FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 10

"We cannot confirm that any manner of progress was achieved yet. The sky behaved strangely, but we have no evidence as for now that could claim that this anomaly caused any sort of disturbance with the Veils, existence of which we are already aware of" Terrador's baritone voice boomed calmly

"It is still too early of course to draw any conclusions, be assured however that the situations in Boven, as well as in Munitions Forge, are intently monitored. Right now the village is secured, the state of the portal in the Forge is unknown after the cave in, but besides stragglers that somehow survived on the upper levels of the mines no more of those insectoid creatures were encountered. Work in Munitions Forge is resumed as normal"

"Also" Cyril took the mantle of leadership for now, irritation and frustration were clearly audible in his voice, it was perhaps due to the nervousness or perhaps total developed habit, that nobody paid attention to his tone of a bothered king who's daydream was just interrupted

"Falcons are coursing ceaselessly, if the sky will stir threat we will know about it immediately. You can sleep safely"

The last time Spyro spent in the company of Cyril showed him that he is no stranger to blunt, straightforward honesty when it comes to pinpointing someone else's weaknesses or voicing his own thoughts for that matter. Words like safety and_peace_ weren't a part of his dictionary, those that judged him only by his arrogant, aggressive ways would be surprised that he didn't call people to take up arms immediately and start practicing because danger is coming, of course motivating them with a precise taunt here and there.

Spyro was aware that Cyril isn't a Guardian merely because he is a friend with Volteer, Terrador and late Ignitus so the ice dragon's rather serene response was no surprise to him. Behind that aura what might say of blind arrogance hid intelligence. That wit was the reason behind the reserved words, the nervous, scared crowd was at the brink of patience, one wrong word would be enough to make that crowd's tension boil like water from a pot after uncovering the lid.

In fact he didn't have to rely on Cyril's intelligence to tell that the crowd of people is at the brink of panic, or perhaps a state similar to that when a mass murderer is about to receive the fate he deserves.

They couldn't understand that after the tragic times of war against Malefor and Lightbane that happened relatively not so long ago another danger might be brewing up somewhere. In their unstable state he was glad that Cynder followed Terrador's advice and stayed inside.

He was aware that in situation like these people will expect, will demand really some palpable assertion saying that the situation is under control. The Guardians might have the ear when it comes to ruling the city, but when it comes to things that could leave an influence on the world as a whole, they will look at him.

And that scared him to the very bone.

The roaring, screaming crowd in the plaza reminded him of one of his more terrible life experiences, the Fellmuth Arena. People acted like the Skavangers there, if he wouldn't know better he would also take them for bloodthirsty mob cheering for their cruel entertainment.

Even if he knew that this crowd was full of scared, worried people that can't vent their emotions in any other way than intimidated anger he had a strange feeling that not everything is as it seems and one mistake is enough to actually turn this plaza into a ring.

To make things worse, exactly like in the arena on the pirate ship, he is the main actor and it's entirely up to him how the next act of the show will look like.

He never thought about it really before, but now, when he observes the crowd of people that are so alike like the pirates on that ship he begins to believe that on that arena were born his fears and uncertainty when it comes to facing big groups of people.

Not only Fellmuth forced him to fight against his will, but also forced him to fight for his survival. They cheered and screamed as he drew blood and when blood was drawn from him, the roars became so much more intense when the time came to clash his claws with Cynder's.

Even if they managed to agree to fake the fight and before their plan was interrupted by Gaul's army, the initial fear of that encounter left a mark. They weren't big friends back then, it was hard to call their relationship friendship really in the first place, basically their acquaintance was as plain, considering heroic standards, as it could be.

Saving of life, wordy gratitude and wishes of best luck sealed by a vigorous shake of paws. That was it.

That encounter however traumatized him, back then he was too stupid and blind to see it, but now, when his relationship with Cynder reached almost its summit, it was obvious as the sun in a cloudless day, he had feelings for her even back then.

Even if this was far from the greatest fear of his life, seeing groups of people always triggered that recently unexplained fright in him, realizing the explanation behind it didn't help much either. All it did was to make him not to run away, crying, whether that was a good thing he couldn't tell.

All he knew right now is that the longer he stares at all these people, the more certain he becomes that he won't be able to satisfy everybody. Like in an arena, you either gain the sympathy of the bloodthirsty crowd or your opponent.

What is more worthy?

Without a doubt he can say that sparing the life of your opponent is more worthy than pleasing the cheering, blood demanding crowd.

What if however that one day you spare an opponent with the power to annihilate the entire arena? Even if you went against the demands of the crowd is the life of everybody worth the salvation of one?

He instinctively looked up, hoping that the won't notice the flying pirate ship circling the sky above.

Luckily it wasn't there.

He prayed for it to always stay like that.

