FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 32

"Where have you been? We almost died here!" Spyro growled angrily, making sure that Danox feels the blunt force of it

The black dragon didn't even flinch.

He was grinning, eyes locked on the wind dragon who had his head tilted so high up that thick veins pulsed on the strained neck. White mouth hung open, tongue flopping down numbly from the maw, mint eyes staring back into the black orbs.

Cloudas was paralyzed, awestruck, Spyro suspected that for a fan like him, seeing two small special dragons and then a big, black one must make for the day of his life. Especially when, and he had to admit it with a strange dose of pride, Danox was a spectacular representation of a draconic kind.

He would never dare to say it out loud, but in his opinion Danox was far more spectacular than Iris.

The white dragon stared at their black companion for so long being basically braindead, that a drool started to stretch down from his lower lip and down the chin.

Spyro winced at the sight, fearing that all this excitement gave the young drake a stroke.

"Wonder is the beginning of wisdom" Danox announced, the predatory, brilliant smirk proudly stretching his black lips as he gazed at the bewildered, young dragon

"Cloudas, snap out of it" Spyro poked the dragon with his tail

The wind dragon jumped back with a yelp as if a dynamite would explode underneath his paws. Slurping the tongue and drool back he looked around the area with panicked eyes. Nervousness started to fade with the growing realization of his surroundings and memories of the current situation.

Blush crept onto the cheeks once more, visible on the white canvas of scales like a fire during nightfall

"Sorry!" he hacked, burying his gaze at the ground, kicking shyly a patch of grass with a paw

"I...didn't mean to stare"

Danox laughed heartily, carefree and devoid of any tact.

"Character can be built on daily routine" he commented, shifting his gaze at the purple dragon, brows didn't hide their surprise when they landed on the drake, rising up lively

"My lord, you humble me, but I think you have a wonderful scale color, there is no point in changing that"

The obsidian orbs scanned the smaller dragon, absorbing every patch of dried, black blood with increasing amusement.

Spyro looked himself over, the sight of his gore covered body reminding him quite clearly what they had to gone through, he could feel nothing else but infuriated disappointment for Danox. Not only he bailed, doesn't matter that he agreed for such a deal with Danox before this whole mess began, he just showed up, behind enemy lines, full of good humor.

"How did you get here? There is no other way here than past those creatures"

The irritation ringing in the notes between the words was so loud that it could rival the noise of a swinging blacksmith's hammer.

"You wound me Sire" Danox curled a paw on his chest, making small, delicate holes around the heart which started to breed petite tears of blood

The sound that accompanied this ordeal reminded the group of cracking, dry leaves.

"Leaving my favorite group of people, the only one that tolerates me in some regard, is not a beneficial act. I do not have many friends as you surely noticed"

Cloudas cocked his head, black dragon with no friends? A purple one accusing a black dragon of betrayal? This is not what he imagined this would look like, the Shapers are practically living together from what he heard. That a creature like this black dragon has no company was simply an incomprehensible thought.

"This is not the time for games Danox!" the condescending tone grew in strength

Cynder's gaze jumped between her mate and the big dragon, shifting her emotional state from pride to shame. On one paw she was glad that Spyro speaks up, Danox has to learn a lesson, it's their job to teach him proper behavior. On the other paw however, he is so close to them that blaming and accusing him is just bad, no matter what.

Parenthood is such a clown fiesta.

"My friend, my requirements and benefits were clear. One such benefit spoke about erasing difficulty, one requirement spoke about not being an ideal team player. Both were addressed in this situation, loneliness gives flexibility, add to that my extraordinary charm and abilities and you get a device capable of constructing trivialities"

"I slipped behind the lines of the monsters quietly, the moment I heard you participated in a rather unfair battle I gave all speed to return and assist you, alas" he gestured at the blood stained dragon, taking into optics Spyro's whole frame with a single, delicate wave of claws

A grin spread his lips.

"You don't look like my assistance was necessary, proved that actually. You are still standing while your opponents are nowhere to be seen. I made haste back, but before I arrived the battle was over and your enemies scattered"

He bowed in respect.

