Chapter 64
For a castle this prestigious and its host so easy on the eyes, this place was completely devoid of life. Cold, chilly walls were not the typical block they were used to seeing in construction works, its rather miserable properties should be enough to display its flaws and betray the number of souls who actually occupy this place by counting all the little shakes and breaks running through the ice.
Nothing but silence greeted everyone busy enough to actually listen.
Out of good faith, or whatever one would call Athron's act, she invited them for a dinner, leaving them alone in the room as to not bother their guests with her presence. Naturally they familiarized themselves with the Queen enough to know that she wouldn't be herself if she locked out worry and discomfort entirely. A leader needs to remind his subjects whose word needs to be heard the most.
A trait, maybe not in such vile, conspiring aura, was worth acquiring. Spyro could only wonder if he will ever posses such ability to influence others with a sense of presence alone.
Something that was as dangerous as enticing because if judging the Queens actions it doesn't different friend from foe. In a big icy room with a massive table and even more discomfort sowing, green flashes of light that spoke only threats of danger, Athron placed Iris together with them. The atmosphere was already far from pleasant, the looming perspective of having a dynamite clinging to their souls was enough of a concern already that they really didn't need Iris around here to make it all that much worse. It was simply a communion that nobody present in this room enjoyed.
Something that Athron knew all too well.
The food actually looked tasty though, judging by the state of this world it was almost impossible to believe that all these plates could be filled with so much meat. They lived through horrors of war and battles and while there were only two sides of the conflict in the Realms, it was difficult to properly dine nonetheless. Of course the Guardians don't hold such lonely position like Athron does, but they were still royals back in their world and they scraped for food like any other in the old days. It was clear that the Queen likes to play mind games where one is having difficult times deciding what exactly is the right course of action in such situations.
Not everyone from the group had difficulties coping with the true meaning of all this manipulation. Cynder was well versed with aspects of mind control that she had no will to participate in another one. Having sniffed and nibbled the food from every angle she properly tested her stomach, deciding in the end, since it was still intact in her body, that the food was as legitimate as it could be. Ignoring games that couldn't be won by logical assumptions she obeyed the laws of today.
Drumming her claws against the table she finally reached for one of the slices, it was boneless and neatly cut, Athron was clearly hiding a talented cook somewhere in this place, or maybe, who knows, a dragoness of so many secrets could also have talents for something else than leadership. After all, even kings and queens were teens once.
And cooking seemed like a worthwhile skill to pick up in a world that demands restraint from you.
"Are you seriously going to eat that? You don't even know where that's been!" Sparx scrunched his nose up, with eyes of imagination seeing absolutely every possible infection clinging to that meat.
"Same thing goes for you and yet I still didn't puke my stomach out" Cynder devoured the slice with two bites. Though a tad bitter, meat tasted exactly like she expected, flavor on the tongue changing only due to buds scratching stronger or lesser spiced edge.
"Hoho! We got a feisty one here team!" a joyful chuckle brought two yellow hands together. Display of mockery accommodated by the well expected nod of approval.
Cynder grinned, letting out her tongue for a cleaning round along the lips. She wasn't even aware just how much she needed these little taunting games. It has become way too serious lately.
And seeing how absolutely devastated Iris looked, she was certain that this moment of relief will be a very short lived one.
"Alright folks, how are we going to do this?" she snatched another slice "We kinda need to put our weight since I'm pretty sure we are being spied on. Subtly or otherwise." Eyes aimed themselves at the feathered dragoness in between lip licks
"Yeah. Keep stuffing yourself with all that food and I'm sure you're going to be our weight on this quest." Yellow body burst with brighter light, it pumped rhythmically, mimicking the movement of a throat processing a giggle.
"Hey! I'm the only one here with some sense of self-preservation! Just look how hard food is to come by in this place, it's only logical to eat now since we have no idea when we will get another opportunity like this"
"There's a difference between getting fit and obese my girl"
"And there's a difference between getting strong and starved my boy" she reached for another piece "Better to burn fat than muscles I say! Just don't come crying to me when your legs will finally give up"
"Joke's on you then! I have no legs!" glowing finger pointed directly at the black nose.
