FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 34

Danox let out an earth shaking roar, the noise leaving a rumbling echo in the heads of his companions that stood near him. Hunter winced, letting out a mewling whine, ears plastered themselves against the skull, even his knees buckled.

He always enjoyed the sound of draconic roars, there was something very humbling in them, the knowledge that the beasts responsible for these powerful blares were on your side was impossibly motivating. It pushed him to keep up with the dragons, as hard as his limited capabilities allowed him to do.

The roar was a war drum, inspiring to action.

From so up close though it was like having a pair of dynamite sticks exploding inside your ears, to say that it hurt would not give it enough credit, for a feline like him it was agonizing and had nothing to do with inspiration of any sorts, if not for the mortal threat surrounding them he would slam his fists against his head so hard that he might actually crack the skull.

He was a professional however and even despite the discomfort he kept his eyes narrowed and bow ready, waiting for a signal from his friends, there was no other way but to force their way through the legion of monsters.

Legion that wasn't bothered by the roar at all, probably having horns sticking out from the place where ears should be had something to do with that.

"I promised you triviality Sire" Danox bent on his paws, a ferocious snarl stretching his mouth, the darkness surrounding him and pulsing from the veins around his eyes gave him a very malevolent expression

For the very first time the group had the chance to see the black dragon projecting any sort of emotion, they however couldn't tell if this is a good sign or not, it was an expression that could be described with two words.

Evil fury.

"It is about time that I kept true to my word. Join me in the carnage Spyro!" the dragon growled and charged, murk raised from the corners of his eyes

He swiped with his paw, the big claws catching two of the monsters, tearing them to pieces, they thrown back bodies smashing into the group behind, tripping the creatures there.

The itching got stronger, all of the standing beasts pointed their snake arms at Danox.

"DRAGON!" they roared in perfect harmony, it would be almost funny that they just noticed a big dragon the size of a mountain just when he tore through their ranks if not for the destruction already around them and the promise of more to come

His head dived down, mouth parting open, the gaping maw enveloping one of the tall creatures, nose almost reaching to the hooves. The maw clamped shut, there was a crack, Danox pulled his head back, nothing remained from the creature but ankles alone that still remained steady as if keeping the balance of a weight that existed no longer.

He tilted his head back and swallowed, the devoured corpse could be seen stretching out his throat as it slid down towards the stomach.

"Holy shit!" Cynder screamed, jumping back in horror "The fuck are you doing!" she yelled at the dragon, shaking her head fiercely to keep the image from imprinting itself in her memory

A futile fight.

Iris, Hunter and Spyro looked back with a wince.

Flare stared at the scene with wide eyes, like a child trapped in a forest staring at the running pack of wolves, unaware that it was dangerous, but fascinated by the perspective of something impossible to be so close.

They are dragons, animalistic nature is there, far more present during all sorts of fighting. While all of them deep down knew that killing is bad due to that animalistic spark killing was socially acceptable, it didn't condemn you as a brute and a monster as long as you did it on the battlefield, in self defense and avoided killing innocents.

Murder is still murder.

As dangerous predators it is understandable that death follows creatures like them, everyone accepts that, even the ones that bring that death. When it comes to fighting there are no regrets, while tormenting a wounded enemy is an dishonorable moral crime, there is no punishment of any sorts for killing throngs of enemies that threat your life.

Civilization existed in the Realms, but the Realms also respected the laws of nature, laws that clearly state that the strongest will survive. This nature also applied to species in general, nobody blames the dragons to be killing machines because they are simply built like that. The claws aren't tender things, they are far more sharp and sturdier than any close combat weapon, easily tearing through armor, which of courses increases the chances to avoid a mortal wound, something that a naked body without a dragon scale covering it does not. Getting hit by draconic claws during a fight usually meant death.

If someone survived a strike like that then a respectful dragon warrior would never go in for the kill as long as the downed soldier poses no danger anymore. It is globally accepted in the Realms that if someone survives a dragon strike then he deserves to live since the natural weapon knows no mercy and it is almost impossible for a dragon to avoid causing any serious damage.

A downed soldier like that won't be fit for fighting any longer anyway.

While on the battlefield there are no regrets and no holding back, predatory survival instinct dominating it all, there is one sacred rule that every sentient creature with fangs follows. Breaking it was the most despicable thing one can do, it was known to be barbaric and morally unacceptable.

You are not allowed to eat sentient creatures.

The one that does that is basically considered cursed, Corruption level cursed and if Brill is any point of origin where comparisons can be made than this is a very bad thing. Especially when you do it out of your own free will.

The act is considered almost on the same ruining level as backstabbing, with the difference being that backstabbing can be somewhat explained with reason.

Devouring a sentient creature had none of that.

Danox ignored the yells of horrors, diving down again momentarily, instead of dropping down from the top, he attacked from a horizontal line this time, twisting his head, lying it down on the wind current as he parted his mouth, teeth of which clamped shut over the chest of another creature.

Another crack with a pull, torso landed in the black dragon's mouth, while the neck and the legs dropped numbly on the ground like a pile of rocks.