"As impressive as always Sire, this is as far as I managed to go, your combined strength was no match even for me"

"I can't listen to this bullshit" Iris groaned "Neither I can tolerate this world any longer, let's move. Now"

Spyro shook his head, this wasn't over, he still felt cheated even if Danox' explanation seemed like a valid one. Still, this was not the time to continue this argument, he didn't have the patience for it, the time for it and of course the calmness for it, something that Iris' whining already started to eat slowly.

"My lovely angel" Danox addressed the blue dragoness, sending her a flirty wink to which Iris responded with a disgusted groan, followed by a shiver "But there is no reason for us to go forward, instead we can pursue your desires. We found what we came here for"

Obsidian eyes shifted, dropping onto the white dragon, the smile that spread the lips was as charming as that of a date that just suggested to spend a night together.

Cloudas balked, heart throbbing inside his chest with the intensity of a howling wind bouncing in the mountain tops. His eyes jumped between Spyro and Danox, throat busy with swallowing bulge after bulge of saliva.

"You..you were looking for me?" the voice wavered with excitement and dread at the same time

Spyro exchanged a surprised glance with the rest of his group, they could offer nothing special in return, reflecting the same look he gave them. Amethyst orbs shifted, searching for answers in the one place they could be found.

In Danox.

The pristine smile on the black mouth only grew wider.

"My friends don't seem to realize where the destination of our quest lies" he craned his neck, leaning down towards the white dragon who immediately averted his gaze from the black orbs

"Tell us my young friend, can you read the stars?"

He reached out to the dragon, extending his claw he tapped the star medallion gently, pushing it into a slow, hypnotizing, swinging motion.

Every muscle in his body stiffened, the aura of intimidation beating off the black dragon was intense like the heat from a Chimera's touch. He couldn't look into his eyes, the lifeless orbs were just too scary, not to mention he had to focus standing still as to not make an utter fool of himself.

The medallion the black dragon put into motion felt impossibly heavy, not only it strained his neck, but the swaying motion also made it very painful. It felt as if the chain turned into a saw that kept pushing into his scales deeper and deeper with each, gentle swing.

Claw tapped it again.

The blue, artificial star started to flow in the air once more, noise of a saw being buried into wood filled his head.

The noise was more than that.

It was so similar to laughter.

"Well?" Danox grabbed the medallion, trapping it in the tips of two claws

"I...don't know" Cloudas gulped "Maybe? No?"

"Do you like stars then?" Danox pulled the amulet, dragging it gently towards the white eyes, the childish, little star reflecting from the green eyes of the wind dragon

Cloudas observed the medallion for a long time eyes burning with what seemed to be a deep wound of loss.

"I do"

Cynder watched the unfolding scene intently, there was something about this moment that just seemed unreal, like a dream. There was no denying that Danox had charm, a very specific charm that would draw the attraction of many females and males alike, even she couldn't remain indifferent to it.

Her feelings however were so much more difficult to comprehend.

Even by herself.

A headlong dive.

Danox was toying with the wind dragon, it was obvious that he knew the answer to the question, how he did that though was a mystery. She however couldn't find the strength to protest, show him the wrong side of his action, that playing with someone's feelings is a bad thing to do.

Looking at Spyro for assistance brought no result either, he was as mesmerized as her by the strange, cruel sense of pride and arrogance. Danox knew what he was doing, he was confident and the subtle power he was showing influenced those around him.

How he knows the thing he knows wasn't that much important in the face of those traits. He was from the future after all, he has to know more than they do.

He is such a mystery.

She so badly desired that his attitude was just a consequence of boredom.

He is-

"Abomination" Creep's voice boomed inside her soul, rumbling like a war drum of an approaching legion of enemies

She didn't even quiver, feeling disgustingly guilty that the word stirred no reaction in her.

"A Beast maybe as well?" the hollow voice rang across her bones, waking up pleasant, gentle shaking accompanying every shudder of hormones of excitement

Creep's presence disappeared from her senses, all that he left in his wake was a dreadful feeling of hope.

"This answers our dilemma then!" Danox straightened, announcing the victory that the rest of the group still had troubles truly seeing "Let's be off and celebrate our victory, maybe when we get back to Warfang and the respectful leaders will learn of my help provided here, they will opt only on cutting my head off, instead of taking my heart as well. Such attractive perspective, don't you think?"

