FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 8

Time is of the essence, if the danger is real, and there was no reason to believe it isn't, he has to meet the level of expected potential as soon as possible. Knowing himself, he found it odd that his future self allowed things to get out of paws so badly. Then again, his today self didn't have anything to be proud of either, defeating the master of evil and putting the world together when countless lives were lost is hardly a decisive triumph.

Still with that in mind it didn't look very convincing, he would believe that all this danger is slightly overrated, especially when put his power and learning capabilities together. It might not be modest, but he was aware of his strength, he proved it to himself many times already.

Even if the threat was shaded in mystery, did it really have that much strength to overpower his constantly growing power?

He had doubts about that.

After all those years, everything he has gone through, is there really a thing so powerful that would consume him, a thing that he wouldn't overpower with enough time?

Of course n-yes.

He felt his heart cracking at the unexpected thought, confirmation that suddenly occurred to him.

It was such a disgusting thought that he felt his guts cringing inside him, making his intestines nearly push out of his mouth when body nearly confused them for foreign element.

His devotion to Cynder is such power.

A touch of foreboding dread shook his entire body, freezing gauntlet of fear squeezing his bones so tightly that it made muscles numb. The swift severity of his motor powers forced him to totter to the side, he had to push his flank against the wall to keep himself steady.

He never thought about it so deeply before, his commitment to her, assurances of his faithfulness were honest and true. He would defend her, that was his duty most sacred duty right now and definitely also in the future.

Knowing just how much he loves her he was certain that his priorities shifted, especially when children are added to the mix. Who knows at what period of time in the future, whether there was an immediate danger or not, Cynder announced she was in blessed state and when that blessing took form of an egg.

If there was something that made him ignorant, changed his opinion of what is important, it was his family and mate. He couldn't protect everyone, so he probably protected those that mattered to him the most.

Suddenly the Veil threat wasn't as unrealistic as before.

He licked his lips, nearly numb, cold tongue scraped over his mouth like a jagged tentacle of some beast which is feeling the world for the first time.

Will he have to choose?

Would Fate be so cruel as to make the most blessed thing in his world the most vile one?

A thought crossed his head, it was merely a flash, so quick that his mind barely recorded it, yet the aftertaste it left behind spread like a horrid, incurable disease. He could feel the tendrils of this rot spreading to his heart.

He should have never get romantically involved with Cynder.

The putrid disease the thought left behind made him retch, in the spit he was spurting out he could swear he also saw pieces of his soul.

"No" he mumbled, shaking his head fiercely

This was no solution.

Of all the things that were foretold, his bond with Cynder was the only thing he could acknowledge as true destiny.

They were meant for each other, there was no other way. He felt guilty that even such an idea found a crack to slip into his head.

What would have been Cynder's fate when her traumatized soul would face rejection?

He already saw both of them high in the air, here, far away from everything and everyone she finally managed to build enough courage and express her feelings to him. Sensing that he feels the same way about her.

Yet she was met with rejection.

He could see her wings being torn out by a sudden, strong gust of wind, severing them from her back with the sound of tearing paper. She dropped down from the sky like a rock, the loud thud of her impact with the ground made his heart burst out from his chest.

Unfortunately the sensation of his heart exploding wasn't merely his imagination.

Paw slammed into gold scaled chest, claws dived into the small slits in between scales, some so roughly that they scratched flesh underneath.

Sweet Ancestors the pain!

The ache was unbearable, not even the sum of all the physical suffering he endured through all those years could be compared to this agony. It was indescribable in words, finding even an appropriate analogy was impossible.

It was simply the end.

For him, the end of everything.

He growled, paw clenching into a fist, slamming into his chest, fury boiled within him, anger directed entirely at himself and his dramatic ideas. This is the future he keeps thinking about and future has one major weakness.

It can be changed.

His future self could not tell what will happen, he has the privilege of knowing what might occur. He can prepare himself, he is a purple dragon, he worked with less and proved victorious. Now he knows what to expect to some degree, it's his duty to kill the disastrous possibilities.

Someone has created the prophecy, put hope in his kind for some reason. From today begins the time when he will have to convince himself of the sincerity of those words, or stir the nudge to finally rewrite those false words.

With determination pumping blood in every muscle he pushed the door in front of him open, using more force than it was truly needed. When the door smacked into their frames and a rumbling, crashing sound filled the air he thought that this whole place will come crashing down.

Nothing happened.

