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The Legend of Spyro: Path of Delusions

Book V: World War Me

Chapter 1

Pages kept flipping one after the other, the soft vellum never remaining in one place for long. Sharp rays of gold flickered from every edge of a turning page, only intensified by the yellowish light covering the tome. Another flip and the gold text presented another of its rich and valuable contents, its letters shimmering with all the inviting force they were created with. Until a shadow rose suddenly, shrouding the parchment. The gold text chaotically jerked away from the yellowish light, trying to escape but was stopped in its tracks, only seconds later to return gently back into the illumination. Shadow no longer visible, once more the text clearly glowing and available.

*

_I think I'm ready I think I've got it 'Cause too much thinking is bad for my health It's like a fire 'cause when I start it I can't control it and I burn myself

But I can't just sit here and watch it If we don't stop it no one will

We are the ones, we are the weapons And we will ride, we are the voice of a song unsung We are the change, we are the chains that hold us We are the choice, we are the strong We are one

My heart is racing, just like a rocket Victory looks like a distant dream 'Cause what we're fighting's not gonna stop it But we can beat it if we just believe I can't just sit here and watch it If we don't stop it no one will

We are the ones, we are the weapons And we will ride, we are the voice of a song unsung We are the change, we are the chains that hold us We are the choice, we are the strong We are one

We are the ones, we are the weapons And we will ride, we are the voice of a song unsung We are the change, we are the chains that hold us We are the choice, we are the strong We are one

We are the ones, we are the weapons We are We are the change, we are the chains We are But I can't just sit here and watch it

If we don't stop it no one will

We are the ones, we are the weapons And we will ride, we are the voice of a song unsung We are the change, we are the chains that hold us We are the choice, we are the strong We are one

We are the ones, we are the weapons And we will ride, we are the voice of a song unsung We are the change, we are the chains that hold us We are the choice, we are the strong We are one_

A note containing this text found in the Ancestral Sanctum by a random pilgrim with a single sentence written on the back

You were right Dawnbringer

~Bad Company

*

The other night my friend had a dream. There was a world full of kings and queens. But it was cold, dark as the night. It made us realize that we were free, but we all wore chains. We couldn't see it, but we created a place between truth and overrated. We were shown that it's up to us to turn the world into the light.

We are the fire on the moonlit skies.

Anonymous The First

*

"Stop it Mom!"

She cried out, breath wavering with the unending torrent of laughter as she rolled on her back, swaying from side to side, unable to move with the blue paws pressed against each side of her small body. Her own legs were pressed against the buried snout in her underbelly, trying to push it away with all the weak, joyful energy

There was another one slurping snort.

"Stooooopppp!" she laughed hysterically once more, tears filling her eyes with each new joyful scream. Belly invaded by the tickling sensation of snorting lips and drilling blue nose

A perfectly shaped bluish snout, with two amazingly glistening diamond eyes showed itself in her blurry vision.

"Who's my favorite flower?" the lovingly smiling snout dived down again

Her whole fragile frame jerked up when with another snort and tickle a chocking laugh burst from her throat.

"M-M-Mom! P-P-P-Please!" she playfully thrashed around

Through her barely opened eyelids she noticed her mother's eyes watching her, she didn't really understand the look, but once she saw a priest with practically the same gaze when he was giving a speech about his god.

It was really nice.

Her bluish head moved slightly forward and before she knew it, a long, hot tongue gently caressed her own slender chin and nose. The lick made her giggle even fiercer.

"Eeeewwww!" she uttered in between laughs, playfully pressing her paws against the feminine neck above.

Suddenly an unforgettable wet, cracking sound filled her head.

Something hot and thick started to drip on her white belly.

With a horrific slurp her laughter ended abruptly, she opened her eyes, looking down her sprawled on the back body, stream of pulsing blood was flowing down her white scales. With a whimper her eyes darted up, her little claws pressed against the bluish scales above, there was blood soaking through her white toes.

Without any control her claws dug deeper into the scales, a gurgling rattle filled her mind when suddenly her claws started to move down, with ease slicing through the scales. The crack from which the blood sipped through grew wider, only growing in length and size with each inch of her sliding claws.

She started crying, not able to get her eyes off her own claws, unable to utter a word, the gurgling and wet cracking sounds bounced inside her head, becoming louder and louder with each movement of her natural blades and with each stream of blood flowing down onto her from the growing cut.

Finally her claws stopped moving, everything went silent for a moment.

Her tear filled eyes opened themselves widely, staring at the pulsing cut above.

Then suddenly the wound burst open, streams of blood washed over her completely. She started choking on it. On the taste, on the rotting smell, on the hue.

It was dark.

It was dark blood.

