Link and I set out for the closest of the fishing villages, Dagan. It was the main village which supplied fish to Cathopia. I had planned on making this a quick trip so I could return to my duties of protecting Tigra. I knew Dash was skilled enough, but I felt it was my sole responsibility, she was the one I fought for.

To arrive quickly to our location, I had Link ride on the back of Raziel. It was Link’s first time flying and well he was fine with it, compared to the reaction of my friends as they first flew on the winged lions. Link’s expression was as blank as a canvas, and he said nothing.

It took no longer than an hour to reach the village. We began our first investigation by air.

The village of Dagan is nothing special, a ribbon-built village, with houses rising up on the hills, following the roads, that lead from the mainland to the ocean. The market street was closer to the dock where the fishing boats were lined up across the shore, some were heavily damaged, some half sunk.

I could make out the village had seen better days, as most of the buildings were in disrepair, I wondered if we had been sent too late to save this place.

“Fang, we should land at market street,” said Link. “I believe it will be the best place for gathering necessary information.”

“Right.” I nodded, beginning my descent into the village. I also noticed that the beaches were empty of visitors, usually a vacation hot spot I heard, and strange for such a beautiful day.

We landed at the entrance to the market, where we came across a sight most disturbing. Most of the residence looked half starved, all the stalls empty of any fish, just a few vegetables and hardly any meat.

“Excuse me.” I walked up to the first Animalia I saw. A Silurus, an Animalia closely related to the catfish. I wondered how he could breathe out of the water, but he had a special device around his gills, much like Cutter had. It was filled with water and the membrane could transfer oxygen from the air into the water, allowing any water Animalia to enjoy dry land. He shivered at the sight of me, as if I had come to harm him. “I am Fang, Guardian of Princess Tigra.” I calmly and slowly introduced myself. “This is Link. We have been sent by her highness Queen Daz to assist you.”

“Fang… prove it.” He responded quite aggressively.

“I think my presence should be enough proof.” Raziel stepped forward.

“The white winged lion.” He bowed. “I apologise for my rudeness, we have been plagued for months by those who claim they have come to help, but just take whatever we have left.”

“We have been sent personally to deal with that,” I said. “Please tell me all about what has been happening here”

“A few months ago, the fish were bountiful, but then they became less and less, our fishing boats were attacked by a monster, able to swim at astonishing speeds.” The Silurus looked at the ocean. “It then went for those who came to visit for our beautiful beach, news quickly spread, and no more tourists have come.” He let out a sigh. “I am sure you have already seen the damage caused by those attacks, no one comes, and we can barely survive, barely able to feed ourselves, let alone fill the orders sent by Cathopia and even when we have sent requests for help, we have gotten none.”

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Link looked at me. “It sounds most troublesome.”

“We will do our best to resolve this issue quickly,” I informed. “But first tell me more about this monster.”

“No one has ever truly seen the monster, it is just too fast, spreading terror to even us who once lived in the waters around the village.” He again glanced longingly at the waters. “How so many of us long for the waters of home, but fear that monster.” He gazed at me. “I don’t see how a pair of terra loving Animalia can help against one born in the oceans.

“Can I request a boat?” I asked, ignoring his last comment. I had come here to do a job and I was going to get it done as soon as I could, so I would be able to return to Cathopia.

“I doubt anyone will take you,” he replied.

“Please…” I looked out to the ocean, seeing dark energy on the water’s surface, much like oil, the two elements did not mix, but I would only know the true extent of the darkness’s damage until I got out there.

He looked at me. “Alright.”

“Great…And your name?” I put on a smile.

“Fiske,” he replied. “I’ll have my boat ready in a few hours, it might not be the best, but it’ll get you out there.”

“Got it.” I nodded.

While waiting for the boat to be ready Link and I split up to investigate around the village. I saw more of the devastation brought on from the lack of business throughout the village, but I suspected this had been going on for more than just a few months, the ruin and condition of the villagers proved that.

Being in my uniform most quickly hid from me. I would have to have another word with King Alton about this, hopefully the light I had given him, would allow him to undo some of this damage, but then again, most of his own knights weren’t under his control anymore; would I need to find someone to do the jobs the king’s knights no longer could.

It got me thinking as I wondered around, perhaps I needed to make a separate unit to deal with this, one I knew was not inflicted by Dumah’s dark power. I shook my head I needed to deal with the problem in front of me first.

“Master.” Raziel drew me out of my deep thoughts.

“What’s up.” I looked at him as we came to a stop at the top of a hill.

“There is much dark influence here,” he said.

I looked around; I didn’t see that much, perhaps he meant in the waters. I would only find out once we were out on the ocean. I needed to hurry before it was way too late for me to help, to end their suffering, to free them from their fear.

I met up with Link a little while later to discover he had seen no one on the beaches and very few Animalia ventured outside of their homes, and those who did venture out freaked at the sight of Link’s uniform. The knights under the influence of darkness had caused such fear here. I wasn’t even sure if my visit here could calm the fears so deeply imbedded in their hearts.

“I can sense dark power here,” he mentioned. “The oceans around the village are teeming with it, what if we are too late.”

“We won’t know until we get out there, until then, keep hopeful Link, it is never too late.” I grinned. “I saved you didn’t I.” He touched the pendent around his neck, then nodded.

“Also, unfortunately I could not find us a place to stay tonight,” informed Link.

“We’ll worry about that later; we have more pressing problems to deal with” I responded. “Now let’s get our boat.”