In a library where usually the loudest noise is that of a scratching, turning page of a book every other sound is like a first omen of an incoming apocalypse.

He winced when the image and the smell of old paper assaulted his senses, making him realize where exactly he was right now.

He looked around the rather cozy library, in fear that the main inhabitant of this place saw him and is ready to deliver his scold after noticing his sanctuary being so roughly violated.

Luckily Volteer was nowhere to be seen.

Spyro gently shut the door behind him.

"Volteer?" he called out softly, turning around, giving the illuminated by a reddish hue, originating from the fireplace and torches, library another quick look over.

The Guardian didn't answer.

He didn't have however the modesty to remain politely in place and wait for the electric dragon to appear. The lingering shreds of recent anxious thoughts effectively stripped him off that feeling. Waiting meant wasting time and that is something they can't afford to lose.

Or perhaps simply he can't.

Determined, he continued onwards, purple paws made sure steps across the carpet, the confident sound of their stomping muffled by the material the floor was covered with.

He crossed more than half of the library, besides the back exit there was only one more room here.

"Volteer?" Spyro called out, a little louder this time

Chaotic thudding and clanking sounds came from the room that was the Guardian's personal laboratory.

"S-Spyro?" the Guardian blurted out from inside his sanctuary, not hiding his shock

The chaotic, rumbling sounds continued as if the Guardian was quickly stuffing inside every nearby drawer some daunting evidence of him committing some serious crime.

"Yes, it's me!" the purple drake replied

"Your accession is a greatly impetuous significant fallout of an action!" Volteer shouted from his laboratory, the turbulent noises noticeably calmed down

"Sorry that I didn't warn you that I will be coming. I came right to you after I got back to the city. I need your help with a very important matter. And I'm afraid, sorry for my boldness, that it can't wait"

Volteer stepped out from his laboratory, his snout was wrinkled by dark shade of depression and guilt.

The door to the laboratory were immediately shut by the dragon's amber tail.

Spyro noticed that immediately, already familiar with the expression that accompanied both him and Cynder on way too many occasions.

Yet a hint of a proud smile broke through the veil of sadness.

"An authoritative tack, maturity articulates tonality with your voice. You have arisen as a prevailing development from an original adjunct. Cause to exhibit small astonishment. How may I render sustenance?"

Spyro shuddered, the Guardian's voice forcing his mind to impulsively rearticulate his recently spoken words. As he mused he realized just how overconfident he sounded, something that didn't escape Volteer's attention.

His blood began to heat momentarily, he knew very well what made him act like that, the lingering name of his mate pulsing at the back of his mind like a heart was a clear evidence. He betrayed their secret, he was certain of it, guilt however was not the only weight he felt on his shoulders.

There was also shame.

What it was than not his ego speaking through him? He spent a night with a girl after all.

Back away fools, the king of the world is coming through. Shove up where the sun don't shine your whole time spent on enjoying your hobby, all hours spent working to sustain your family, or all the worthless days learning new things. Only one of us got laid and now knows how it feels to be a true male.

He felt like an idiot.

"Spyro?"

He balked at the sound of Volteer's concerned voice, paw instantly shot at the back of his neck, scrubbing it fervently. He could feel the heated blood warming his scales.

"I...sorry" he licked his lips "I didn't...want to seem rude. It's just that I feel like we might have serious problems soon. All that worry eats me up it seems"

The words that left his mouth brought him some relief, his heart didn't cringe like always when he lied. This time nothing happened, he was convincing, after all what he said was true to some degree.

The Guardian simply nodded, awaiting for the young drake to continue with a smile on his snout. In his great wisdom knowing that words of comfort aren't always as helpful as they might seem.

"I need to work on my Time powers Volteer. Can you help me please?"

The Guardian nodded.

"Certainly. Training Gro-"

"No" Spyro interjected, cutting the dragon off

The look the old dragon gave him left no room to question his expression. It was made entirely of surprise.

He winced, being quite sure that once more he crossed the line of good tact. Future leader or not, when it came to the experienced Guardian he was still nothing more than a brat who just wiped his mother's milk from underneath his nose.

The paw that rubbed the back of his head stopped, claws clenched and gently pierced the scales as if trying to pull out whatever parasite that is making him act like a dumb moron.

"I mean...the training we are going through is important and everything, but...it takes a while. Isn't there anything we can do to speed up the process?"

Something changed within Guardian, his suggestion forced out every spark of joy and pride from the yellow snout. The dragon's expression became gloom like recently clear sky covered by black, big rainclouds.

