Chapter 14

"Really!?" screamed a familiar sounding voice from inside the tent, a small hint of fear woven within. "Yes, I can see it now, bad luck and evil spirits follow your every step, however...I can help you."

Spyro slowly walked inside, unsure of whether or not he had taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way. Inside he found Thorin, staring at who he could only guess was moneybags wearing a fortune teller costume.

"Really!...b-but how?" asked Thorin as Moneybags ducked beneath the counter, seconds later he stood back up with a small statuette. The small knick knack had a piece of string from which it could be held, and it looked an awful lot like Moneybags with a long white dress and wings.

"wowww...what is it?" asked Thorin, reaching towards the small wooden figure. "This is an ancient...uhm, relic, of a time long gone. This figure was once used by the great warrior...lord..Herosmangood yes hehe, he once deflected an evil spell using the ancient magic within."

"ohhh man, this Herosmangood must've been a great guy," said Thorin, having fallen for Moneybags lies easily. Moneybags stared at him in disbelief for a small moment before he nodded his head in agreement.

"of course he was, in fact he was so humble that he refused to have his tail be written down, rather he preferred that they took his victory over...evil wizardguy, as a team effort."

"oh what a great men, to just give up a legacy such as that-"

"I know!" said Moneybags, cutting Thorin off and bringing him closer to the item between them. "and to think that after all these years I found this alongside his companion Littleguy, he cared so much for his friend that he even buried him alongside his most priced possession."

Thorin nodded and sniffed as he wiped a tear away, "they must've been real close in life." Moneybags put on a sad face and nodded, "yes, truly brothers in arms and death. It breaks my heart to see this go, but I know Littleguy would've wanted you, a strong warrior much like his friend Herosmangood, to make use of it once more in the name of justice!"

"you think I'm like Herosmangood?" Thorin asked in surprise, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. "Of course I do, you're kind, you have the soul of a warrior, a true candidate to take up his mantle...and all for the low price of seven yellow gems, hero's discount of course."

"Hero's discount too, I'm destined for this!" proclaimed Thorin as he took out his satchel and dug around for the gems. All the while Spyro merely looked at the scene playing out before him, staring at moneybags who greedily rubbed his paws together.

Taking a deep breath he walked further into the tent, looking around he noticed many items and oddities. One of the items that caught his attention was a portrait of a bear that looked a lot like moneybags, and a group of dragons that stood all together to his left.

Upon further inspection he noticed that a figure had been torn out, although as he looked closer he noticed a small patch of purple behind one of the other dragons.

"Congratulations dear friend, you have just obtained a legendary item of the highest quality, you will forever be protected by his divine appearance." Spyro turned to see Thorin shaking paws with Moneybags, the trinket now in Thorin's possession.

"I feel stronger already," said Thorin smiling at the charm hanging in front of him. Spyro shook his head as he stepped closer, "quite the charm you got there Thorin, so is ah...Moneybags, around?"

moneybags looked at Spyro and smiled, nervously clearing his throat and hiding the gems within his sleeves. "why, of course he is just...a small moment," he said, mysteriously losing the accent he had been using previously.

"wonder why he got so nervous...oh by the way, where we off to next? I heard something about a new water pipe and moles needing help." Spyro turned from the curtain Moneybags had dissapeared behind and looked at Thorin, his eyes focusing on the charm once more.

"I just got the map from the Guardians not too long ago, though to be honest I don't really know much about the mission either." He stopped when Moneybags walked out of the room he had gone in, his clothes changing back to what he had been wearing earlier that day.

"Spyro, what a pleasure to see you, again...so how is the new home, here for some tasteful furniture?" he asked, pointing at a portrait depicting himself next to a pile of gold. Spyro cracked a smile at the absurd painting and shook his head, "not really, I'm actually wondering if you carried anything along the lines of jewelry, a necklace maybe?"

"hmm, let me think...I might have just the thing, or selection rather, I'm sure you won't be able to just have one once you see them all." With that moneybags walked further behind the counter and dissapeared behind a pile of boxes.

"well, I suppose I will see you guys in the morning then, can't wait for those bad guys to get a load of my new powers, good night Spyro." Before Spyro could argue Thorin had swiftly walked out of the tent, he sighed and decided that was a problem for another time.

Maybe I shouldn't say anything, better he be confident than afraid from the creatures out there, Spyro jumped as his thought's were interrupted by a box being roughly placed on the counter.

"behold, the wonders of craftsmanship, jewels from all around the land, astonishing variety in looks, quality, and most of all price." Spyro looked into the box and gawked at the amazing shine all the gems emanated, some even to the point of blinding him.