"How can we sleep safely when that sky can shoot thunderbolts again and fry all the birds even before they get here!" someone shouted from the crowd

"It's the Dark army I tell you! They are plotting a revenge!"

"The apes are stupid mercs! They would never be able to control the sky!"

"It's the Ancestors! They are angry at us!"

"The procedure of seceding from the standard aggregate of antiphons to internal and external stimuli of nature is no repercussion of a deific interference of one state in the proceedings of another, but possibly a fraternization of magical energies as they reticulate with each other" Volteer explained in his typical friendly manner

The Electric Guardian had the respect of the people, he was always sincere and his intentions and explanations were always honest and what he believed to be the truth after his sharp brain made all the necessary deductions.

However in this case, even if his words rang true it was like trying to teach a feral animal to speak. People in the crowd acted exactly like those wild creatures.

The three dragons that stood next to Volteer in a row noticed it. There were many that didn't understand the Guardian, but there were also those that did, however that didn't change the fact that the electric dragon was as confusing as always, or even more so.

It was hard to understand him when you were calm and paying attention to every stream of words he says. In the face of anger and fear radiating from the crowd like heat from a furnace it was impossible. When emotions get ahead of focus the dragon's words were like a gravelly shouts of a trader in a bustling marketplace.

Even if his goods were fresh and genuine nobody heard him.

A single, shared glance between the two other Guardians and a single purple drake was enough to tell that Volteer's words of wisdom were as useful as electricity in a bathtub.

Even the members of the crowd exchanged similar glances, the short break in the commotion didn't last long however, a moment later everything returned back to the previous, loud state.

The nearly heartbroken expression that soon appeared on the amber dragon's snout was a clear sign that he came to the same, or perhaps more witty, conclusion like his companions.

"Will you finally tell us what is going on?!"

The demanding roar that came from the anxious crowd forced an audible, in every other circumstances that is, rumbling growl from Cyril's throat.

"You terrified sheep" the ice dragon snarled, his voice starting as a whisper but the tone raising with each new spoken letter "If you would only listen to Vo-"

The growling sounds ended abruptly when a green paw landed on his shoulder and clenched it tightly.

Cyril turned around, his eyes practically glowing like a block of ice under the swiping ray of the. Lips quivered in hardly sustained fury, revealing shiny, sharp fangs underneath.

"You shouldn't have stopped me. These people need to be reminded of their cowardice and inability to comprehend simple words"

"Let's not fight fire with fire" Terrador responded "When old wounds of war are being reopened when they are not healed completely cauterization is no viable option, it only leads to more screaming"

"I am going on" Spyro replied unexpectedly

The crowd momentarily went silent, all eyes turned to him, in this moment nothing mattered, the hate, the religious zeal, the nervous visions of doom, all of this and more became irrelevant.

Spyro gulped, the bulge of saliva that went down his throat felt like a huge, spiked ball that barely fit through his suddenly shrunk gullet. The stares put an unexplained, heavy weight on him, not only pushing down his shoulders, but also squeezing him like huge, earthy gauntlets of a hero orc.

His lungs started to sting while also bloating like leather canteen under as it absorbed unending stream of water, swelling and swelling ready to burst as if it would be nothing else, but an infested blob on a wound touched by poison.

His widening amethyst eyes absorbed every snout and face, usually when it came to mobs and he had one greeting him in Warfang all that time ago after he returned from the battle with Malefor, it was always the first line that took most of the focus, the rest were just really weird, overgrown bees.

Such comparison made the already horrible experience somewhat more bearable.

Here however there was no spark of relaxation, he discerned every single snout and face, read every expression even from rows in the far end and the surrounding walls and buildings. Making the already big crowd even more huge and the sense of being overwhelmed almost as profound as true, honest faith.

They all looked at him, right now it didn't matter on what side each of those people was, the loyal, religious pilgrims or the more dosed when it came to faith citizens. He was the same thing for every one of them, the prophesied purple dragon, living, born example of ancient words written by unknown force.

Didn't matter if it were the Ancestors, a lucky prank, joke, nature itself or a calculation of many brilliant minds. Perhaps all of those things and perhaps none at all.

Right now he was the example that impossible doesn't exist, the proven example that if there is a possibility to change things, they can be changed. An example that when everything seems futile there is always a tiny gate through which you can sneak and achieve victory.

Right now he was the brilliant mind, he was the joke and the prank, the living Ancestor, he was the lighthouse on the black sea, unable to miss by anyone that decides to traverse it.

His words were the light, where they will point everyone will follow.

He was the general and the priest.

And the people were his soldiers or siblings in faith.

He was the player.

The world was the chessboard.

And the people were his pawns.

His head started to hurt, he blinked, with horror realizing that he was actually choking, due to all of this stress he forgot to breathe. His paw slammed against his mouth, muffling back a cough and a retch in one.

