FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 23

"I think we should give the guy a chance" Sparx sucked roughly and with great satisfaction the last drops of wine through the straw, he burped loudly when he was done

"Sparx!" Cynder admonished him with a disgruntled frown "Ancestors, you can be such a pig sometimes"

He raised a finger in the air, shrugging off her scold.

"Magnificent pig, baby. Magnificent"

"You are aware that this praise is based on a lie?"

"And here is where you are wrong Tar-nose" he snickered triumphantly, folding his hands on his puffed out proudly chest "All that magic mumbo jumbo is crap, true, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm magnificent. That guy nearly drooled all over me when he just merely glanced in my direction!"

"Oh yes" she approved sarcastically "I see how some other guy's drool can be appealing to you since you are so happy cause some dude complimented you" she faked to wipe sweat from her brow "And here I thought you wanted my approval, thanks for sparing me all the trouble"

"Yours?" Sparx' brow raised in surprise to this statement "Why on Ancestor's skeletal buttocks would I care about your opinion?"

"I'm a girl"

He laughed, crunching the top of her nose playfully.

"Oh you poor, naïve lizard. Stop dreaming princess, you won't make a fool of yourself"

She smirked.

"Likewise"

"Guys, stop it, please" Spyro hissed out a scold, while pressing the side of his head to the exit door

Exit door that Diazen used recently with the promise of coming back soon.

"Bicker as long as you want when we'll be finally out of here. Right now you may say a wrong word in the wrong time and all our false story will go to hell. We don't know if somebody isn't listening"

He drilled his cheek into the frame of the door, with the futile attempt of empowering his hearing. Ready to catch even the tiniest note of anyone approaching the door from the other side.

"Chill bro!" Sparx threw his hands up making a spin before softly dropping on Cynder's head, poking at her horn while stretching himself

"With the king here, aka me, nobody is going to do anything. No one will risk the wrath of the magnificent Sparx"

Cynder sighed tiredly.

"We're never going to hear the end of it"

"We said what we said, he could have done the same thing" Spyro lowered his head, sniffing quickly and deeply near the crack of the door

He winced, smelling nothing, his head quickly landed on the door again.

"Keep your guard up, this is all I'm saying"

"There's a tiny difference between keeping our guard up and doing what you are doing" Sparx responded nonchalantly, stretching himself once more on top of the black head

Right now nothing bothered him at all, he felt to be above problems and everyone else for that matter.

"I'm extra cautious" Spyro replied

"Paranoid you mean"

"Spyro's right" Cynder gently shook her head, forcing the dragonfly to move from her head. "This guy could be toying with us" she made her way towards the part of the wall they came through

She closely examined every depression that could serve as a spyglass while sniffing at the wall.

In the end finding absolutely nothing, but stone.

"Or he's calling for reinforcements"

"You guys know what?" Sparx hovered in the middle of the room, folding his arms on his chest and throwing indignant, irritated glances between each dragon

"I think you're biased. You remember Flare's words and act on them, completely forgetting about one simple truth. You don't listen to Flare, he's a big baby, if you would, you would spend the next years of your life on digging through sand in a desert in search of ice"

"Diazen is a pompous bastard, the only thing that differs him from Iris is the fact that he is willing to talk to people before making them feel worthless" Cynder growled, impulsively rather than out of real spite, she didn't like that broad, merely thinking about her gave her shivers

"You'll have to excuse him, he was hatched into luxury and higher standards. Not everyone had the fun childhood of being tortured, abused and forced into murder"

She had no counter argument to that, all she could do was just to shake her head with a weak smile.

He said forced.

It was crazy finding any consolation in all those ugly words that perfectly described her past, but she couldn't help herself but to smile at hearing that one, single word.

She argued with Sparx many times, seriously and for fun like right now, in both situations there was a moment when he would say something painful. He did a similar thing here, yet this time there was no blame mixed into his words.

Forced.

"Boy, he kissed your ass and you already fell in love with him. Doesn't take much to win you over"

Sparx snorted.

"You're just jealous cause' nobody kisses yours"

She grinned, she shouldn't do that, but she did it nevertheless, throwing an inconspicuous glance in Spyro's direction.