It was then when the creatures roared, rising their axes, the spider legs and arm snakes twisting anxiously.

Some of the creatures that were close enough chopped at the dragon, three axes were sent flying, the huge blades striking the flank, chest and leg, impaling themselves with a wet crack. Snake arms and the stingers attacked fiercely, biting and stabbing.

Danox roared, tilting his head he bathed the monsters in a wave of Shadow Fire, the thick stream of magic creating a black fog in the air. The shadows surrounding him pulsed lively, as if feeding on the death, it coated the blade tip on the tail, enlarging it, stretching out an identical scythe yet made of burning shadows.

When he swung his tail, the tips, both the normal and magical one cut through the ranks of the monsters, cutting off legs, heads or slicing bodies in half.

More roars filled the air, not only the swarm of monsters was getting close, but there seemed to be more of the tall creatures in this legion than they originally thought, only the death of the first rows opened the view to the back columns of enemies.

There was so many of them, they were charging at Danox, the bodies swarming their escape path.

Spyro shook off the horrid images Danox was responsible for there was no time to discuss ethics now. He jumped forward swiftly, magic pulsing in the veins as he charged at the monsters.

"FIGHT!" he roared at the top of his lungs, the blare stirring his companions back into reality

He leapt forward, stretching out like a feral animal jumping on prey, front paws touched the ground, legs momentarily enveloped by a green wave of magic. He curled into a ball later on, body shackled by form of a magical boulder, he rammed his new form right into the columns of creatures, big or not, their legs were no obstacle for the power of his new form, breaking like twigs.

He cut off the power right when his paws were sliding along the earth, the momentum he gained coordinated perfectly with the strength he gathered in his muscles allowed him to lunge forward, right at the monster in front of him. He sunk his claws into its chest, before it reacted his teeth were already around its throat, tearing it open.

He froze the time then, as the world slowed down the first needle of black blood began to push from the wound, the creature's burning eye still fierce and bright, unaware yet of its fate. He jumped down, dark with blood claws touched the earth, sinking into the ground.

He coughed up a magical green, spiked ball. He spun around, using the pawhold of the earth as the center of gravity for his turn, adding immense physical power to the already strong, magical swing. A green, flashing chain extended from his mouth, stretching out the ball, rising in in the air as it cut through the air, hitting every throat that was close enough around him.

The slowed world was unable to record what was happening, the magical ball passed right through the bodies, all that changed was the lazily appearing black dots on the spikes of the green ball, slowly and steadily turning them dark.

He made only a single turn, as the spin came to an end he ended the magical chain as well as returned the flow of the world back to its normal pace. The gurgling sounds and cracks sounded like an earthquake and crashing waves of the sea as one.

Bodies dropped all around him like cut trees, blood gushing from the severed necks while he stood right in the middle as if he was a bomb that detonated and devoured the life in a ring around him.

Cynder, Flare and Iris rushed at the creatures, stretching out to cause the most damage. Cynder covered herself in lethal venom and dashed right into the fray with wings tightly pressed against the back. Stingers kept hitting her natural shield, unable to break through, the snake arms that tried to find and opening for a bite withered like flowers with no water the moment the poison got inside their mouths, eating away the flesh inside.

Iris too charged right into the mass of bodies, her breath taking on a light blue shade as she got close, coming out from her mouth in a steady rhythm like steam from a mining train. Her eyes following in the same wake just as if she would be freezing herself from the inside.

Moments later her body was covered by a thick layer of frost turning into a literal diamond, scales taking on a rough shape of a crystal. Spikes stretched out from the magical body, small, the size of needles, there were thousands of them, the density would put a hedgehog to shame.

Iris groaned, pushing out her wings, there was a crack of ice and all the spikes that dotted her magical form shot forward, springing like bolts from thousands of tiny catapults, they skewered the monsters all around her, stopping the incoming stingers and snake heads in their tracks, pinning them right against the chest and snout of their hosts.

Hosts that fell dead in a heartbeat, having their every organ pierced, making them end up with more holes than a cheese.

Flare joined the carnage, eyes already burning lively, little flames dancing in the sockets instead of the ebony slits. The Beast demanded its meal, he however knew that letting it roam in this forest would put the life of his friends in danger, burning one part of the forest was risky already, starting another fire can lead to a catastrophe.

No, no explosions, only close combat, in this midst of battle his friends were too busy to pay him any attention. Besides, Danox said it was time to feed, neither Spyro or Cynder said otherwise, this meant only one thing, agreement.

Just like in prison, when someone couldn't defend himself and was silent then that mean permission to do whatever he wants. Silence was always a signal of total defeat back there.

He was surprised how easily it was to think, how easily the Beast allowed him to manipulate its will, he had no idea what was going on, maybe it was accepting his desire to feed, why fight with the paw that gives you food after all?

Diazen used to say the same thing.

The thought of him being the same as his captor boiled his blood, claws beginning to glow with a fierce red light.

He leapt at the first monster, jerking his burning wing, slapping the incoming snake's mouth away in a show of scorching sparks, the slithery arm hissed and thrashed around as the tears of blazing flames ate away its body.