"now I know what you're thinking, how could I, the great and generous Moneybags make this any better, well with a discount of course, everything in here is at a smaller price than usual."

Spyro looked up at him with an eyebrow raised, "what's the usual price then?" he asked, wondering if he was really having a sale or if he was just trying to trick him. Moneybags smiled and showed him one of the many necklaces on the box.

"this used to be only five yellow gems, but now it's only a measly four yellow gems, quite the steal if I do say so myself." Spyro looked at him questioningly before turning back to the box, wondering which one of these she would like more.

"hmm, do have anything special, something that might make someone feel...safe?" he asked as he closed the box and looked up at him. Moneybag's smile fell as he rubbed his chin in thought.

"I can always offer you one of my very own luck charms, though I think I know just the thing, however...can you pay for it?" he asked as he looked down at him. Spyro turned around and produced a pouch that he had been given by the guardians, "this is all I have, the guardians said it wasn't much so..."

Moneybag's eyes grew momentarily before going back to those of thinking, "ten yellow gems...I see, well I suppose I could give the hero's special, and what with the guardians looming over my back I suppose I've no other choice, woe is me, a humble merchant forced to sell his goods at such low price."

Spyro stared at him as he emptied the pouch's contents into his own and reached into his tunic, "aw well can't be helped I suppose, anyway here ya go, one of my own creation, made out of a rare red gem capable of healing dragons multiple times over, a true price indeed."

Spyro fell back onto his haunches as he held up his claws in order to catch the small necklace he had tossed at him. The design was a simple one, a silver chain hung just long enough to fit the neck of a dragon, while a dark red gem was fitted between a gold casing.

"The gem's extremely rare, even in the Outlands, so I assure you it's value goes beyond anything you could ever find anywhere else." Spyro looked at it and indeed felt the regenerative strength within the small gem, maybe now she'll feel safer when I'm not around...hopefully.

"all sales are final, any injury and or self implosion directly caused or related to any of my items are purely your own fault and I will deny any and all claims otherwise, Goodbye." And with that Moneybags once again vanished, leaving a sign that said "out to lunch" behind where he once stood.

"...how does he do that?"

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Cynder opened her eyes as she looked around the darkened room, her gaze focusing on the tiny figure lying next to her. It had been some time since Spyro had left for their assignment tomorrow, throughout that time Lilith had grown more and more exhausted until she finally fell asleep.

Prior to falling asleep however, Lilith had managed to ask one final question. "do you think daddy's okay?" Cynder usually feared for Spyro's safety more than her own, after all he was the only dragon that actually stood up for her.

Though her fears were usually calmed by his presence, something that at the moment was missing. Cynder didn't like saying it outloud, but whenever he wasn't around she always grew worried.

Not just for his health, but of her own thoughts as well, the thoughts of a past that haunted her to this day. No matter how much support she received from him, whenever he wasn't around it felt as if the one light she had, left with him.

Her mind always grew dark when he was gone, the memories of what she'd done...the pain she had caused. The screams of those she'd hurt, or worse could be heard if she concentrated enough. During the night is when it grew worse, the quiet vacuum left a perfect setting for her mind to work its tricks.

At times she thought about getting up, walking down stairs and starting a fire to calm down. However the thought of looking down and seeing the dead standing at the foot of her bead, their mangled bodies and bloody eyes. Cynder once again shut her eyes tightly, a tear working it's way out and onto the pillow beneath.

They're not real, Spyro will be back soon...he will be...Cynder placed a paw on Lilith's shoulder, finding it ironic that she would find so much peace from one so small. Usually it's the parent that comforts the child...not the other way around, Cynder chuckled at the thought.

Spyro may not have noticed back when they were little, but she always hated sleeping indoors. The quiet atmosphere gave way for too many memories, too many tricks of her own guilty subconscious could be played. Such as when she thought she heard the cries of a dying dragon, the sound of claws scraping against the foot of the bed.

The worst one being the thought that something would lie down behind her, only to find out that it wasn't Spyro. To open her eyes to something, rather than someone. This thought caused her to close her eyes tighter, and for her body to grow stiff.

Spyro...please get back soon, she thought as she attempted to push back the worrying thoughts.

"Cynder"

Cynder opened her eyes at the sound of her name, the voice belonged to Spyro, of that much she was certain. She shakily looked to the foot of the bed and saw that no one was there. Slowly and carefully, she sat up and looked around the dimly lit room.