"I...I don't understand..." Cloudas mumbled shyly, all sorts of thoughts circling inside his skull, never forming a coherent perspective, always feeding on chaos, there was so much happening that he just couldn't think straight

"Danox" Spyro hissed, stepping closer towards the black dragon, quieting his voice mentally "He doesn't know from where we truly come from" he whispered quietly

The black dragon smiled warmly at the conspiring purple drake.

"With me around my Sire, there is no point in lying, there are only few creatures who match my humble skills. Majority is already a part of this group"

"That's great and all, but Cloudas here wants to lead us to his city, full of wind dragons" Spyro swallowed, the opportunity for such a meeting almost compromising his shady whispering "Also, did you see that citadel on the mountain? Black dragons Danox, plenty of them, your kind. Don't you want to find out from where they come from?"

The black drake smiled, one eye focused on the young wind dragon who seemed to get more nervous by the minute.

"I believe that my personal preferences should be put into the background. All this conspiring my Sire is having a threatening effect on our white friend here. I propose to follow my advice and watch the situation unfolding from there. Kidnapping would be a terrible outcome if it came to that, yes? And we need the assistance, forceful obedience is such a chore"

Danox raised his paw, putting the concentration on his purple shaded toes, he curled one claw after the other, watching them flexing and then relaxing in the obedient dance supervised by his brain.

"The amount of good luck coming your way depends on your willingness to act" he recited, with an inviting smile glancing towards the young, wind dragon

Cloudas' attention kept jumping between the two dragons, the strain in his brain becoming to much to bear, so much pressure that he didn't understand and yet he just felt his life was about to change for something great.

Something that he never believed was possible any longer.

He shook his head fiercely, the small tufts of feathers of his juvenile beard flapped in the air gently.

"I don't understand any of this" he whined, the wail bordering on the edge of a cry

He would welcome the tears, of all the things that happened today, crying would be a thing he is very familiar with.

Spyro winced at the sound of the tormented wail, heart filling with guilt. While he preferred not to say anything and pretend that they are the creatures the dragon takes them for, there was no choice any longer. Not only Danox put them in the in a situation where trying to deny everything would make them look like assholes, he also made him feel guilty about everything.

And the heart that worked inside his chest that many people call golden didn't like unfair treatment.

Spyro sighed, he felt his ribcage stretching into a triumphant grin.

"Look Cloudas, we are not what you think we are. This might come as a shock to you so you might want to sit down"

The dragon remained standing, eyes jumping between the group, only after a while his hunches remembered what to do and slowly pulled the rump down, so slowly that it looked like the earth under him would be made of blazing coals.

The white butt thumped down, everyone expected the dragon to suddenly lift himself up with a painful yelp, tail burning, butt spreading smoke all around.

None of this happened though, Cloudas sat down and listened.

Danox chuckled.

Iris shook her head in disgust.

"I hope he gets a stroke"

"What is a stroke?" Flare glanced her way curiously

"You already have it, so look in the mirror"

He bit his lip turning towards his other two friends in the back.

"Is that an insult?"

Cynder and Hunter nodded sadly.

Flare scratched his head with a shrug, as if imprinting this particular choice of words into his memory, accepting the insult completely casually as some news about the weather.

"My friends don't come from this Pit, neither our goal was this place to begin with" Spyro started his explanation "We didn't arrive from whatever place you think we did, we never moved past by you to begin with. We actually came from behind the Pit"

"From there?" the wind drake cocked his head, spinning the medallion around his claw "But how? People say that only monsters live there, scary monsters"

Cynder giggled.

"At least the rumors in this world seem to be accurate"

Spyro scratched his head.

"That seems about right, it's a very deadly place, true, but we didn't have much of a choice but to power through it. You see Cloudas, we are... kinda not of this world"

"Yeah, I know that, everyone does" the young drake nodded, biting on the edge of his medallion as he blushed "Everyone looks up to you"

"No, no" purple head shook fiercely, a slight amused smile creeping onto the lips "Not like that, not in great, big, dragons sense. We are not of this world in a very, very literal sense, we got here through a portal, it connected your world with ours and allowed us to cross over"

Cloudas' eyes grew wide, tail made a shy swing, he didn't seem to be surprised by the impossible fact of the possibility to travel between dimensions. He seemed to excited about the sole fact of learning about it, as if he expected the news like a scientist who sees the result of his long experiments taking realistic fruit.