His claws found the chest of the monster, their heated surface allowed them to sink into the flesh without much pressure as if he would be sinking his claws into still molding, liquid clay. He touched the heart, despite its different shape he had no troubles recognizing it.

Stingers attacked from the other side, he managed to deflect two of them, the third one displayed more cunning and struck him under the protection, right into the thigh. He ignored it, knowing well that its attempts to hurt him were futile, not only it was causing him no pain, it also barely bent his scales, the heat he was emanating was too much for the stinger, scaring it away.

There was an explosion inside the body he held to, fire spread within the flesh, charring bones and clotting veins. The axe the creature was holding dropped on the ground with a ringing clang that was quickly muffled by the earth, the noise fading as quickly as the beast's life.

The fire ate through the flesh, spilling on top of the body, the fading strength and Flare's weight tipping the monster backwards, making it fall towards the earth. Before its back however touched the ground, its entire body was already consumed.

Instead of the body it was Flare's red claws that touched the earth, the ash the creature turned into was spread out by the wind.

The enemy was gone, devoured by the Beast. He breathed in deeply, inhaling some of the ashes.

"Don't be afraid Cloudas" Hunter whispered calmly, sending an arrow loose at the arm that decided to take a swing at Danox "This battle is in our favor still, the enemy might have numbers" another arrow was sent flying, striking a snake that tried to bite Spyro, flying straight into its gullet and making it recoil back "But we have the skill"

"I don't doubt that" the wind dragon mumbled, staring at the carnage and how easily the group of the newly met dragons dispatched the Wretched.

It was intimidating in every possible way, from the awe spectrum to the deepest terror.

"Your wind powers would be a great addition my friend" another rattle of the bowstring could be heard

Cloudas dropped his head, the wings flopping down in shame, touching the ground.

"I can't" he breathed a sigh of utmost depression

Hunter's ears perked up at the confession, his eyes remained focused, trained hands not faltering from their duty even despite the curiosity burning at his soul.

"If pressure is your concern, don't worry, your strength will still be helpful despite the Shapers immense power already. There is no shame in being weaker than the best, helping them is an honor"

"It's not that. I would help but I can't. I'm not a good fighter and the magic...I can't use my powers, not because I don't want to, but because I..." he swallowed deeply "...can't"

The cheetah frowned deeply, he had still so many questions to ask, mostly because he simply couldn't understand what does it mean that the wind dragon can't use his powers. Every dragon is hatched with the power of his element in his soul, while he didn't consider himself to be an expert on the dragons species, his fascination forced him to learn a thing or two about these magnificent creatures.

This knowledge said that the element is always present during the draconic life, it is what shapes their personality to some degree, centers them around an emotion most typically compared to the element, like temper to fire.

It also shapes the color of the scale, it is the element that decides what color the dragon will be wearing throughout his whole lifespan, you just can't shut down your birthright. Every dragon at some point learns to use his or hers element, when not trained it doesn't evolve beyond the most basic breath, but it is still there nevertheless.

There is absolutely no possibility for a dragon to simply not know how to use his life force basically.

Perhaps the dragon was honor bound, like the priests of the temple in Warfang following a certain creed. There was a possibility that the wind dragons of this era followed their own duties and the limitation of magic usage was one of its doctrines.

Still, it didn't justify anything, not right now when survival is at stake, while he understood fear, a dragon even with the most basic of breaths is a dangerous weapon

He remained silent though, accepting the decision even if he didn't understand nor supported it, yet it was not his place to tell a dragon what to do. He's just a simple scout in this equation, the drakekin always knows better.

He set another arrow loose, corner of the eye observing the approaching mass of monsters, they were pushing through the blockade rather quickly, it seems that they will manage to avoid the main horde after all.

Judging from Cloudas' words the Wretched fought with dragons already, not only that, they also lived in close proximity to black and purple dragons, making such a tactical mistake by sending only a single legion against such dragons like them seemed reckless.

But then again, these creatures didn't look like a disciplined army, they were more like feral monsters ruled by hunger, such craving renders tactic unimportant.

Danox kept his promise, when Spyro covered himself in electricity and shocked his nearby foes he managed to glance towards the black dragon, being the biggest of the group, he drew the most attention.

While he was wounded, his legs, flanks and chest were bleeding he kept on fighting with the same intensity as in the beginning. Not only that there were already piles of bodies surrounding him, more kept disappearing under his strikes.

Magical ones included.

Shadow crept over the battlefield, which was surprising seeing as the sun shone brightly all this time, yet now a delicate curtain of ebony gloom seemed to fall on it as if it hacked on the very same energy it was feeding the world with, dimming like Flare's body sometimes does.

Cynder looked at the sky, the darkness drawing her attention for a brief while, as a creature who was morphed into something that shouldn't exist she was quite sensitive to unnatural things.

Darkening sky in the middle of the day was one such thing, the weather usually reacts when dragons are using Fury, they not only draw energy from their own essence, but also that of the world, nevertheless the impact isn't visible before anything happens, it always occurs in the moment of the attack and lasts just as long.

