The sun rose of the desolate and cracked world of Peace Keepers. Clean now of the Gnorcs that once infested it, the gems all collected neatly too but it is only one of several worlds in this realm that must be cleaned. A young dragon with scales of violet and eyes of earth lay asleep. It’s head resting on the back of a smaller creature, wooly but pristine like it’s namesake, Marble. He gave a yawn, stretching himself out as he awoke for yet another day of rescue and combat but now, at least, he had a fellow warrior to aid him. You might not think a sheep could do much and indeed she does get tired easy but, she also has a kick that can break even the hardest of stones in the dragon realms.
As he walked over to the entrance of their makeshift camp, a cave once used to store gems, he took in the rising sun. Keen dragon eyes darted between the portals, each a door to another world that made up this realm. Many to choose with some being far easier than others. His eyes fixed on off in the distance, Cliff Town. A very uninspiring name yes but one that sounded at least great to start with, as all the houses no doubt had many supplies to aid them in the future. Marble came up behind him, yawning as well before giving a look out over this world. It was far too hot for her what with the thick, luscious wool that grew on her but it did have a beauty to it as well. A strong and old world that has been tested in battle many times. Spyro picked up his Sheep to carry her across the gaps leading to the caves, his wings serving once again to be one of the greatest tools he knew. The ground was still cold from the biting nighttime chill but the rising sun was already helping to bring not just warmth but a fierce heat to the land. Much to Marble’s discomfort that is.
They approached the portal only moments later. This world overnight had already been cleaned up a lot from the Dragons that lived here but it was not surprising, they are the military of the Dragons. Marble stepped through the portal first. A risky habit that Spyro disliked but he could not help but love her confident charms as well, sighing before he walked in he took a look back. Finding the leader of the world Titan to be watching him from a rocky point on high, he looked as stoic as ever. Not quite ok with Spyro’s relationship but mostly from lack of trust, the Dragons of this realm are old and stubborn since having dealt with centuries of spies and invasions does tend to make you suspicious. Giving him a nod of respect he turned to enter the portal himself.
Spyro found Marble waiting on the other side, a tad bit of worry on her face but nothing a smile of his could not fix. They walked forward some to leave the entrance building, expecting Gnorcs to be infesting such a civilized world but instead found nothing. Far too much nothing, the buildings did not look reinforced, there was no barricades blocking streets, no snipers on rooftops. Only a erie wind whistling its way along an old town, everything about this scared them more than an army did. Surely the Gnorcs would recognize the potential fortress that was this world, surely they would not come here last or ignore it straight up. They took it slow, careful as possible as Marble hid behind him while Spyro crept forward until they reached the first house. Giving a nod to each other they broke through the window, Spyro roaring fire with Marble spin kicking straight into a cabinet...that was now on fire. They stared at each other for a moment before bursting out in laughter, so much for an ambush.
After making sure She was alright Spyro head outside to climb onto the roof, still careful but only to find nobody around. Keen eyes search what he could and found this world was mostly populated from odd butcher Gnorcs cooking who knows what in cauldrons all over. Fools indeed to waste this opportunity but he was not about to do the same as he hopped down to the ground. Informing Marble that there is little to worry about they headed out, checking the houses along the way first. Finding mostly odds and ends, some food here or water there but nothing fantastic. The Gnorcs seem to have taken most metal objects, copper or gold being the most missing which to Spyro seems a bit random. With Marble staying behind to pick up some gems Spyro headed out to deal with some of the Gnorcs. They was far from difficult but the soup or stew they was making was fascinating, a deep rich purple in color to start. Taking a bit to give a deep sniff and a small lick, spices, water from the Peacekeepers, some desert veg, cactus and something with a mineral twist. Knocking the cauldron over to find the source, it was a gem! By boiling a gem in the soup it gave it an earthy aftertaste while thankfully not damaging the treasure. Picking the gem up he headed back to check up on his wooly partner, finding her quite sweaty while taking a rest in the shade. He could not help but smile at how perfect was was.
After a bit of water they head out again. This time to cross the bridge over the sizable purple river but marble stopped part way over it. Staring at the huge purple waterfall in the distance that shon so bright in the sun, such a beautiful and alien sight to her. Spyro on the other hand stopped only because she did, not wanting to end her moment so soon as she stared wide eyed into the distance. He shook his head, not sure why he was so distracted today. It was not like he was horny or anything but he could not keep his eyes off her to the point it was starting to distract him. Luckily it seemed that she had not noticed his lingering stares and making sure to keep it that way Spyro moved on alone to sort any Gnorcs near the bridge. Marble followed suit only a moment later, always wanting to help after all.
