Shadow of the Future: Ch 2

One Winged Angel


Larshyr woke at the dawn of day. Despite the events of the night before he did not sleep very long in the morning, he never did. He slowly and quietly rose to his feet not wanting to disturb his brother or mother who were still sleeping next to him.

He walked out onto the corridors of the castle and there he set of towards the main hall to get some breakfast. After that he simply began wandering the castle as he had done so many times before.

Larshyr walked to one of the many balconies of the upper castle. He was curious as to what had happened in the night. Looking out over the city of Warfang he could see several buildings which had been damaged and a bit of smoke was still rising from different parts of the city.

As Larshyr looked out over the city his gaze fell upon the massive castle courtyard. There was no one there at the moment, but Larshyr knew that as the day passed many young dragons would gather there too practice their flying under the watchful eyes of one of the guardians.

His brother would probably be there and maybe Zera too, chasing the other dragons through the air and laughing with the other young dragons.

But he would not be there. He could not fly and never would, not without his right wing. Zera and his brother had tried to drag him down there to at least meet other dragons and he had come a few times, but he no longer saw a reason.

The other dragons either pitied him because of his lost wing, were overly polite because of his lineage or unsettled by his appearance. No one tried to get to know him for who he was. But he guessed it was his own fault too, after all Carx had no trouble making friends, but he was also much more direct and fun than Larshyr. Besides Larshyr only held his brother back when he was around because Carx would not fly as much out of pity at him.

He could not blame the others for avoiding him and he had learned to live with that, even if he felt some sorrow at times. A dragon without a wing was harsh enough even for him to look at, but he also had an area darker than the nights sky and shifting and moving like a mist covering his right side. It was logical that they would fear that a little, he even feared it himself after all.

He could feel the area, an area where he could not feel anything at all. Not the harsh wind, not the warm fire, not the cold stone, nothing. But he was never in doubt it was there because he felt it inside, a darkness creeping and hiding, waiting and watching. It was so similar to his own element and yet so very different.

The only time it seemed to disappear was when he was close to his mother and when he concentrated hard on something else.

Larshyr looked down at the courtyard again. Back when it had just been him, his brother and sister and mother and father in the cave he had never felt lonely, his brother had always been there after all.

But now, after seeing all the other dragons of his age in Warfang how he wished he could have fly and laugh with them. But he could not and he would not try to ruin their fun by barging in. How he wished his dad would somehow. He could mend his wing and then they could all go back to Avalar together.

The thought lifted Larshyr´s spirit a bit and he turned away and walked into the castle. He wandered the corridors slowly and without noticing those he passed by, lost in his own thoughts.

But he did not get lost. His inability to fly had let him to explore the great castle of Warfang as a way of passing time and he was now familiar with every corridor and hall like the back of his paw. As such he wandered aimlessly, simply wanting to be alone for a while.

He had no idea how much time had passed when Larshyr suddenly heard raised voices somewhere ahead of him. He recognized the voices as Tironar and Blazirin and with his curiosity sparked he slowly walked closer being careful not be spotted.

Looking around the next corner he could see the herbs and other plants of the garden just outside the Fire Guardians chambers and indeed in front of the door stood the Fire Guardian and the Earth Guardian.

"That attack in the night proves more than ever that we need him back!" exclaimed Tironar. "Especially if `she´ is back!"

"It proves nothing!" sneered Blazirin angrily. "We don't know if it was `her´ or if it was why she attacked the dragon who was assaulting Warfang, we know nothing and I am not about to potentially ruin a life on a hunch!"

"It was `her´, no one else could have the fear element!" yelled Tironar. "We need Spyro back before `she´ or Demetrius strikes. We will need him! And if you don't have the courage to do what is necessary then step aside and I will do it myself!"

Larshyr watched the exchange with interest. He had never seen Blazirin so furious and even if he did not yet know much of what they talked about, it was clear that it was important and it had something to do with his father.

"You won´t even take a single step into this room as long as I am the Guardian of Fire!" snarled Blazirin, jets of flame shooting out of her nostrils.

"So that is your final answer" said Tironar coldly and turned around and started to leave.
"I will be watching you closely Tironar and mark my words if you somehow do it I will make you regret the decision forever!"

Tironar stopped after a few steps and looked back. "I hope you can bear the weight of the lives this decision will cost."

Blazirin did not answer, but snarled again.

Larshyr was puzzled, not knowing who the `she´ they had been referring too was. And what was that about needing his father back? Had they found a way to release him? But why not use it then?
"I don't think you were supposed to hear that" said someone behind Larshyr suddenly.