Cynder and Sparx looked at each other, enjoying together a moment of silence. At least the wordless part, when concentrating one would easily notice the quiet noise of stretching mouths, working in perfect unison despite belonging to two different species.
Both Cynder and Sparx erupted into laughter, while aware that there was nothing particularly funny about their barter, they still couldn't hold themselves back. This place had an effective tendency to rip joy apart, getting a chance to indulge into one was something that no sane creature could simply walk past by.
Spyro smiled right after them, giggling slightly under his breath in a poor attempt of maintaining worthy of leadership seriousness.
Iris remained idle from the very beginning.
While normally nobody would pay much attention to souls committed to remaining out of the main picture, especially when one is not known for smiling at all, this particular meeting differed too much from standard meet ups for a special behavior to go unnoticed. Joy retracted back into the shadows, with empty stare of white eyes and bloodied body painting reality in the most possible hues.
Spyro could feel it spreading vile tentacles around his ribcage, poking the heart with claws of a still playful hatchling. Venomous veins so similar to Corruption marked their presence in today's events, never to disappear again. Something had broken to the point that there was no way of patching it back up, he couldn't tell what it was exactly, all he knew that it had something to do with Iris.
Whether it afflicted only her or their entire group remained a mystery. A secret that proved once more how much more dreadful it is compared to every possible villain.
Unknown beckoned.
If life taught him anything then it was the ability to tell that no matter how much good mystery can bring, it always balances out with something bad.
Question was just how bad it can get.
"We are your allies Iris. Please don't forget that we helped you to reunite with your mother" Spyro leaned closer, eyeing the empty shell of a girl attentively.
"Ummm…bro?" Sparx scratched the back of his head "I get it, hypocrisy and all that jazz, but aren't you forgetting something? Betrayal doesn't really go well with…you know…this whole ally thing"
"Hush you, grab a bite and chill" Cynder slurped another slice, waving the rest at the dragonfly to gain his attention "Funny thing this regret is you know? It borders on individual determination, seemingly strong and confident. Too bad that the ground it walks on is made of thin glass though, without support it'll never get off of it. The bullying scenery is kinda justified, no doubts about that, but without anything to hold on to, glass won't be the only thing shattering around here"
She blinked, looking over the piece she cut it gently with her claw as if slicing away some invisible, bad spots.
"Someone's gotta cut the worsening bits away, spreading infection leads to a very bad place and there's no escaping when disease advances too much. A pity, cause who knows, it might have hidden a thing you'd actually like a bit" she winked towards the glowing brother.
Sparx gulped, all these masks he kept wearing crumbled under the view of Cynder's look. He understood all to well what she meant, they wouldn't be here now if not for one certain night and a particular, unbreakable chain. Masks are good and all, but there are times when one must take them off and look at the world for what it truly is.
And no other thing is more deserving of honesty than family.
"We are your allies princess, be a good girl and remember that" Even though he addressed a certain white dragoness his eyes never left the one truly mattering here.
And the one that mattered repaid understanding with a sweet, painted by black lips smile.
Iris lifted her head up, all of them expected to see her piercing eyes again, perhaps even returning to their hateful self whenever assistance was mentioned. No such thing happened, even though she seemed to listen, her attention wasn't directed at the group but her own, bleeding shoulder.
The trio of friends exchanged confused glances between each other the moment they saw her head cocking, pupils dilated as if listening to the bloodied shoulder's whispers.
No matter their motivations, all of them in this very moment questioned their willingness for an alliance.
"I don't know" Iris muttered, emitted whisper no different than that of a mortally wounded soul.
They all expected her to call continue, to somehow elaborate on the words they weren't prepared to hear, but besides Cynder's slowly chomping teeth there was no other sound. Spyro turned to his friends and while they both had their differences in this very moment their shoulders shrugged in perfect unison.
Leadership is soooo overrated.
"You don't know what exactly?" Obvious question left the purple throat. Spyro could feel his every bone sighing with disappointed breaths of predictability.
