a person? Besides, as a parent, aren't your children one of your most important responsibilities?"
I felt my gut churn uneasily.
"...Fulfilling your duty is more important than anything else. A life is valuable, but sometimes it must be sacrificed for the greater good. My mom understood this, and gave her life to protect my home even though it left me motherless. I also understand that duty, and had to make a similar decision as well."
Nova was taken aback.
"Wait, what do you mean 'you've had to make a similar decision'?"
My stomach twisted into a knot.
"Some of the decisions I've made have been difficult. I wish I hadn't been forced to do some of them."
"Kiran… you're not explaining what you mean."
I looked away and crossed my arms.
"Wasn't I supposed to go talk to your mom before noon? We should go before we run out of time."
"You're avoiding the question."
"Yeah. I'm done talking for now."
I turned my head just enough to enter a glaring contest with Nova. I held firm and soon enough she gave up.
"This isn't over. I'm starting to think that this is what has been eating away at you and I want to get to the bottom of it."
"...Can we go?"
"Yeah. Sure."
It was a short walk back to the study, and neither of us talked on the way. By the time we arrived, Cynder's guest had left and she was talking with Jolt. He seemed surprisingly at ease sitting right next to her and held up a book in his claws, frowning slightly as he did so.
"I was torn when Alandor betrayed everyone. He was the foundation of the alliance and everything fell apart in his absence.
"Yes, it was a terrible moment for Alandor and his people. HIs personal ambitions led him to pursue dark paths and left his friends devastated."
"I know… but I wish things could have been different. He was one of my favorite characters."
Cynder smiled knowingly.
"Don't give up on the books just yet. They're still a good read and I know you'll enjoy them."
"Ugh, I hope so. I wouldn't want to have read all of this for that to be the ending."
Nova thumped her tail against the doorframe, making Jolt jump.
"Hey, we're back."
"Oh, it's just Nova… You scared me."
"Sorry, my mistake."
Jolt held a claw to his chest while Cynder stood and walked over to us. She dipped her head with a strained smile.
"I'm sorry about earlier, Nova. I wasn't expecting a potential donor to visit today."
Nova shrugged.
"It's fine. If you're free, I think Kiran would like to talk to you."
I cringed, but Nova shot me a glare that quickly dispelled that line of thinking.
"I don't have anything else pressing at the moment."
"Awesome. Jolt, want to tag along with me for a minute?"
"Oh, uhm, sure. Let me grab these books!"
Jolt scooped up the books laying on the table in front of him and stuffed him into his bag. He wobbled as he got up, but righted himself and left the room with her, while Cynder watched wistfully. I stiffened and stood tall when she turned back to me and sighed.
"She seems to be in a sour mood. I hope it wasn't because of my impromptu visitor."
"...I don't think so. If anything, I'm more responsible than you are."
"Oh? Is that what you'd like to talk to me about?"
I shook my head.
"No. It's not a big deal and I think we'll sort it out between ourselves."
Cynder waved her tail to a cushion and then sat down on one herself.
"Well, if you'd like to talk about what you two are arguing about, I'm all ears. I don't like seeing Nova in a sour mood."
I grimaced and nodded as I sat down. I folded my hands together and idly circled my thumbs as Cynder continued.
"So, Kiran, if not friendship troubles, what is it that you want to discuss?"
"...it's hard to word properly."
"That's alright. Take your time."
I nodded again and felt the pressure mounting. It took me a few minutes to formulate my thoughts, but when I was ready I spoke truthfully.
"...Have you ever dealt with shame and regret?"
Cynder's eyes widened and lost their focus as she looked off into the distance. I waited a few moments, worried, until she snapped back to reality.
"Sorry, yes. Those are emotions that I'm familiar with."
"...how do you deal with them?"
A sad smile crossed her lips.
"A difficult question to ask, and a harder one to answer."
She paused.
"What do you think you should do?"