"She has another seizure!" a cheetah healer screamed in horror, face completely covered in dark blood as he was thrown back by the sudden, disgusting burst

"Quickly!" Amela ordered "Roll her on to the side!" she ran to the opposite side of the stretcher, hands tightly gripping the flank of the draconic body, pulling it towards her

Another one of those heartbreaking coughs filled her sensitive ears, making them drop down on her skull. With the noise came another one of those terrifying waves, the thick, dark liquid splashed directly onto her doctor's gown, now completely covered in dark stains.

"So much blood!" another assistant whimpered

Despite the odds Amela kept on doing her duty, together with other healers. Her silver earing bouncing wildly with her every determined move. The jumping tiny emerald reflecting every flame of the nearby torches.

The dragonesses absent gaze seemed to focus itself on the jewelry.

"I WILL KILL THEM ALL!" she roared at the top of her lungs, soiled, feathery wings flaring open as her mouth parted. The blare resounding with an echo throughout the mountains, full of fury and suffering

"Be quiet!" strong red paws wrapped themselves around her, one of it covering her mouth as they pulled her close to a warm body

She started thrashing rabidly, eventually freeing her snout, she sealed the victory with a ferocious bite on the paw holding her, pushing her sharp teeth deep into the scales.

The grip loosened, the owner of the paws growled painfully, jerking his forelegs away.

Distant roars echoed throughout the icy hilltops.

She sprang forward, one of her front paws almost slipped from the cliff, sending small rocks falling down the misty abyss below.

She didn't care.

"I'M RIGHT OVER HERE!" another painful roar burst from her throat

She started to thrash before the red paws even touched her, feeling the warmth they emanated was enough to trigger her defensive instinct.

"Leave me alone!"

She spun around, tail leaving an icy trail as it slid across the snow, meeting the ruby gaze of the dragon ahead.

"You will get yourself killed" he said as calmly as possible, paws moving towards her ever so slightly.

"They will all die first!"

He shook his head "No, they will not"

A puff of ice wafted from her nose "We'll see about that" she turned towards the cliff again, wings opening up once more, preparing for another loud roar

"COME AND G-"

She was once more silenced by the paws wrapping themselves around her. With muffled screams of protest she began to fight with her captor with new, wild vigor. This time however the grip was stronger than before, forcing her to obey, despite all her attempts to break herself free the red legs managed to push her back, towards a warm chest where soon a draconic snout lowered itself next to her fighting cheek.

"She wouldn't want you to die"

Her narrow eyes shifted, narrowing themselves on the drake hatefully. The muffled shouts intensified, together with her efforts to break free and the aura around her growing more colder than usual.

Even despite the discomfort the paws held her tight.

"Look ahead" he growled through clenched teeth

She never ceased her protest.

"Look!" he jerked her head forcefully, forcing her eyes to aim ahead

In the far distance, a thick column of smoke was raising far into the sky.

"You would be still there if not for her"

Another muffled sound, her fight for freedom continued.

"You were there with me when she gave her last order" he whispered caringly, the warmth of his voice seemed to calm her a little

"Just like me you remember her last words" he leaned closer, she lessened her struggle in his paws

"Her last wish was for you to live" his voice remained unchanged, resonating with warmth and comfort

She whimpered, fighting less and less with each passing second.

"I sacrificed my horn, my dignity as a dragon, to make sure that wish is fulfilled"

She stopped fighting, his words cutting deep into her shattered heart, eyes started to blink fervently, trying to hold back the incoming surge of tears.

"I only ask that you do the same" he withdrew his paws, she remained in place, staring ahead, her whole body shaking

"Don't throw your life away, in her loving memory"

The crunching sound of snow could be heard as she dug her sharp claws into the cold ground.

"She is gone Iris, do not join her so quickly"

"I miss her uncle!" she couldn't hold it back any longer, she burst in tears, not really caring that it's disgraceful for someone of her stature

He placed his paw on her shivering, young shoulder "Let it all out, just this once. After today there will be no more mourning, no more tears and crying. After today everything will change"

He made a step forward, stopping right next to her, overlooking the hilly valley below. Clearly abandoning his previous cautious approach. She felt the support for her radiating from him.

Sobbing uncontrollably, she looked at him, following his gaze, in the distance she spotted several flying forms. She didn't care much about them, her sight was momentarily drawn back to the rising column of smoke.

She felt like somebody stepped on the shards of her already broken heart.

Her rump dropped on the snow.

A full of suffering howl filled the sky.

Even from here the dark smoke was choking her.

"Hold her still!" Amela demanded, holding the young, convulsing draconic body by the shoulders

One of the healers jumped back with a yelp, avoiding the dark blood splashing on the floor.