Neither Iris, Flare, Cloudas or Spyro were using Fury.

"Lightbane"

A whisper echoed inside her skull, so soft that she couldn't tell if it was Creep or her own audible thoughts.

What she was sure of though was that the voice wasn't calling her.

Her eyes were drawn to Danox immediately, one question hatched in her mind at the sight of his moving in a fighting dance body, too busy for any sort of channeling magic.

Were black dragons capable of Fury?

There was no answer.

Not because the right answer couldn't be found.

This wasn't the reason why her eyes were drawn to him.

This wasn't the question she wanted to ask.

Danox spun around, claws and tail cutting through the rows of monsters, dropping them in explosions of blood and gore. Through the crowd of bodies and flying guts their eyes met, the snarl that wrinkled the black nose from this distance looked like a demonic grin.

The obsidians that served as Danox' eyes weren't empty.

She could see her own reflection staring back at her from them, she wasn't alone there, from her stretched another silhouette, her flank molded together with the other one as if they were twins with a genetic flaw that led their bodies to be connected together.

It was a dragon.

It was Creep.

The lips of the four dragons in the eyes moved, silently, voiceless and so very, very comprehensible anyway.

"Who are you?" she whispered, mimicking the movement of the lips, her voice ringing with a hollow tone

The area darkened even more and as she looked around the blackened terrain reminded her of the Grand Plaza, there was a certain mole there, he was standing under a glowing lantern that was giving away an enticing light. She looked for it desperately, but to no avail, as much as the growing darkness looked like the one the night before she met Creep, this time there was no place to hide.

And she felt it deep in her heart that it was essential to stay in the light.

"Watch out!" Spyro's blare echoed throughout the roars of battle

"Something's coming!" Flare's own roar followed soon after

It wasn't exactly like in Warfang, while the terrain darkened, it didn't turn dark entirely, the sun struggling against the invasive intrusion, keeping the world relatively sunny nevertheless. Also it is worth mentioning that all of this is happening for certain, this is reality while the experience in the Grand Plaza might have been entirely a figment of imagination.

Which Cynder doubted.

The thing that the boys mentioned arrived on the battlefield, it was an undulating line of shadow, almost the size of a small river. It seemed to be coming from one side of the encroaching darkness slipping down from an invisible wall like wet paint and flowing right in the direction of the monsters.

Yet the group didn't focus on its origins, but its movement, especially the undulating effect, it was like there would be something below the ground, tossing about its fin.

The gloom spread around Danox, forming a splotch of ink underneath a group of the enemies, the black pond bigger than the black dragon's frame.

Leaden tentacles shot from the hole wrapping themselves around the monsters that hadn't currently their hooves above the dim splotch and were relatively close to it.

Everything maybe lasted three seconds. In the first shot the tentacles, in the second they dragged the caught creatures into the black hole and in the third the same pond of darkness sucked the monsters that stood above it.

Most of the enemies that Danox was facing were gone, all that was left after them was a pool of dusky shade.

Only when the indistinct aura began to fade and the sunlight flickering into power once more, struggling like a heaving chest of someone who was saved from drowning, they realized that the splotch of darkness on the ground was no longer that strange magic, or creature that attacked the Wretched.

It was a huge pool of obsidian blood that remained after the monsters.

Whatever attacked them was gone.

There was no time to dwell on what just happened, the first shocked impressions this strange attacked stirred were gone, the Wretched unmoved by the death of their companions kept fighting, unaware of the fact that most of their numbers were gone and now they were in a great disadvantage and a moment before defeat.

All these wounds they caused were scratches comparing to the terrifying presence the tall creatures displayed. A bite under the wing or a sting on the cheek was nothing compared to the fact that when they first started this skirmish they were greatly outnumbered.

It was going so easy.

This is what made Spyro's mind break from the thirst of battle and sacrifice a part of itself to the process of evaluating why it is so easy to begin with. He kept on fighting, running between the legs of one monster before jumping at the other one, sinking his teeth into its slithering arm that decided to lunge at Cynder while she had her back turned to it.

As the creature roared, thrusting its arm back and dragging him behind like a flag on a pole he channeled ice into his tail tip before letting go off the arm. Black blood splattered onto his nose from the tear in the flesh his teeth created while he himself landed in front of the creature, momentarily pushing his body into a spin.

The flashing in blue tail tip drew an icy arch across the air, the magical scythe collided with the, frost momentarily began to cover its body, process that he sped up a little further by thrusting his tail tip into the furry thigh. The freezing energy spreading through the veins, making the creature freeze on the inside.

As powerful as these creatures might have seem to be, besides some fire resistance, they had no other way of protecting themselves against magic.

Magic.

This was it.

This was why it is going so easily, all of them are using their magic against the Wretched, what made this creatures scary was the fact that they had a way of depleting them of their magical force.

Nothing like that happened here though.

What happened to the itching?

It wasn't here, even if before all of this started the itching was there, far more choking than ever in fact. Ancestors, the first creature of this size they met, especially he did, drained his power like a mosquito drinks blood, he was tired and depleted before he knew it.