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
"I… am not supposed to acknowledge them. They are distractions. Weaknesses. Things that will only cause me trouble. And yet-"
"You can't escape them."
I swallowed hard.
"As hard as it may be, running away or ignoring those emotions won't make them go away. In fact, as I've found, doing so often makes them worse."
"...then what do I do?"
"You told me what you're supposed to do. I want to hear your own thoughts, so why don't you tell me?"
I scoffed and crossed my arms.
"But I don't know what to think. That's why I'm asking you for advice."
Cynder stared intently at me, making me set my arms down by my side.
"I think you know more than you'd like to admit to yourself. You may think you have no answer, but I'd like you to give your best attempt."
I frowned and resisted the urge to grit my teeth.
What good will this do? If anything I'll come up with the same answer.
"Fine, I'll give it a shot."
Annoyed, I sat in a meditative pose and breathed heavily. I began considering how to manage my emotional state, and quickly came to the same answer as before. Cynder thought that was wrong, however, so I set the obvious aside for a moment and searched elsewhere. As I sifted through my thoughts, the advice that I had been given from those in this world started to seep through my muddled mind: Confiding in others, allowing myself to be vulnerable, developing friendships, forming bonds. Though I had every reason not to accept this as an answer, I had to admit that they were alluring and I yearned to accept them.
I'm… only theorizing. I guess it wouldn't hurt to answer with this, would it?
"...If I had the choice… asking for help with what I struggle with… I would say that. Doing so isn't possible though."
Cynder smiled, though it was filled with sadness.
"Before you fully settle on that, let me share something with you. When I was close to your age, I tried to run from the ghosts of my past. I was ashamed. Broken. I felt that I deserved nothing more than to be forgotten and discarded. I wanted to resolve things on my own, and feared that I would burden others with the sins that I carried if I let them get too close."
Her expression changed, and her smile became genuine.
"However, someone else convinced me that another course was possible. They helped me to understand that I wasn't the monster I considered myself to be and gave me the courage to find value in my own life. So, with no small effort, I eventually came to terms with myself and was able to forge my own path moving forward. I didn't let the shame and guilt hold me prisoner any longer. I broke those chains and found a freedom that I had never experienced before."
I clenched my fists hard. I was having trouble listening because of how tense my body was, and kept my eyes glued to the floor.
"...You said someone helped you. What if you had lost this person, or hurt them in some way? Wouldn't that have left you in a worse state than you were before? Could you have lived with yourself if that had happened?"
Cynder was silent for several seconds.
"Those are fairly specific questions and I'm assuming you're asking them for a reason. I can share my thoughts, but I don't know if what I say will help you without knowing the context. Would you be willing to share?"
I was firm but quiet in my response.
"No."
"Then I'll do my best to answer from my perspective."
Cynder closed her eyes and left me in silence for a minute. When her eyes opened, they held a weight that I could almost feel.
"The pain from losing or hurting those that I care about is immeasurable. Perhaps, insurmountable. Truthfully, I would have been at war with myself and may not have been able to overcome my inner demons if I had lost him."
I felt tears prick at the edges of my eyes.
"...But that's not to say I wouldn't have tried, or that there weren't others in my life that would have helped me through my darkest moments. You see, Kiran, the friendships that I form and the bonds that I share can cause me great pain; however, they're also what sustain me in my moments of weakness. To put it simply, 'One that stands alone will fall, but two or three united are not easily broken.' Isolating yourself will only lead you to misery and potential destruction. Don't consider companionship a weakness."
"...Do you think Spyro would say something similar?"
Cynder reared her head back and laughed. I wiped my eyes while she wasn't looking.
"I would hope so. He was the dragon that helped me after all."
…Spyro, huh? So then, even legendary heroes think what I've been taught is wrong…
The conversation swirled around in my head, bolstering all the things I had heard before.
"I… need some time to reflect. Thank you for answering my questions."