"No way!" he sprang up, jerking his body towards Spyro yet at the same time mind pushed the limbs back, making him look like a springing snake that after a while decided that an attack has no sense

His paws itched with the desire to hug somebody.

"And you came here for me?"

"The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again" Danox recited

To say that the unexpected explosion of happiness was a surprise would not give this situation the much needed credit. Spyro jerked his head back at the sound of the unexpected blare, as if a golem's fist would slam into the ground in front of him, the shockwave pushing him back..

"We are looking for a dragon who can read the stars, it is said that according to them it is possible to pinpoint the portals locations. Like the one we used to get here"

"I can read the stars!" Cloudas exclaimed, tail making furious, excited swings "I know every constellation! Star reading is my hobby! I used to observe them with-" his voice ended abruptly, mouth shutting tight, paw reaching up, clenching the medallion so tightly that it burned his draconic palm

All the joy evaporated, giving room to gloomy depression.

"I can read the stars" he murmured, the confession sounding like a defeat of a tortured prisoner who couldn't take the torture anymore and is giving away everything he knows

Spyro looked up at his companions, taken aback by the surprising doom and gloom that the young drake shrouded himself with.

Flare couldn't see the difference.

Iris didn't care.

It was impossible to say what Danox was thinking.

Only Hunter and Cynder showed any emotion towards the situation, being as much bewildered by it as he was.

"Then you will take me with you?" Cloudas looked up, plea gleaming in the eyes

He stared back at the drake, at first not able to find any words, all this mood shifting throwing him into a fit of confusion. With each passing second spent on silence his thoughts cleared the fog, he began to slowly realize that the drake puts his life into his paws.

Another one.

"O-Only if you want" Spyro stammered

White paw let go of the amulet, head made a confident bob, fins swiveling in the air.

"I do. Take me with you"

He shook his head, shredding away the fog that tormented his thoughts.

"Cloudas, do you understand what I'm saying? I'm talking about time traveling here"

White shoulders shrugged.

"Past or future?"

"F-Future"

"Good"

Spyro looked up at his friends again, the way this thing was going, the very easy side of it was suspicious to say the least. He didn't know much people that when they learned about time travel accepted the fact so calmly as if it was some common news given away by town criers. He knew even less people that so freely pounced into the unknown.

"Tell me one thing Cloudas" Cynder joined the conversation, approaching the white drake lively bewilderment eating at her for too long to be tolerable

"Why do you believe us? Why are you so willing to follow us?"

"Why not?" he smiled warmly at her "You're still the Shapers, whether you lie about this portal thing or not doesn't matter to me. I've never seen one of you guys before, meeting one of you is a miracle, now that I have a chance to go with not one, but three of you..." he shook his head" I can't let it go to waste"

"Awesomeness follows you guys, it beats everything I do here, doesn't matter what you actually do, it's still better than my life. Besides, I don't have anything holding me here anymore, I rather try to do something else than be a thrash here"

Iris groaned.

"Another loser. Fantastic"

"You won't regret it!" Flare exclaimed happily, body shooting joyful sparks "We are great friends!"

"Your company is most welcome" Hunter acknowledged politely

Cloudas glanced behind his shoulder, smiling widely.

For the time being everything is back to normal.

No matter how many times he had he wanted for something like this to happen it didn't change much.

He didn't feel the relief he thought he would.

Acceptance had a strange bitter sweet taste.

"Thanks guys, you have no idea what it means to me"

"You're starting to drool again" Iris rolled her eyes

"I love when things work out in the end" Danox mumbled humbly, bowing towards the purple dragon "Mission complete Sire, we can return home. I started to miss my little cave"

"The path to the portal leads through the Pit right?" the wind drake inquired

Spyro nodded.