People were shaking nervously, their focused and startled expressions were gone, replaced by toned annoyance, bored faces of people that need to wait in a line in a hospital that suddenly ran out of the required medicine.

"Spyro" Terrador whispered, not looking his way, Spyro could feel the gentle shove of the old dragon's voice nudging him to continue and not to lose the opportunity

He however was again attacked by overwhelming weight of stress. He wanted to say something, to act and he hesitated. People say he is supposed to become a leader one day, when that happens the crowds he will see will not only be on his side, but also might belong to an yet unknown enemy.

Thousands of people about to clash together and the fate of one or both lies in the next words that come out of his mouth.

He never believed he would think about such a thing, but it was easier to decide to go face alone a danger which has a high chance of ending his life than actually telling people to calm down.

He had a funny feeling that the first scenario was more clear and more direct than actually proposing to rethink a certain situation. At least in the first case the outcome was known.

He desired to run.

Just like that, intimidation played no role here, he just wanted to run and leave all of this behind, allow someone else the seat with the power to play with someone else's life.

He even looked behind his shoulder as if justifying that sudden impulse, with paw constantly and tightly slammed against his mouth and fear wanting to vent out in the most unwelcome of ways.

He would move, he was sure of it, he would move if he wouldn't spot the figure of a black snout he recognized so well looking his way from the window of the City Hall. That sight made all that fear slide back down his gullet, the sight made him realize that if he wouldn't be here, here in the unwelcome spotlight, there would be nothing separating her from the troubles.

The known and the unknown.

And when it comes to her and her innocence, there is no blade or fist he wouldn't be a training dummy for. Hopefully he is big and sturdy enough to serve as a cover for other people.

Hopefully all of them.

There is only one way to find out if it really can be that easy.

After all you don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

He turned back towards the crowd, the paw that once was stuck to his maw was back on the ground again, meeting once more the looks of expectations and indescribable desires. As he observed those people he pitied and worried for them, they believe in him without knowing his doubts.

He knew them all too well, the initial fright reminded him that he is nothing more than an overrated dragon with purple scales. Rare breed with not yet fully researched powers. Like every other dragon before him was once.

Heroes don't have doubts.

Prophesied saviors don't question and waver. Prophesied saviors believe in the words that created their legend.

He didn't.

Because he had questions, he had doubts and the only thing that pushed him forward was his own determination and the taught by his parents tendency to always do the good thing, to help if you have the power to do so.

His heart was the motivation.

Because when it comes to action, there is only one truth.

We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell.

"The-" Spyro ended abruptly and cleared his throat, realizing quickly that his voice sounded as if his mouth would be full of sand "The strange thunder that you saw on the sky was my fault, we kept working on a solution on how to stop the appearing portals and finally today we managed to find the answer. I think"

"What do you mean you think?" came a question from the crowd, this time however there was no aggression behind it, only fear and worry "You think this thing that you did can backfire?"

Murmurs raised in the air, some were supporting the doubt and scared question, others, that part being in majority, challenged the hesitancy. In their blind loyalty blaming the indecision raisers how they can question the dragon that fought impossible battles for them and won.

When everyone believed that nothing can be done he proved that impossible is merely a word.

He can't be wrong.

All three Guardians looked at the purple drake, even if the Ice Guardian didn't hide the wounds of hurt pride, with great respect. They too heard the hesitation in the crowd, something that was barely hearable, or didn't exist at all, when they were giving their speeches.

Their gazes showed what Spyro was feeling deep below. The time to pass the mantle of leadership is approaching, or is basically now knocking at the door. From this time onwards, if he won't lock the door, every decision and move he will make will be watched and followed.

From this time onwards his decisions will be felt in the tremors of stones and gusts of wind.

From this time onwards the story about the legend of the purple dragon is beginning.

After one million steps one may say.

Spyro scratched the back of his head, frowning, looking like a child that is trying to figure out a complicated puzzle.

Even when seeing that, from an idol, figure they expect to have all the answers and unhindered determination, they didn't say anything, not a word of protest and mocking snarl. The honesty behind the concentration that painted itself on the purple snout was as real as the fur, or scales on people's cheeks.

Even if magnificent, powerful and supreme in every way compared to a common citizen, right now the purple dragon on that step was exactly like them. Like a baker trying a new recipe, like a soldier trying a new technique, or a builder figuring out a complex way on how to better reinforce the foundations.

He was like them, like the driven by religious zeal and the more rational, the silence that followed during Spyro's moment of deep thought couldn't be a more clear indication of that.

"I...don't see how it could" he stated shyly "I'm kinda the reason all those thing happened, it would be really weird when some things would happen out of their own free will when I'm probably the key to make all those things tick in the first place. If I don't screw up anything then I suppose things should be ok"

"Then how you explain all those earlier portals opening by themselves?"