"Of course. If you have more, myself or Spyro would be more than happy to talk with you."
I stood up and gave her a polite nod. She smiled and motioned her head toward the door.
"I suggest following my advice. You could talk with Nova, Shimmer or Phyl. You four seem to get along well and I'm sure any one of them would listen."
"They would."
"As friends should."
Cynder paused and started again with a slight edge in her voice.
"As a side note, you should resolve your conflict with Nova. She's had too many relationships end poorly and I would be disappointed to hear if the same happened with you."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. Cynder's icy gaze pinned me to my spot and I saw her sharp tail tip glint by her side. I felt a bead of sweat run down my temple and threw a hand up to rub the back of my neck.
"W-well, Nova has a big heart, and worries about me more than she should. It's caused us to butt heads, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends or figure things out. I promise that I'll talk to her, and not just because you're asking!"
Cynder held her glare for a few moments longer and then snickered.
"Ancestors, I can't believe I pulled the overprotective parent schtick. Don't fret Kiran, I was only teasing."
She raised her tail and tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Well, probably. I was known as a terror for a reason."
She grinned and I laughed nervously. I took a step back and then made a quick exit, making sure to shut the door firmly behind me and let my hand fall from the door.
"Wow, you look ghastly. What did mom say to you?"
"Enough."
Nova rolled her eyes.
"Wow, that's as informative as a book with no pages."
I rubbed the bridge of my nose.
"She's making me think. I'm taking her advice under consideration."
"That's good. I don't suppose you're glad that you listened to me?"
"Actually, I am. Thanks for pushing me to do that. I know I haven't been forthcoming or easy to deal with all the time."
Nova did a double take and turned toward me.
"Oh. Yeah, it's… you're welcome. Don't think that this means you're off the hook though."
"I know. You're going to be persistent."
"I mean, you made a promise. I'm only keeping you accountable."
I sighed.
"Accountability sucks."
"It only sucks if you have something to hide."
I held back a grimace and changed subjects.
"Where'd Jolt go? Wasn't he with you?"
"He decided to go find Shimmer. I think he feels uncomfortable around me."
Nova seemed dispirited by this, so I tried to give her a reassuring pat. This only made her raise a brow at me and I took my hand back.
"Sorry. Jolt is naturally shy and awkward, so don't take it to heart. He'll warm up to you eventually."
"If you say so."
I heard the creak of the doors behind us and stepped aside with Nova as Spyro and Cynder stepped out of the study. She had the top of her muzzle pressed firmly against his neck and they walked with tails intertwined. Spyro stopped when he spotted us and lifted his head away from Cynder's, though their tails remained together.
"Nova, we're heading out for the afternoon. We'll be back before dinner, but make sure to keep an eye on Ignitus while we're gone."
Nova gave a half-hearted salute with her tail.
"I will."
Spyro grinned and blew a puff of icy mist toward her.
"Don't look so glum. If you're lucky, your friend Shimmer will stick around and give you a helping claw. From what I've heard, Ignitus has taken a liking to her."
Nova dispersed the mist with a wave of her wing.
"If I'm lucky, Ignitus will actually take a nap for once. Then I won't have to deal with him at all."
Cynder shook her head.
"Nova, don't be so quick to dismiss your brother. You were his age once, and we didn't give up on you."
"I may have been his age, but I bet I was nothing like him."
"You're right. If I recall, you were much worse."
"What? No I wasn't!"
Spyro and Cynder glanced at each other and grinned. Spyro leaned down to nuzzle Nova's head, making her melt into the floor.
"You may not remember, but we do. You figured out how to use your element much earlier than expected, and that caused us a lot of grief. It was impossible to keep you contained, and we often had to hunt you down at the worst of times! Why, I remember when you would appear in our room in the middle of the night because of your-"
Nova jumped up and somehow managed to wrap her forelegs around Spyro's snout.
"OK! That's enough stories for today! You should go on your date or whatever!"