"Are you sure you want to go through there now? Whether you are from the past, futre, present and whatever else is out there doesn't matter, you're still the Shapers. We can go to the city, you will find some help there for sure, all you need to do is ask. Maybe even some of your guys will join, I mean it's not everyday time travel happens, I'm sure Shade would be interested in you greatly"

Cynder quivered, her essence shaking as if in fear.

"Shade" between the quakes of magic, Creep's moan echoed

Spyro's heart skipped a beat.

Maybe there wasn't much of a difference, they still decided to go there at first, yet now they had no pressure, they found the one they were looking for. They didn't test it in any way, Cloudas might be lying of course, yet he doubted it was the case, he felt it in his guts, not to mention that Danox was quite certain of the wind dragon's possibilities.

The pressure of accomplishing the mission was gone, as well as the painful masquerade of pretending to be someone else in front of the dragon. Relief was all that was left.

Whether they did the right thing or not was not as important as the chance to meet more wind dragons, that and the probably unavoidable acquaintance with this Shade citadel played a big part here also. One was a way for a rebirth, the other a way to answers.

They need to know what the hell is going on here. What happened through all these years? Why purple and black dragons are considered rare when in the past there were whole cities and castles of them?

"We can go there? After everything we told you?" Spyro mumbled thoughtfully, even if he was looking at the young dragon he wasn't truly seeing him, his gaze distant, playing a loop of endless possibilities this knowledge could bring

Volteer would have a heart attack If he would be in his paws now.

"Yeah, sure" Cloudas shrugged "You can keep pretending if you want, even if somebody finds out that something doesn't necessarily click in the right way, nobody will dare to question you anyway. People don't like disgrace and offending one of the Shapers is a way to earn one"

"Don't tell me Goldie that you're considering it" Iris growled threateningly "We had a deal. Don't waste my time"

"I support our lovely angel in this delicate matter" Danox noted, his voice emotionless, usually idle paws scratched the throat thoughtfully "Our prize is too valuable to allow distractions in our midst"

"I don't give a crap about your support Shitscale. Shut your trap" the blue dragoness snarled

Cloudas winced, cringing in fear and shame, addressing a Shaper in such a rude manner was unthinkable. He expected the forest feasting on the girl's remains soon.

The big dragon only smiled however, sending the angry girl a wink.

"Do you know how I can do what you asked of me Iris?" Spyro glared towards the dragoness, voice ringing with irritation

"It's your job to find out, not mine"

"Exactly. So either you leave me guessing, or you let me ask another purple dragon for tips. Which is faster you think?"

"Do not toy with me Goldie" blue tail made a wild swing, tip drawing an icy trail across the air

"I'm asking you then. What do you want me to do?"

The two dragons challenged each other for battle of stares, Iris' tail wagging faster and faster. Patience is such a bitch, if the fucker wasn't the only one who can time travel she would already tear him to pieces, doesn't matter that he is a living fantasy. She would start from his tongue, she can make use of his other elements just fine to fill her craving.

Wait.

Tail slowed down.

Fuck the tips, the white ass licker said about a whole hive of these purple shitheads, if she find one with enough oil under his skull than she doesn't need Goldie anymore and his infuriating wit. There has to be some braindead male out there who she can easily wrap around her claw.

A bit more annoyance was worth the prize, at least that fucker wouldn't have a black slut following him who limits his natural desires.

Ideal toy.

She snorted loudly, slamming her tail into the ground, the patch of grass underneath turned into ice.

"This is the last time I agree for another delay"

"There was never a delay, to get somewhere you need to put effort into it. You are not born with success" Cynder explained, gazing towards the dragoness

Iris glared back at her in turn, eyes full of contempt.

"I don't remember asking for your opinion"

She shrugged.

"And I don't remember asking for your permission"

"I would advise against such decision Sire" Danox clenched the claws on his throat, he made a swift swipe down, throwing the paw back into the ground, the curled claws leaving bloody lines along the throat

Cloudas yelped, tilting his head back and pointing at his own neck.

"You...ummm...scratched yourself"

A droplet of blood fell onto the grass.

