Queen Daz took us further than I had ever gone before, outside the borders of Panthera, where it went from dense forest to open meadow, sure we had a few open meadows in Panthera but nothing like this.

We followed the instruction she gave us as it led us in an area of a mountain range, where the rock walls crisscrossed over each other, blocking out the light from the sun, like trees would, what a strange place.

I touched the rock sensing a faint power within it, a talisman made these rocks, I wondered why.

“The lands being barren in the times of Fang, using earth talismans were the only method to avoid the eyes of the eternal dragon,” informed Raziel sensing my curiosity. “On route to the place where Cathopia is now built.”

“Fang had an earth talisman then,” I pondered.

Raziel nodded. “Lost through time.” That was all he said on that matter.

“How much further,” whined Edge to Lin.

“Stop moaning, it’ll take as long as it takes,” snapped Lin.

“Edge, what did I tell you yesterday.” I crossed my arms, displeased.

“To always show stature and be on guard,” sighed Edge. He was the only one who seemed to be having trouble with it. “Aren’t you bored?”

“No,” I responded. Yes, was my actual answer, but I was not going to say it out loud. “Focus, please.”

The road continued for hours, there were no villages along the road we travelled, not even a single soul. I looked around finding myself looking for the dark mist, but it was so thin out here I could barely see it.

“Almost there,” called Queen Daz.

“About time,” commented Edge. I glared at him, and he shrunk back.

Raziel snarled. “I know where we are headed.”

“Really.” I looked down at him, he suddenly took flight as soon as there was an opening in the rocks. He quickly ascended where I spotted something ahead. “What is it?”

Raziel flew closer to reveal it was a giant crater with what looked like a mansion at the centre surrounded by flowering gardens, and I saw the shimmering of a barrier.

“This is one of the locations your ancestor and our first master fought against the eternal dragon,” explained Raziel.

“One,” I repeated.

“There are many scars left upon this land due to our fights with it, including the lakes around Cathopia, you’ve already seen where the sacred tree where the Panthera Pardus live,” responded Raziel. I was shocked to be hearing this. “This particular crater was caused by a fight to…” he glanced at me. “Save a princess.”

“A princess, Fang really was a hero then,” I smirked, when you add a princess to anything it begins sounding more like a fairy tale. “Tell me more.”

“The princess was kidnapped, her captor slowly attempting to corrupt her entire being so he could eventually have her birth a new, more powerful body for the eternal dragon,” informed Raziel, who seemed to be careful with his words.

“Did he save the princess?” I asked intrigued.

“We’re almost there.” Raziel dove back to the carriage, leaving his story unfinished. His expression told me he was reluctant to say anymore, but why? Perhaps it was a painful memory.

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I came beside the carriage as Lin looked ahead, her expression couldn’t seem to make up her mind.

“So, the meeting place is being held in that mountain?” She wanted verification.

“Mountain?” I gave her a weird look, what was she talking about there was no mountain.

“Your father could see past the illusion too,” mentioned Queen Daz.

“Illusion? So, it’s not a real mountain.” Edge was also confused.

“Not everyone can see it and only a few know the way in without popping out the other end,” added Queen Daz.

“Strange.” Kiba stared at the mansion. “So, you guys are seeing a mountain?” I smirked not surprised considering we were family.

“Yeah, the two Fangs, so special,” snorted Edge.

“I don’t see a mountain either,” called Finn from the front.

“What you too?” Edge didn’t seem too pleased.

“Settle down, it doesn’t matter if you can see the mountain or not,” I snapped. “When we arrive, I want everyone in their pairs, Edge and Lin, Finn and Rex, Ibiki and Kiba.” I stroked Raziel. “We’ll stay closest to the queen.”

I had everyone paired up, best to have someone always covering your hide. I had the lions, so I didn’t really need anyone else, plus there was only a few of us which made it harder to split.

“Straight to business,” sighed Edge.

“You’re a knight act like it,” snarled Lin.

“She’s right, everyone must be at their best, especially since we are the queen’s escorts,” I agreed with her statement.

“We are approaching,” announced Rex.

“Head straight between the two fruit trees,” informed Queen Daz.

I fell to a position behind the carriage counting on Finn and Rex to spot any danger on entry.

The carriage went through the strange illusion. I felt a faint power surge as I entered, was it more than just an illusion? It had felt more like a protection spell of some kind.

“Whoa, what the heck was that?” Edge was the only one to say anything. “Impossible.” He stared at the mansion dumbfounded.

I came beside the carriage again to see the depths of the crater. The road had many different Animalia on guard, the uniforms they wore were also all different. I quickly noticed a few knights of Cathopia.

Rex pulled the carriage to a stop as one approached. “What brings you?” he questioned.

Queen Daz spoke through the window. “I am Queen Daz of Cathopia here for the summit.”

“Your highness,” he bowed. “You are a little late, the others are already inside.”

“A new escort,” she smiled. He nodded accepting her reason. “Has everyone shown up this time?”

“Indeed, you best…” He stopped himself as he stared at Raziel, perhaps only just noticing the magnificence of the white winged lion.

“Yes,” encouraged Queen Daz.

“You best head in before they start without you,” he gulped.

“Thank you,” she smiled at him. “Rex onwards.”

“Yes, your highness.” And the carriage began moving again.

I glanced about as we headed down towards the mansion. I saw it surrounded by an exotic garden, different than any plants I’d seen, bright and colourful, mixes of reds, yellows, pinks, every shade you could imagine, letting off a faint aroma.

I noticed all the looks I was getting from the knights riding upon Raziel, obviously they had never seen him before. I wondered if they’d heard legends of him.

The carriage reached an island site with a grand statue of a winged tiger, much like the one I had seen in the crystal I retrieved for Tigra. I gazed upon it, did this represent another talisman spirit like Raziel and Arata. I could sense a faint power within the statue, perhaps it had once been one.

The carriage stopped and Kiba helped Queen Daz from the carriage, his expression remained serious, but the tension of his body showed he was nervous with all the eyes of the knights upon him.

“Only one knight is allowed to accompany me,” mentioned Queen Daz.

I glanced between everyone as I got off Raziel. “You all know what to do, stay in your pairs, and keep an eye out for any potential danger.” I looked at Edge. “Lin, keep your brother out of trouble.”

“Easy,” she giggled. Edge crossed his arms displeased.

“Your highness.” I ignored Edge and focused on Queen Daz. I felt a pine of doubt, could I really keep her safe if something went wrong?

She walked up the stairs to the main entrance, where the knight opened the doors, this place was sacred.

“Remember what you’ve been told.” She glanced back at me.

“I do.” I nodded. “Not everyone believes in Fang.” Perhaps they should, refusing to believe only made them more influenceable to the darkness. We headed inside.