"She's going to bleed out if this continues!"

There was another retch.

"By the Ancestors" a cheetah girl whimpered, biting on her claws "I have never seen anything like it"

"Hold her still!" Amela ordered once more "I need to apply this to the wound!"

Everyone nearby continued their work with more determination.

"Where are those gems?!"

The blue tail swashed uncontrollably, sending the golden equipment on the nearby stand flying across the room, flickering golden light shimmered on every part of the chamber.

"What is it?" she twirled the necklace in her opened paw, eyeing it with a curious frown

A beautiful feminine laugh filled the hall "Would you look at that, my little princess questions my taste in jewelry" she flashed her a perfect white smile, not far away from the laugh regarding formosity

"Very good"

She looked at her mother with a dumbfounded frown "Good?"

"But of course! Someone of our stature, of your position and respect needs to question the gifts they are offered. If you would accept just about anything then what's the point of offerings? If people want our ear they have to work for it. Those are the harsh rules of a court"

"Oh"

Her mother giggled and waved her paw dismissively "But enough of that, we are alone, here we can be our true selves" she pranced forward, sitting on the soft carpet right in front of her, grinning at her eagerly

She just loved watching her mother smile, she was so dazzlingly beautiful then.

"Tell me" her mother nodded at the necklace "What do you think?"

Her gaze shifted to the jewelry in her paw, it was a round medallion, made of a very shiny gold that it practically blinded her. There was a brilliant sapphire in the middle, so bright and pristine as if water was held inside.

"It's so pretty" she huffed in sincere awe

"And it's made of gold, your favorite"

She tilted her head to the side as she turned the medallion around, there was something written on its round frame. She leaned closer but couldn't recognize the writing.

"There's something written on it...I...don't recognize the language"

She felt her mother sitting next to her, her bluish wing wrapping itself around her lovingly. She pressed herself against its soft and protective touch.

"Don't concern yourself with that now. It will all make sense when the time comes, when you will be ready"

"Sounds like it's some kind of a special necklace"

Her mother nodded "Special necklace for a special girl" she kissed her forehead, before gently rubbing her nose against it "It will protect you as long as it has to. You'll decide if you need its help further"

She looked at her mother with an indignant frown "I'm not a little girl anymore Mom"

She laughed "Of course you aren't" she scratched her head playfully before moving in front of her

"Put it on, and you'll see. I want to admire the beauty of my favorite flower"

She began fondling with the chain, shaking her head.

"I'm not a little girl anymore"

Her mother shrugged with a smile "Perhaps, but you will always be my favorite flower"

She dropped her head down with a sigh, straightening on her hind legs, using her front paws to wrap the chain around her neck. The sapphire flickered slightly when the round medallion touched her neck.

"Done. How do-"

Her mother was gone.

She jumped on all fours, heart started to race in an instant "Mom?!" she yelled spinning around in place "Mom?!"

"MOM!?"

There was a wet smack.

She looked down at her legs, she was standing deep in a pool of blood.

A characteristic stench filled her nostrils. Something was burning.

She looked up.

She was no longer in their palace, or perhaps she was but could no longer recognize it. Everything was ruined and burning. She kept turning around, the walls once solid and pretty shifted shape in front of her eyes. Cracking, burning and exploding, beyond the ruined walls nothing could be seen but darkness.

Everything turned to ruins around her, while she herself stood in the middle of it, the pool of blood only raising with each destroyed brick.

Her eyes landed on the single door that remained still standing, they creaked and wavered in agony.

She felt sorry for them.

An invisible claw started to scratch against them, eventually forming one single sentence.

IT'S YOUR FAULT.

And then the door exploded.

Letting the darkness in.

"Her heartbeat is slowing!" someone shouted, in the room that was filled with all different yelling it was difficult to whom the voice belonged to

"We won't give up!" Amela commanded, hands swiftly moving inside her young patient, blood reaching above the wrist

"What a mess" someone whimpered

"I need more light here!" the old cheetah ordered, momentarily a lantern appeared above her head, glowing with a bright, white light

"Come on darling" she pleaded, throwing the dragoness a quick glance, her diamond eyes were constantly opened, slightly dilating, reacting to the fierce light, even if barely.

"You aren't the one that gives up easily. I'm not letting you die on this bed, not on my watch. Fight together with me Iris"

She removed one of her hands from the dragonesses body, putting a withered piece of liver on a nearby plate, before dragging the light even closer towards the dragonesses snout.

"Fight Iris!" she shouted

The diamond eyes pulsed slightly.

"Fight Iris!" her uncle roared

She blinked, just in time moving her eyes from the treacherous white hide ahead to notice a soldier swinging his spear at her.