"The shape of the future cannot wait" the dragon continued, ignoring the younger drake's remark "We got what we came her for, we put the first step in blocking genocide. Changing the course now would not only slow our main mission down, but will also put our lives at risk, these creatures might be waiting for us farther ahead"

"I can lead us through a path where we won't be bothered for sure, the Wretched are never there, they can't be. They are in a defensive position, an open brandish of forces would mean aggression, nobody wants such a bloodshed, not even the Wretched, straining so far would mean drawing the attention of the dragons. All of them"

"Never say never my young friend" while Danox' voice remained scarily natural as always, there was that hint of admonishment echoing somewhere between the notes

Black eye turned towards the dragon, burying into him with the intensity of a bird spotting its favorite snack in the form of a worm slithering on the branch.

"A word out of season may mar a whole lifetime"

Cloudas shook at the recited text, shrouded in the dragon's dark, breathy voice it sounded like a maniacal, whispered promises of a mentally sick killer.

"Don't scare our friend Danox" Cynder spoke up, scolding the dragon "Not everyone is used to you, you can be quite intimidating"

Black eyes looked up, at the sight of the dragoness his mouth twisted into a smile, this time though there was something more to it than an arrogant, overwhelming with fakeness modesty.

True warmth radiated from it.

"I apologize, you're naturally right"

"Guys look, I know you can be skeptical, but this is my way of repaying you" Cloudas spoke up defensively, fiddling with the feathers on his right shoulder nervously "You allowed me to come with you, it means a lot and I couldn't ask for a better thing to happen in my life. Let me start paying up this kindness, I will show you the path, you get what you want and leave the same way, easy. Won't be long either, this road is empty as I said. We'll be in and out before you know it"

Spyro glanced up at his team, looking for support wherever he could find it.

"So what say you guys? Should we try it?"

"We're going to visit cities and meet new dragons? Purple and all of the rest, unique like Cloudas and Cynder too?" Flare inquired enthusiastically

"Maybe"

"Oh!" body burst in lively flames "And meet new friends?"

Spyro smiled, Flare's way of being was addictive even for him, this childish energy and behavior was impossibly warm and pleasant. And they needed the relief in one form of the other.

"Maybe"

"Then let's go! Finding new friends is always cool!"

Iris snorted, rolling her eyes.

"Retard"

"I'll go wherever you go" Cynder smiled charmingly

"This is a spectacular opportunity my friend" Hunter scratched his ear, nodding his head "While I don't believe in guarantees of safety, having a prospect of it being on our side for the journey ahead is a rare boon that isn't shared lightly. We should continue our pursuit, stretching our mission slightly should not hinder our main goal too much"

Feline eyes gazed at the wind dragon, furry body offering a polite bow.

"I offer my skills to you venerable dragon, I'm a scout by trade, wilderness and guidance are no strangers to me. We cheetahs have sensitive senses, if danger, Ancestors forbid, decides to challenge us, I will be there to make sure you know of it. I will negate the aspect of surprise to the best of my ability"

"Whoa" green eyes grew wide, paw rubbed the fins between the horns "That sounds so cool. You're some royalty with a hobby. You surely talk like one"

The group chuckled, only Iris grumbled.

"Our furry friend has a chivalry fetish" Danox noted with a smile "Yet the words about Hunter's skills aren't just fairytales, our scout knows his trade well"

"Let's go then!" Cloudas announced triumphantly, springing up lively, body stretching into a walking posture momentarily, one paw bent and froze in the air, he looked behind his shoulder

The grin that was stretching his mouth was as wide as a sword's cut.

"I can't believe this is happening" he moaned in awe, eyes burning with passion as they took once more the sight behind into their consideration

Two black dragons, a single purple one and three others strange companions, all real and more or less friendly. Respect was not something he believed he will find any time soon, having one of the Shapers granting him such a privilege never crossed his wildest dreams.

Yet here he was, it was real, after all this time, does it really mean that his penance was over?

No, he didn't believe that.

Yet it was a sign, a step to at least loosen the shackles a bit, while there was no denying his guilt, this day opened up the opportunity for him that he thought that it was gone forever.

That everything that happened was just a stupid accident.

The black dragoness smiled at him, her smile was as beautiful as her scales.

"You better start and keep your eyes on the road ahead, it would be bad if you imprinted your snout on one of the trees"

Cloudas marched lively forward at the subtle suggestion, for a very long time he didn't take the road home with such vigor.