He shrugged.

"Magic mess? I don't know, Volteer can probably explain it better. For me besides my time powers there is also the...umm...somewhat natural way for the Veils to appear. Some echo of the world mending I suppose. Really, Volteer can tell you more"

"Naturally the Ve-"

"Later" Terrador interjected, fiercely cutting off his electric friend's growing excitement to share scientific information "There is always time to discuss theories, for anyone interested we are always in the city hall ready to answer all your questions"

Volteer threw a sad glance at his friend, who offered him nothing more than an apologetic look. It took him only a moment to understand the reason behind the interruption, it was Spyro's influence. Mixing it with other ingredients that are their thoughts increases the chances of the brewed mixture to have devastating effects, especially when the first, simple potion works better than anyone expected.

The purple potion included.

"What is the solution you came up with on how to protect us?" a hoarse voice sounded out from the crowd

Cyril winced when he heard that question, the audacity of a worthless, hopeless creature nearly demanding salvation was beyond the level his patience could. Luckily for the meaningless sheep there were several things that protected IT from his wrath.

First it was the thought about ruining this whole charade that somehow works, he would gladly claw some sense into those stupid heads, but even he knew that going against the whole city so bluntly wasn't the best of ideas considering his social position.

The second reason that worked well to hold back his anger was the beggars race, if the question giver would be a dragon there would be no force in the world that would hold him back, he would sacrifice his position without hesitation. Luckily the beggar was an old cheetah, a lesser creature, it was pathetic, but at least to some degree tolerable and understandable. Basking in the glory and strength of dragonkind could make you grow dependent.

The last thing that kept his fury at bay, the most important one probably was the people's reaction. The crowd shifted visibly, jerking back and moving away from the cheetah as if he would suddenly be nothing more than a putrid, rotten corpse. Even if many of them preferred to be under the roof of purple, draconic wings, they at least felt that whimpering for protection so bluntly is dishonorable.

"I'm going to try closing them"

Those words stirred a reaction from the crowd, excited and reserved joyful murmurs filled the plaza.

"You know how to do that Spyro?"

He rubbed the back of his neck shyly.

"Not really, I don't feel any different to tell the truth, but something did happen, so all we can do now is to check if it's going to work"

The excitement visibly died down, worry was beginning to waft from the people like heat from a burning fire.

"But hey!" Spyro blurted out "I didn't know how to put the world back together either and it somehow came to me when it was needed! I can only hope that the same thing will happen when I'll be near a Veil. If I won't be able to close it then maybe I'll try convincing whatever is on the other side to leave us alone, or at least somehow block the entry to our world from that side"

The excited conversations returned to its previous loud level.

"But you didn't know you can even mend the world together, how is it possible that you know you can close the portals, or even better, walk across time?"

The crowd was divided again, some started to laugh mockingly and shout at whoever asked the question, but there were also those that supported it. It was a very well asked question, straightforward and intelligent that could resolve many doubts.

"We talked about it with Da-"

Suddenly Terrador was attacked by a fierce cough, so loud that it seemed to radiate waves of magical, earth energy since people on the rooftops and walls quivered nervously looking at their feet to see if the ground underneath isn't splitting apart.

"Excuse me" the Guardian rasped in between coughs, throwing an apologetic glance to the people and the same, yet prolonged look at Spyro

The young drake met his gaze, smiling, silently saying that there is nothing to apologize for. He was about to continue, but there was something about the Guardian's long look that made him stop. When the clever eyes glimmered he realized what it was.

"I know where this is going Spyro, I've seen many things in my life, I'm too old to be fooled by words, I've learnt to read between the lines as a soldier. You have to remember this when dealing with someone older than you by hundreds of years, life in all its glamour is a rough teacher"

A learnt, well remembered lesson about caution.

Everything became clear, he was about to say something that would turn this whole speech into one, big chaos. If there are things that people don't want to know, following the advice of a creature they see as an incarnation of evil and basically everything that is wrong and bad is definitely one such thing.

Mentioning Danox' influence would be as disgusting and shocking as it would be putting Cynder in front of him, pointing at her and screaming at the top of his lungs that he did her.

Everything that they worked to build would turn to rubble.

Even if he was uncomfortable with keeping such a secret from the people, since he believed that they have a right to know, he decided to keep his mouth shut. Hypocrisy would spill out from him like water from a cracking dam if he would spoil that secret and kept his relationship a mystery.

It was just an another example that making him a leader was not a good idea. He would be lost without counsel.

Spyro cleared his throat, sharply realizing that stretching his response would be suspicious and not very trustworthy.