“Hey, Spyro?” She began, sounding a bit shy.
“Ye Marble?
“If you don’t mind me asking...can you tell about some Dragon things?” She asked.
“Dragon things? Like what?”
“Like the other Realms, magic and all that amazing stuff!” She sounded quite excited now.
“Oh sure, let's make a rest spot and i will tell you about somethings.” He said already heading for the shade of a house, he had noticed how out of breath was was getting and decided to not tax her any further. Spyro took a moment to run back and grab a pot of the purple soup, why waste good food after all, but Marble was non too keen on it. Strange purple soup made by Gnorcs was quite a different meal plan but as she took a sip it seemed quite nice.
“Right, so...eh, to start there is the main Dragon Realms. Artisans, Peace Keepers, Magic Crafters, Beast Makers, Dream Weavers and Gnasties world which used to be a Realm before it got took over long ago. Each realm helps make the worlds we visit via the portals you see.” He explained to start, Marble full of wonder from such simple information already.
“The Artisans are peaceful and make..well, everything that needs to be made. The Peace Keepers are strong but stubben who make up the dragon armies, always trying to keep things peaceful. Next we have the Magic Crafters who are wise and powerful magic users, they pull raw magic itself from the universe as well as creating the potions or spells that Dragons are known for.” Spyro began while his Sheepy friend just sat staring.
“The next bunch of Realms i have either never been too or only gone a few times, so i am not exactly the most knowledgeable. We have the Beast Makers who are a bunch of odd, lazy folk that are amazing some of the strongest dragons out there at least physically. They helped shape all the species of animals…” Spyro explained but was cut off.
“Wait, they made sheep? Me?!” Marble said surprised as she knew the Dragons made the worlds but did not think they could even make the life that walks on it.
“Not exactly you, they first create a species and then let it fit into nature. They made the first sheep, rams or goats for example.” He said before continuing,
“Lastly are the Dream Weavers...Very secluded bunch, wise beyond reason but a bit stuck up at times too. They are the recorders of the world, writing down as history as it moves but also keepers of the old secrets. Dreams and Nightmares are windows into different worlds different to ours, some are grand while others are just horrible...No wonder they are like how they are.” He finished while diving into thought. He knew that the reason he could not go to the Beast Makers often was because it was not suited to a young innocent Dragon, what with all the sex, magic and sex magic going on to make new creatures. The Dream Weavers however was a bit more mysterious, just thinking what kind of forbidden and ancient knowledge they hold sent shivers down him.
“Oh it sounds so interesting! What kind of spells do you know?” She chimed in again, stars in her eyes while doing so.
“I am a bit too young to learn of the Maker Spells that help shape the worlds but my fire breath is in fact a spell. Dragons can learn new elemental breaths too like lightning or ice but i think i am still a few years away from even starting those.” He noted while drinking his soup
“Hmmm...can you teach me how to do fire breath then?” Marble said with such enthusiasm that Spyro nearly spilled his soup.
“If it is a spell then it uses magic and Nestor said that Magic stuck to me giving me brains and stuff right? So i must be able to use magic too!” Her logic sounded reasonable, too reasonable.
“I… had not thought of that but it is not that easy. To use any magic requires the Awakening, an ancient practise of study where you must learn what magic feels like, smells like, to sense it in the very world without senses at all. Only then can you even begin to start learning how to use Spells, each spell too takes study just as complicated if not more so. My fire breath came to me because i naturally have a “fiery personality” as the elders love to point out so for you it could be different too.” He was trying not to hurt her feelings but magic was incredibly complicated and brains or not took a long time. Dragons lived for thousands of years at least, all the time in the world to learn everything magical but for a creature doomed to live a few decades it could be too much.
“I understand. Just means you will have to start teaching me after this little adventure is done then.” She said with a wink. Spyro blushed, not from anger or embarrassment either but rather just from amazing this Sheep was. Not waiting to find himself staring again Spyro tossed the bowl into the cauldron before getting up, stretching his legs before extending a hand to help Marble.
The rest of the world was delightfully simple, few more Gnorc cooks as they went along. The occasional dragon to save but this world turned out to be much smaller than they expected. With the main town of several buildings cleared there was only a few outskirts to finish off with, the biggest issue was gliding over the purple river to reach a high cliff top with Marble on his back. With that challenge done they had not much more to sort as they walked over the hot sands, finding a lovely shady spot by a lone tower. A nice enough spot to have an early nights rest as the hot sun was taxing to both of them, even with his immunity to temperatures. Laying his head down he could not help but look over to Marble giving such an adorable yawn before adjusting her posture on the warm sands. One last content smile as he headed off to sleep.