"Hasten?" Volteer mumbled, his forcefully slowed way of speaking made his voice sound like a squeak of a choked pig

"I know it all depends on me, speeding things up is only on my shoulders. I'm doing my best, I really am and if there is no other choice I will try even harder. I just...we might have problems Volteer, big ones if we delay and hope my stupid brain will finally piece everything together"

"I visited Danox, the black dragon and asked him about the Veils, since he is from the future he had to know something. He told me how the future will look like and also pinpointed us in the direction that would help us probably avoid the worst. Sadly all those roads are connected with my Time powers, or lack of any to be precise. It all turns around the Veil manipulation, I am capable of doing it supposedly, the future me was manipulating those things as he liked. I know it's possible, I've felt I can somehow influence the portals, I just need to figure it out how to do it"

"All would be ok if Danox wouldn't mention also the dangers. I mean, now, when we know what will happen we need to figure out a way to counter the threat right? As far as we know our long training sessions might be the first step into the bad and ugly"

"What if rapidity in propel is the first gait to condemnation to subsisting outside all relations of time penalty extorted for an offense as a repercussion of an act adjudged as transgression?"

Spyro frowned.

"How can speed be responsible? The future us didn't know what was going to happen so they didn't rush anything. Today we can prepare and be ready"

"Future is a variable which environs cannot be rendered stalwart or permanent. Imagine Future as a characterized by sagacity and originality of invention mole's mechanical edifice dear Spyro. For the invention to attain operative activity many meticulous modes of being with homage to circumstances must be met in right order. Nearly every mechanical appliance has a section of moiety that can be exploited by adroit brain to reach the activity without initiating all the condign steps. A bypass. The variable however remains unvaried"

Spyro was taken aback by the Guardian's clever insight, he never thought about it like that. What are the odds that his future self, seeing what is happening, didn't try to speed things up as well? What if he will commit to this idea today, right in this very moment, won't change much, but only save a couple of lives?

Then again, what if those saved lives are the key to a different, bright future?

What if they are a key to more dark one?

A strong sense of anxiousness washed over him when he realized that no matter what he will choose the next days will be a one big mystery.

The answer to all those doubts was clear and unfortunately sad.

There was absolutely no way of telling if the decisions they make are right, ironically even if the future is to some degree known.

"What now then?" Spyro mumbled, his voice was easily heard, words however were addressed to no one in particular

Volteer's expression darkened even further. The boy that arrived here was confident and certain of his actions, this one right now was beaten and tortured like a prisoner spending his life in a dark dungeon.

And all because of his fear.

That extraction he committed, what was the justification behind that vile thing?

Ah yes.

Science.

After all the creature that was lying on his table wasn't a dragon, a living sentient being, but a ball of uncontrollable magical energy. Procuring a sample from the unknown and mysterious is the goal of life of every scientist.

It is so natural and normal that he keeps seeing his sharp claw dripping with blood and piercing flesh whenever he touches a book.

Their leathery covers are like the scales of a young dragon.

He had never done such a thing before, never before science took place ahead of respect for life. However odd and dangerous it might seem.

So why he couldn't stop himself?

He didn't know the answer for that question, the inability to possess an answer for problems occurring in life was something he couldn't stand.

In this particular case however he simply didn't want to know. Whatever he did, he did for a reason, who knows, maybe he prepared himself for this very moment, somehow instinct directed his actions so everything would work out in the end.

Dissuasion from a path just because he couldn't take responsibility for his shameful action is not a solution. Spyro was determined, more than ever, making him stray away from it would be a disaster.

Or wouldn't it?

The eternal dilemma of Fate.

"We wend with your conception prevailing in the mind as a denouement of mental superior endowment of discernment" Volteer stated, answering the young dragon's question that hung in the air for like an eternity

Spyro's eyes widened, intimidated hope flushed out the colors on his snout.

"You know a way how can we force my stupid head, or whatever is responsible for learning magic, to pick up the pace?"

The Guardian nodded.

"I do"

His heart skipped a beat, this was the moment to decide whether he wants to alter the future, or if he simply wants to speed up the disastrous future.

There was no good answer and he was better off doing something than let things happen on their own. He never walked an already trodden path, there is no reason to start now. Making his own choices helped him save the world and take for a mate a girl as sweet as mandarins despite her black, ominous scales.

If he would walk down the true path of prophecy and superstition perhaps neither of these two things would happen.