"With da-dangerously vigorous concentration and came to a conclusion that since to save the world from collapsing I used all my powers, including Time, then if the Veils are a consequence of that it's logical that Time has to have some effect on them"

Conversations raised among the people once more, he could see many nodding heads, they agreed and accepted their explanation.

He let out a long breath of relief, this went easier than expected. Now with the smell of victory so near he began to wonder why there is no protest from Brill and his followers. Among this crowd it was difficult to spot a mole, but he was sure the main cleric has to be there somewhere, only the Ancestors know why he doesn't interfere.

With luck he convinced him also.

"Just relax please" Spyro continued "Nothing bad is happening, tomorrow I'll be heading out to Boven and see if I can figure this out. If something goes bad I will send a falcon and buy you enough time to prepare, but I'm an optimist here"

For the first time in this ongoing chaos the anger and worry disappeared completely, replaced by cheers and sounds of clapping hands.

He smiled, waved and nodded bashfully, giving clear signals that this praise is not needed, yet even if he didn't desire it, the sound of people cheering for him left a pleasant mark on his heart like Cynder's soft kiss on his chest.

He was proud, in his typical modest way, but proud nonetheless. Arrogantly he realized why Brill didn't interfere, he was a talented orator, but right now he wouldn't stand a chance against him.

And this was a rather selfish victory, but nice nevertheless and only fair after all the bad things he heard from his lips about Cynder. And all those bad things she heard herself.

It felt cool to let people see that the deviation from the common and accepted doesn't mean it's always weird, but also can be special.

Sparx would say that he averted another crisis in his typical, boring, diplomatic way like he did with Iris back in the training grounds.

For him such conclusion wasn't boring at all, in fact, for him, this was the only right conclusion.

And despite everything people also liked such resolutions, no matter how biased and spiteful they are. Seeing the cheering people and a blue dragoness with opened feathery wings and wagging tail on one of the rooftops only strengthened his belief that nothing is ever lost, not until you finally accept defeat.

"Thank you Spyro" Terrador slipped behind his friends and placed his paw on the young shoulder "Retire to your room now please, tomorrow is a big day" he stepped forward, in front of the drake, gently nudging him back with his tail

"While Spyro is going to get his deserved rest the three of us will still be here, ready to answer all your questions and shed more light on the situation"

Commotion once again stirred within the crowd, something was different however, this time the shouts and screams felt like a blare of an army loyal to the same banner, keen on gathering as much intelligence as it is possible about their foe.

Right now there was only one foe and those were the Veils.

Spyro stood behind the Guardians, eyes supposedly aimed at their backs so his head would remain in one place, pretending that he was relaxed and confident. In truth however his pupils were bouncing like crazy from side to side, catching the forms of many excited people.

He was bewildered.

It was only now, here on the second plan, he saw everything clearly and understood everything clearly. These people were motivated, united and to top it all he was behind all that noise.

He was responsible for all that noise.

Holy shit.

The crowd he so terribly feared was no longer like a horde of rabid dogs, but a legion of shieldbearers craving for every tiny bit of information that would assist them in assisting the one they swore to protect.

Cyril looked behind his shoulder, gently nodding in approval.

"Good job boy" he whispered

Spyro blinked, impulsively replying with a gentle nod of his own. He wasn't aware that his legs started backstepping, nor did he feel his tail wrapping itself around the handle of the main door. He was even barely aware of himself slipping slowly inside the City Hall.

One sentence crept into his skull when finally the door closed and he turned around, pressing his rump against them and aiming his gaze straight ahead.

He can lead this people.

This thought was terrifying, yes, but also impossibly exciting and hope stirring.

The power of leadership, the chance to do good and make things fair for everyone.

"Spyro?" Cynder whispered shyly, biting her lip and craning her neck forward when she turned away from the window

"Is everything alright?"

"Y-Yeah" he mumbled, still staring into distance

"You sure? Because I have a hard time deciding if I'm more jealous or worried. You didn't have such a dreamy look when we mated, I'm starting to wonder what they exactly did out there to you. I couldn't see everything, but that would explain the happy screams I've heard"

He didn't smile, his eyes were locked on the same distant spot like from the start.

For a while Cynder thought he didn't hear her.

"They listened to me" he mumbled in palpable awe

"Ok" she scratched her choker "I see we're raiding the serious train here" she softly ambled in his direction, until she eventually sat next to his shoulder, watching the dumbfounded profile of his snout

"What's going on Spyro? Since my jokes don't work I have only worry left so you better start quickly filling me in or I'll freak out"

He spun around swiftly, grabbing her shoulders unexpectedly, making her gasp and jerk her head back in surprise.

"You don't understand!" his grip intensified, followed by a small shake

Cynder's eyes grew wider and wider with each soft shake.