"...S-Spyro, i-is that you?" she asked the darkness, wondering which she was more scared of. Getting a reply in his voice, or getting none at all. She felt the mattress sink behind her and she froze, her skin freezing over as she felt movement from behind.

Without a second thought she closed her eyes and looked down, her breathing becoming quicker at an irregular pace. It's not real, it's not real...there's no one there... "Isn't that what you're scared about though?" Her mind asked her.

Cynder's claws tore into the sheets as tears accumulated over her eyes, a few streaking down her face as she tried to calm down. "Cynder, are you okay?" asked a voice from infront of her, had it moved...was it ever there to begin with?

Cynder's blood froze as she felt something slide across her tail, unsure if it was real or not since she wouldn't open her eyes. She was exhausted, she needed sleep, that and her panic only added onto the surrealness of the situation.

Was it wind, did she merely feel and hear things that weren't there. Had she been asleep this whole time, these questions and more flooded her as she stood still as a statue. Doubt of what was real and what wasn't clouded her mind, only making things worse as more and more sounds could be heard.

"are you There?" "Who are you?" "Run!" "Get away!" "Mommy Where are you!?" "get away from her!" "Leave them alone!" "it's the monster" "Take me instead!" "Serith No!" "Dear ancestors, it's real!" "Terrador get away from her!" "what more could you possibly take!"

"I may die here...but you're the monster that will always remain, no one, will ever forgive you Cynder."

Cynder bared her teeth as she bit down hard, the voices of the past having made their presence known. Her tears now falling freely as her guilt squeezed her heart dry, reminding her of all she'd ever done in the past.

Why, why did she ever think anyone would forgive her, all the lives she took, all the chaos she caused. She always helped in what ways she could in hopes that she could atone for some of them, but she knew that complete redemption would never happen.

"because you've left me nothing to fight for."

Cynder opened her mouth as she panted, those words pulling at her heart with full force. Why did she mean so much to him, what did he see in her that she never could. She didn't mean anything, she never did, she meant nothing to anyone.

She gasped as those thoughts crushed her heart, the pain causing her to open her eyes in pain. It's not true...he cares...I know it. Did she though, he was the savior of his species, what was more likely. Him loving her with all his heart?

Or him merely keeping her from doing any more damage by keeping her in check.

This time a small cry escaped her mouth as the thought hit her, her heart feeling as if it were shattering into a thousand pieces. no...he cares...he's the only one that does.

Cynder froze as she felt a small paw touch her, looking down she saw that it had been Lilith. The little dragoness yawned and looked up at her, drowsiness very much present on her face.

"what's wrong mommy, are you okay?" she asked in a soft voice, jolting awake as she repeatedly nodded back to sleep. Cynder sniffed and smiled down at her, exhaling shakily as she rubbed the top of her head.

"..yeah, yeah I'm fine just," she paused as she looked behind her, wondering just how much of it hadn't been real. "Mommy's just thinking is all, you should really get some sleep," said Cynder, a light giggle escaping her as Lilith fell over on her face.

"are you sure...I can stay up with..with you if you want," she said groggily. Cynder smiled down at her and picked her up with her tail, placing her back on the spot where she'd been sleeping before.

"I'm sure, and by the looks of you I'd say you're sure as well...good night Lilith." Cynder bent over and gave her a light nuzzle, smiling as she returned it before going back to sleep. Taking a deep breath she slowly made her way out of the room and into the corridor outside.

The house wasn't big, but it wasn't small either. It was large enough to have two floors as well as a decent sized living room downstairs. There was not much downstairs, other than a small fireplace and some furniture that had come with the house.

The second floor didn't have much either, it had three bedrooms, with one being twice as large as the other two. Beyond that there wasn't more other than the windows that dotted the house, with one placed at the end of the hall and several in the rooms as well as the living room.

Cynder sighed as she looked at the wood inside the fireplace, without the ability to breath fire she couldn't really do much with it. Her shadow breath would dry and kill the wood, and poison just dissolved it instead of burning it like she'd hoped it would.

She hadn't really thought this through. Sitting in the middle of the empty, dark living room wasn't the comfort she'd hoped for. Cynder knew that her mind would start playing tricks on her again if she stood there, so instead she stood up and walked towards the door leading to the outside.

The pitter-patter of rain landing around her provided a calm atmosphere, a small outstretch of wood above the doorway outside keeping her dry and somewhat warm. Though there was wind outside she couldn't really feel it due to her scales, which made it so the wind didn't make it through to her skin too much.

She could think, clearly now that the quiet and deep void of darkness was gone. Looking around she could see buildings as well as one or two shops, with the rare light still shining brightly through a window. Wrapping her tail around herself and over her front paws, she sat there waiting expectantly.