"Let's do it" Spyro said and his voice was filled with conviction of a priest of unswerving faith "How can we speed up the process?"

The Guardian sighed deeply, the breath that came out of his mouth sounded like a moan of an awakening corpse.

"By yielding to the potentiality of evil"

Spyro gulped.

"Ok...I don't really like the sound of that"

"Do you want to ruminate again, especially with a view to vicissitude of decision?" the glint of hope in the old dragon's voice was almost palpable

His was afraid of that glimmer.

Dipping his claws into something that is evil is not his favorite option to say the least. His heart however, even if filled with protest and doubt, started to burn, as if a long forgotten cut would remind him of its existence.

He had a strange feeling of water filling his mouth.

"I want to see what you have in mind before I decide on anything"

There was a click of opening door.

Spyro noticed the Guardian's tail sliding back from the handle of the door, a tail that had to remain in that very same spot throughout their whole conversation since it was truly the very first time he saw it and was reminded of its existence.

Volteer led the young dragon into his sanctuary without another word, which was quite odd considering the fact that talking is like breathing for the amber drake.

Spyro threw the laboratory a single, not really curious glance, all of his attention was drawn towards the Guardian who approached one of his workstations. His moves were slow and cautious as if he would have a knife to his throat.

Every now and then he noticed the dragon's purple pupils shifting to the corner of his eyes, checking if he is still there. Glimmering sadly when they realized that nothing has changed.

A small metallic thud echoed through the room when whatever the Guardian was hiding in the drawers landed on the top of his workstation.

Spyro craned his neck from left to right, trying to see past the massive back of the old dragon. His attempts weren't successful, but he kept on trying, solely because he didn't want to look like a nagging, curious child.

Aware of the purple dragon's anxiousness the Guardian stepped to the side.

Amethyst eyes widened when on the table he noticed a mechanical, purple, metallic device connected by rivets and glowing with a menacing, orange light through the small barred openings that looked like tiny gates of a furnace.

The device had a shape of a draconic paw with the palm directed upwards, metallic spikes like claws protruded from all around the device, with one big one stretching upwards from the one end of the artificial paw and curling in the air like a raptor claw with the sharp tip pointing directly at the metallic, opened palm.

He recognized the device, it was a miniature version of the machinery the Ape's used to draw power from the gem clusters.

Spyro licked his lips apprehensively.

"This is the evil solution isn't it?" he asked even if he already knew the answer, he hoped for a second that perhaps the construction that landed on the workstation is just a miniature toy and the magical aura surrounding it was just a strange quiver of wind

"Yes"

The Guardian confirmed and the way he did that by using only a single word made all of this even more scary and unnatural.

"But...this thing used to suck power out of the gems, as far as I know none exist that are connected with Time. It's not a normal elemental energy that can be fueled by a green gem"

Volteer nodded, one day he would be undoubtedly impressed by the young dragon's intelligence and ability to form precise conclusions. Right now he believed though that this wit is a curse.

Continuing with the unusual silence amber paw dived into the drawer again, in a blink of the eye a small gem was placed inside the device.

The orange light became more intense, the sensation of magical energy rippling the air also became stronger. The crystal was momentarily lifted up, its top, pointy end touching the sharp tip of the claw above. The gem hovered in the air, bobbing gently like a dead fish in the water.

Spyro observed the scene with mild interest until his curiosity was shoved back by a pulse of horror when he realized that he recognizes the gem.

It was a small piece of certainly a bigger gem, it had a red hue, at first it was dim and looked dead, but the moment it was touched by the energy stored in the device it flared up with a bright light. Tendrils of red and yellow swirled inside the crystal structure.

It looked exactly like the gem Flare had in his chest.

He had no idea why this recognition made him uneasy, but somehow seeing this crystal here made him feel as if he is about to rape his new companion and there is nothing he can do about it.

"It's Flare's" Spyro huffed, voicing out his thoughts

Volteer rubbed his left leg uncomfortably.

"You convinced him to allow you to experiment on that thing? That's huge, I'm really surprised he agreed to share a piece, he nearly freaked out last time when you proposed to even look at it closely"

"The worked out with great fastidiousness and nicety of detail designed appliance is not the only extenuation making known in detail why this gimmick is evil"

Volteer's purple eyes turned at the hovering gem, sadness and guilt was radiating from them.