"Duh. Just to make things clear this shaking won't help me understand. I can hear my brain rattling in my head you know"

He stopped, staring at her wide eyes for a second, her shock poking stronger and stronger his senses of comprehending reality. His gaze fell lower, on her shoulders where his claws made small indentations in her scales, nearly at the brink of piercing through.

He gasped and threw his paws in the air, just to lower them down seconds later and hectically stroke her shoulders quickly as if dusting them off before jumping back.

"Sorry"

She smiled slyly.

"You're back from the crazy world or still need a second?"

Spyro threw a quick glance at the door, making sure they are tightly closed.

"Cynder, dear Ancestors, those people out there were angry, like mad really. I calmed them down, you should have seen them how they looked on me" he focused his eyes on her "Almost like..."

"I do, right?"

"No. You are one of a kind, there is nothing that can be compared to you"

Her lips stretched into a loving smile, cocking her head.

Spyro blushed, rubbing his leg as he turned his head towards the door again.

"Like I would be a living Ancestor. They believe in me, they trust me, they count on me. They listened to me, did what I told them and would follow me. I would be able to convince them to do almost anything. Don't know how, but I know I could somehow do something like that"

"I can't tell if you're proud or scared"

"Probably the latter...mostly" he looked up at his partner, his eyes glowed like that of a scientist who after years of experiments finally found the right formula

"I don't want to rule people, but if there is no other way...There is such a big chance here Cynder, I can make it all work. Nobody would have to fear anything. You could have a place you could call home, without bias and rooted hate"

"You can't mend scars Spyro. Old wounds burn and the only way to get comfortable with the pain is to get used to it"

"But I could try to make people ignore the burn"

"Spyro, look" she took a deep breath "I get it. You want to make my life better, but the thing you are proposing is an abuse of power. You can't make my scales white, just like you can't tell people that a rotten fruit is fresh. Some things are like they are, it should be only our own choice if we want to try out the rotten or not"

He chuckled weakly, giving her a sad smile.

"You really have a way of taking all the fun and motivation from it. Some new discovered power? Like Despair maybe?"

She smirked.

"It's called Piss Off Wiseass" she giggled "End of jokes. I'm serious here Spyro"

"I get the vibe that you don't really care much about redemption anymore"

"I do care!" she protested, jumping on all fours, squeaking like a child who was caught on a lie, but still blindly trying to convince everyone that no such thing happened

"But...?"

Cynder clamped her mouth shut and snarled, with the intention to fight back against his sudden aggression of disbelief. Yet the moment she looked into his certain, confident eyes she realized he knew. Realized that he was past the point where she could defend herself.

She felt embarrassed.

She bit her lower lip as she looked at the ground.

"But not as much as before" she admitted bashfully

It hurt to see her troubled like this.

"Cynder I'm so-"

"It's you, ok?" she cut him off, even if she was far from being comfortable with the confession her voice was guilt free "With you as my mate I feel like I have everything, confidence, power...you name it. I would like to redeem myself, but now the people and their opinions? They don't matter, I can be the monster they tell their children about, the mass murderer, Malefor's fuck toy, whatever. I only care about your thoughts, what you think about me is important to me and this is what will keep me going or decide about my downfall, so no pressure"

"As for redemption?" she shrugged, regaining enough courage to look into her mate's eyes "If I get it cool. If not...well, truth be told I don't consider this option. You gave me enough strength to be stubborn enough to eventually convince everyone that I'm not the bad girl anymore. Just slower than before"

"Wow, I..." Spyro rubbed the back of his head "I mean I knew our bond strengthened us, I can feel it too. Having it hear you saying it out loud tho...whoa. I'm honored and...terrified"

"No, no, no!" Cynder sprang forward, cupping his snout and planting apologetic, small kisses all over his draconic face "I didn't mean to scare you" she mumbled in between smooches "Sorry! Sorry!"

To say he was startled by her reaction didn't really give credit to what he was feeling right now. It was a combination of feeling dirty, like an asshole, ashamed and guilty, topped with a little cream of true shock.

This whole thing reminded him of an imagined scene where she is being left alone on a rock with wounded wings while from below lava keeps raising up, ready to swallow her. He sees that and all he does is to turn her back at her.

She was counting on him and he had failed her.

"Cynder! Cynder! Hey!" he pushed away from her kissing, invading lips, her front paws dropped on the floor with a thud, big green eyes stared at him like eyes of an animal begging for food

Her expression put a sweet, amused smile on his lips.

"I'm not scared like the tuck my tail between my legs and run way. It's a motivational fear, the sort that makes me indestructible because I know what is there to lose if I fail. The exciting kind of scare that makes me stronger"

He tenderly licked her nose.

"I will always be by your side"

She swallowed, her throat quivered as the bulge of saliva slid down her gullet.