She jumped to the side, avoiding the deadly stab, she swung her paw, it landed on top of the wooden weapon pushing it towards the ground. The soldier holding it was dragged forward, she sprang forward, closing her powerful jaws on the soldier's throat, not even the heavy armor he was cladded in protected his throat from her strong teeth.

Metal creaked as it bent, bones shattered, blood gushed onto her mouth, the soldier's life faded away even before his weapon hit the ground.

With a growl she clenched her maw even stronger, there was another snap of bone as she spun around, jerking her head fiercely. She opened her mouth, with blood splaying on the floor the limp body was sent flying at a group of enemies in the distance, striking them down.

One of the warriors dropped down so unfortunately that he broke his neck on the nearby staircase, his limp body started to roll down the steps. Screams filled the room as every fighter that was ascending was pushed from the staircase, with walls that usually surrounded the stairs long gone there was nothing that could prevent the toppled soldiers from falling to their doom.

"Get her!" a knight shouted, pointing his sword at her.

A large group of archers released a volley of arrows at her. Growling, she stared right back at the incoming sharp tips.

Then suddenly with a thud her uncle landed in between the arrows and her, with a swipe of his wing burning most of the incoming projectiles, the rest deflected from his massive armor with clicking sounds.

He opened his mouth, a scorching breath of fire left his throat. Agonizing screams were added to the ongoing commotion as the flames consumed the archers.

He aimed his fiery gaze at her, with the practically devilish helm protecting his head and two red eyes glowing like a pair of embers he looked like a demon.

"You've done your part!" he roared "Now run Iris!"

It became very dark all of a sudden, parts of her home disappeared completely, together with the soldiers invading it. Those that remained were emitting sounds that didn't fit an army. Every noise was distant, like an echo heard after traveling a long distance

"Fight Iris!" someone shouted from very far away

She shook her head, her enemies kept on disappearing, one by one vanishing behind the growing, thick black veil.

Should she leave it as it is? Let them disappear without punishment? Just let it all go?

"Fight!"

The shouts of her uncle died down, he was consumed by the closing darkness as well. Her legs suddenly became numb, her rump dropped on the ground.

"Fight!"

Her eyes started to grow heavy, her head kept on turning like she had a chain wrapped around her neck. If they all are going away then why struggle? What's the point?

Not even the white dragon ahead, one of many to blame for this, being so close to taste her pain was able to change her slowing mind.

"Give me that!"

He was grinning, he was triumphant and...he was fading like the rest. No point for him to feel her pained wrath if he will be gone anyway.

"FIGHT GIRL!"

A feminine voice boomed across the sky, she looked up, the dark sky flashed briefly with a golden light.

Her neck felt heavier all of a sudden.

She touched her white scales, feeling something metallic below her claws. Her eyes went down, completely uninterested in the fact that tendrils of darkness were swirling around her paws. All her focus was fixed on the round gold object she was holding.

It was shining with a fierce golden light, probably blinding to everyone else but her. The pristine sapphire purer than ever, reflecting her own image, her two defeated diamond eyes. Gold and satin blue seemed to intertwine with each other, it was like staring into the underwater world, through currents of which flickered the yellow rays of the sun. However there were no fish there, all that sea life was replaced by her own existence, reflected by the constantly changing shimmer in her eyes.

Just like the usual coral reef visited by the constantly different groups of colorful fish so were her eyes touched by the ever-changing shift of her own cycle of life.

The image of her snout she saw in that reflection was changing. The tired eyes turning from dumbfounded to overjoyed, from shy to confident to eventually stop at the most recognizable one.

The image of extreme suffering and wrath.

She knew where she was, she understood her place in this accursed world.

And she won't leave it until all those guilty of this crime will pay, her included.

She raised her head, the defeated look gone from her snout, she observed the world with a furious snarl and blood covered lips. A world that was pushing through the retreating darkness, returning to a scenery she remembers all too well.

The stench of blood and fire, the clanking sounds of steel and agonizing screams, the orders, the determined shouts, the rumbling noises of destroyed rock. And that one peculiar sound she will never forget, that mocking snicker.

An arrow found a hole in her armor, getting stuck in her side.

She didn't care, her rabid eyes narrowed on the figure ahead, on that treacherous white son of a bitch. Her legs started to move, energy started to course through her whole body, nothing else mattered, besides that ugly draconic mug ahead.

"Iris! No!" she heard her uncle shouting. Currently his protest was as important to her as the fading lives of the attacking soldiers

She ran, sprinting faster than ever.