Obvious choices on the chessboard of fate that sometimes flashes before his eyes felt exactly like thrusting daggers into your own heart.
"All should be well, another chance to fix everything" Iris poked her wound. All of them were used to death and mutilation, draconic claws and fangs aren't known for their tenderness in battle, yet the trio still winced at the sight. Sinking one's claw right into a wound, provoking the undulating tissue there with no sense of self-preservation, was quite a disturbing sight "Whispers keep singing. Is there no end to mistakes?"
"Oka-y guys" Sparx clapped his hands, added weight of both hands swiftly forced him down between his two favorite dragons "I'm calling it" he covered up his mouth "The chick finally lost it so this is a completely different situation. Some might say that maybe it's quite a stretch drawing a line here since Cyn wasn't particularly sane either, but we REALLY don't need more crazy on our shoulders. Our happy trio has a talent for insanity so I'm sure we'll find more soon enough. Tactical retreat is also a leadership strategy bro, don't ignore it"
If things would only be so easy.
There were times where he wished he possessed the ability to silence the beat of his own heart, lately it drove him to more troubles than he was willing to accept. No matter how hard he might have tried though, it was impossible to ignore it. If he would hang only with Sparx all this time, then perhaps he would have enough sense to act on common sense than good wishes. He had two worthy companions though, and the option to ignore his heart's call was a devastating perspective for the other. Cynder valued his nature, many times asking him to remain who he is today, he couldn't imagine a more treacherous action against her than dismissive approach to her plea.
To be honest, for all the bad experience his heart brought him, there was also plenty of good in each such action. As long as there was still a single soul willing to fight for such an outcome then, as a proclaimed legend and protector of the Realms, it was not his decision to go against such wishes.
A glance was enough to dim the light surrounding his glowing brother. It wasn't a sign of disappointment however, just a mere acceptance of bleak reality.
"We make it work out somehow. When Cynder went on her redemption path things also didn't go her way, they still aren't perfect in some cases to this day. You can't give up though, mistakes and bad stuff will happen, there will be days when you'll doubt if it's even worth it, but if you push through all that you might end up just like Cynder"
Her white eyes sparkled, veils of loss and weakness vanished, replaced by a well known, piercing shine of total coldness.
"Don't you dare compare me to that filth."
He had to admit that triggering hate for equality was part of his plan, there was nothing more disheartening for Iris he knew than putting her among souls she treated like common rabble. No matter what troubles she was going through, sense of royal prestige remained unchanged and nobles, self proclaimed or otherwise, have a tendency to protest in defense of their stature harder than for any empathetic rights. Making Cynder the scapegoat wasn't his intention however, not now or ever, especially when she was the one who orchestrated this entire support despite her differences with Iris. This felt like betrayal, there was no stronger leash against decision making than this.
Familiar laughter changed his approach though.
Cynder threw her head back, bursting with sincere laugh.
"Oh this bring back memories. I too believed to be better than some, well..." Cynder shrugged, smiling from one earhole to the next "Thanks for the appreciative gesture, reality can be a bitch sometimes, but hey, at least it throws free meat at you sometimes!" She took another bite.
"I'll never get used to this cheery side of yours. I'm supposed to be the witty one here" Sparx folded his arms.
"Why be mad when I already know this story? Well, at least when it comes to its beginning, the rest though? That is still to be judged, but since I know our princess and I'm aware of what she did, I don't trust her following in my steps in the slightest. This is for the future however, for now it starts with familiar protest and will to prove your own right, and that is kinda familiar"
"I said-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know" Cynder waved her paw, interrupting the growing roar of a bluish throat "Whether you like it or not, bitch, you're treading familiar paths. Feel free to leave them but I don't think you'll have enough shoulders to bite into when you do that. So as long as you stay here you are on our leash, I can fancy you a neck chain from these bones here if you wish, you'd look more the part that way"
"Here is our black dragoness!" Sparx laughed, clapping his hands, applause worthy of an aspiring actor resounded across the room. A sound extremely alien among all these cold, unused to selfless support walls "Don't ever shed those scales baby"
Spyro kept his smile in check even though he agreed with Cynder's approach. Heart did not allow him to show joy, not in the face of such blatant manipulation. However he wasn't naïve enough to believe in any other resolution, he too appealed to Iris' dominant, if wounded, view at life at times. As ungrateful as this decision was, it was better to keep Iris' known, hateful side on surface, no matter how flawed it might be, than the unpredictable she herself seem not to recognize.
