AHV Chapter 23 Your Move

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Exclaimer: To people who don't like the story, just don't read it.

Chapter 23

"…Your move."

My head throbbed in pain as I felt myself get disoriented but return to consciousness. I opened my eyes and feel the world spinning around me. But it eventually stopped; stopping the nauseous as well, that was building up inside me. Thank goodness. I didn't want to puke here; wherever 'here' was. I sat up and blinked, trying to make my vision clear.

My vision cleared and I was surprised to find where I was. Wait…let me correct that, where we were. That's right. Lying on the ground beside me were the others; Zayril, Vera, Kazren; and to my utter surprise, the whole members of Team A: Spyro, Cynder, Ember and Flame. But Team A looked roughed up. Their clothing was torn at some places, making them look like they were wearing rags. And as if on cue, they all groaned, signaling their return to consciousness. As they waked, I looked around and wondered where we were. We woke up in a large room that faintly resembled one of the rooms in the Forgotten Temple.

There was a door to the side and a window that opened up to…nothing. The window seemed to open up to nothing but a blank space that was colored…purple. It was the Convexity color…; come to think of it, this room was emitting some sort Convexity like energy. I don't know how I know this… I just…feel it. And everything seemed to have a shade of...purple? I wasn't sure if my eyes were playing tricks or not, but I swear everything looked a bit purple-ish. I couldn't help but think of an old movie I used to watch when I was little.

"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." I heard Zayril say.

"Ugh…where are we…? Zayril?" mumbled Ember as she stared at Zayril who was equally staring back.

"FOUND THEM!" exclaimed Vera as she looked at Spyro, Cynder, Ember and Flame, who looked back, completely dazed.

Kazren snapped his head around and was shocked to find Team A, but nevertheless was relieved, that their mission: was a success. Now though, we had to focus on getting out of…here…whatever this place is.

Zayril stood and helped Flame up as well. "How did you guys end up here?"

Flame tapped his skull. "I can't remember. Do you Ember?" he asked, turning to the dazed pink dragoness.

"Not a clue Flame," she replied as she was helped up by Vera. "Thanks Vera."

"No problem," said Vera and she walked up to Cynder next. Stretching out her paws, she grabbed Cynder's paws and helped her up. "You okay?"

"Yeah…a little bit dizzy though." she replied, standing to her to feet. She grabbed her head and rubbed it to signify her point.

Kazren approached Spyro and helped him up. "Thanks Kaz—where the heck are we?" asked Spyro looking around. Zayril let out a hearty laugh, laughing at Spyro's reaction, but I knew he was equally baffled on where we were.

That was when I forced myself to carefully scrutinize the area and lay down the clues. An atmosphere that emits Convexity like energy…the purple shade in the area…this couldn't be Convexity since…this was different. Completely different…what is this place exactly? I mentally scanned and went through all Spyro games that I have played, even including the old series which was, Spyro the Dragon. Scanning through hundreds of possible locations…one stood out from among them, but I couldn't remember the name.

Cynder scowled as she looked around the odd room. "Any ideas on to where we are?"

"I have one," said Zayril, raising his paw. "But it doesn't seem to make sense if it were."

Kazren raised an eyebrow. "Why? Why wouldn't it make any sense?"

"It's because of what you said. You said this place was the Gate to Convexity right?" asked Zayril curiously.

"Yah…I did. What are you getting at?" asked Kazren. Zayril scratched his chin before answering.

"I think we're at the—"I cut him off as the name that escaped me, popped up.

"Shadow Realms." Everyone snapped their heads to me as I blurted out the answer.

"Yeah…that." said Zayril looking at me. Beside me, Flame snapped his claws.

"Shadow Realms…I've read it somewhere before…what does the Shadow Realms do again?" he asked completely baffled.

Vera shook her head in reply but answered the question. "The Shadow Realms AKA Spirit Realms, according to the book I read back then, acts as the place where all the dead/spirits beings go. It is connected to Convexity and Convexity acts as the entrance and exit to the Shadow Realms." Ember crossed her arms and thought for a moment.

"I thought you can only get into the Shadow Realms if you have a Shadow Stone." Everyone looked at her and she hastily replied, "WHAT! I read books to you know."

I chuckled in response and said, "Don't worry. We're just a little bit surprised, that's all." she scoffed but nevertheless smiled.

"Maybe if you have the Shadow Element, the Shadow Stone is no longer necessary." said Spyro in response.

"That could work. So…how are we going to get out of here? We got what we came for; find Team A. Now we need to head back." said Kazren, going serious.

"Well, there's the door at the side. Let's start walking." I replied stretching a bit.

But we never did.

*Thump*

*Thump*

We all heard it again and at that brief moment, I somehow got the chills and a slight dread of fear for the unknown came to my head. My heart rate spiked as I looked at the others who had the same expressions on their faces. Fear was clearly evident. Fear was creeping up at us again and we didn't know what was causing it.

Then…the door at the side slid open.

We all heard a sinister laugh that sent chills down our spine. That's when we saw him. A large sinister...purple anthro dragon walked through the door wearing a black cloak that was worn like a cape, giving him a dark appearance; underneath it was that he was wearing a regal looking blue royal vest, and silk made jeans. His body was buff; like one of those biker dudes. His face carried a smile that had a mixture of smugness but with maliciousness added in. My eyes widened as I realized who it was. The other purple dragon in the room was Spyro. And there were only two purple dragons. Then that means… The dragon in front of us…was none other than…

The Ex-Dark Master, Malefor.