That was ONE creature.

There was a horde of them here and nothing happened.

The adrenaline was immediately dipped with a sauce of fear, a fear that shot high sky when realization finally sunk in. This fight, it all seemed like a trap suddenly, even if the arguments against such thesis were strong, after all, sending a legion to simply die to use it as a distraction seemed crazy.

On the other paw, it was the Wretched, he didn't knew much about these creatures, what he gathered until now however clearly pointed that the creatures don't have much respect for their lives.

The fear started throbbing harder.

It reached its peak when between the noises of battle, he caught a shrill whizz of clanking armor.

When he dodged under a flying axe, he noticed the one responsible for the noise. The Chimera that commenced the chase appeared right behind them, passing through the wall of fire devouring the forest. The creature stood there, the green sockets in the armor glowing brightly under the flames, face obscured by smoke.

He noticed one of the gauntlets risen in front of the body, palm opened, a ball of black energy was circling above it.

The itching returned, every dragon that was currently involved in the fight felt the strange tug, it was so strong that it felt as if there would be claws scratching their flesh from the inside.

The monsters around them froze in place just like their limbs would rust unexpectedly.

The dragons clenched their chests, impulsively rubbing and scratching at them, instinctively fighting against the irritating, burning itching invading them currently. As their claws moved against their wounded and dirty scales they could feel the pleasant tingles of relief as they located the sweet spot and fought off the itching.

The problem was however that the sensation didn't want to end, no matter how hard they scratched, no matter how much relief they felt, the itching just didn't want to stop.

Flare was the first that cracked his scale, drawing a droplet of blood, he didn't even notice the change, unaware that he made a small hole in his leathery armor. How could he when scratching that small wound felt just as good as scratching everything else.

Danox spun with a furious roar, the veins on his eyes were pulsing with malevolent energy, the squinted in fury ebony orbs caught the Chimera in their gaze.

"YOU WOULDN'T DARE!" the black dragon blared, the roar was so loud that it shook the earth, the leaden tendrils that were burning from the corners of his eyes spat two spikes of dark mist

The mist shot sharply forward, burrowing into the eyes of one of the nearby monsters. Two seconds later the tall body collapsed as if an invisible lumberjack would severe its legs with a single swing of an invisible axe.

The body convulsed once and then became stiff, the creature dead in a matter of seconds.

The Chimera shrugged.

"A deal is a deal" the creature responded callously

Hunter turned swiftly, arrow already locked on the bowstring, his cloak didn't even manage to stop its flap and the arrow was already set loose, cutting through the air, directly at the exposed head of the armored beast.

The armor flashed when the arrow got close, the gems that decorated it flashed briefly. The arrow instead of sinking into flesh, sunk into a strange, small reddish hole that appeared out of thin air, in a glimmer of red and yellow it was gone from existence.

A fresher scent of burning wood was added to the atmosphere, it was like the arrow took a dip into its own Veil that led it directly into the bowels of a river of magma.

The creature was wearing an enchanted armor.

The Chimera closed his hand, the ball of energy popped, whiskers of black smoke pushed through the clenched, metallic fingers of the gauntlet, slithering and fading in the air like snakes in a copse.

The burning hair on the surrounding the group creatures extinguished with a whizzing puff, seconds later all of the remaining monsters exploded, bodies shattering into many tiny pieces. Two waves caught the dragons in the middle of the now ended fight, the first was a bloody one, black bile of the monsters splattered on the draconic bodies with wet, crunching noises, making their bodies adopt the color of ink.

The grunts of disgust that followed the explosion were quickly silenced by the second wave, all the adjectives that came to mind to describe the first rumbling force were nothing when compared to the single word that gave credit to the second strike.

Trouble.

The second wave was a magical one, a shockwave in the form of a ring stretched out from every creature, hinted gently black, the rings touched with each other and shrunk, the more they gathered the smaller they became until there was nothing left. The dragons felt absolutely nothing when the small shockwaves touched their bodies.

Something that changed quickly when another explosion roared, the ring that shrunk and was considered gone came back to life, stretching out widely across the earth, when the nearly transparent energy ran through dragons all of them felt a freezing chill running over their spines as if a ghost would dart through them.

The chill remained even after the shockwave was gone, it felt as if entropy itself would sprout roots inside their bodies, sucking the life out of them.

Spyro was the only one familiar with the sensation, already experiencing it before when he faced the tall monster for the first time. The magical explosion was draining, it sucked away his elemental energy, the sudden lack of the crucial aspect of integrity that kept dragons together nearly toppled him over.

He trotted as if drunk, fighting for balance on extremely numb legs, he managed to remain standing though, all thanks to the stubbornness he learnt during the months of fighting hordes of enemies, this wasn't the first time in his life when he was out of juice. He tried to keep the pretense of strength, yet the shaking legs that kept him standing clearly betrayed his bad shape.

Cynder was the only other dragon who remained standing, even if the original blow of the draining magic toppled her over she somehow managed to pull herself back up.

Flare and Iris were cut down as if someone would remove the ground from underneath their paws like some carpet.