At least then when betrayal comes they will see it coming.
It was hard to tell if Iris was going through similar thinking processes, it was impossible to tell if she even willed to support them in any way. Her stare was as cold as ever and when she looked at him, Spyro saw no sign of the girl that lost her heart for his healing magic. In fact he saw nothing but hateful cold as always.
For the first time though, he doubted that it was something that any of them truly wished to see.
"I want it to end Goldie, don't disappoint me" Iris' voice seemed to crack like ice and to prove how precise that metaphor was the walls around seemed to spread branches of thin spider webs across their surface.
They looked so much like thousands of eyes.
"Of course" Spyro agreed, wishing that she had their task in mind.
Icy flickers flashing from all the slits around noted that it might not be the entire case however.
For better or worse.
Question remained who, if anyone, from them will reap benefits of better scenarios.
"What the hell is this? You're planning a circus career or something princess?" Sparx stared wide eyed at the opened chest, unable to tell if the costume inside was some projection of imagination or a true thing"
"Nobody asked for your opinion fly" Iris snapped, looking inside the chest as well, as hard as she might have tried, she wasn't able to hold back shimmers crossing her eyes.
Shimmers full of disgust.
"Looks like you're in the same boat lizard." The dragonfly retorted back, just in case finding safety between familiar pair of gold horns.
Iris lately didn't behave like any of them predicated or were used to, it was no different in this case, instead of throwing herself for a bite, she remained in place, burying her gaze into the chest still.
"When your mom even had the time to do all of this? I'm no expert, but it looks like a lot of work and I'm speaking only about the sewing only. What about planning and first drafts? With us coming to the castle you might think that there was no time for hobbies, especially for a Queen." Spyro noted with true admiration, as a purple dragon it was in his nature to value multitasking. It was exactly that purple instinct that told him that even the most talented have their limits, especially when rivaling time itself.
"Don't question my mother's talents Goldie"
"No, no" he shook his head, backing away under the influence of growing cold. They have found that one, violence promoting trigger after all "I didn't mean anything wrong, I'm just in time awe. Your mother is a queen, knows how to cook and in addition is a talented seamstress. All of it in a span of time that usually takes true experts years to master. I'm just saying that you were right calling your mother exceptional that's all"
The chilly touch in the air loosened its grip, that was the only blue smile Spyro could hope for.
"Meh. I'd do some things differently, this design has a lots of flaws" Cynder stated, sitting in front of the chest she had her front paws directly at its lid. Her head dived between them, scanning the material within like a bird searching for pray below water. She made absolutely nothing of the blue head with white, piercing eyes staring at her from the opposite side.
Both brothers looked at each other, throughout the years they developed between the three of them some manner of subconscious connection where they could smell one's true intentions among spoken words. Cynder with her sarcastic nature was the most prominent of the group, understanding her meant understanding anyone and both of them were fairly certain they developed skills good enough to avoid any surprises.
Until now.
There were no secret meanings, no ambiguous syllables or deeper hints. She spoke true and honest words. Cynder spoke true and honest words about weaving from all things.
"Since when you are an expert? Cyn girl, the only thing you ever tied were the vocal cords of your prisoners."
"Sparx! Holy shit!" Spyro balked "Can't you come up with a little less…traumatic metaphor?"
