It was nice to be back in Cathopia, being able to relax a little more and allow my body to fully recover from my battle with Cutter. The combination of attempting to purify the waters and an unexpected fight against Cutter had almost been too much for me.

It was after that fight I realised I had to train harder, perhaps even master the fused forms I had unlocked so far. The fusion with Larana and Mila. I had not expected the form of my swords to change with Mila, but a trident had been a perfect weapon to use in an underwater battle.

I also thought about the new ability which Raziel had taught me, to gather the energy around me to restore my own, something else I would need to master, and one of the most important I thought.

A few days after returning home, I had requested some training time, even though I was still on duty. Tigra happily agreed, excited to see what my fused forms could do as she had not seen me use them before, only heard about my first time with Larana from Ibiki.

Standing in the royal training grounds, I glanced over to Tigra sat down on a rock watching me. “So, which one will you show me first.”

I grinned. “Larana.” She appeared flying around me before disappearing into me. My body flashed a green, her fused armour appeared, my tunic being covered in what appeared to be leaves, in all different shapes and sizes, my shoulder pads, vambraces and leg braces were the same. Six wings solidified upon my back. I brought Raziel and Arata’s swords forward as their form changed into more wing shape than blade.

“Wow.” Tigra watched with amazement in her eyes. “You are amazing.”

I went a little bashful hearing Tigra’s words. “I’m not.” I simply lifted my hand and whipped up a small tornado. “In this form Larana’s elemental power is released ten times more than when using it normally, our two energies become one.” I explained.

“I see,” she nodded.

“Unfortunately, it also uses up more energy, the longer the form is maintained, mind saying that I haven’t really mastered this.” I admitted.

“Incorrect,” snorted Arata.

“These forms use less energy to use our power, but will strain the body of our master until they have mastered it,” continued Raziel. “Often feeling the same as when you over use our power.”

“Right, what he said,” I responded.

“There was nothing about this in those books we read,” mentioned Tigra.

“Perhaps it’s a power he wanted to keep a secret.” I blew the wind around Tigra with such accuracy, her hair blowing wildly. She just smiled. I held out my hand. “Want to go for a ride?”

“To fly?” She jumped to her feet and stepped closer.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“Sure.” Tigra came to stand in front of me.

“Now turn around.” I guided her to turn around, then wrapped my arms strongly around her. “Hope you can handle it.”

“I trust you,” she whispered. I spread my wings wider before taking off, straight up into the clouded sky. “Whoa.” Tigra gasped. Her breath catching in her throat.

I went even higher, above the clouds to where the sun was shining brightly. “Having fun yet?”

“Yes!” Tigra shouted her voice filled with excitement. “This is amazing.” She held out her arms, having complete faith in me, that I wouldn’t drop her.

Flying there in the skies with her, it was an amazing feeling as it was just the two of us, no one else could touch us all the way up here. I allowed myself to be absorbed in that moment, breathing in her scent, feeling her breathing against my chest.

I smiled, if only I could let this last forever, but I needed to train harder if I was to protect her and this world better. “Time to dive.” I flew upwards more, then flipped over and entered a dive.

I felt Tigra’s hands grab hold of mine, as we quickly descended, returning to the training grounds. We both spotted Link on one of his look out spots. He gave us a little wave.

When I landed, I let lose one heck of a storm, dust rushing up all around us. I felt Tigra turn around in my arms and we kissed.

Tigra gently pulled away as the dust settled. “Now show me the other one.”

“Alright.” Larana reappeared as the form faded away, then Mila fused with me without me saying a word. I smiled, feeling her power this time. I grabbed hold of the twin lion swords and they quickly fused together into a trident.

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“That is so cool.” Tigra’s eyes were big as she stared at me with such awe. “But strange how the swords have become a trident.”

“Right.” I agreed holding it higher, summoning bubbles of water, which danced around her. “But with their form in a trident I can use Arata’s lightning in water without shocking myself.”

“I see.” Tigra popped one of the bubbles, and it turned into rain.

“Watch this.” I summoned a few more bubbles around me, swiping them with the trident they changed, some I imbued with lightning, sparking with the extra current, and some with fire, which bubbled almost uncontrollably.