Silhouettes began appearing in front of her eyes, transparent forms of armored soldiers, nothing more than a mist, nothing more than ghosts. Her own ghastly form was among them, fighting a battle she remembers but a battle that currently doesn't matter. As she continued her sprint more and more ghostly forms appeared, her misty silhouette pushing through the aggressive formations with ice, tooth and claw.

As both of them drew closer to her prey the bastard ahead stopped smiling, the cocky grin and stare vanishing from his snout. His blue eyes widening, he didn't expect this to happen, that murderous fucker didn't know he would taste her revenge so soon. His eyes grew to immense size, only one thing radiated from them.

Complete terror.

She reached him even before he could truly shake off the paralyzing effect of the situation. Her misty form did the same, in just a few steps before colliding with her prey she became one with it. With a furious roar she jumped, claws ready to strike, her blades sunk into his flesh, toppling him on his back.

As his blood gushed over her legs his arrogant stare flashed before her eyes, followed by his triumphant grin. The images were infuriating and she would rip them apart, piece by piece.

Her paw went up, claws curled practically into hooks, the smacking, wet sound she heard when they went down and tore his eye out was the best sound she ever heard in her life.

And his agonizing, full of suffering roar.

Now that is...

...that is worth fighting for.

*

Three different, yet almost identically low and experienced laughs echoed throughout Warfang, not disturbing the flow of life in the slightest. The walls were used to such sounds, laughter was as an inseparable part of the city as roars.

"And people say that battles are worth remembering" Ignus' hoarse laugh filled the balcony of a big house, its stony walls perfectly matching the coloristic of the district it was located in

With a cheerful cackle the storyteller, who was an old earth dragon raised the wine filled mug to his lips.

"Imagine that I've spent most of my fighting years with him by my side" Terrador commented with a smile, enjoying the noncommittal conversation far more than he believed he would

He nodded at the old fire dragon sitting by the table next to him, the first of the two dialogue participants.

"I've warned you about his dirty humor. Remember that you don't have to excuse yourself, just leave when you want"

"You're not among fools Terrador" the drake commented with a snicker as he put down his mug "You're just as depraved as we are, otherwise you would run away years ago"

"I believe I know the true reason why he never rejects your invitations" Ignus replied, reaching for the bottle on the table, red liquid swirled inside. He raised it towards the sun

"This wine is exquisite. I can't recall if I ever tasted anything better"

"Besides the folds of a dragon lass you mean" the earth dragon commented with a smirk

"By the Ancestors Vager!" Terrador blurt out

The old dragon cackled mischievously.

"Such jokes coming from your mouth are nothing more than perverted thoughts. Speaking things like that in your age is no longer an infantile brag but a disgusting and nauseating reply"

Vager rolled his dull green eyes "Says who? You?" he snorted and aimed his gaze at the fire drake "Tell me Ignus, did I offended you in any way? Do you find my words disgusting?"

The one horned dragon smiled "Of course not, you couldn't be more right"

The cracked, practically colorless paw of the almost ancient dragon pointed at the recent speaker.

"See Terrador? Now this is a perfect example how a guest should behave. He lies straight to my wrinkled snout and we both feel good about it"

With a barely noticeable smile Ignus dipped his lips in his wine.

"Jokes aside, tell me of your battles, Terrador mentioned that you are a seasoned warrior from the past no less. I would like to taste the blood of foreign prey on my lips again, wine can only satisfy my craving for so long"

The Earth Guardian shook his head "You're insane"

The dragon grinned, displaying a set of cracked, yellow teeth.

"I'm old. I have my rights" he turned towards the fire drake "Speak youngster!"

Ignus placed down his mug "To tell you of my battles in detail would mean to foreshadow my whole life story"

Vager snorted, his expression turning sour as he emptied his portion of the wine just to start refilling It seconds later.

"Don't be such a dupe, we have one already" he nodded at the Earth Guardian

Terrador frowned "Remind me, why we are friends again?"

"I'm not being dramatic, this world is much different from the one I come from. You have space here, there are maybe four or five different races I've heard of inhabiting this vast earth. It's not enough to fill the whole territory. Not to mention that dragons, as a single specie stick together, fight as one, minus the one or two black sheep of course"

Vager slammed his fisted paw on the table "Now that's what I want to hear! From your words I can already guess that this is leading to a full scaled war. War for territory. A battlefield we sadly have never experienced ourselves"

Ignus nodded, taking another sip "All of the races living in our time were packed into a single valley, surrounded by cold hills we called Glacier Mountains. Mountains ravaged by deadly blizzards, inhospitable even for an ice dragon, of course there were legends about those mountains"

"Yes" Terrador huffed with a nod "I remember your niece accusing us of hiding in those very mountains, she believed she found a secret door leading to the legendary green valley you speak of"

