I was heading to meet my unit at a little café in the city, when I passed King Alton shouting at one of his knights. I wondered what he could have done wrong to get his wraith, but his moods were often quite random, between being infected with amounts of dark energy or not, unlike myself, no one could really tell.

“No excuse, you failed your mission!” He snarled. “You have no idea how important it is.”

“I apologise, your majesty, but even with your emblem and permission they would not let me enter.” The young Onca was bowing. I saw the vail of darkness swirling around him, feeding of his angry outburst. He touched his head, shaking it as if trying to ward it off. “I can try again.”

“No.” His mood settled. “If they won’t let you in, then I will have to think of something else.”

“I am sorry I could not complete your requested mission. I don’t understand why they would refuse me access even with your direct orders.”

“Greater forces, even I cannot control are at work.” He spotted me and smirked. I gulped he was going to ask me next. “Your excused.” I backed up a little and walked in the opposite direction when King Alton was suddenly next to me, placing his arm around me as if we were chums. “Fang.”

“Your majesty.” My whole body tensed as I saw the mist, but it soon faded.

“Not quite strong enough, yet.” I glanced at him, what was he on about.

“Anything I can do for you, your majesty?” I asked.

“You see I am running out of a particular ingredient, very hard to come by,” he began.

“Is that what mission he failed?” I enquired.

“No, that’s something else.” He shook his head. “Raoul gave me all they had of the stuff and well I think Larana might know where to find more.” As soon as he mentioned Raoul, I knew it was related to the horrible medicine which could somewhat purify the darkness. If he ran out, then he would be completely consumed by the darkness. “I know you only except mission from my wife and I don’t blame you.” He shrugged. “Considering I left her in charge of a lot of things.”

“I don’t know.” I was reluctant.

“Please Fang… Alex, it’s important.” I looked him in the eyes.

“One question before I answer,” he nodded, signalling me to ask away. “Why does it inflict you and not Queen Daz.”

“Because I gave her a pendent given to me by your dad. A pendent of protection, apparently it was worn by the legendary Fang himself.” A huge grin crossed his lips. “Much like the one you gave my daughter.” Oh crap, did he know what it really meant; he was dad’s best friend after all. “Now I’ve answered what is your response to my request.”

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“I’ll only do it because I know what that stuff does, but you know you can’t keep fighting it like this,” I said.

“It is all I can do until your time comes, but I fear they are somehow preventing your awakening,” he almost fell into thought.

“That’s what Sniper said.” I was surprised he’d thought about it.

“Don’t lose hope, awakenings can happen when it is needed most or when they make a mistake, some even say rebirth can happen when the red moon shines, but shh.”

I smirked. “You’re the one playing with Dumah.”

“To a certain degree,” he nodded. “There are moments I can control it especially around certain people.” He looked around sharply. “I am currently trying to locate Yamato as there is no record of his mission.”

“They sent him away to control you,” I said.

“Indeed, but there are still a few Fangs in the city who all have a purifying ability, only the awakening makes it one hundred times stronger, darkness runs from it.”

I felt this urge that I needed to somehow maintain this version of King Alton, but it was obvious he was struggling with it.

“Back to your request, what ingredients is it you seek?” I questioned.

“Raoul said it is the nectar from the Goddess Plume,” answered King Alton.

“Larana.” I summoned her.

“The Goddess Plume is a species of wild Lily, legend says where the gods once walked the plant would grow, but as time has passed this particular species has become rare, almost extinct.”

“Do you know where to find it?” asked King Alton.

Larana flew closer to him, touching his cheek. “I do,” she nodded. “A sacred place, shrouded in thick fog that no Animalia can get through, but I will take master, if it means saving you from the path you have decided to endure.”

“Thank you Larana,” he smiled, his nose twitched, and ears moved. “He is coming.” He moved away. “I have enough for another two weeks, please hurry.” And he walked off.

I pulled a parchment from my pocket, it contained today’s mission, an escort of a tribal leader, female to meet with King Alton. Rumour had it Prince Hunter might be married off when he came of age to an all-female wilds Tigris tribe to keep connections strong.

I smirked; he’d love that. The only male in a female tribe. The tribal leaders name was Reira.

I glanced at Raziel. “Might have to split the team in two.”

“Indeed,” he agreed. “The king’s health is key for Cathopia to stand, if he was to become ill due to the darkness, the next in line would have to take his place, but not without a mate first.”

“Perhaps if you told her master,” commented Larana.

“I actually want too,” I sighed, then shook my head. “The king is more important.”

“The place we need to go is not too far from the Tigris village,” informed Larana.

“Perfect.” I liked that news. “Bonus.”

“But the place we’re going. I will only take you; I cannot protect you all and its secret must be kept.”

“I understand Larana. Let’s get going.” I headed straight to the meeting place where my unit was waiting. I couldn’t help but wonder where Larana would be taking me, somewhere sacred, somewhere secret.