"I have come into retention of the gem with no sufferance from the subject. Flare is absorbed wholly by magic, adjudicating by scientific eye he is no dragon, but a walking deviation from the prevalent form. When he was repossessing strength in my place equipped to ushering scientific assays I...simply had to annex more knowledge, I couldn't moil against the temptation..."

"You stole a shard from Flare's chest when he was unconscious?" Spyro jerked his head back in surprise "It's so unlike you"

Volteer nodded, depressed.

"Yes"

Another heart stopping single word.

"Why would you do such a thing?"

The Guardian shook his head.

"I lack cognition of what is true or right coupled with just percipience as to action to inaugurate correct rejoinder to that sentence in an interrogative form"

He didn't know.

A dragon who values knowledge and understanding of absolutely everything didn't know why he stole a piece of a gem from a boy. Even if Volteer is really a scientist, cladded in scales with a mole soul, he is still a sentient, friendly being, causing harm is not in his nature. He is a good guy.

Even good guys have scars they don't want to show.

He knew that all too well, the corpses in Boven didn't appear out of nowhere.

Nobody is perfect.

Once more doubt filled his heart about this whole idea, is preventing disaster worth sacrificing morals? He needs some kind of assurance he is doing the right thing.

"Will that...extraction cause any harm to Flare?" he licked his lips, terrified of the answer

"Absolutely not!" Volteer growled and the offense in his voice was clear as day

Spyro sighed in relief.

Even if driven by an unknown force to expand wisdom, Volteer would never cross a line that would put life in danger. The Guardian wasn't a talented actor, he couldn't possibly fake that indignation.

He was a good dragon.

Much more better than him.

"Maybe it isn't nice what you did, but there had to some good reason for you to do such a thing. Besides, Flare is going to be alright so...wait. This is why you've been feeling so depressed lately? Guilt is eating you up"

Spyro smiled comfortingly.

"We all did something we regret, in your case however the situation is even better because nobody got hurt. Who knows, maybe your decision also helped save more lives than you know. Taking that shard was for a greater good, maybe it wasn't fair, but we both know that if it would be truly evil you would have never done it. You're a good guy, the nicest I know, ask Cynder if you don't believe me, she senses those things somehow"

Volteer smiled and this was the genuine, friendly smile he was known of.

"Your units of palaver consisting of spoken sonances are supremely regarded"

Spyro chuckled softly.

"That's great to hear. It's better to do ugly in a slightly good humor, at least then there is something to waste" he nodded at the device "How does it work?"

Volteer cocked his head curiously.

"After corraling through effort of colloquy knowledge about everything you still connote a wish to carry on from the locus of abeyance?"

The purple drake bit his lip.

He did want to continue, even if perhaps he should feel some kind of abhorrence about this whole thing, especially when knowing how this device was mounted in the first place.

He didn't feel any disgust however, a slight discomfort maybe, but other than that, nothing. He felt indescribable strength and conviction in his actions. He knew what was at stake, knew what he was fighting for and as he swore to himself before, he will do everything to protect his mate.

This is his duty.

Besides...how this simple theft could be called evil in the face of the things he had done?

He can still hear the cries of people for their lost loved ones in the gusts of wind.

"We have to do something Volteer" he said confidently "People lives are at stake, besides it's not like you can give this thing simply back. Either we use it and maybe get some needed help in return, or we let it lose its power" he shrugged "I don't feel like giving up after all this trouble"

Volteer was impressed that such a young dragon could be so intelligent and his points could be so accurate. He was especially correct about the humor he mentioned, the smile that grew on his snout disappeared after noticing the youngster's determination in pursuing a goal that was far from noble. If that smile didn't appear he would never follow through with the idea.

"The mechanical and magical contrivance feigns the aggregate of responses to internal and external stimuli of a dragon amid gem absorption. It allotment the inept the right to inherit strength that their pertaining to nature and macrocosm tendencies were incapable of doing. Tantamount customary habitude applies to the crystals themselves. The contraption makes them eminently liable to those already endowed with the ability to incite their energy with magic"

The Guardian ran his claw gently across the metallic surface, muscles twitched at the sensation of pulsing magical energy.

"Place your paw on the rostrum and the systematic consecution of actions will instigate"

Spyro gulped anxiously, approached the device, paw risen and ready to do its job. The moment however his claws touched the metallic, pulsing with energy contraption they curled back into a fist.

"This is not a normal gem, but everything sounds so easy. Where's the catch?"