The fire dragon smiled sadly "That sounds like Iris. Allow me to apologize in her name once again"

The Earth Guardian raised his paw defensively "There's no need"

Vager sighed loudly "Let me remind you that you are guests in my house, and as your host I have a privilege to choose the topic of our conversation. Geography is boring, focus on what's important youngster"

Ignus bowed with a polite smile "As you wish" he cleared his throat "As I was saying, in my time lived many different races, you probably won't be familiar with most of them. For instance our world housed bovines, represented by taurens and...creatures mostly with horns without being dragons to put it mildly, canines like vixens and wolves, reptiles, humans and among those and many more were of course we, dragons"

"None of those creatures I've mentioned were wild and feral, all had minds and ambitions of their own. And none of those were untied, there were clans and dynasties, basically representatives of the same kind but with different goals. Dragons were divided like that also"

The old earth dragon's dull eyes shimmered with sincere interest and perhaps fear.

"You fought your own kind?"

The fire dragon nodded "Most of the time, yes"

"Unimaginable"

"That world was too small for all of us and to be successful, able to survive in this environment we had to be the strongest and there was no other way achieving that if not by destroying your biggest threat" he smiled, it was a smile full of sad wisdom "Turns out that ambition and arrogance was our downfall, we were so focused on annihilating one another that we haven't seen the progress the lesser races, as we used to call them, made"

Vager leaned closer, admiration clearly visible in his eyes "In just how many battles you participated youngster?"

Ignus emptied his mug with one swing, his snout wrinkled itself in complete abhorrence for a short while, as if the bulge running down his throat was not created by the delicious wine he swallowed but a poison he deliberately consumed.

"I'm not certain but I believe the best way to calculate that would be to take my age and multiply it by four or six"

"You're over thousand years old son"

Ignus smirked "Very nice of you to say that, but I'm much older than that"

"Impressive" Terrador commented "You're holding up quite well for someone who spent his whole life fighting"

"We all know that battle doesn't make you weak. I was born to do this just like you"

Vager slammed his paw into the table with a laugh "I couldn't have said it better myself! Spill it out son! Your most memorable carnage!"

The old dragon refilled the fire dragon's cup.

Ignus stared at the flowing red liquid with a modest smile "I will have to disappoint you my dear host. None of those battles I've been through can be compared to the the fight to preserve my niece's life. A war that I will wage until my last breath"

"Pfff!" Vager snorted

"Don't be so shrew my old friend" Terrador gently admonished his host "To protect the lives of your loved ones, putting their well-being above everything else. This is a commendable trait, worthy of a warrior"

"Yeah, yeah, it's important and all that, but what about bloody triumphs? We are fearsome beasts! Carnage is in our veins!"

Ignus emptied another mug of wine with a delicate, satisfied smack.

"I believe I can repay the hospitality of my generous host with a tale of an extremely bloody battle I took part in"

The old dragon slammed his paw onto the table with an almost juvenile cackle

"Now you're talking son!"

"Let me begin from-"

"Pardon me dear neighbors"

A bashful male voice from below cut the fire drake off. All three dragons craned their necks behind the railing of the balcony they currently occupied.

Underneath it, on the street, they spotted a cheetah wearing a black uniform with white stripes on his arms and legs. His head was raised high in the air, he faced the draconic eyes with professional shyness, even if his constantly shuffling leg wanted to be somewhere completely else.

"Do...you by any chance could tell me where can I find a dragon named Ignus?"

The three old drakes looked at each other with confusion shimmering in their eyes.

"Look no farther for you have found him" the fire dragon focused his attention on the feline "I am Ignus, what do you require of me?"

The cheetah below took two deep breaths.

"Amela requested to inform you of your niece's condition. She is badly hurt and fights for her life in the hospital. Amela believes your presence would greatly support her in this dire hour"

"By the gods" Ignus muttered devastated, his legs wavered

"Thank you for the information" Terrador thanked the messenger with a bow

The feline returned the gesture and disappeared within the moon covered streets

"You'll have to excuse me colleagues" the fire dragon mumbled, rubbing his forehead

"Ignus if we can help in any way..."

He shook his head "There's no need, this war is for me alone. Enjoy the rest of the evening and thank you for the hospitality Vager"

With those words he leapt into the air, directing himself towards the hospital. He flew for quite a distance but then decided to land between the formidable buildings of Warfang.

He licked his lips, still tasting the delicious wine on them. He looked up, towards the direction from which he came, the house of his host was no longer visible. That old dragon had his flaws, but he couldn't deny his great taste for wine. He had several full racks of those bottles as if he had his own vineyard in that house.

He sniffed the air, the night is still young, there has to be someone here offering this special liquid during this hour. Better to supply himself with this exquisite treat now before it runs out completely. During the time of emptying streets it will be quite simple to locate such trader.