"You'll be surprised"

"You're impossible" Spyro shook his head in disapproval

"Damn bro" Sparx let out a prolonged whistle "You're more stiff than Coriza lately, never thought anyone would surpass her in that department"

"I'm not stiff, I just think this is a wrong time to fool around. I got us in this danger and I will get us out, nothing else matters for me right now"

"It's not your fault Spyro" his mate comforted him softly "Shit happens and as always it lands on our noses"

"Even if, this doesn't change anything. Every other purple dragon I've met wanted blood, for now Diazen wants the same until he proves me wrong. One other thing, if these purple dragons of this world would be so friendly then why he told us to stay put? He knows we can handle the golems. See where I'm going with this?"

"To be fair you lied to him first" Sparx corrected, pointing a threatening fingers at both drakes "About me doing magic, not my magnificence, I want to be clear on that. Sides' you met only one purple butt and only thanks to our luck he was nuts"

"Exactly" he readjusted his position near the door, placing his other cheek against the surface, instinctively changing ear holes as if thinking that one got tired since it didn't detect any strange noise

"Knowing our luck we're in more deeper trouble than we might think"

Cynder shivered, accepting their fate of being Fate's test subjects a long time ago, being reminded of this state wasn't her favorite thing.

"Spyro" she said with mild irritation "Could you stop hugging the door, please? It's really unnerving, especially with all your troubles talk"

"Sorry" he winced pushing back from the door, scratching his horn nervously "I'm really on edge, I don't know into what we stepped exactly and I just want it all to work"

"Everything will work out Spyro, relax"

He groaned, yanking his horn back as he let out a deep sigh.

"I hate to say it, but... could you ask Creep if Diazen can be trusted?"

Cynder flicked her tail, looking at the black flame on the top, which was as strong and thick as steam from a cooking pot.

She felt absolutely no magical energy radiating from the flame.

Somehow she knew calling for him right now would yield no effect. Or simply she felt that it would make matters only worse.

"I would if I could, but I think I broke him"

"What do you mean you broke him?" Spyro snapped, sounding startled and intimidated, for the most, part considering that he will never resolve his fears the easy way.

Yet there was no denying that there was an very palpable, enthusiastic ring to his voice. The suspicion only strengthened by his tail, tail that made a shy, happy, single swing as if muffling a burst of chuckle.

She frowned, narrowing her gaze on him, catching the shy joy in his voice without troubles.

"Watch out for the ceiling when you start bouncing"

His eyes widened, at first not knowing what she meant by that, but then his heart started to send stinging pulses of guilt and he immediately winced and turned his head away.

Dark, creepy and probably evil, all of this perfectly describes Creep in his opinion, yet wishing ill fate to befall on someone was still crossing the line morality.

"I don't know what happened" she answered, taking pity on his nervousness "I think I bit more than I could chew and poor Creep got a beating because of that. My powers fluctuated during the fight, I think I was pushing him to hard and he snapped. I would like to let him sleep it off, we might need him later"

"So back to the mysterious and most likely dangerous playground?" Sparx clapped his hands in sarcastic joy "Yay! I love my life!"

"We'll handle it guys, we always did" Spyro sent out the motivational vibe "For now I propose to wait for Diazen, I don't like it, but every other choice we have only leads us into more unknown. We don't know where we should go, maybe we'll use Diazen to take us where we need to go and then at the first possibility we bail"

"What about closing this thing? Isn't it like the point of our visit here?"

"I don't know how to close the portal Sparx, I think I need more time to figure it out and I won't play with it from this side definitely"

"Spyro's idea is great" Cynder added "Look at this from this side, we have an advantage here, we impressed Diazen, like shocked him to the very tail. You can't fake something like that. Whatever his game is, and there is one definitely here since I can't believe he helped some strange three guys from a different world, portal to which he monitored for who knows how long, out of goodness of his heart. As long as he finds us useful and odd at the same time I think we're fine, we left an impact on him, probably even shifting his plans as a result which means we're relatively safe from him for the time being if he of course considers betraying us at some point"

"Huh. When did you two become so clever and mistrustful?" Sparx scratched his head "I get Cyn, but you bro?"