Flare especially looked terrible, the magical force not only drained the energy from his veins but also practically extinguished him like some match. With the bright flames and light almost gone, combined with the black bile glued to his scales, he looked like a flickering, charred piece of wood that managed to avoid being completely devoured by the flames of the oven it was placed inside. It seemed that a gentle poke was all that was needed to make his body crumble.

His burning body parts was giving away faint pulses, like a heartbeat of a dying person. He laid on the ground like a fish that was out of water for too long.

For all the strength Danox possessed, he too was affected by the magical strike, the glow on the veins and the dingy smoke dangling at the corners of his eyes were cut off sharply just like a draft after locking the door in a previously widely opened room. Legs gave under the massive weight his body was carrying, elbows and thighs bent, he didn't drop down entirely, he fell on his knees in a quadrupled version, with his forelegs bent, with front paws nearly pointing backwards while the hind legs stretched out completely.

He panted loudly, throat rolled out from the mouth, painted in black blood.

Hunter was unaffected by the wave, the magical one that is, the first painted his clothes dark as well. In a brief moment of clarity he wasn't surprised by it, after all he wasn't a magical creature.

The only surprising thing in all of this was that Cloudas also stood strong on his legs, both waves reached the wind drake, yet only the physical one left an impact, the other ran through him cleanly, not even making him flinch as if didn't exist for him at all.

A dragon, a magical creature was unaffected by the magic that was supposed to strip him of his essence.

"What h-happened?" Cloudas mumbled, eyes wide with fear as he observed the group of dragons ahead, just a moment ago they were fierce fighters, now they looked like hatchlings straight out of the eggs who learn their first steps in the world

Hunter clenched the amulet on his neck, the warmth it provided always comforting no matter the situation. He didn't have the time to answer the question, eyes immediately scanning for something that would somehow stall the incoming mass of enemies. His friends were in no shape to repel all that aggression.

Making a way around the forest meant that the creatures had to switch terrain as to avoid being consumed by the raging blaze. The terrain the Wretched were making their way through included a raise, or rather a descent from the slight hill the creatures running across, stones with fields of grass dotted the ground, slowly turning more grey the lower the descent got.

Hills began to grow slowly, some trees on the higher levels were twisted wielding only naked branches, in between them were rocks of bigger and smaller size, held by nothing else but the twisted branches of the crooked trees. The hill was the highest near his friends, the stones also followed that particular rule, which meant that this is the ideal spot that could stall the incoming horde.

The downside was that the crashing rocks might reach his friends, or at least the dust will, still it was better to risk it, the other option was just allow the creatures to reach his friends and count on the fact that they somehow manage to fight them off.

Out of the two, he preferred to cause a small earthquake than put his friends as a probable dish for the hordes.

He pointed at one of the boulders held by the branches.

"Get there Cloudas, free the rock, send it down to cut off the way. Do it now, there is no time to waste!" he growled at the dragon, something that his conscience immediately began to regret, whipping him with guilt

Giving orders to a dragon felt unreal and so impossibly wrong, commanding such a creature was dishonorable, but the situation demanded it and he preferred to live with the guilt than to not live at all.

The wind dragon swallowed, surprisingly he didn't need more encouragement than that, momentarily spreading his immensely big wings, if not for the dire situation they were in right now he would really take his time to admire the angelic feathers, it was a sight to behold.

Cloudas leapt into the air, he gained immense speed in a matter of seconds, never before he had seen a dragon flying so fast. With great difficulty he forced his eyes off the flying, magnificent drake, his orbs creaked like rusted door as they moved towards the descending horde.

Hands automatically nocked an arrow, the tip aiming at the running Wretched, right at the beginning of the group, tip of the arrow directed at the rising wall of the hill. His mind automatically making the necessary calculations, taking wind force and distance into the measurement.

The projectile was sent loose, it started flying a little behind the wind dragon, usually a projectile shot from a weapon is much faster than any airborne creature and yet it had troubles catching up with the wind dragon. It was faster, yes, but Cloudas was already in position while the arrow had still a small leap to beat.

It made contact with one of the creatures running in the middle of the horde, piercing the risen leg. The impact toppled the creature over, making it slide down the hill it was descending, not only the monsters behind them tripped over their fallen comrade, birthing a small chaos among the ranks as the rest of the creatures either fought for balance or dropped down also, but also the first sliding body knocked over the creatures that were in front of it, in the end slowing the whole horde a little.

Cloudas put his goggles on to make sure that he isn't imagining things, his eyes were bulging behind the glass as he observed the breaking of the formation, the Wretched turning into boulders themselves, rolling and sliding down the slope. He couldn't believe his own eyes, did Hunter just hit one of these creatures with an arrow? From such a long distance?

Who in the Shaper's name are these guys?

He never met a purple or a black dragon before, he never seen any other dragon wearing the colors of Flare and Iris, he never saw a creature like Hunter before and yet in this very moment he was certain that there was no other like them. No matter how many others will he meet in his life, something deep down told him that there won't be any more creatures like them, the color of the scale or fur might be similar, but this will be the only common point to find there.