"Ancestors" she huffed in sincere awe "You're going to be a wonderful leader one day if that's what's going to happen. You will do right by these people and they will love you, I can't see really how the future can be a disaster with you wearing the crown. It makes me proud, and a bit scared, but it's a girly fear, I have to accept the fact that my big, important mate will spend less time with me"

"I want to help, I was never forced to do it. I will always help you, no matter my duties, there are priorities here. Speaking of helping, there's a trip planned for tomorrow"

"Dangerous and scary?"

"Possibly"

She shrugged nonchalantly.

"Sounds like a date" she smirked

Spyro chuckled, nodding at the staircase leading to the guest quarters.

"Come on, we better get some rest. I'll tell you the details on the way"

Despite his words their conversation didn't focus on the task at paw, not at first at least. The way to their rooms they spent on discussing different other small things in constantly lowering tone of voice, in case someone would be inside. Doubtful considering the crowd outside, but they played it by the respect book nevertheless. The feeling of mystery the torch lit corridor stirred was very appropriate with their whispers.

"Boven?" Cynder blurt out a sharp, startled whizz, eyeing her partner carefully, the name stirring memories of his awful experience there

Luckily he didn't seem to be distressed by their incoming journey.

"Yup. You wanna come?"

"Hmmm" she scratched her choker thoughtfully "Alone in a nearly hostile city, or an adventure with the love of my life. Decisions, decisions"

She smiled coyly.

Her sassy way of behaving always put a smile on his snout, it perfectly worked with her ominous appearance.

It was settled.

He instinctively looked at the doors leading to their rooms, they stood exactly in the space separating both entrances.

His thoughts were immediately drawn to the day where they both stood in front of these doors for the very first time. So many has changed from that day, yet so little seemed to happen.

Or maybe he simply didn't see everything.

Whatever the case may be he felt a little intimidated like during their first day here. So many things would have happened that day only if he would do what he wanted.

"What are you thinking about?"

He shook his head, throwing his mind back into reality at the sound of her voice.

"Remember when we were here for the first time? I didn't tell you anything, but you kinda...ummm...dazzled me back then"

Cynder jerked her head back, brow on the right eye rose in surprise, a somewhat cocky yet adorable smile stretched her lips.

"Oh! Really?"

Spyro narrowed his eyes on her in playful anger.

"Wipe that grin or I won't tell you anything anymore"

She giggled waving her paw defensively.

"Ok! Ok! Look, to be fair I tell you something too. That day I went to bed thinking about you, the nightmare I had later was kinda a mood killer though"

Spyro's legs impulsively pushed closer together, he put one of his fores in front of the other.

"How intently were you thinking about me?"

"Like hell I'm telling you that!" she exclaimed indignantly "We did what we wanted and let's leave it at that"

His eyes widened suddenly, he gave both doors a quick look over, forgetting about his embarrassment completely. His tail started to wag, making swings so wide like that of an excited hatchling.

"Are we going to spend the night together?"

"Shhh!" Cynder hissed, ducking instinctively, looking around the corridor, expecting at least one of the doors open and a shocked tenant to appear

"Not so loud!"

Spyro cringed as well, wincing as he realized his mistake.

"Sorry"

"What kind of question was that anyway? You have someone else waiting for you? We're mates now, snuggling up is kinda part of the deal"

He nodded quickly several times, his head seemed to bob automatically, it was hard to tell if he even understood what she said.

"Can we sleep in your room? Sparx might show up in mine. I know he knows about us, but still..."

She frowned, eyeing him suspiciously.

"You're quite eager"

"Maybe a little. Your room? Please? Can you just lie down on the bed and wait for me?"

Cynder's head recoiled back.

"Wait for you? And where are you going?"

"Nowhere! I swear! I'll come over very soon, like in a minute. Just lie down, pretty please?"

She stared at him for a while, trying to comprehend his strange request, make some sense out of it, yet in the end she was defeated by his begging look.

"Fine, just don't leave me hanging. One minute"

She got up and opened the door to her room, with the handle still in her paw, she froze.

"I'm still amazed how the moles constructed all these doors so you can only lock them from the inside. I'll leave them o-"

"Lock it!" Spyro blurt out a muffled shout of excitement

Her eyes widened, mouth parting to voice another words of surprise, yet she eventually decided against it. With his wildly wagging tail and anxious, excited shivering he looked like a starving addict.

"Lock it" she mumbled to herself and entered her room

Soon after the lock clicked.

Spyro licked his lips, tapping his claws against the floor anxiously. This was perhaps a little childish, somewhat reckless and utterly idiotic, but this was the night of fulfilling dreams, doing what you really wanted, maybe even tasting the spoils of Fate.

He waited for around ten seconds that for him were like ten hours, before he rushed into his own room and to the opposite end of it, through the glass door. It wasn't as peaceful as it was back then, he could hear the shouts of the crowd in the distance. Neither even one of the moons was on this side.