"When golems poured into our world from this place which made me lose control and kill my own people" Spyro snarled, curling his artificial claws, looking at the overlays with disgust and some kind of relief, they at least provided some kind of protection from imagining his blades sinking into draconic flesh

"Well...okay then...umm..." Sparx clapped his hands, sending burst of light into the air "The important thing is that I'm still magnificent"

Was this overreacting?

Spyro looked at the door again, he was really on edge all this time, he really was, he could feel that himself. Perhaps it was still the adrenaline from the previous fight boiling in his veins, perhaps it was grudges of the past speaking through him.

Perhaps the only way to describe this was because his soul was berating him.

The most scary thing of all was that he didn't feel out of character even for a single moment.

Starting from the simple lie, a tactic that he never could pull through without sweating and preventing his tongue from getting stuck in between his teeth, to the reminiscence of regret.

No.

This wasn't berating.

This was murder of innocence of youth.

He has a mate, he wields powers many can dream of, he is the symbol of hope for his world, he killed friends and foes alike. He made good choices, he made mistakes, he protected and put in danger.

There was no place for innocence here.

The way he pulled all of his friends here, including himself proves all the mentioned points above, only the friends killing part is yet to happen.

And this is precisely what puts him on edge.

People count on him, total strangers and blood alike. This is unfortunately the rough process of maturity, this is unfortunately responsibility of a leader.

A leader.

By making that mistake in those damn ruins, which resulted in putting at danger the lives of his friends, he placed himself on an unavoidable path of leadership.

It's entirely his responsibility just how well he tramples it for his companions, their lives depend on the strength of his steps.

That lie he told Diazen was the first crunched twig on the path of becoming a fully fledged time traveling, responsible general.

He rubbed his forehead, feeling first pulses of a painful headache stirring to life. He wasn't sure if he liked the perspective of calling the shots, even if it meant the safety of his friends. There was just so much to think about, so much things to consider, so many actions to take.

And all of it was on him.

Clawsteps echoed from behind the door.

"Spyro, listen-"

"Shhh" he hissed, cutting his mate off "Someone's coming"

The weirdly, smacking, clicking sound intensified, those weren't standard claws.

His amethyst eyes impulsively dropped onto his paws where he curled and relaxed his black claws. The material made exactly the same, plastic sound as the noise behind the door.

Diazen is coming.

And he's alone.

He stepped away from the door, it was like his muscles reacted on its own, flexing and preparing themselves just in case the young purple drake would come with company or bring some weapon of destruction.

The door opened revealing Diazen in the doorstep. The young drake stood there, his surprised, orange eyes scanning the tensed group.

They looked far more fiercer, older than the ones he recently left behind in his room.

The world from which they came from toughened them, their inconspicuous behavior was exactly like his overlays. Fake and hiding something below.

They took off their overlays, forging only one conclusion.

They were a force to be reckoned with.

Diazen gulped, entering the room and closing the door behind him.

"Ease your muscles, I return alone as promised. We need some manner of trust if we want this to work"

"Well, if you ever get tossed into a world where the first thing you meet wants you dead you will develop trust issues as well" Spyro retorted snidely

"Gibe" Sparx gasped, pressing both of his hands to his heart, tilting backwards gently as if about to pass out "Makes me so proud"

"I'm very glad that you haven't lost your sense of humor at least. Is there any other way I can entertain you?"

"It won't be necessary" Cynder stated, relaxing, her tail slithering to the side, sharp tail tip poking her mate's purple butt

Spyro hissed, muffling down a yelp when he felt sharp, cold metal stinging his scales. His head momentarily snapping to the side where it met Cynder's rebuking glare.

"Could you tell us what have you found out?" her voice was polite, the glare however she was giving both brothers was far from pleasant

It reminded them of their mother's when they did something inappropriate when she was talking with someone, buying something, or visiting friends.

They always got a lecture about good behavior when they came back home.

Cynder if she could, would also give them a rocket.

Spyro got the hint, immediately relaxing his stance.

"The corridors are too busy currently, we must wait till the Trials begin and then we make our way to the Constructor. I already arranged everything so our journey would be hopefully unhindered"

"You want to say that not everyone is as welcoming as you?" Sparx snickered

"I'm sure everyone would be interested in a group that can travel through dimensions, many would most likely show you a pleasant attention, but even that in great amounts can be toxic"

"Lucky us that we ran into you"

Diazen smiled.