These guys here, this group, they were one of a kind.

And they invited him to join their ranks.

Magic or no, physical prowess or no, right now he felt like he could move the Shade itself if he wanted to, stroll in there and make every black dragon cower in awe. This freaking branch will serve as evidence.

He rose both of his forelegs high up, stretching the upper body upwards, tilting it in such unnatural pose that his lower back started to sting, he had to support himself on his tail to avoid making an embarrassing flip. All this discomfort was worth that little spike in strength though.

Paws went down, even if untrained the blades on his toes were still draconic claws and staying true to their origins they sunk into the wood with ease. He swiped down, tearing off bark and splinters of the tree's root. It wasn't thick as a standard rout, the sprouted tree limb was relatively small for a loot and as he kept on scratching, ripping away more and more of the wood, he figured out that being so close to the Pit and being separated from the forest wasn't serving the tree's structure.

Something he gladly accepted as he slammed his burning with effort claws into the bark, they sunk deep into the wounded wood, he felt it throb, whatever structural strands kept the root together was wounded.

He quickly changed position, moving away from the path of the boulder, he trapped it between his bent hind paws before rising his forelegs again and making another infused by momentum slash.

The root cracked, the rock immediately sensed the weakened, pushing through the now almost gone pressure with ease. The root cracked, splinters shot in the air, the boulder snapping it in half, one part fell from the hill, sliding down the slope like a severed tail, the other though, the one still connected to the tree was thrown back when the rock snapped the wooden limb, its other half was thrown back, flying the through the air in a sharp arc.

The root hit Cloudas directly in the shoulder, making him jump back with a grunt of pain. The tree obviously didn't care for his intentions, he dared to ruin its root so he had to pay for it, the whip of the branch not only cracked the scale, but its now edged form after the shattering pierced his armor in some places, most of the tiny spikes running through the patch of feathers on the shoulder, sending some of them flying, tearing them of their resting place and making them slowly die as they began floating in the air.

Flare and Iris were the closest to the descending slope and the rolling down rock, even closer was the unfortunate creature that Hunter marked as his target. The fall and the arrow piercing its tendon made it difficult for the creature, it struggled to scramble up on its paws.

When it finally did, aiming its hungry gaze at the tasty looking red and blue dragon, with only the latter glancing back at it with wide eyes, it opened its mouth to let out a threatening roar.

Before it managed to produce even a tiniest note, the boulder reached its destination, the oblivious beast had no idea that it stood directly under the falling rock. Its incoming blare was silenced, rumble filled the air, dust creating thick mists all around the point of impact, all that was left of the creature was a pool of black blood that spilled from underneath the boulder.

Iris covered her snout behind her paw, protecting her eyes from the incoming sharp rocky shards, they cut her blood covered scales.

"Get up and move!" Hunter roared, his voice panting as he sprinted towards the group, reaching Cynder first, his hands clenched her chest lifting her and turning her in the direction where she should be headed. He pushed the dragoness forward, nearly throwing her and gave her a slap in the flank to urge her to run

Cynder jerked forward as a startled horse.

Spyro managed to recover by his own.

The Wretched collided with the boulder, their deafening roars and whines silenced nearly every other noise. The rock started to shake as the gathered strength of the creatures was forcing it out of the way.

It won't be long before they break through.

One particularly ravenous creature pushed its head through way too small slit, tearing away most of its hide from the snout, the bloodied maw parted, letting out a triumphant roar.

It was silenced by an arrow piercing its skull right between the massive eyes. The body slowed the horde, if only for a little while.

Danox rose on his wobbling legs, snout twisted in fury.

"Iris, Flare, Cloudas! Come on!" Hunter blared out, waving his hand at the dragons in the distance, the big black drake made his way past him in the meantime

Iris scrambled on her paws, there was still some of the white goo on one of her legs, it didn't lose its proportions even after all this time, something she was glad for, it saved her from the need to put all of her weight on the legs, making the struggle for balance a little easier.

Cloudas jumped from the, dashing down towards the two dragons, massive wing carrying him quickly down

"We need to go" he mumbled, glancing at the nearby rock that was shaking fiercely, kicking more and more of the choking, obscuring dust in the air

"Dynamite. Get up" Iris commanded, yet Flare was unresponsive, lying on his side he breathed heavily, his whole body flickering, sparkling like an engine that just didn't want to start

He was conscious, opened eyes betrayed that, especially the dilating, moving pupils did. Even his numb mouth moved weakly, only on close examination she could tell that he tried to say something. She didn't have to hear it to know what it was.

He couldn't get up, for some reason this draining magic nearly killed the guy.

There was a rumble, the rock cracked spitting dust in their direction.

"Pick him up and fly" Iris said, licking her dirty lips as she observed the now basically trembling boulder

The horde will break through any moment now.

"I can't fly here!" Cloudas exclaimed in panic "The quick dashes were all that I could do, these things with burning heads work like mobile Talons. The Wretched have pillars that burn you from the sky, the flaming heads work in the same way, but weaker, if I stay in the air for too long they will burn me down. I won't be able to dodge those things while carrying a body with me! Only quick, short movements work! We have to pull him, it's safer!" the drake grabbed Flare by the forelegs, slamming his upper body against the ground he started to pull, scratching his scales as they slid along the earth

"Help me!" he grunted

She had no strength for any physical labor.