Beside Malefor was the one who were making the fear sending sounds. Walking beside him was two…animal like creatures. It somehow gave me the faint image of a Predator but it looked a bit more…menacing. Its hide was shadow black, and I swear I could see faint wisps of smoke emitting from it, making it seem like it was made of gas; and its eyes were darker than blood red. Its head darted left and right, sniffing the air for its supposed prey. When its head turned to us, I swear, I could feel my body lock up from the sudden rush of…fear. I don't know what I felt. What I do now is that I involuntarily shudder as the familiar tingling feeling of fear seeped and creep up my scales, going to my spine.

My train of thought was broken as a snarl became audible through the room. I looked up ahead and saw Malefor smiling smugly; his 'creatures' sitting beside him, waiting for their master's command; Spyro was the one who had snarled, but I also could hear a faint snarl from Cynder as well.

Malefor smirked, his smugness still visible and spoke, "What? No friendly greeting?" he asked in a mocking manner. "Not happy to see your old friend alive and well?" Spyro snarled and he spoke through clench teeth.

"You're no friend of ours Malefor!" he snapped at him. Malefor cocked his head to the side, seemingly unfazed by the hostility of Spyro.

Malefor grinned. Changing his expression, making himself look a bit innocent, he spoke, "Aw…we could've been the best buds, you and me Spyro, along with Cynder over here." he gazed at Cynder who gave him a dark glance.

"Go to hell Malefor!" shouted Cynder angrily.

She was quite obviously not happy to see the guy alive. Her tone of voice surprised as all. Even Flame and Ember jumped a bit from the loudness and the sheer fierceness of Cynder's voice. She was pissed off; big time.

Malefor just chuckled and I felt myself go cold when he turned to us. A sinister smile formed on his lips. "I see you brought friends." But before he could continue, Kazren cut him off.

"Enough talk Malefor; at least entertain us on how you lived." he replied, no hint of fear in his voice. He chuckled, sending a chill down my spine again.

"It seems you are…mistaken…Kazren is it not?" he asked, not losing the calm disposition he was portraying. We weren't surprised by the fact that he knew our names. Now was not the time to figure it out. We had other pressing issues at hand.

This time, Flame gathered his guts and activated his vocal chords. "What do you mean?"

Malefor crossed his hand and raised his chin up. "I am not alive, per se."

Vera raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What?" Malefor smiled.

"Do you not know where we are?" he asked, opening his hands up and waved them at a displaying manner.

"We're at the Shadow or Spirit Realms." answered Ember. Malefor nodded accordingly.

"Right you are Ember," he replied in a false approving tone. "We're currently in the Shadow Realms; where spirits of the dead roam free; where Convexity acts as the Gateway that separates the living from the dead. This…is the Spirit or Shadow Realms whichever you prefer. It is where I, Malefor, the spirit of the now deceased Dark Master, currently reside."

"So you're…technically…dead?" asked Zayril. Malefor nodded in response.

"Yes I am Zayril," he replied. "But with the aid of my powers. I will not be any longer. Convexity is breaking. And I will soon have my revenge." he replied giving us, specifically Spyro a menacing glare.

"Not if we can help it!" shouted Spyro, going into an attack stance. Malefor crossed his arms and placed his head in one of his paws.

"I seem to be outnumbered…let me fix that." He said and snapped his fingers.

And at that moment, a slight gush of wind blew by us, carrying a black mist into the room, clustering to Malefor's side. My eyes widened, as right before my eyes, five extra 'creatures' formed right out of thin air. Malefor smirked at our surprised expressions.

"Amazing things aren't they? These little critters are called Fear Hounds. Due to their mysterious habitat, they have the elemental ability, Shadow, which grants them passage to the Shadow Realms to and fro." said Malefor, introducing the Fear Hounds to us.

"So those were the things that attacked us…" I said, coming to realization.

"Dead on Kathryn; Fear Hounds are non violent by nature, but a simple…push…and they will do your bidding however you please." said Malefor with a malicious grin. "Coming from the name, they also have a slight elemental ability of Fear; thus, the reason why they are rarely encountered. In layman's terms, a dragon gets a sudden fear of the unknown, which forces him/her to divert their path from the path of a Fear Hound. Their Fear element is mostly used as a protection precaution, not an offensive tactic though." explained Malefor.

"Enough talk! Die Malefor!" shouted Spyro, bending his knees, preparing to charge at him. Malefor grinned evilly and snapped his paws one more time. A bright flash surrounded the room and I suddenly felt a tight feeling around my right wrist.

"Let's even the odds even more." said Malefor as he cracked his knuckles. I let out a gasp as I looked at my right wrist. Wrapped around it, was elastic like green rope that was tied to Kazren's left wrist. The rope reminded me of the rope used to chain Spyro and Cynder at DOTD. Several gasps echoed across the room as well, and I was surprised at the appearance of the others. Zayril was tied to Vera, only his was that they were tied by the feet. The rope connected from Zayril's left foot to Vera's right foot. Flame and Ember as well, only they were tied from the waist. Lastly, Spyro and Cynder were tied together, by the neck, like at DOTD.

"That's better. Now…"

Malefor crouched down and positioned himself to a fighting stance. The Hell Hounds next to him crouched as well and barred their teeth at us, snarling.

"…Your move."

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