"What?" Yellow shoulders shrugged "I ain't wrong"
"I'm female, I can tell something is good when I see it. No experience needed, it's natural" If she had eyes behind her head she would see Sparx pulling at his eye. She leaned even further, completely ignoring the growling rumble coming from ahead she basically pressed her nose against the clothing. This joint right here, one that goes around the hips. Seeing how fat your ass is I would make it slightly more loose, let that thing breathe so folks stare at it more than they would ever at your wings this thing's supposed to cover. I'm a black dragoness, a special breed when it comes to our world, you'd be surprised how some charm can make people forget about your most despicable sin
Also here" she pointed at the neckline "I get it, your mom wanted to cover up all gold and stuff you wear that symbolizes royalty. Bad idea. Not only this thing will make burn marks around your throat it will also cover another eye catching detail about you. Now folks will wonder who exactly hides under that walking casket instead of being awe struck by a great ass flashing all that gold like there's no tomorrow.
Cynder snorted, pulling away from the so called gift "I wouldn't do it myself but since you are long gone past the boundaries of self-respect you might as well take advantage of it. At least then you'd be relatively comfortable instead of all the stuff this thing has to offer currently. You sure you're mom isn't punishing you for something? Cause this is what I would do if I wanted to tell someone that I own this place and everyone around without saying a word"
Both brothers exchanged glances again, black dragons are manipulative in nature, Cynder developed that natural trait into sarcasm. Nothing remained of it in this moment though, she spoke with all true honesty of a black dragon who would definitely follow her every instruction. Not to mention that she really seemed to know what she was talking about, Sparx' gory images aside, Cynder not only had no social skills whatsoever she also possessed no aptitude to learn them properly. Just like with ice sliding, it required a lot of attempts to make her stand without crushing her nose, here however she put everything together as if she already sold one or two fashion's mirac else les.
Guess this place will bring unexpected traits in all of them sooner or later.
"I cannot be recognized, your opinions don't matter to me or anyone for that matter. If mother requires control I will fulfil her command" Iris reached inside the chest, grabbing the material, her claws slipped suddenly, she tripped, chest's rough edges sinking into her underbelly were the only thing keeping her from falling inside.
The clothing felt like peeled off skin attached to crunchy bones.
She yanked it out with a growl, stomping blindly around before dropping on her butt, armor clanking in her extended forelegs, clinking like a scarecrow. The clothing looked even less welcoming than when it was inside the box, they have seen all sorts of armor in their lives, from really talented pieces to a mere cover scraped as if off a corpse, no matter the effort put into their creation they all seemed like they had protection in mind.
What Iris held looked like a harness.
There was barely any cloth attached to it, the flaps that were there would not be able to cover up a burn mark let alone someone's flesh. Armor, while hindering in nature, was being developed in a way to grant its wearer the most possible comfort, looking at it from up close, the entire group stopped doubting Cynder's more technical remarks.
This thing looked more like some wicked torturous aberration than any protective cover one might even consider of using.
Joints bent sharply, creating bumps deemed uncomfortable by looks alone, forming leathery straps that looked more rusty and metallic than flexible. Straps winked with their ridges, flashing rows of uncomfortable looking, twisted pathways. Harness was completed by an ominously looking casing in the form of folded wings, their shapes rectangular and completely stiff, building up images of coffins they ideally fulfilled the essence of their projected metaphor.
It was better to tear your wings than cram them inside those boxes, at least then pain would be much more tolerable.
Iris stared at the thing with wide eyes, pulling her head back ever so slightly, as if she would be holding a rotting corpse in her paws.
"I hope you're not thinking about putting that thing on, this thing won't even cover you properly" Sparx fiddled his thumbs, cringing under the very sight of this creepy contraption.
"There's also a cloak inside" Cynder announced nonchalantly, dipping her nose inside the box.
"Be it as it may" the dragonfly rolled his eyes "You'll be in less pain princes if we just beat you up here and rip all your feathers. After everything you've done this is a sacrifice I'm willing to make. Just say the word."
"Sparx is right" Spyro coughed, scratching the back of his head "About not wearing this thing that is. Let's go to your uncle Iris, I'm sure he has something we can use to cover you instead of this…armor"
"No" Iris snarled "You have no say in this. Shut up and obey, you're prisoners not guests, don't forget that" she hurled the contraption at the ground. It splayed itself apart surprisingly well despite its raw structure, smiling at her like the most happiest of faces.
