{"sf1_id":1482838,"sf2_id":"A1pPxg31","title":"22- Breaking","author":"Rifty","words":1167,"posted_at":"2019-08-29T08:32:00.000Z","tags":["Action","Adventure","Kara","Riften","Romance","Silvus","Sithris","Spyro","Story Series","rift"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1482838-22-breaking","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/A1pPxg31","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/7c/f9/7cf9cf1c-b5e5-42bb-9ab9-d0237c471b30","description":"#24 of The Legend of Rift Book II: Resurrection","content":"Arcane stirred, his hatchling form trembling from the battle. White eyes stared at his paw, trying to make sense of things. His attention was redirected to the source of paws as black and orange dragons both moved up to him, the black trembling as well.\n\n  \n\n\"I must say that your exquisite knowledge of magic was quite the experience to face. No one has ever pushed me to the limits.\" Sithris smiled at him, extending a paw. \"Seeing as you are no longer controlled by dark magic, it would be an honor to train with you in the future.\"\n\n  \n\nThe white and black dragon went wide eyed, his past flashing back to him. \"I really did that? All those innocent creatures... I killed them.\" He backed away quickly. \"Stay away from me, I'm a monster.\"\n\n  \n\nRift stepped up, fighting to suppress fear. \"You're not. Keltin used dark magic to corrupt you. That is the same thing that happened to Cynder. You will be forgiven.\"\n\n  \n\nArcane teared up. \"I don't care. Every living being I've killed, I can see their faces. I can see them begging me for mercy, And I killed them.\" He held up his tailspade, moving it to his throat.\u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n\nSithris whimpered. \"Don't do it. You have yet to live your life.\"\n\n  \n\nThe white dragon cried. \"I don't want to live like this. I will never live a proper life. My father ensured that.\" The blade began to move.\n\n  \n\nThe two older dragons ran to him. \"DON'T!\"\n\n  \n\nThe tailspade splattered with blood, followed by a gurgling. The hatchling collapsed to the ground, convulsing as his blood splurted out of his throat. The once powerful dark dragon was now the limp body of a hatchling that had just taken his own life.\n\n  \n\nSithris collapsed and cradled him in his paws, tears staining his face. \"Why did you have to do that? You were only a hatchling.\"\n\n  \n\nThe air was silent, not a single gust of wind blew. Sithris reluctantly released the body, looking to his friend. The pain wasn't over.\n\n  \n\nRift was frozen in disbelief, eyes showing his guilt. \"I-I should have stopped him...\"\n\n  \n\nSithris jumped up and shook him. \"Don't you dare start that. Neither of us could have stopped him in time.\"\n\n  \n\nThe orange dragon went aflame for a quick moment, frightening the electric dragon. \"I know the truth Sithy. I'm gonna lose all stability of my element and explode.\"\n\n  \n\nSithris shook his head. \"You're not. Your cousin may think it's set in stone, but I refuse to accept that. I need just a bit of time to find a cure.\"\n\n  \n\nRift growled softly. \"I can already feel it slipping. I don't want you to die with me. I want you to find a mate and have a family. I... Need you to have the life I never can.\" He looked at the stunned\u0026nbsp;\n\n* * *\n\nThe orange dragon sobbed as he flew through branches and pine needles, finally arriving at his destination. The iconic reflection of his lake now a dark abyss. He was scared, terrified about the thoughts running through his head.\u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n\nWill it be quick? Will this protect Sithy? Will I suffer?\n\n  \n\nRift stared into the lake, the slight reflection showing him a defeated and tired dragon. \"I couldn't save Kara. I couldn't save Arcane. I couldn't even save myself. Maybe... maybe I can save Sithris...\"\n\n  \n\nHe shivered as he placed one paw in the freezing water, memories of drowning playing in his mind as he thought of what he was doing.\n\n  \n\nRift didn't bother turning to look as the bushes snapped under the paws of his black friend. \"You don't want to be here.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n\nThunder boomed and lightning flashed as rain began to pour from the sky.\u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n\nSithris trembled in fear. \"You're right, I don't. So let's go.\"\n\n  \n\nRift shook his head. \"You have a life to live. This is where mine ends. If I'm gonna die, I am not letting you die with me.\"\n\n  \n\nThe black drake stomped his foot. \"No. I won't let you throw your life away for a few accidents and some stupid nonsense your cousin tried to spout.\"\n\n  \n\nRift walked to Sithris and nuzzled him before their eyes met. \"You are so much more to me than you could ever imagine. If you hadn't saved me from that group of apes, I would be stuffed and on display.\"\n\n  \n\nSithris trembled and teared up. \"Don't go there, please. I can't go alone anymore. I need you.\"\n\n  \n\nThe orange dragon smiled slightly and licked the tears from his friend's face. \"You have beautiful eyes Sithy. Any 'ness would be so lucky to have you.\"\n\n  \n\nSithris went wide eyed. \"No, I don't want that. Don't put me through that. You're all I have.\"\n\n  \n\nRift stepped away and slowly made his way into the water. \"You are an amazing dragon. My story ends. Please, make a great life for yourself. Goodbye Sithris.\"\n\n  \n\nThe orange dragon jumped, plunging into the water, holding his breath as long as possible. His body screamed in protest, begging him to get out. His mind however was set. With an internal prayer to the ancestors, he released his breath.\u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n\nHis body reacted instantly, flailing in desperation. Water filled his lungs. His mind grew hazy, vision going dark.\n\n  \n\nSithris watched in heartbreak, the last bubbles in the water disappearing. He collapsed. Tears fell to the grassy ground under him.\u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n\nThe sky flashed once and he screamed his pain upon the land. He curled up in a ball and cried. The one person he had left was now gone.\n\n  \n\nI should have told him how I felt...\n\n  \n\nHe froze, the ground under him heating up. Sithris jumped up and took a fighting stance. He was unsure of the heat source, half convinced that Keltin was there to laugh in victory.\n\n  \n\nThe last thing he expected was the explosion evaporating all the water in the lake. He ran to it, expecting a massive crater. His heart leapt at the sight before him.\n\n  \n\nAn orange dragon stood in the middle, an aura of flames surrounding him. As he turned, the aura shrank, forming into four small flames that scorched the ground. He looked at Sithris and smirked, the confidence of a fire dragon in full control shining in his eyes.\n\n  \n\nSithris couldn't respond, too stunned as his friend walked towards him with a smirk. \"How did you- Mmrf!\"\n\n  \n\nRift didn't give him a chance as their lips met. Both shivered and closed their eyes, embracing the kiss with a passion that both had been too unsure of before to act on. The land was silent.\n\n  \n\nFire and electricity surrounded them in a combined aura. Orange and blue elemental energy swirled in a bond that had built up over time.\u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n\nSithris opened his eyes slowly and reluctantly broke off the kiss, both him and Rift panting heavily.\u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n\nThe orange dragon rubbed his neck against the electric drake's and smiled softly. \"Let's get some rest. Tomorrow we go get Kara back.\"\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"The Legend of Rift Book II: Resurrection","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1482836-21-corruption-of-minds.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1482843-23-family.json"}}