LoS: Breaching the Darkness: Ch 40

A Lightning Battle


Spyro soared upwards, Cynder just ahead of him. They kept a good distance to the tower itself, well out of range of any attacks made against them. As he flew he cast one last glance down below.

The battle raged on, the ground forces slowly pushing in one the tower as the Depth Stalkers were forced back. This was in no small part to the large white ape, Tomoro, who even from the air made an impressive figure, standing toe to toe with one of the Depth Stalkers.

Nearby, just beyond the ground forces were the majority of the green dragons, all lined up, their powers focused on the tower, keeping back whatever earth shaking event Malefor was channeling through it, giving him and Cynder the opening they needed to head for the tower itself.

It was not long before Spyro and Cynder reached the platform extending from the side of the tower, Spyro remembering it as the place where his ultimate confrontation with Cynder darker self had taken its beginning. Looking towards her for a moment as they landed he could see her looking around, no doubt remembering those events as well.

They did not have time to dwell on it though as they quickly headed towards the opening leading into the tower itself, but even from a distance they saw that it was barricaded, a wall of crystals covering the opening.

"Stand back," said Spyro quickly as he walked forward to get past her, only for Cynder to sweep her tail up in front of him, blocking him even as she smiled gently.

"I know how draining it is for you to manipulate crystals and since there is no real need for finesse here you should let me handle it," she said smiling, but also firmly.

Spyro nodded a bit, standing back as Cynder turned to the crystal wall. Breathing in deep she let out a high pitched shriek, waves of red energy erupting from her mouth focusing on the crystal wall. Quickly the wall cracked and then shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.

Neither Spyro nor Cynder smiled as the destroyed wall simply gave way to reveal yet another crystal wall a bit further in. Knowing that the Guardians were in there this filled them with frustration as their eyes wandered across the crystal wall. They did not have time for this!

Spyro quickly extended his powers through the rock beneath. Though he found his feelings distorted, Malefor no doubt working against him, or the tower, he was able to make some head way, feeling the presence of multiple walls like that.

"I don’t suppose there is another entrance?" asked Spyro quickly as he turned to Cynder, his expression telling her all she needed to know about how it looked.

"I am trying to remember…no," started Cynder annoyed, though soon her expression lit up, "I think there is!"

Spyro needed only hear that and moments later he and Cynder were in the air once again, heading upwards towards the very spire of the tower.

"I hope at the very least creating those walls cost Malefor some measure of energy," said Cynder, her expression turning grim, "I hope that maintaining it gives the Guardians more of a fighting chance…I hope it gives my father a fighting chance."

"We will make it," said Spyro reassuringly, even if he was hardly certain about anything happening at the moment. He also knew that Cynder knew this, but even so she smiled a bit at hearing him say it letting him know that it was appreciated.

Inside the tower the battle was hectic. The Guardians still stood strong, fighting back against Malefor with everything they had, but they were finding no real ability to properly break through his defenses. Any elemental attack aimed at Malefor was easily turned around or negated by his overwhelming power and the Guardians view a physical attack as nigh suicidal as it would leave them with little time to react to Malefor's own attacks.

A blast of flame tore along the ground, heading towards Ghronur whom Malefor had focused most of his attacks on, only for Burnia to quickly step in front of him, catching the flames with her forward stretched wings and directing it upwards in a large column.

Cyril and Volteer immediately counterattacked, blasts of ice and lightning striking across the ground like writhing snakes as they surrounded Malefor, converging together towards him, the lightning blasts leaping into the air to catch him should he try to escape that way.

Malefor did no such thing though, instead leaping forward as a shield of stone formed in front of him, absorbing any blasts coming head on as he headed towards the Guardians in full speed.

Ghronur was on point quickly raising a wall in front of them and blasting it forward against Malefor as one giant projectile.

It shattered into pieces before Malefor's onslaught, the pieces turning around and beeing launched straight back at Ghronur who quickly raised his wings in defense, but was a bit too late as a long piece of rock dug into his right foreleg, almost making him collapse form the pain.