As she waited for Spyro's return, she started to think once more. Nothing bad came to mind as the rain and cool breeze calmed her down enough, though what thought's she did have weren't exactly easy to swallow either.

I need to get stronger, specially now that I have a dragonet to look after...I can't depend on him anymore. That thought hurt, though she didn't really understand why it would have. Wouldn't it be better if she didn't need his help all the time, if she was able to feel strong and self assured?

I'd be a better mate wouldn't I? He wouldn't have to worry anymore...so, why am I so afraid of the idea?

Maybe he only likes you because you're weak, he's only with you out of pity and you know it!

Cynder stood up and closed her eyes, That voice, why did it always come back? "NO...that's not...it can't be." she said, fresh tears appearing on her eyes.

"Cynder?" called a voice from in front of her, looking up she saw Spyro standing there with his head tilted to the side. He will leave you, the second he realizes you're no longer weak, you'll see, Cynder closed her eyes and sat back down. Walking closer Spyro sat down next to her, rubbing his paws together and blowing a slight puff of fire to warm himself before looking at her.

"I don't remember this place being so cold, what are you doing out here?" he asked, shaking his wings free of the water they had collected. Cynder looked over at him and shrugged, looking back to the empty streets once more.

"just...waiting for you, took you longer than I thought it would." Spyro looked over at her with concern, noticing the slightest bit of hesitation in her voice. She chuckled and looked over at him and the bag hanging from his neck, "...bring me anything."

Spyro was well aware that she meant it as a joke, but something told him she just wanted to distract him. But...why would she? She smiled at him, but he could see the pain in her eyes, the shine that glowed when she was actually happy... wasn't there.

Cynder's smile left as a look of concern took over, "is something wrong Spyro?" she asked, tilting her head in worry. Spyro decided best not to ask her about it and just shook his head, if it's important she'll tell me...hopefully.

"no it's nothing, just wondering about tomorrows task," he said. In a way it was true, from what the guardians had told him they were there to defend and provide some help if needed. But defend against what? That very thought caused him worry, he knew it was still dangerous out there, but still.

"we'll be fine, Thorin'll be there...okay on second thought we should worry," she said, this caused Spyro to chuckle and look over to Cynder. She giggled and nuzzled him, the gesture calming his nerves quite a bit.

"yeah I, suppose you're right, if it was really all that dangerous they probably would've sent more dragons or something like that." Cynder smiled and snuggled closer to him, humming as Spyro draped a wing around her.

"you look like you're barely awake, wanna go back inside?" he asked, noticing that Cynder's breathing had slowed remarkably. Cynder looked up at him, but shook her head as she smiled up at him.

"no...I," she stopped as she twined her tail with his and went back to resting her head on his shoulder. "I'd like to stay like this...just a bit longer." Spyro was about to tell her that it would be best to go and rest inside, however the sound of the rain in the background and her warm body against his.

It all felt so perfect, so why did he still feel worried about her? What happened Cynder...are you worried about something again? Spyro sighed and pulled her closer to him, "alright, if that's what you want then I suppose a little more wouldn't hurt."

Cynder didn't respond, though Spyro felt pretty certain that it was because she had fallen asleep. Well, maybe I'll give it to her tomorrow, before we leave...yeah, yeah that'll work. With that final thought he smiled and looked around him, enjoying the sound of the rain a moment longer before they had to go back inside.

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I'M SOOOOOOOO SORRY GUYS! uhg this took soooo long to make I'm so sorry, I swear I tried my best but oh my gosh...I'm a failure I know TwT' I really did try my best but life is so hecktick...I discovered bills and budget while making this chapter, and now I'm studying for 3d art and animation, writing movies and cartoons, trying to get a setup for youtube recording and twitch streaming...ughhhhh. I know it's no excuse and I'm so sorry I swear I'll try better but things are getting so hectic right now, am I even using that word right? I don't know anymore TwT'...I also discovered these cool faces → ^w^ w =w= ….you get the idea...bit behind I know but I really like them.

Oh my gosh I think the spacing on my writing program just broke as I'm writing this, how did this even happen?! Okay...maybe not broken, I think it's just my monitor...great, another thing to worry about that's PERFECT! THANK YOU UNIVERSE! I can't even review what I wrote now!...maybe? Sorry this things breaking left and right...you don't care sorry. Uhm, I make no promises for the next chapter to come out any time soon, because it might and it might not...not really all that sure. Uhhhhhh, okay.

Until next time guys (hopefully not a year later (gulp))

Peace!