"Process is unmistakable, the effective prominence of its completion however is the irrefutable burden. Your Time power will augment luxuriantly, you will establish juncture with the Veils by exhaustively disordered means, without any venture considered as a vein preparing for the future. Be expectant for an austere change in your life"

Spyro hesitated.

All of this sounded very serious and scary, especially when considering all the stories Danox shared about the future and its dangers. Learning to manipulate the portals felt like a willing shove of his own head under the falling axe of a practicing executioner.

Then again wasn't his life always about dodging that axe in the last moment?

Change was a part of his life from the very beginning.

The moment he hatched in the Swamps, that was already a change in the standard draconic life. Another change happened when Apes showed up and he stirred his fire element. Again another change when it was obvious he can't stay in his home.

Then he met Ignitus, that was one of the milestones. Then he met the rest of the Guardians, Hunter and the cheetahs, all the other races and people.

Then he met Cynder, fought her, saved her and fell in love with her.

After that he feared for the world, he protected the world and in the end, despite all circumstances, saved the world.

Yes, Change was always there. Always mysterious and intimidating, always painful, but in the end always more good came out of it.

Always.

So what are the chances it will be different this time? Isn't a little struggle worth peace for his family and all the people?

He always carried the pressure, avoiding it meant shedding his purple scales.

That was not an option. Too many counted on him.

"Won't be my first time" Spyro said

There was some dose of unimaginable satisfaction and certainty in his voice as he put his paw on the device which started to surround his draconic palm with a bright, red light.

*

She lowered the mug down from her snout, sitting only on her hind legs she held the mug in both front paws, making sure she won't drop it, staring at the swirling, red liquid inside with hungry glimmer in her green eyes.

The wine was delicious.

Her tongue made circles around her mouth, making long, insistent swipes, catching every bit of somewhat sweet, yet bitter grape from her maw. She has never before tested the juices of the elite.

And right now she was in the City Hall of Warfang the capital of the Realms with wine on her tongue.

Even when she was Malefor's slave and basically ruler of the entire world the only red liquid she ever tasted back then was blood.

After that unfortunate time there was hardly anyone willing to share bread with her, let alone wine.

"Good, isn't it?"

Her eyes widened, a blush started to fill up her cheeks at the sound of the amused, baritone voice. She could imagine already how silly she had to look. Instead of turning her head to hide her embarrassment she opted for a different cover. She raised the mug again, obscuring her features behind the item while also taking small sips of its contents.

Even embarrassed people deserve some pleasure.

Terrador chuckled.

She put the mug down on the table, her teasing, fighter's spirit not allowing anyone to have satisfaction from her moments of weakness.

"I've had better" Cynder said, throwing the mug a hateful glance

Her tongue impulsively began another dance around her black mouth.

The Earth Guardian laughed, the girl on the opposite side of the table reminded him of a clueless hatchling that has something on her nose and can't figure out how to get rid of it.

"I see. Better be careful with that tongue, some more swings and you're going to lick yourself to bone"

With a loud slurp she hid her tongue back into its cave, sealing it by pressing her lips tightly to each other.

Terrador shook his head, cursing himself under his breath.

"I apologize for my remarks. Please do enjoy yourself, you deserve it"

Cynder's brow raised in reaction to that statement.

"I do?"

"Of course, why the surprise?"

"I rarely hear from other people enjoy and deserve it combination. I hardly hear enjoy to begin with. The other verb is more popular, but it usually combines with more colorful words like pain, death and humiliation"

He knew she was being serious, yet he couldn't help himself, a weak smile still stretched his mouth. Those were tragic words, in her case they were way too true, this knowledge alone should be enough to feel sad and miserable, but the lightheartedness she used to say those sentences made it look as if it was a sarcastic joke.

All of it was impressing, as a long time warrior he understands what trauma is and how difficult it is to free oneself from it, if it's possible in the first place that is. Here, in this girl, who suffered and caused unimaginable horror, there was absolutely no trace of the trauma that once nearly flew out of her like water from a boiling pot.

Something changed and whatever it was, it made her stronger than ever before.

"I must admit" Terrador stated, not trying to hide the awe in his voice "You're handling your situation very well, to be able to deal with troubles in such a way,...the comfort must feel remarkable"

Cynder shrugged.

"I think I just got used to it"

"Even old wounds can hurt when you remind yourself of them. No, you didn't get used to the scars, you erased them and shielded yourself from every attempt that would open those injuries again, like they no longer are meant for you. You are beaming young Cynder and it's an intimidating and pleasing sight"

She hectically grabbed the cup, burying her snout inside, cheeks of which began to heat again.