Cyril reacted by immediately unleashing a stream of ice upon Malefor, slowing his approach as he was forced to defend himself and finally forcing him just a bit back as Volteer and Burnia joined with blasts of lightning and fire.

Malefor retreated a few steps before the onslaught before with a swipe of his hand directing it all into the ground.  Standing still as he let the staff tip rest against the floor, turning towards the Guardians with a wicked grin. "How admirable you fight, most certainly above the usual dragons I have faced. They are weaklings most of them, barely any understanding the limitless potential of the elements at our command."

He looked at them his grin fading, a look of confidence upon his face. "But not nearly enough either. You will lose this fight and soon as well as a much more important foe is approaching. But for the sake of not letting your power go to waste I will let you leave this tower now…should you so choose," he said slowly and firmly. "See it as my highest acknowledgements of your powers, powers which I consider worthy for the world I wish to create."

"If that is your way of acknowledging our powers, then I want none of it," snarled Burnia in response.

"You really think I would walk away and leave my daughter to fight you on her own?! Over my death body!" snarled Ghronur, grimacing from the pain in his leg.

"Oh come on now, don’t be like that. You won't leave this room alive if you keep fighting, you know that, you won't even make a difference in the long run," snarled Malefor seeming slightly annoyed.

Ghronur and Burnia snarled in response even as Volteer quickly moved up next to Cyril.
"As much as I hate it he is irrefutably right in one point. He is hardly putting any effort into repelling us and yet it is clear we won't last much longer," whispered Volteer quickly.

"Well do you have a plan, my friend?" whispered Cyril his frustration clear.

"I do. After all I prepared myself for these battles by imbibing a certain potion and I have yet to test the full capabilities of what I can do now," whispered Volteer quickly as he focused on Malefor, "I need you to cover me for a moment as I gather it all together, everything I have in one blast."

Cyril nodded quickly, his expression grim.

"Come up with a plan?" asked Malefor with a wicked smile, "don’t think I will let you carry it out!"

Ice erupted from the staff Malefor held up, large serrated blades of ice sweeping at them from both sides.

Cyril and Ghronur stepped up immediately, Ghronur conjuring a wall of stone on their left side while Cyril did the same with ice on the right. "Volteer needs a few moments, we have to give him that!" said Cyril quickly as he pushed the blades away.

Burnia merely nodded in response and with a roar dashed forward, flames erupting across her body until she was completely engulfed as she charged at Malefor.

Malefor smirked sweeping the staff downwards the floor in front of Burnia sprang to life, long spears of stone jumping up against her. But Burnia had been ready.

Spreading her wings she beat them downwards, carrying her slightly into the air even as she halted her momentum, narrowly avoiding the spikes. But as she did she let the flames around her rush forward, a dragon shaped inferno which struck out at Malefor.

"Too slow," said Malefor's voice even as he leapt through the flames, parting them before him, heading for Burnia with a spear of ice in hand.

Immediately the ceiling caved in on top of Malefor, obscuring him from sight as Burnia quickly landed. Malefor soon reappeared though, still coming at her, though before she herself could react a thick ice barrier shot up in front of her. Despite this the spear still pierced through partially, Burnia feeling a sting of pain as the spear tore a long, but shallow wound against the side of her neck.

More spears followed as the wall was torn to pieces, Burnia hastily retreating. Soon they were facing down Malefor a dozen or so long ice spears hovering in the air around him. "Handle this!" he said with a wicked smile.

Before he could attack though a lightning bolt struck past them all in an instant, the following thunder boom deafening the other Guardians for an instant as a powerful shockwave filled the room.

Before the Guardians stood Volteer, lightning arcing across his body intensifying and ebbing constantly. The distinct smell following a lightning strike was everywhere, though none of this surprised them as much as what had happened to Malefor who had been smashed against the far wall.

"What…in the…!" snarled Malefor as he looked up with an angry expression. It soon faded though as he saw Volteer replaced by an impressed smile.

"I did not actually think that was possible for dragons other than Purple's, very impressive," said Malefor slowly, his expression turned to an angry snarl. “I think the time for games has truly come to an end!”