Or at least that's what she told herself.

Because she had to face it, this was a perfect opportunity to free herself, while she didn't have the chance to keep her promise and feed the tormenting her fucker his own balls, she can always offer them on a plate for someone else.

She will finally get her desired revenge.

But then again there was mother, if she ruins it then there won't be another chance, Goldie is that chance and if she disappoints him all will be lost.

Would she be able to pull all three of them out of this? Probably.

She had no intention though.

It was the white fucker that mattered.

"Get out of here" Iris snarled, pushing the wind dragon away from Flare

"But-"

"I've got this, go" she stopped over Flare, his yellow eyes looked straight at her

"But-"

"GO!" she roared straight into the drake's snout, her blare empowered by the rumble the boulder gave away in the meantime, cracking even further, covered in black blood fangs gave her a demonic appearance

More dust filled the air, basically obscuring them by now.

"Cloudas!" Hunter roared at the top of his lungs when he lost the dragons from his sight

Cloudas whimpered, covering himself behind his wing he run away from the scary dragoness.

Her snout relaxed, she looked down at the yellow eyes, making a step back, not even bending to help him out.

Flare might be clueless, but even he knew what she was about to do, she could see it in his eyes which seemed far more mature than they usually did.

You treacherous motherfucker, the roles have finally changed.

"I...l...et...arm...u" Flare whizzed. Chest heaving with each labored breath, speaking clearly put him in a great discomfort

She frowned and despite her better judgment leaned in closer, for some reason she just wanted to know what he has to say. She was sure that he will beg her or curse her, the mask dropped he doesn't have to pretend that he cares for her any longer. She didn't have to hear it, not again, but on the other paw she might indulge herself in the satisfaction for the last time. Never again she will see his betraying snout, he won't get the chance to get between her and Spyro, finally she will free herself from the burden.

She tilted her head, focusing on her hearing.

"I will not let them harm you" Flare pronounced slowly and despite everything there was determination in his weak whisper

She jerked her head back, eyes wide they stared back at the yellow ones, there was no blame, no anger, nothing that he displayed all that time ago when she tore one of his eyes out.

This was sincere concern.

Flare was smiling, a pleasant, understanding smile.

Her head started to sting as if someone would start a drill inside her skull, she blinked, eyelids flapping like wings, why is he not dropping his mask?

Because there was no mask.

Because this is not the same dragon.

She slammed a paw against the side of her head, sinking claws into the temple, the fucking rumbling becoming insufferable.

"Nonsense!" she cried out

It had to be the same fucker! It had to be him just waiting to betray her again and ruin everything, she knew it! It had to be him!

He was cute and weak and fragile!

She liked him!

She was falling in love with him!

It had to be him!

It had to!

"Mother!" Iris screamed at her blood that gave her life, cry full of blame and plea

Mother was standing next to the lying dragon, her chest a bloody hole with rotten guts dangling from it, eyes white and green like bad food, moss and dirt spread all over the body. Worms wiggled and dropped from the nostrils, clenching and eating away the lips to the very bone, exposing the crooked teeth behind.

Mother smiled, lips cracking at the edges when a grin spread the eaten lips. Flies pushed from the recently opened black holes.

It projected no warmth, no love, but a cocky, triumphant smirk.

This wasn't Mother's smile, this wasn't how Mother behaved.

But this was Mother! She recognized the wounds she inflicted!

Head threatened to explode.

Let the pain stop!

"For me" Mother begged, her voice sounding strangely masculine

"Yes! For Mother!" she cried out, eyes filled with tears, she threw the fallen drake one last glance

The emotion in his eyes changed, besides care he was also sorry.

Why, why, why.

She could repay him only with the same thing, Mother will forgive her and besides as she glanced up she noticed that Mother wasn't looking, One eye was closed. The other was missing.

She didn't have one eye.

The claw marks around the eyeball perfectly matched her claws.

She leaned down, pressing her lips against the red ones, giving the dragon a goodbye kiss. In the end she could submit herself to a moment of weakness.

Uncle was right after all.

She pushed back, turning away, she pressed her hind paw against the normally red flank.

She kicked, pushing Flare down, closer towards the rock.

She started to run, hobbling forward, in the meantime the boulder exploded, sending dust and shards in the air. Terrible roars echoed in the sky.

"Guys?!" she noticed Hunter and Spyro pushing through the mist of dust, their silhouettes getting closer, at the brink of ruining everything

"We're right behind you! Go!" she yelled back at them, their forms stopped, hesitating

She did too.

"Go!" she urged them again

They turned around, luckily, trusting her, after all she gave them no reason not to. Despite everything she was fighting loyally all this adventure.

She took the mantle of worrying what is happening behind their backs and as she glanced behind her shoulder she noticed tongues of blood painting the dusty mist.

It wasn't black.

But red.