Is it so obvious she's in love?

"I am?" she mumbled, voice turned to echo by the mug

The Earth Guardian's eyes widened, paw jumped to scratch his beard. The girl's sudden bashfulness surprised him and made him repeat his words inside his head, only then he understood that they might have been wrongly interpreted.

"I didn't mean to cause any discomfort. My words were pure pride for your strength and force of will, I had no intentions to flirt with you"

She frowned.

"What?"

"Forgive me, I believe I'm getting senile"

She pulled her nose out of the cup, staring at the Guardian, confused.

"You thought that I thought about you thinking about me? I thought that you thought that I..." she stopped, she felt that her tongue tied itself around her teeth "What did I just say?"

"I thought..." Terrador mumbled and stopped, his eyes momentarily met with the young, green ones.

They both stared at each other in complete silence that lasted perhaps for ten seconds.

Then they both exploded with laughter.

"Let's just forget about it" Cynder proposed when she finally calmed herself

With one final chuckle the Guardian nodded his head.

"Agreed"

"I should really ease on the wine it seems, it makes my brain numb and I start to talk a lot"

"Truth be told, I was hoping the wine would cause the last effect"

She scratched her choker thoughtfully.

"Danox really got your attention"

"I'm a declared protector of this city and the Realms. I prefer to know about everything that might be a danger to peace" he raised his paw defensively "I don't imply that he can be dangerous because of the color of his scales. You are a black dragon as well and we shared a laugh together did we not?"

"Terrador slow down. You don't have to explain yourself to me, I acted like a child before, forget about it. You are a Guardian, you have all the right to do as you please. I'm afraid that after this wine I might not be a reliable source of information. I might say nonsense, or after a little nudge tell you exactly what you want to hear"

"Information is information" he replied, not even taken aback by her suggestion that was nothing more than a joke

Cynder frowned, surprised by his seriousness. She grabbed the cup and shook it in her paw, trying to draw his attention to it.

"You sure you're not trying to bribe me with this?"

As before the Guardian showed no sign of humor, his eyes that seemed scared and more tired than ever narrowed on the mug.

She gasped faintly when she noticed colors being stripped from his features, she could swear he became more gloom and ill by the second. He looked like a hero of the horror story that collapsed at the edge of the dark forest he ran through, avoiding the monster chasing him. All strength faded away that after all this darkness finally a light appeared, he extended his desperate for help hand.

Strong, clawed paws touching the ground.

Another living creature, another mole with a glowing helmet.

Hope.

But it was no hope, but the gaping, burning maw of the monster ready to devour its prey.

"Terrador?" she whispered tentatively "Are you feeling alright?"

He stirred, throwing his head back and shaking it with a grunt as if he would be roughly awoken from a deep sleep.

"Huh? Oh yes!" he rubbed his forehead fervently "Sorry, I got lost in my own thoughts. Tell me about Danox please, I'm sure there is nothing to report, but nevertheless, please share what you have learnt"

She took a swig from the mug, she simply had to make another sip and this time craving for the sweet taste had nothing to do with it. She felt as if she would be betraying a most sacred secret and only alcohol can make this endeavor bearable.

"He has something of a Sparx spark in him. Wiseass, but not annoying, charming really. Narcissistic, he knows more than he is letting out and is aware that we suspect him of that. Intelligent, likes to toy with people by using ambiguous proverbs and by making people work for information. Despite everything likes to be in the center of attention, whether he is being praised or taunted doesn't seem to matter"

"Strong, definitely powerful and dangerous. Doesn't seem to be interested in causing destruction however, he was willing to share some tips with us how to prevent it actually. Hard to say what interests him really, as for someone who was sent to prevent the future from happening he doesn't seem to do much about it. Seems lazy, or cocky, probably both. Macho, thinks that whatever can be thrown at him he can handle"

"He doesn't seem to want to destroy anyone or anything, he's more like the couch type, knows he can do everything, but is too lazy to do so. He prefers that someone puts a spoon in his mouth instead of getting the food himself. I think we can sleep safely for know, if he would want to invade us he would have to first drag his ass up from the ground. Hard work that thing"

She made another swig, emptying the mug and looking inside it with disgust wrinkling her snout.

"Not mine..." she was attacked by an unexpected hiccup

Cynder momentarily covered her mouth and cringed in shame.

