The guests of the summit had all been escorted to rooms in the mansion. I was in a joining room to Queen Daz, who was sleeping soundly after today’s events. Arata continued to stay with her, seeing the clones had shaken her up a bit.

When I had left her highness, Arata had been curled beside her protectively, if only he was like that with me. I just hoped not too many memories had been awaken from her past.

I sat on the lounger, staring up at the ceiling, wondering about so many questions. Unity made this place invisible to those of dark intent, the unity brought about in the legend of Fang was falling apart. So why? Maybe to claim the item one day kept here, doubt it. They wanted destruction now.

The strongest warriors who had attacked resembled the same Animalia species in Dumah’s little unit, perhaps he’d sent them. Did King Alton tell them about this place?

Then there was Empress Milliana, the short vision I had showed me of her playing with Mila. I knew for a fact she was a mermaid just like Mila, but I’d never seen another like her outside being a talisman, were the spirits like Diluc, where their strongest take on a form of a weapon or was there a darker history I did not know.

Knock Knock

I sat up, looking at the door. “Come in.”

“I hope I did not disturb you.” It was Empress Milliana.

“Not at all.” I sat up properly as she came to sit opposite me.

“I see you have recovered well,” she smiled.

“Thanks to you,” I responded. “What was that technique?”

“An ancient power of healing passed down the merfolk bloodline,” informed Milliana. “Mila should be able to use it when you truly master her power.”

Mila appeared. “Actually, our sync rate is high enough for him to use it,” she smiled so fondly at Milliana. “Who’d thought you’d be empress.”

“It should have been you dear sister,” responded Empress Milliana.

“Sister,” I blurted out.

“You are unaware of how talismans come to be, but I fear you like so many other will not be able to handle the truth.”

“Why not?” I questioned.

“It would break your heart,” answered Empress Milliana.

“Tell me,” I demanded.

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“I am here in a physical body, while my sister remains unchanged from the last time I saw her, sealed within a different form,” she said.

“Sealed?” I touched Mila’s choker, then Larana’s bracelet and thought about the twin lion’s swords, were they all forced within the forms they now took. They were spirits, which meant they were imprisoned within, she said it would break my heart which meant that were forced into those forms.

“Please don’t tell him Milliana,” pleaded Mila.

“He is a Fang, he will find out one day, discovering the truth himself,” responded Empress Milliana.

“Tell me!” I raised my voice, refusing to be left in the dark.

“This world was once filled with an abundance of sacred animals, containing the power of the goddess over the elements of which Animalia and man could only dream.”

“Man,” I repeated.

“Animalia walked this world accompanied by a kind known as humans, many of which were more susceptible to the darkness corruptive path, filling them with promises to fill their wishes, to give them power and strength, which they lacked compared to the Animalia, who carried the instincts and strengths of their animal cousins,” begun Empress Milliana. “I will say now not all humans followed the eternal dragon, but those that did, hunted down the sacred animals, tearing their souls from their bodies and placing them within the weaponised tools you use today.”

“All of them.” I was shocked, perhaps this was the truth, a truth I would have preferred not to know, never ask questions you don’t want to know the answers to.

“The winged lions flew the skies as protectors, only two survived the process and they rest upon your back,” added Empress Milliana.

I glanced at Raziel silently sat beside me. “Then why give your power to us.”

Raziel glanced at me. “You know why, if our power is not used, we fall into a slumber or if it is forcibly used, we lose our life force.” He glared at Empress Milliana. “I wish you had not been so blunt in your explanation; it would have been best if he found out on his own.”

“He had to learn something, he is truly useless without his awakening,” commented Empress Milliana. “A stupid choice your master created all those years ago.”

I stared at her, words out of my control leaving my lips. “The darkness will even take you one day, into a monstrous form, where only my light can save you.” I touched my head.

“Uh…” She remained silent for a moment. “See, he can’t even control his own power.” She seemed annoyed. “The eternal dragon will return, it may not be right now, but if he is not ready this world will be destroyed.”

“He will be ready,” said Mila. “Have faith like you once did in him.” I think she was referring to her first master.

“He showed poor skill today, could not even heal one Animalia. I hope for your sake Mila, you are right.”

Raziel walked towards her. “I must insist you leave now, my master has much to think about, your words harsh and cruel, you used to be such a nice child. His path has not changed but perhaps you have lost yours.”

“Until we meet again.” She bowed. “I wonder what you’ll do now you know the truth.” She left the room.

I sat back staring up at the ceiling, talismans I knew were alive, but I never imagined this. “Raziel, is that way Arata is so closed off?” I asked.

“It is,” nodded Raziel rubbing himself against my hand. “But if you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about it, too many bad memories.”

“Got it.” I lifted my hand to touch his mane. Larana appeared, sitting silently on my shoulder, stroking my cheek and I felt Mila holding my other hand. I wanted to cry for them, the pain, the horror they must have endured, did I have any right to use their power.