Larshyr froze in shock for a moment. He then turned around and looked up.

Behind him stood a Red Dragoness. She was smiling gently at him and Larshyr could see that she was missing a tooth. She also had several scars and old wounds across her scales, most notably near her feet. But her most prominent feature was her horns or rather lack of such, because where her horns should have been were only jagged stubs.

"Don't sneak up on me like that, Shar" exclaimed Larshyr recognizing the dragoness. "What are you doing here anyway?"

Shar chuckled. "I work here silly, remember I am Blazirin´s assistant" said Shar.

"Oh right" said Larshyr feeling quite stupid for forgetting that simple detail. He had seen her several times when Blazirin came to check up on Spyro after all.

"But tell me why you were listening in on the Guardians again?" asked Shar with a smile.
"It was a coincidence" said Larshyr fast. "I simply walked by and could not avoid overhearing their discussion. They mentioned my father…"

"Yeah I heard that too" said Shar looking away from Larshyr for a moment.

"Do you know what they were talking about?" asked Larshyr hopefully.

"Sorry, I don't know who that `she´ they kept referring to is and I have no idea how Tironar planned to release Spyro" said Shar and seeing Larshyr´s disappointed face she added a quiet "I am sorry."

Larshyr looked into the ground. "It's okay, I guess it is obvious that the guardians have their secrets. I just wish…I wish my father was here right now" said Larshyr.

"I know that feeling, I too lost my father long ago, though at least you have a chance of getting him back, you should be happy for that" said Shar.

"I guess so" said Larshyr not entirely convinced. "I just wish there were some way I could help my father, but I can't even fly."

"You could help the Fire Guardian in her work with the herbs and plants, I know that she is looking for an apprentice who might one day take over after her" told Shar.

Larshyr looked confused at Shar. "Are you not already Blazirin´s assistant, would it not be logical for you to take over?" asked Larshyr.

Shar smiled, but also looked away from Larshyr and out a nearby window almost as if she was seeing something Larshyr could not see. "No, I can't take over after the Fire Guardian in her work with herbs and plants. I am glad for everything she has done for me, but I am not suited for the task, I am too old. She needs someone young and with an open mind who can learn the current formulas as well as have the inventiveness to come up with new."

"You really think I can do it?" asked Larshyr doubtfully.

"Sure, why not? This way you can help Blazirin help, help your father and you can do so despite the lack of a wing" said Shar.

Larshyr was silent, lost in his thoughts. He was not sure what to say.

Shar looked at him and said "Think about it for a while, I will tell the Fire Guardian you are considering it."

Shar started walking around the corner.

"Wait" said Larshyr and Shar stopped and looked back. "Thank you."

Shar smiled broadly and then continued over to Blazirin.

Larshyr stood silent for a moment looking after Shar.

He had known Shar for a few years as she often came to check up on Larshyr´s father´s condition. She was always very kind and talkative and would often ask how Larshyr or Carx felt whenever she meet them.

Shar had appeared in Warfang wounded and with her horns missing a year before Larshyr´s father and mother had defeated Malefor. Blazirin had treated her and Shar had made a full recovery, except for one thing. She had lost all control of her element and could no longer even breathe flames like other red dragons and no matter what Blazirin had tried. At least this was what Shar had told Larshyr when he had asked about her horns.

He thought about her suggestion and though he did not reach a conclusion he most certainly felt it was a possibility. But he was not sure yet, he should probably talk to his mother about it first…

Larshyr began walking back through the corridors of the castle. He was in a better mood after his talk with Shar and he decided to go look for his brother, perhaps they could practice their elements together or perhaps they could go visit their sister and Jacira…

What Larshyr did not notice however was a young blue dragoness around his age standing just behind a nearby column and watching him with sorrow filled eyes.

But Shar had noticed the young blue dragoness. She did not say anything but simply smiled to herself.

In the meantime Cynder had woken up. She had immediately noticed that both Larshyr and Carx were not there, but it did not bother her, they had a tendency to wake up before she did anyway and she was afraid to let them roam around the castle alone. And besides she had something she need to do herself anyway.

As Cynder walked through the castle corridors her mind drifted to the night before and what Cyril had said. "Your father knows the story, ask him once this is over." What was it for a story he talked about and why had Tironar reacted like she did?

Cynder was determined to find out.

Cynder stopped outside her father´s chambers and was just about to knock when she heard a loud snore from within. Cynder smiled. "I guess I can wait an hour or two with getting the answers" thought Cynder and then turned around and walked away.