Volteer said nothing, simply turning towards the other Guardians for a moment and nodding reassuringly. And then he vanished.

Volteer became lightning, he felt it through his very body, he was no longer just controlling his element, no he was it! His experience coming together with the amplified, no unlocked, powers from the potion and it made a power he never thought possible course through him.

Malefor leapt out of the way, Volteer striking the ground next to him, the very air around Volteer rippling with such energy that the floor was torn to pieces by the constant smaller lightning bolt arcing off his body.

And then gone he was again, coming at Malefor who nimbly leapt away again with a speed that seemed impossible, sparks of lightning flying around him. But this time he had expected it and Volteer changed direction as the lightning bolt, following Malefor's dodge.

However just as he was about to hit him, Malefor vanished in a flash of lightning, the only thing left was a few words hanging in the air, clearly audible in the room, even above the thunder cracks. "Two can play this game!" At that moment something hit Volteer in the side with incredible force.

The other Guardians heard Malefor's ominous words and moments later Volteer appeared in a flash of light, his body tumbling across the floor, lightning still arcing off him.

Volteer slowly got to his feet seeing the other Guardians as they rushed to him. His body was numb, but slowly he became aware of something warm on his right side where he had been hit and turning his head to look he saw a long claw wound, fresh blood spilling from the length of it.

"You should not look away!" snarled Malefor and Volteer reacted on reflexes, becoming lightning again as he dashed backwards, even as he looked towards Malefor again. But he was gone…

Looking around Volteer saw Malefor dashing towards the other Guardians. He appeared for brief moments, his entire left hand a large dragon claw of ice, before vanishing like lightning again. Cyril, Ghronur and Burnia tried desperately to stop his approach, with walls of stone springing up at Ghronur's control as streams of ice and fire swept across the room, trying to reach Malefor.

"You wanted me to delve into my power! Well here it is! And I finish it now!" roared Malefor among it all.

Volteer stood up in his full height, lightning still arcing across his body as he did his best to ignore the pain in his side and the dizziness sweeping through his head. He had to stop Malefor, protect the others, that was all he focused on as he once again became the lightning.

Ghronur saw Malefor coming straight at him and desperately raised a broad wall in front of him, but with a flash of lightning Malefor was on the other side of it before it even fully formed. The icy claw was poised as Malefor leapt up towards his neck.

Ghronur was suddenly pushed away as a large body hit him, throwing him to the floor even as Malefor passed over him. He quickly got up, seeing Cyril standing between him and Malefor.

"Fine, then it will be you!" snarled Malefor as he leapt forward.

Cyril was about to defend himself when suddenly the ground underneath him swept up, locking his feet in place even two large pillars appeared on either side of him, pushing his wings away. Even as he watched in horror the large claw became a giant spear which Malefor threw forward against the immobilized Cyril.

"Scorino…" was all that went through Cyril's mind as time seemed to slow. But just before the spear hit a flash of light erupted in front of him and a piercing shriek of pain tore through the room.

He could barely see anything at first, the intense flash having come right in front of him. He soon felt the rock bindings shatter and leapt backwards even as he saw a wall of flame stretching from floor to ceiling ahead of him.

But also in front of him, lying on the floor was Volteer.

He was moving, desperately trying to stand and as Cyril's vision returned fully he saw why. The massive spear had pierced Volteer’s wing in two places, as it had been raised in front of him as defense, before striking the ground, pinning him too it. Seeing this Cyril rushed forward to aid his friend.

Before he could reach him though the flame wall parted, Malefor walking through, though as he did Cyril saw him focus on something behind Cyril, his eyes widening what seemed to be surprise or amusement.

"Get down!" sounded a roar behind Cyril and instinctively he ducked down, lowering his head as a loud shriek was heard. Waves of red energy and black flames flew across his head and Cyril saw Malefor retreat just a few steps in response.

"Cyril, help Volteer," said a firm voice Cyril only knew all too well as he looked up and saw Tironar standing next to him.

"We will take over from here," added Ravina as she walked past him, followed closely by Demetrius, his expression one of absolute hate as he watched Malefor.

Malefor only chuckled though as they slowly approached him.