The same vigor wasn't shared by the presence that stirred to life once again inside Cynder's consciousness. Usually emotionless, now she could clearly sense Creep's confusion, his presence tapped blindly at her senses, he acted as if he was lost.

"Not a beast?" his hollow voice whispered, presence fading away from her consciousness before she could react

Her eyes landed on one of the tree trunks.

There was a shadow on it.

It so much reminded her of a dragon of Spyro's size curled into a ball.

*

The road was uneventful, the group following the wind dragon couldn't believe in such a natural fact, from the very first moment this whole adventure was riddled with action, having a moment of respite was like finding an oasis after a long trek through the desert.

It also proved one crucial thing.

Cloudas didn't lie, Hunter that kept track with the drake came to such conclusion almost immediately. It was obvious that the dragon knew the path well, that he traveled this road back and forth on regular basis, he could see the routine in the way he placed his paws, even if the step was joyful after the recent events, the legs still avoided the more uncomfortable terrain and stomped the ground they were familiar with.

This was a good sign, even the most prominent liar has a hard time maintaining control over the subtle body language, nervousness always creeps in, even if slightly. The dragon's steps however didn't fluctuate from the path his body remembered, following the comfort zone his body remembered.

No sign of nervousness.

Familiarity and comfort.

Good signs.

He glanced towards the group briefly, sending a delicate nod at Spyro who nodded back in return, obvious relief wafting away with the deep breath whizzing from his nostrils.

It meant a lot for the young leader to know that he made the right choice, he personally was glad that he could put a shard into that sensation.

The forest was dense and yet the drake made it look like as if was just an illusion, taking a path where the trees didn't grow in so many numbers, where the forest seemed to draw a line, a border where it decided that the rest of the earth can take care of itself.

Before them stretched a lush land of green pastures and flowers, deep rivers bordering the sides, strong current pushing the water down the rivers, flowing down from the unexpected hill rising at both sides of the exit from the forest.

The hills weren't connected to anything, a pile of rocks rose vertically in the air, one on top of the other as if a magma would spurt from the ground and instead of spilling away like water it dried out and froze momentarily, turning into rocks.

Hunter observed the columns of rocks with awe, ears flattened on the skull, in all of his years of experience he never saw something like this before. Nature always worked in a pattern, a chain of sorts, one ring following the next, if one gets broken the whole line gets destroyed, there is always a consequence, there is no middle ground.

These hills here broke every law of Nature.

From where the water comes from? Does it run inside the rocks somehow? A constantly working geyser?

"Pretty cool, huh?" Cloudas asked with a smile, the awestruck expression on the cheetah's face was impossible to miss

Hunter swallowed.

"I have never seen anything like it in my entire life and I've spent most of it in the wilderness. Such a thing is not possible, water doesn't flow upwards"

"I don't know how it works, but I know that the sight is more impressive from the sky. If you look at these water spilling hills from the air they look like massive, rocky feet. This is why this landmark is called The Bleeding Soles"

"Anyway besides being a cool landmark, they also serve as a warning sign, they mark the Pit's territory. The legend says that the water flowing from the hills turns red when the Wretched feed the captured dragons to their legions. Nasty stuff, but hopefully only stories, I've never seen this water turning red myself"

Danox put his paw under the small waterfall, rippling the constant, straight stream. He cocked his head, turning his paw around, letting some of the water rest on the palm.

The water absorbed the color of his scales, turning black.

"The beautiful is less what one sees than what one dreams"

He recited reverently, turning the paw around, the small pool of water that gathered there returned to the stream.

The water that fell down from his paw was really black, dropping into the river like cocoons of some bugs from a tree branch.

There was a splash.

Rocks rolled down from each artificial foot, splashing into the river.

The black worm the water turned into floated down the stream, pushed by the current farther along the river.

Iris observed the scene with a grimace of displeasure wrinkling her nose.

"I see you're giving credit to your name"

Danox threw his head back and laughed, he pressed a claw against his lips that stretched out into a pretty smile.

"You should try smiling when you make jokes, otherwise people might not realize your intentions"

Iris' expression remained unchanged, cold as her eyes.