He has time.

There's no rush.

*

She opened her eyes, the moment her eyelids lifted the black curtain from her orbs a fierce, blinding light filled her vision. With a pitiful groan she tried to lift her paw to shield her eyes, but was unable to do so. Her leg heavy, numb and disconnected, as if blood started to finally circulate in those veins after being cut off from the natural flow for a very long time.

"Don't strain yourself"

She was on her back, that much she could tell as she slowly turned her head towards the familiar voice. till unable to see fully, but it was enough to notice the blurry, yet familiar red body behind.

"Uncle? Is...that...you?" she muttered, blinking weakly several times

"I came as fast as I could" he reached out, gently squeezing her paw

Her diamond eyes followed his leg, she was indifferently staring at the display of affection.

The grip around her paw tightened, her whole body shivered.

"What did you do Iris?" he asked, looking straight into her eyes

She narrowed her gaze on his fiery sight, trying to return the gesture but being too weak to even move her claws.

She remained silent.

"Answer me. What stupid thing did you do that almost got you killed?"

"Where is it?"

Ignus' left brow raised in reaction to her question.

"Where is what?"

She raised her other leg, with last ounces of strength forcing it to pat her neck, before it splayed itself on her white neckline. As if dead.

A growl of irritation rumbled in his throat.

"I'm not in the mood for your games. Tell me what you want"

"My...medallion"

"By the gods Iris" he pushed back with a roll of his eyes "You almost died girl, there are more important things right now than your stupid trinket"

A hard to describe shimmer flew across her tired eyes.

"I...want my...medallion"

Ignus growled frustrated "You spoiled-" he swallowed "Where the hell is it?"

Her eyes shifted towards the nearby nightstand, no longer angry but worried and hopeful.

He followed her silent directions, clenching his paw on the only thing that resembled a necklace. Suddenly he delicately hissed in pain.

He turned around and presented his opened paw on which lied a round medallion, it surface was scratched and dented. The only element that somehow evaded damage was the tiny sapphire, the little gem, faded and bleak was now pulsing with a fierce blue light.

She stared at it mesmerized.

"I'm not going to wait forever" Ignus snarled and dropped the tarnished jewelry on the bed. Impulsively he began licking the paw that held the necklace.

"I don't know what you see in this ugly thing"

Iris despite her injuries jerked her body forward, grabbing the tarnished gold medallion in her paw.

"Watch out, I think I scratched myself on that junk"

She let out a wavering breath as she looked at the necklace from up close. It's faded beauty ironically glowing like the brightest of suns, even the sapphire returned to its natural gloomy charm. With a shaking paw she pressed the ruined trinket to her chest and dropped on the bed forcefully, as if she would punch herself.

"Now that you have your toy back will you finally tell me what happened?"

With one last wavering breath she clenched her paw as tightly as she could around the necklace before plunging her paw below the sheets. Only then she looked at him, her white eyes back to their normal, cold display.

"No" she commented, her voice carrying the same characteristic as her look.

He arched his head back "Excuse me?"

She remained silent.

Ignus swallowed deeply, his tail tip spit little, fiery sparks.

"Why won't you say anything?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you"

His eyes narrowed themselves on the young dragoness, his paw tightly clenched itself on her leg, claws almost piercing scales.

"Listen to me very carefully"

Iris threw a quick glance at her slowly trapped leg before raising it to meet the burning gaze of the fire dragon

"I'm the only one that is left of your family, look around this room if you don't believe me. You'll see for yourself just how many people sit before your bed. Only enemies surround you now, don't push away the only thing that offers you a piece of normality, everyone needs a break, even you"

Her whole body started to shift, slithering gently away, as if trying to sneak her way through an ambush.

"I'm trying my best here and no matter what I say you keep complicating things"

He gripped her leg firmer, making her lips part in a barely audible whisper.

"I didn't endure so much to let you ruin it all"

The handle behind went down, his pupils shifted to the edge of his eyes, the grip on her leg lessened, the red paw no longer held her weakened leg, instead it started to caress her.

There was a click and the door opened, the old cheetah healer entered the room, carrying a food filled tray, however there seemed to be more glasses on it than actual meat. The feline's kind eyes flared up brightly when her gaze met with her cold one.

"And who do we have here? Peeking while we should be resting" Amela said with a smile as she closed the door with her foot

"It's my fault" Ignus stood up, bowing apologetically "I couldn't wait to see her"

"Usually I don't allow people to visit my patients, but..." her loving smile grew wider "Special people require special treatment am I right?"

Iris focused her gaze on the ceiling.