It didn't matter. No one and nothing is perfect.

The thing he was looking for was still there, Cynder's balcony was as inviting as ever. It was a night of doing what you wish, of brave decisions and hope that the decisions you made will turn out well.

Those people below strengthen his belief in that. The things you fear to do might actually be the ones you wanted to do all along. If Fate plays a part in this show that is life, then perhaps the thing that is needed is to reach out and let it guide you where you always were destined to go.

Such leap has a certain delicious, dark appeal.

He jumped, with three vertical and a single horizontal flap of wings he found himself on the opposite balcony. With a delighted smile he turned to his left and opened the glassy door. Looking straight into the bewildered snout of his mate coiled on the bed, with only her neck straightened up at attention.

Cynder stared at his silly, smiling snout for several seconds, until she finally licked her lips.

"Sooo...let me get this straight. You didn't want to go through the door, the easy way, but through the balcony. In the end gaining nothing, but a prolonged delay between rest" she giggled "Why?"

Spyro laughed, shrugging.

"I kinda always wanted to do that"

She shook her head, smiling.

"You dork"

Chuckling, he locked the door and pulled the curtains together. Turning the room almost completely dark, save for a single candle burning on the nightstand.

He turned his eyes towards the bed and illuminated by the rather gloomy light figure on top of it. She looked absolutely stunning, glistening of black, ominous scales under the light of a fading sun. And that white, pretty smile.

Promise of a mysterious night and unforgettable experience.

He felt like a complete moron, such magic was waiting for him all that time ago and he was too uncertain, too scared to make a move.

"What?" Cynder asked, amused, her patience breaking under his watchful gaze

His smile widened.

"Nothing. It's just that I somewhat always imagined what would I see when I would jump over to your balcony. Turns out I'm not creative enough to give the sight I see the right credit"

She let out a soft, shy whine, impulsively clenching the sheets and dragging them weakly to cover herself. All she did was tug at them a little.

They were surprisingly heavy.

"Don't...don't say things like that" she chuckled tenderly, blushing softly, her voice didn't carry even a note of protest her words seemed to intend to create

With great care he jumped onto the bed, nuzzling his partner affectionately immediately, making her purr. He licked her cheek lovingly, thanking her for such beautiful sound before coiling around her and sliding his tongue over her second cheek.

With a soft whimper she wiggled around in an attempt to drill further into the warmth and security his body provided.

"This feels nice" she cooed

He suddenly pushed away from her, making her head rise at attention and wide, startled eyes burying themselves into his snout.

With no hesitation he rolled on his back, spreading his front paws wide, opening his chest to her. Completely charmed smile never leaving his mouth.

The shock disappeared from her expression, replaced by a spread of lips that in beauty could rival the features of imagined, perfect characters. She pulled herself up, tapped around in place, making a turn like a cat preparing its comfortable bed, before dropping back on the sheets.

Both front paws landing on the gold chest, chin followed soon after, not before however bestowing the chest with loving kisses, especially the spot were the addicting thudding could be heard, her soon to become scaly pillow.

"This feels even nicer" she rubbed her cheek into his strong scales before resting her chin on top of it. Dreamy, green eyes looking at the smiling, purple snout.

Soon after one purple leg landed on her back while the other on top of her head, stroking it fondly.

She scratched his chest in loving return.

"I don't really understand what's gotten into you, but I like this reckless, optimistic Spyro"

He playfully scratched her nose. Her paw instinctively shot up to push it away. He withdrew, but when the coast was clear he attacked again.

"Cut it out!" she giggled, punching his chest gently

"Ugh!" he faked a painful cringe

They threw each other a prolonged, knowing glance and then after a while both burst out laughing.

"So?" Cynder whispered when she finally contained her laughter, slightly pulling her head up, massaging the beating spot on the chest caringly

"You gonna tell me what made my favorite part even more precious?"

Spyro sighed contentedly, wrapping his paws around his mate tighter.

"There might be no way of avoiding me becoming the leader one day, I don't like the idea, but if it cannot be helped I'll do my best. Today showed me that there is a chance that this might actually work out. Our life was filled lately with chapters that brought nothing but doubt and pessimism"

"If there is any truth about my heart-"

"There is" Cynder reassured her partner, burying her cheek into his chest to hear her favorite sound even louder

He smiled, stroking the black back fondly.

"And any truth about my heritage" he continued his thought "I will try to combine these two and do everything in my power to do good. It's time to grow up I suppose and take my responsibilities seriously. Many are counting on me and I don't want to fail them"

He pulled his mate into a tighter hug and with a confident huff blew out the candle.

Even despite that there was no light source they both remained illuminated by the faded burn of the candle for a while, as if the darkness hesitated for a second before enveloping them.

"For once I feel like everything will be alright"