The leaders of the summit were still finding it hard to believe the words I had said, as none of the knights within the room were the knights who served them, but in fact clones, servants of the darkness they thought they could combat against.

“What are you talking about?” questioned Reko. “Clones?”

“Many years ago, my master copied the finest warriors across the land, he used them to attack the innocent, destroying villages, one city in particular. We tried to destroy Cathopia, but some of their finest held protection and were far too powerful to replicate.” Sniper had been the one to respond. “We failed then, but now the two biggest threats are out of the way, we’ll just try again and there is no sign of your champion.”

“You’re wrong,” I snarled. “I am a warrior of Fang. I will stop you.”

“Not without your precious awakening young knight,” he laughed, even he knew about it. “And we’ll make sure you never have it.”

“How?” I was confused how were they preventing me from having my awakening, when it was something given to the chosen ones of my clan. Dad had it before me and he knew I would one day have mine.

“You always talked too much,” snapped Salvestra. “Shut up before you give everything away.” Sniper glared at her; he obviously didn’t like being talked to like that.

“Let’s just deal with these royal snobs and claim these lands,” hissed Sniper.

“Fang you must stay focused.” I heard Empress Milliana. “His words do not matter; the time of the goddess will return.”

“Goddess.” I heard others say goddess, but this world didn’t worship a god of any kind.

“An old worshipper.” Sniper’s gaze fell upon her. “We’ll need to snuff you out.”

“I have lived a long time Sniper, you will not win today,” responded Milliana.

“We’ll see about that.” Sniper moved in her direction; he was fast but so was I.

“I don’t think so.” I stood in the way, pointing Raziel, ready to unleash his power.

“Do you really want to risk using your power in such a confined space.” At his words I glanced across the room, he was right. I’d never needed it within so little space, with so many allies nearby. “You are all out matched and outnumbered.” Again, he was right, there were four clones to each Animalia of the summit present. “And this is just the beginning.”

“Time to act master,” said Raziel. “Do not hesitate in the face of darkness.”

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I nodded lunging forward. Sniper moved his body enough to avoid it, and a second time when I attempted again.

“Too slow.” His eyes gleamed as he thrust forward, teeth bared. I saw a glint of poison as I avoided him, he was trying to bite me again, just like before, but this time no overwhelming dark power would stop me. “Impressive, I think you have improved.” I moved back, the memory of Gual’s death coming to the surface.

“And I haven’t gotten pay back for that yet.” I swiped both my blades, hoping to cut his head off, but missed. “You’re the reason he lost that day.”

“Slowly but surely those who carry light will be snuffed out or corrupted. I’ll make sure you have no chance to recover from my poison this time.” Sniper’s body moved like an out-of-control wiggling monster. He was giving me no chance to attack back, just strikes one after the other.

I was thankful for my clairvoyance as I saw all his moves before he made them, but its skill did not help produce an opening.

I spotted Raziel being kept busy by Salvestra, they didn’t want the lions helping me and Arata had his paws full protecting Queen Daz, as he allowed her to ride him for better protection.

I caught a glimpse of the others struggling in the room, four cloned knights attacking each one of them, strangely each one was entuned to their talisman’s power, natural abilities or even skill set. It was obvious they’d been planning this for years.

I needed to push forward, to help them. I jumped away from Sniper, preparing to attack. “Air cutter…” I paused; it was too dangerous.

Sniper whipped me with his tail, pushing me across the room, closer to Milliana who had been summoning her power to heal anyone injured, she was amazing, so much like Mila.

“Have faith in yourself Fang,” said Milliana. “You always faltered too much.”

“I can’t I’ll hurt someone,” I responded.

Milliana summoned a wall of water behind me preventing Sniper from getting in anymore attacks.

“No, trust in your talismans, in their power, your own.” She touched my cheek. “I can sense your hesitation as you wield such raw power, but everyone is taught your power will not harm those you do not wish to.” Her hand touched my choker. “Mila, you know what to do.”

I stared at her, she seemed to know me, but this was our first meeting. “Who are you?” I questioned.

“I am the Empress of Atlantis,” she smiled. “Now Mila.”

“Right.” Mila appeared. “Don’t mind do you master?”

“No…” I wasn’t sure what she was up to, but I had faith in her.

“Here we go.” She raised her arms in the air, within seconds the whole room had filled with water. I had no problem breathing under water and neither did Empress Milliana, her skin seemed to glitter in the water.

The pressure built up in the room, eventually bursting through the wooden doors. I knew what came next as everyone was sucked out like a vacuum.

I felt Milliana grasp hold of my hand, spotting gills appear on her neck, the current had no effect on her. She waited as glittering scales appeared over most of her body. My mind flashed as I saw an image of Mila playing in the waters of the cavern with Milliana.

“You’re a…” I didn’t finish as she held her finger to her lips.

“Now let loose warrior of Fang.” She let go off my hand and I was sucked out of the room. I watched as Milliana disappeared from view, I had so many questions, but I would have to wait for the answers.