Fucking torture. It'll remain with her for the rest of her days.
1She pushed forward immediately, ready to place her lifted foreleg inside one of the circles. It stopped right above it however, grazed by instinctive sense of danger. Memories dragged her soul back in time, presenting images of one of her many chases where she sprinted through enemy filled forests. Hugging walls of many cells throughout her eyes developed that specific sensitivity where she could tell when someone was approaching. With time it projected itself onto the open world, not only forcing her to sense pursuers but also traps they prepared.
Her paw felt as if it hung above such obscured snares right now. Head wound reminded her of its presence, keeping the image of splayed harness steady despite instinctive sense of looming threat. This clothing screamed promises of pain, in contrary to standard snares not even trying to tone its visible aggression down.
This is mother's gift you fool, what are you so hesitant about?
"Good choice." She heard a voice, not even caring who spoke, condescending tone was enough to tell just how useless it was. She decided to come here and she will be the one who what's right and wrong.
Fuck you all.
She slammed her paw into the circle, winces hid one of her eyes behind its eyelid, rattling thoughts saying goodbyes to her pained leg. The stomp was so hard that she felt the step even in her bones.
That was everything she felt.
So called snares remained idle, no clamp was heard, leg survived among the still unmoving harness. It was enough of a hint to disperse all worries, mother was always right, she cannot forget that. Next three legs followed without hesitation, driven by rebellious impulse she ducked automatically, joints wrapped around her limbs with snake worthy grace. The strips seemed to move on their own when she reached out to snap them in place, tying themselves on their own, spreading the casings apart as it adjusted to her body. Her scales started to burn immediately under the stress of metallic slithering, all the uneven bumps seemed to ideally latch themselves against the tiny cracks in her scales, searing with skin melting, short stabs of pain. It spread throughout her whole body, becoming almost unbearable when the crawling strips reached her face, putting band over band against the still sensitive nose, forming a mask that burned right into her bones. Unable to keep pain in check her mouth opened, ready to let out a painful whizz. It was then when the casings slammed shut with a noise of dropping guillotine, boiling in panic blood froze her limbs, making her feel as if she was ten times lighter.
Wings. My wings are gone.
She jumped, managing to make two whole pirouettes before she dropped down, each turn kept her body intact, casings lifting according to the movements of trapped wings inside. They were so light despite all these straps, that if not for her eyes confirming their existence, she would be certain that they were gone forever.
"Who would have thought. She moves after all." Sparx noted in honest admiration.
"She better be. That sex slave outfit can't go to waste." Cynder scratched her eyebrows, trying her best to draw attention from her growing grin.
Iris was in no mood for laughter, more typically than ever before. By paying close attention the group could spot edges of turning gears bumping against her nostrils. Everyone expected her to snap in anger or at least spurt some curses, yet everything she did was to stare at the outfit with constantly growing eyes. Instead of pupils beating in the eyelids they could spot flickering shapes of processed images and memories kicking inside.
None of them happy and joyful. Painting pictures nobody present wanted to see.
"Maybe wait here Iris we'll get you something mo-"
"Shut up" Iris cut Spyro off "None of you thrash will be giving anything" she turned to the ice, watching her cladded in harness reflection. Dirt in form of blood clung to straps around the waist, locating thinned scale around the well developed dimples there. She slid her paw across her belly, getting hold of the mentioned band. Toes clutched it freely, finding nooks and crannies granting a far stronger grip than one might think possible.
Grabbing it as if they always belonged there.
She tugged at the strap, letting out a whiny yelp when it cut into the sensitive flesh, painting red marks across the snapping in wet sounds scales.
Everyone present clenched their thighs, one that had none opted to intertwine hands at the bottom part of his abdomen.
Iris put her bloodied claws inside her mouth, drawing abhorrent groans from the group.
"Nobody will do anything" She yanked her mask, pulling out rows of sharp teeth in a fierce snarl.
"Now it's my time to give punishment"