"I never joke"

Spyro ignored Danox' disturbing show, selfishly observing the water for his own reasons, water that reminded him that he is covered in gore. While he got used to the smell already, this sight made his senses explore the scent from the beginning again and he had to really concentrate as not to puke.

There was no time for a bath.

Enemies behind their backs aside, he really stretched the group's patience here, maybe Danox and Iris were the ones protesting, but only a fool would believe that his decision didn't leave an impact on the rest of the team. They might have accepted his decision, but body is still a body and no matter the motivations it will still feel the additional effort.

Oh well.

Maybe he will scare some beasts away.

"Let's go guys, we're not entirely safe here yet, even if this might be the border, the way to the Pit is just to the west" Cloudas waved his paw, urging the group to follow "We get up this small hill right there, there is a cool slide down there that will get us to a great cave. The Wretched don't go there, they don't have wings, or anyone to carry them over for that matter, there is no other way to get past it. The sight is cool too, water flows below and there are crystals all around, it's like a night sky filled with stars. Very cool place, you'll see"

"Come on!" he ran up the small hill, this damn solitude out here didn't have many perks, if any, yet this was his favorite moment no matter how depressed he felt

The group followed the drake, speeding up to keep up with his joyful pace.

They caught up with him sooner than they thought.

Cloudas froze on top of the hill, the feathers on his wings bristled.

"What?" he mumbled breathlessly

"Cloud?" Spyro sped up, pushing in front of the group "What isssssss-" his voice died down with a whizz as he gazed down

Eyes bulged in their sockets.

Down below, near the cave that the wind dragon so complimented was an ocean of bodies, the creatures from the Pit stood there patiently, hordes upon hordes pressed together tightly. At the sight of them the creatures began to growl and roar, thrashing in places, like rabid dogs on chains.

"It's impossible" Cloudas mumbled "They shouldn't be here" his voice was barely audible

The rest of the group joined their companions on the top, more and quieter gasps escaped each throat.

"Holy fuck" a curse echoed in the air, a mixture of masculine and feminine gasps, the combination impossible to pinpoint to one creature

"How they got past us?" white head shook widely "No, no, no, we would see them"

"Tactical retreat" Cynder suggested, backing away slowly

The moment she turned however she coughed choking in her own tongue.

Down below, from the forest they came from many burning heads started to appear, followed by the smaller, bloodthirsty creatures.

They cut off their way.

"This is a trap" Iris growled, looking around the scene, she was way too familiar with the scenario to believe otherwise

The only empty way led to the west, back, towards the Pit.

Heart began to play a quicker rhythm in her chest.

"They knew we would be here" the voice that came from her mouth was as chilly as a recently formed ice

"I have nothing to do with this! I swear!" panicked eyes gazed over the group, looking for understanding

The group however was too busy to put blame on him, all focused on examining their surroundings.

"Open space and impossible numbers" Hunter noted gloomily "We cannot fight here, we'll be overrun"

"I support our scout" Danox licked his lips, empty eyes betraying no shred of emotion "Some of us might not survive the battle, not even I be able to protect everyone, not with those creatures that drain magic in such sheer numbers. Retreat is the only valid option"

"Look!" Flare pointed down at the mass of bodies "The Supervisor! Chimera!"

On top of the cave appeared a lone figure, arms folded on its armored chest the beast looked straight at them with its creamy eyes. A draconic tail swung back and forth behind it, yet the face had scarcely any similarities to a dragon.

The creature observed them stoically from the distance, even from here a strange aura of authority could be sensed.

"You!" Cloudas roared, pointing a shaking claw at the creature in the distance "You can't be here!"

The creature on top of the cave shrugged with a sigh.

"Sorry kid" strangely the beast's voice didn't match the appearance of his companions, sounding like a soft purr "A deal is a deal, you know how it is. Some get priorities over others, besides, I don't believe your current friends apply to our rules. We have some unfinished business, I promise it will be quick"

The eyes of the creature glowed menacingly, an armored finger pointed in their direction.

"Bring me their heads!" he roared at the top of the lungs

The hordes of creatures followed in their leader's wake, breaking from the artificial chains of orders.

It looks like Fate decided to give credit to The Bleeding Soles quite literally.