"I understand your cynicism, I would also have been skeptical towards any social connections if I would land in a different world, especially in the one from which my recent adversaries poured through. Still, having to cope with a single dragon is better than coping with all of them, yes?"

"We appreciate your assistance" Cynder added, let doubt be doubt, but if a perspective of help appears before them, they can't simply throw it away.

There is something like benefit of the doubt after all.

"What makes you think we're going to be safe during those Trials and how long do they last?"

"I never said we're going to be safe"

The trio of friends frowned, looking at each other in confusion.

"Elaborate on that please" Spyro gently demanded, turning his attention back at the drake

"I won't bore you with the elaborate details of our...politics" the drake said, his voice as rough as hot sand "Many will be participating in those Trials, this doesn't mean however that magically the halls will be devoid of life. There are many of those who-" his voice ended abruptly, orange eyes landed on another bottle of wine

He quickly filled himself another glass before gulping the contents down completely with one swallow.

He winced bitterly.

"Lost their participation ticket, for many reasons"

Sparx shrugged.

"Is that good or bad? I don't quite get it"

"For our cause it makes the situation a little more bearable"

"Diazen, as Cynder said, we appreciate your help" Spyro added "But all these cryptic answers don't really ease our minds if you know what I mean"

"You will have to excuse me Spyro if I don't spit out every trouble lying on my heart to a potential enemy" the drake rasped bitterly, facing the purple eyed dragon "Pleasantries are one thing, but let's not bend reality into ridiculousness, we all are intelligent creatures after all. I won't tell you about every secret of this place, just as like you won't tell me about your purpose, we all know, that in the current circumstances we won't become best friends"

"You faced the danger of this place in your world already, you can't possibly expect me to believe you came here seeking a tour, neither a peace treaty since you never asked about my leader. You came here to do the unspoken truth, most likely, I don't know for certain since I can't read your minds. Just like you can't read mine, rendering the base of our relation to assumption"

Cynder shivered, this was pure intelligence.

The quake had nothing to do with fascination and allure like in Spyro's case, Diazen's wit was intimidating. An intelligent foe is a dangerous foe, if there was one lesson to be learned from Malefor, it was that.

"Fair enough" Spyro acknowledged the situation with surprising amount of calm and confidence

Diazen bowed respectfully.

"I think so as well. Our cooperation benefits all of us, if by any luck our relationship develops further, I'll accept it gladly. If not, the benefit will remain, all of us make a risk here, we all can only hope it pays off in the end"

He licked his lips.

"To answer the second part of your question my lady. I assure you that the Trials last long enough for us to carry on with the plan without being interrupted by those participating"

"What about those not participating?" Spyro inquired, asking the question that rattled also in his companions heads

Diazen went into his bedroom with a deep sigh, offering no words in response.

The group exchanged confused glances between each other.

"Well" Sparx mumbled, scratching his head "That was very informative"

"This is a land of opportunity" Diazen voice echoed from the bedroom

Noise of slamming shut closet's door rumbled in the quarters.

"We must minimize the windows where those opportunities can be claimed" their host returned with a robe strapped over his back

He rested the robe on the nearest armchair.

There was nothing modest about this outfit, it was as fancy, embroidered luxuriously as the quarters themselves.

They spent enough time around all this wealth that another piece which only increased its potential didn't interest them at all.

"I ordered this piece for a friend, it is still unfinished and was sent back to me for evaluation. I would ask you Cynder to put it on, it will be too big for your slender figure, but right now this is exactly what we look for. Unfortunately we must obscure your gracile body"

Diazen began fondling with the robe carefully.

"Slender and gracile" Sparx mumbled under his breath with an uncaring shrug "What's wrong with all those people? Don't they know how a chick looks like that they try to get under Cynder's tail?" he grunted in disgust "I swear, you purple guys have no standards, but what should I expect from someone who chases his own tail. No respect for yourself, no respect"

Spyro growled under his breath, clenching his claws so strongly that the overlays were threatening to break. He really wanted to punch that pompous bastard.

Cynder noticed her partner's anger and nervousness, first signs of jealously. She sidestepped into his direction gracefully with the intention to touch him, reassure him that she is here.