"Sorry. What was I trying to say?" she mumbled and held her breath, choking the annoyance that squeezed her vocal cords

Her question reached deaf ears, her companion who was sitting on the opposite side of the table was staring at her with wide eyes and opened mouth.

She felt unnaturally small.

"Umm...Terrador?"

He twirled back to life at the sound of his name, tongue popped out from his mouth to wet his green, dry lips.

"You..." he rasped, he momentarily cleared his throat "...You learned all of this by spending merely some hours with him?"

"It's not like he told me this, he has that...vibe you know? You can ask Ignus for confirmation, it's no big deal really. I mean if I can tell so much about him in so little time than Ignus can tell you the same, or even more. I don't know if there's more tho"

"Vibe? What do you mean?"

Cynder scratched her choker again.

"I'm not sure really. Maybe because of his eyes? They are as black as coal and shimmering like a gem. You can see your own reflection in them, it's like you would be talking to yourself, but through some crazy, wicked mirror"

She shrugged.

"I don't know, it just feels weird"

Terrador drummed his claws on the wooden table.

"I must say that I'm not as comforted as I would like to"

"You were asking about a black dragon, is it really comfort that you sought?"

The Guardian winced, even if there was no secret, hidden meaning behind that question it was straight to the point nevertheless.

The answer to that question was simple, something he was afraid to admit, but even more scared to share.

No, it wasn't.

It was clear as day, he wasn't looking for a comforting thought, his warrior's instinct would never allow him to hold on to something so fragile and false like that. What he was looking for was an excuse, or perhaps evidence to support or collapse a claim that keeps nagging him from the moment Brill showed up in the Hall.

Strange thoughts poked him even before the mole's arrival, the priest stirred them even more. Brill is absolutely aware of his reputation around here, especially this hall, even more so with Cyril around and yet the cleric still came over.

Was Brill extending a helpful hand or was sowing doubt knowing that all his life he relies on instinct?

He didn't know the answer for that question, like he didn't know the answer for many more. Even the most simplest of dilemmas like yes or no.

Yes or no.

He had a feeling that he is running out of time.

"You are right" Terrador confirmed with a weak, forced smile "I think in my old age I start worrying too much. I suppose this is the consequence of fading muscles, when they no longer have the strength to carry the crown something else needs to take their place. Unfortunately in my case it's not the bladder, but the brain"

Cynder giggled.

"No worries, Spyro is down there right now with Volteer, they are going to figure out how can we stop all of this. It's going to be better from now on, you won't even know when your worries will be gone and then perhaps your bladder will take the mantle of leadership"

She grinned.

He returned the smile.

"Tempting perspective and if I know Spyro he will make certain that it will become true"

Something rumbled outside.

They both looked to the side, at the big window on the far end of the hall. In the sky, perfect clean, and azure sky, they saw thunderbolts cracking in the air from invisible clouds. Yet instead of reaching down like usual as if they wanted to stab some insolent people on the ground they stretched horizontally along the azure surface as if they would be swimming in a sea that is called the sky.

The lines looked like cracking elemental energy of an electric dragon, bend and curved in every direction, looking like blades. The sky was full of them, coming from all directions, pulsing like veins filled with blood.

Both Cynder and Terrador looked at each other, the contact of eyes lasted for a second and then both of them sprung on all fours and sprinted outside.

They looked up, joining many other heads already looking at the sky.

The bolts seemed to gather in one place, join in a single spot that was now the size of a small cracking ball of lightning, completely white.

The joining spot was directly above the City Hall.

The ball spat out tongues of lightning, twirling around chaotically and nervously as if it was a horde of really strange, angry bees preparing for an invasion.

Every dragon shook on his or hers legs, punched suddenly by a powerful bolt of elemental energy that was alien to all of them. Fire drakes coughed up sparks of flames from their noses, ice froze the ground under their shaking paws, earth clenched their paws so fiercely that small cracks appeared on their scales, electric ones spun and jumped around, poked by the jumping lightning bolt bouncing off somewhere deep inside them.

The one black dragon in the city was unaffected in a physical sense, the wave of energy had no effect on her, it however had a strong impact on her shadow. Shadow that earlier stretched normally along the nearby wall of the city hall, shadow nearly exactly her size. Now that shadow shrunk, to a tiny dot, which for a second disappeared completely.

The noise of her pounding heart numbed all of her other senses.

The show on the sky lasted only for a while, minutes passed and the ball calmed down until eventually it exploded silently. Sending back the electric pulses the same way from which they came from.

This time however they weren't white.

They were red as blood.