Ignus touched his heart "Allow me to thank you in my niece's name. Realization that you are vulnerable and mortal is an uncomfortable thought in my family"

Amela nodded with a delicate giggle, placing the tray on the nearby nightstand.

"As I said, special people..."

"You're too kind"

"I'm sure you're curious about what happened"

Ignus smiled meaningfully, throwing his niece a brief glance.

"Special people..."

Amela giggled "Right" she looked at the young girl who was obviously unhappy about this whole situation.

"If Iris will be ready I'm sure she'll tell you what occurred. My specialty is medicine, so this will be my main point of focus. All her external wounds have been treated, they're not healing as they should due to the fact that there are more important damages right now. She already absorbed so much Spirit Gems that I'm afraid more would only harm her"

She smiled at the fire drake "It is better than it looks, the worst is over, trust me. Yet..." she raised her finger "...there is one thing that worries me. Iris was under the influence of an extremely virulent poison, I have never seen anything like it but it was cutting through tissue like acid. She nearly died, I think she owes her life to her stubbornness only"

"Dear gods..." he muttered devastated

She opened her palm, her aura radiated calmness. "As I said the worst is over, however the damage was so extensive that we had to operate. This is why she is in such a state, her body is still getting rid of the poison and knowing how dangerous it is it will take quite a while to fight it off completely"

With a smile she gestured at the tray "This is why I brought this, to help speed up the recovery process"

"I don't want...anything from...you" the ice dragoness commented with heavy eyes

"Iris!" Ignus admonished her

The cheetah's hand once again rose up in the air "It's okay" she turned around, picking up the tray "I know you like to keep distance from people and I respect that. However if you want to see your wish fulfilled you need to take advantage of people that make your job easier"

She sat in front of the bed, on a chair Ignus respectfully dragged over. The tray landed on her knees.

"People like me for example. There's an opportunity for you here, by trying to cure you I bring you one step closer to your goal. It's up to you how you want proceed from here"

Iris let out a tired sigh "I want you...out of my...room"

"I can leave, it will slow down your recovery process however. You will feel weak and dehydrated, vulnerable"

She rolled her eyes "Fine, do what you...want Puss and get out"

With a nod Amela picked up a piece of bread from the tray and leaned over the bed.

"Take only a small bite, we need to see how your digestion system reacts"

The dragoness did as she was told, with great effort biting on the bread and then chewing it, her mouth moving slow as if it was lazy. Eventually she won the unfair fight and swallowed the already moist crumb.

"And? How are-"

Iris' eyes widened, her cheeks flared up and with a newfound energy she rolled to the opposite side of the bed, throwing her head over the edge. She vomited fiercely, her mouth spitting out the recently eaten bread in a pool of delicately bloody spew of a disgusting fluid from the deepest bowels of a stomach.

Ignus winced "That didn't sound good"

Amela placed the tray on the bed and rose on her feet.

"This is bad. Her system is confused to put it mildly, it sees food as poison"

The dragoness rolled back snout aimed at the ceiling, mouth of which she wiped with her paw.

"I'm sorry sweetie" the cheetah apologized sincerely and reached for the nearby filled glass "Here, drink slowly"

Iris let out a deep, hoarse breath "If you want to kill me...just do it"

"I'm not torturing you, I want to be useful. You need fluids, this here..." she gently waved the glass "...is soup. We'll try to trick your organism, it's dehydrated, we're going to feed and fill it at the same time. Come, try"

The cheetah leaned closer, the dragoness surprisingly opened her mouth without protest. Momentarily a tiny bit of soup found its way down the draconic throat.

Iris licked her lips.

Nothing happened beyond that.

Amela smiled "Perfect" she offered the girl another sip, she accepted it with the same enthusiasm as the previous one

"Alright" the cheetah commented as she placed the half emptied glass back on the tray "That's enough for now. I leave the tray here, in case you'll want to drink more"

"Cool" Iris replied coldly "Now go"

Amela smiled and nodded at the door, making the fire dragon follow her.

Despite his natural warm aura a delicate cold shiver ran through her old bones the moment they were alone.

"I'm really sorry for her behavior" Ignus apologized the moment the door closed

"It's ok, unique patients are a specialty of mine. Speaking of which I have to check on another one soon. I only ask that you won't visit her for the time being, she needs rest and silence"

He nodded "Understood, thank you for saving her life Miss"

Amela shrugged modestly "We all have our job to do, I'm just happy to see that our work here makes the closest ones of our patients happy. There is nothing more important than family"

"I couldn't agree more"

"She's a lot to handle isn't she?"

Ignus looked at the closed door, tiny, hungry flames sparkled in his eyes.

"Let's just say that my life would never be the same without her"