That would be too bold however, showing off their affection to Diazen might be a bad idea, she didn't know exactly, but she didn't want to risk it. Or maybe perhaps she wanted to keep that one secret to herself, in a place where secrets didn't matter much. It was painful in some way, she would prefer to scream to the whole world, and all of its past selfs, that Spyro is her mate, if only to rub its maw in it for her own, personal satisfaction.

She couldn't do that, she couldn't do much in general here, all she was capable of doing without ruining their secret was to move close to Spyro without invading his personal space. She looked at him passionately, offering loving gaze, whatever warmth her body provided and scent of her scales to him. Putting all those things into one reassuring wave of force, reassuring force that stirred the shackles that bound their souls together, telling him that she is his, his mate and no one else's.

For some unknown reason it worked.

Spyro quaked, delicate tremor shaking his bones as if for the very first time he would feel the gentle touch of fire on his scales. His tense muscles immediately relaxed, nose started to sniff, bouncing like that of a rabbit. A dreamy, small smile stretched his lips, clearly showing that he liked what he smelled.

Finally his head turned and eyes landed on her. His mouth gaped open when a choking gasp left his throat. He was looking into the sparkling, loving green eyes as if they were portals sucking him into a world of pleasantries and wonderful sensations, a paradise.

One look, that was all that it took for him to fall in love with that black, scaled girl once again. One look was enough to remind him of his stupidity, jealously has no place in their mateship. Cynder was faithful and pure, nothing ever will change that.

All the other guys can shove their flirts and compliments up their horny asses, they are soul mates, such bond cannot be broken.

The dreamy smile turned into a triumphant grin.

Cynder frowned at seeing the sudden change of his reaction.

"Luckily I demanded a hood to be added to the robe" Diazen continued, still playing with the outfit, caressing it gently as if it would be his mate "Unfortunately you're going to face some discomfort. For once, the robe is definitely too big for your size, it will drag itself along the ground, but we can work around it with some straps. The good news is that it will hide your black paws, we just need to add holes for the claws"

"Another main issue is that the robe has no cuts made for wings, tail and horns, we are fortunate in all these matters however. We don't want to display your black wings and tail after all, the horns can be arranged, yet I would also prefer if you hid them, you have a peculiar pattern"

He turned around, facing the girl and bowing apologetically.

"Unfortunately you will have to keep your wings and tail closely pressed to your body, tucked under the robe"

"Do I really need to cover myself?" Cynder whined pleadingly, looking at the robe with irritation, already imagining the discomfort. Horns and wings weren't a problem, the tail was her biggest concern, for creature like her, where the tail serves as a mean of balancing her body, keeping it in an unnatural position makes things awkward to put it mildly

"Sadly yes. You are the first black scaled dragon to grace this place and as I said this is a land of opportunity. You don't want to be the object of its desire, believe me"

"The same rule applies unfortunately to you too my magical friend" his orange gaze landed on the dragonfly

"Sure, I suspected it" Sparx nodded, folding arms on the chest proudly, eyeing the big robe with a look commonly found in royalty looking down on peasants from the balcony of their mansion "But I don't see any clothes that would, sadly, hide my magnificence"

Diazen scratched his head, he looked genuinely troubled and ashamed.

"I beg for your forgiveness, but I don't have any suitable outfit for a creature of your...caliber. Even if I did, I doubt any amount of cloth would be capable of concealing your special trait"

"I can't just sneak around, I draw attention, people would be all over me in an instant. Been there done that, all this praise can really get sooooo tiring" he pretended to wipe sweat from his brow

Cynder rolled her eyes with a disgruntled sigh. She expected that Sparx will be full of himself and just how exactly tiring it will be to constantly listen to his boasting.

"Ooopsie-doopsie, watch your pooopsie" she rasped coldly

Spyro shook his head with a soft chuckle.

"I hate to propose it..." Diazen rubbed his leg uncomfortably "... but is there a way you can dampen your blinding glow?"