Spyro nodded, and Nova cautiously let him go. He gave her a quick bump with his snout, followed by Cynder, and the pair left. I grinned like an idiot once they were gone, and made sure Nova saw my face. She glared back at me and growled.
"Not. A. Word."
I ran my fingers across my lips. Nova relented and fell back against a wall.
"Ancestors, this was a terrible idea."
A blue blur dove between us and pulled us into a hug.
"What are you talking about!? This was the best idea ever! I've never met so many dragons before in my life!"
"You can say that again. Shimmer, I don't know if my brain will ever have room for another name. I hardly remember half of the dragons we talked to."
"WHAT!?"
This was followed by a much quieter, albeit just as shocked, voice.
"What?!"
Nova and I recoiled and broke free from Shimmer's grasp. Phyl blinked once and then rubbed a paw against his ears while Shimmer posted herself in front of him with a pout. Ignitus just so happened to mimic her move and glared mightily at Phyl, who sighed.
"Ancestors Shimmer, not so loud…"
"How could you forget their names?!"
Once again, Shimmer was mirrored by Ignitus.
"Why… forget!?"
Jolt peeked out from behind Phyl.
"W-well, Shimmer… I don't remember the few that I met. Not really."
"WHAT!? Jolt, you're kidding me!"
Once again we were all sent reeling. Shimmer stomped her paws in distress, and Ignitus mimicked her. Before she could go on a tirade, Phyl slid forward and bumped his snout into hers.
"Shimmer, please. There's no need to yell, and you don't want to set a bad example for Ignitus. Look, he's already copying everything you do."
Shimmer looked down at Ignitus, and he looked back up at her confidently.
"Shimmer, copy!"
That took the wind right out from under her wings.
"Ugh, I hate it when you're right. Fine, I'll let this slide, but don't you dare forget anything that I ask Miss Cynder about. Take notes if you have to."
Oh crap.
"Hey, uh, Shimmer."
"What's up Kiran?"
"...Cynder left already."
Shimmer blinked once. Then twice. Then three times. She took a deep breath, and I tried to cover my ears before it was too late.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
Her anguished wail shook the room and I thought for sure that my ears were going to burst. The house went into an uproar and it took several minutes of reassurance and negotiation to calm Shimmer back down and get the house back into order. Once things were settled, Shimmer, Jolt and Phyl decided to stick around with Nova while I decided to head out. Nova left Ignitus in their care and walked me to the door, staying just ahead of me to open it for me.
"Thanks for coming over. I hope you had a good time and were able to figure some things out."
"I did. Seeing you embarrassed was worth going through everything else."
Nova groaned.
"Hush you."
"I won't tell anyone."
"Good. Don't forget that you owe me an explanation as well."
"...I won't. Let me bring it up on my own terms though."
"Only if you talk to me before your council meeting."
"Dang, I was hoping you'd forget."
"Not a chance."
I held up a fist. Nova gave me an odd stare.
"Ball up your paw and bump it against my hand. It's… a tradition. Kind of."
Nova raised a brow but did so. With a half smile, it took a step back and waved as I left.
"See you tomorrow."
"See you."
Hey everyone! As always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Silent Insomniac - I was trying to keep that fight shorter, yet full of action. I'm glad you enjoyed it and the exploration of the characters. I've had fun writing both of them and can't wait to explore more scenarios with them.
You didn't peg Kiran wrong. He's been through war and death before, but the event that occurred in the first chapter was different and has been haunting him since. Things have changed for him and we'll see how that pans out in the last upcoming chapters.
Author-San 9001 - Deus ex ancestors? I laughed out loud when I read that. Hopefully there's a reason for those shenanigans and we'll find out what happens with her gift.
He's not insane! You're insane! Just keep wrapping the flex tape harder and everything will be alright.
If that's your threat, then prepare for the most horribly rushed and incoherent chapter ever conceived. I need this mortgage to be paid for!