"Dampen?" Sparx snickered, throwing his arms in the air in irritation, playing a show of an offended noble "Its like telling a butterfly to lose the wings. My magnificence is a natural thing dude, I can't just turn it off. Special creatures are special forever"

"Ancestors" Cynder groaned in annoyance, rubbing her forehead

Spyro merely smiled, there were moments as he already mentioned in Sparx' and Cynder's personal taunt war that made him smile. This was one such moment, he really wanted to participate in this cruel fun, he really needed some humor right now. He never did actually, it was either his heart not allowing him to cross the already well trampled terrain of politeness, or he simply lacked the skills for it.

"The only other idea I have is for you to hide under Cynder's robe and maneuver around her body so your glow wouldn't be visible to every passers-by"

"What?" Cynder balked

"No way!" Sparx protested fiercely, pointing at the black dragoness "I'll never get under there! She stinks!"

"You stink" she retorted back

"She'll be wrapped tighter in that robe than a present!" he darted towards the purple drake "You know how bad lizard's scales stink? There will be no air for the stench to vent away!"

Diazen scratched his head.

"Well... I'm a dragon and I don't think sca-"

"What if she farts?!" Sparx exclaimed, cutting the dragon off, letting out a horrified gasp, grabbing onto the purple dragon's horns and looking him straight in the eyes

"Imagine the combined stench! She's a pig, she farts all the time! I will die there, I won't have any escape"

Cynder narrowed her eyes on the dragonfly, tapping her claws against the floor in irritation.

"I've changed my mind, it's a good idea. I hope I'll fart so bad that I'll choke you and I'll make sure to hold you in my tail when that happens"

Spyro groaned in amused disgust.

"See what I'm talking about?!" his pointing finger shook as he yelled straight into the dragon's purple maw

"Besides" he pushed away, shivering in abhorrence and grunting to empower the effect "Have you ever touched her? Her scales are so slick that you feel like you would be groping a worm. Ugh! Gross! " he trembled fiercely

"Says the fly that feeds on shit" Cynder snapped back

"That's a lie!" he exclaimed in a startled, chaotic protest

"I think you are overreacting" Diazen shook his head in disbelief, trying to keep his tact even despite the childish argument "If you don't want to stay under Cynder's robe then you need to come up with a better idea where we could hide you"

"In Cynder's mouth" Spyro stated boldly

All three turned their heads to look at him, every single eye was as wide as a Death Hound's gaping maw.

He grinned, this was his moment to enter the taunt war, with ironically a good idea.

"What?" he faked his surprise

"W-" Cynder licked her suddenly dry lips slowly "W-What did you just say?"

"I said Sparx can hide in your mouth"

"You want her to eat me?!" Sparx squealed, his glow pulsing brighter as if a small dynamite would explode inside his stomach "What the hell dude?!"

"I didn't say anything about eating. Cynder would just... store you inside her mouth"

"What the hell dude?!" he squealed again

"You can't be serious Spyro, that's crazy, besides Sparx is disgusting" Cynder commented

"Exactly! What she said! She's disgusting!" he darted towards his brother, making circles all around him "Didn't you hear what I said about her being gross?"

Spyro's eyes kept following the moving dragonfly confidently.

"Cynder isn't gross and you're an idiot"

"You're an idiot! If you had a brain you'd never come up with such a stupid idea"

"This is brilliant" Diazen stated, clearly impressed

Sparx stopped, burying his full of disbelief gaze into their host.

"What is wrong with you purple reptiles, seriously"

"This is a fantastic idea, we don't want Cynder to draw attention, so she shouldn't speak either. With having no use for her mouth it would be a perfect, temporary retreat for you, we wouldn't have to worry about your glow, or anyone noticing you either"

"I'm not getting in her dirty mouth! It's sticky, full of stinky saliva and breath, no way!"

"You are going with us and this is the only way" Spyro added

"Not true! Ha!" he clapped his hands triumphantly "I still can get under the robe!"

"Hiding in Cynder's mouth is a safer option, it greatly minimizes the risk. I suggest following it" Diazen corrected

Spyro nodded.

"You're getting into Cynder's mouth and that's final"

"Boys?" Cynder mumbled, scratching her choker uneasily "Do I even get a say in this?"

"I'm sorry Cynder" her mate apologized genuinely "But there's no other way"

If it wouldn't be Spyro telling her this, she might have protested, even if she knew with every part of her soul this is the right call. She just couldn't imagine having Sparx in her mouth, she threatened him many times that she would eat him, but in truth she would never eat a living creature, it was barbaric.

And now Sparx will be behind her teeth, she shivered at the thought alone. It was abhorrent, scary and so, so wrong.

And to make things worse there was no backing up from this.

"Shit" she huffed in defeat

"Wait up!" Sparx yelled, rising his arms "If I'm gonna end in someone's mouth, I prefer it to be Spyro's"

"For our plan to work, we cannot consider this as an option" Diazen took another sip of the wine "Spyro is a purple dragon, we're already covering Cynder, two dragons acting strangely would draw too much attention. Besides there's a risk Spyro might be approached by someone, or something"

He turned his attention to the purple dragon.

"Don't draw attention to yourself and don't speak to anyone if you don't have to, if you will act confidently and be certain of what you say, even if it's going to be a total lie. Land of opportunity has its own rules, nobody should question them as long as you stick to your stated word. I'll be accompanying you, this should be enough for our safe passage, but be prepared for anything"

"This doesn't sound too enthusiastic" Cynder noted, her blood already starting to boil with tension

Spyro gulped, more lies and delusions, he didn't like that one bit.

"This would explain the someone bit, what did you mean by something though"

"You've already met the constructs" Diazen reminded gloomily "There are entities, copies, you can control to some degree, at least to the point to prevent them from attacking you" he bit his lip "In most cases at least"

Amethyst eyes widened, the perspective of controlling the Keepers was most appealing.

"I can do that?"

"Not always, I won't teach you what you can control and what you cannot, we have no time for this. But yes, there are some constructs that you can order to stand down. For now it should be enough, remember that this is a land of-"

"Opportunity" Sparx sighed deeply "Yeah, yeah we heard that one already"

Diazen nodded.

"Precisely. One thing I know for certain, don't even try to influence the Constructor's entities, like the golems you fought, it'll lead to nothing good"

"Alright" Spyro nodded several times slowly, snout wrinkled by a concentrated frown, thoughts traveling to every part of the brain in search of connections that would weld the learned knowledge together.

"How can I do that and how will I tell one golem from the other?"

"I will tell you, usually we feel which one we can take control of, you don't have experience for that. As for controlling" the orange eyed dragon nodded in the direction of the purple legs "You use the same method like with the doors, blood is the key, directly in the middle of a golem's chest you find the enchantment heart. It reacts to blood"

Spyro raised his paw, flipping it over to look at its underside, a small hole was still there, no bigger than a sting from a needle. He swallowed deeply, his saliva tasted like blood and ash, the prevention of the Boven massacre was right here, below his scales, inside his veins.

He never felt so useless before.

"I could have stopped them" he mumbled defeated

Cynder's eyes sparkled with pity, she could almost feel her horns dropping onto her skull like meek, feline ears.

"Don't do that to yourself Spyro. You can't change the past, unfortunately I learnt that the hard way. Besides you probably couldn't control them anyway"

Spyro's eyes raised up, meaningfully aiming themselves at Diazen.

Their host withstood his stare.

"I believe that many of them were within your reach"

The black scar on his heart began to burn, choking him with guilt. All those deaths could have been avoided, he would never bathe his claws in the entrails of his kind. He would never-

Spyro wheezed, strangling sob pushing from his throat. His paw, the one that could stop all of this, smacked against his forehead. A wavering, deep sigh shook his lungs.

"Fuck me" he squeaked in complete misery

"Screw this" Cynder snarled angrily, she was exactly in the same place Spyro is right now, thinking about the past, stuck in the world of blame and depression. Constant planning , constant regret, in the world where if you changed one thing everything would be perfect.

Then that thing becomes unimportant, another one takes its place. Then the scenario repeats and repeats and repeats until you hate yourself so much that you are becoming sick when you see your snout in the mirror.

Dwelling on the past is no solution. Future is the only cure.

It has helped her.

"Let's get this show started finally, I'm tired of waiting. What the hell is that Constructor Diazen? Will it talk with us or do we need to beat it up?"

"It is complicated" the orange eyed dragon replied "It would be better if I showed you. Come, it is time" he approached the door "Get ready"

He nodded at the artificial claws on his guests paws, swallowing a bulge of tension.

"Take off the overlays, you're going to need your claws"