“What about wind?” she asked, interested in seeing more.

“Well.” I touched another one and a small underwater tornado appeared within it.

“Every element really is your playground.” She stared at me in admiration.

“I wouldn’t say every element,” I blushed at her comment.

“You are too modest.”

Dash suddenly appeared through the gates of the training grounds. “Awesome!” He cheered loudly.

“Dash.” I let the bubbles disperse and returned to normal, panting a little. Using both forms one after the other was a little ambitious but it showed me how much I could freely use them so far. “What can we do for you?”

“I brought this for you.” Dash pulled a book out of his pouch. “This is all the information written on the walls of the ruins that were destroyed.”

“Thank you.” I took it from him.

“He’s been working on that since you left,” informed Tigra. “Even while on Guardian duty.”

“Really.” I smiled.

“It was nothing really.” He rubbed his head. “I am just fulfilling my duties.”

“I thought I might find you here.” We all looked over to the entrance seeing King Alton. I smiled as I saw his light sparkling today. He came over proudly, then shrunk down to a whisper. “I finally lost Dumah.” He was grinning. I let out a sigh, now knowing where Tigra got her wondering off from. “Forgot what sneaking about feels like and I love it even now.”

“Dad.” Tigra smiled at her father’s childishness.

“I wanted to say great work for the other day Fang.” His attention was on me. “Daz was very happy to finally get her hands on her favourite fish.” He laughed.

“It was my pleasure your majesty.” I bowed. “How go the efforts to restore peace.”

“Difficult,” he answered honestly. “I have already done some terrible things, and if you fail to complete the destruction of the darkness, perhaps I’ll do even more harm.”

“Don’t say that,” snapped Tigra.

“He may be powerful, but even the hero can lose a battle or two,” said King Alton.

“He is right,” I agreed. “But I won’t fail, and I am no hero.”

“Modesty,” smiled King Alton, he then let out a sigh. “I best be off, duty calls.”

“More hiding,” commented Tigra, but King Alton did not respond, I suspected that it was a yes.

“Oh, one more thing Fang. I also expect you to do your best in creating peace, which also includes the duties of looking after my daughter and doing what she says.” Dash and I bowed.

“Of course.” I glanced at Tigra. “Whatever her highness commands, I must do.”

“Good answer.” He nodded and headed off, glancing both ways when leaving the training room. “I was never here.” He whispered to the guards.

I stood there wondering why he would show up here, just to say what he did, perhaps it was his own way to keep an eye on me. Then I guessed where he was going next, I knew Tigra better than she knew herself and with that, I knew she would sneak off to hang out with me, so her dad would be doing the same and visiting my dad Yamato, they were best friends after all.

“Never thought I’d see the King sneaking around,” commented Dash.

I shrugged. “Father like daughter.” Tigra snorted at my remark.

Dash smiled. “I best be off; I have more tasks to complete.”

“Oh, right.” I nodded as he ran off.

“You keep him way too busy,” commented Tigra.

“I have to have him do something, especially stuff that needs doing to protect you and this world.” I yawned. “I am done training for today, don’t want to overdo it then be unable to protect you.”

“Good thinking.” Arata had been the one to reply. “It isn’t good when we see our master faint from overusing our power.” He had said it with such sarcasm.

“Remember the technique I taught you,” commented Raziel.

“Oh yeah.” I thought about it. “Give me a second.” I closed my eyes taking in a deep breath, sensing the spots of light energy around me faster than the first time I did it. I quickly absorbed some and felt great again. “All done.” I opened my eyes again, smiling.

“What did you do?” Tigra gave me a weird look.

“Well, Raziel taught me a method able to restore any lost energy, so I can keep my energy high,” I answered, getting the words out a little muddled.

“A method to restoring your energy,” she repeated. “Interesting.” Then she gasped a little. “Wasn’t that in one of those books, saying how Fang had unlimited energy. Is that how he did it?”

“Yep, he could even execute it in battle,” I replied.

“Can you?” she questioned.

“Nope.” I wasn’t going to lie; I had only just learned how to do it.

“Come.” Tigra decided that was enough at the training grounds, well I admit I was done anyway. “I need to head back to my room; I am waiting to hear back from someone.”

“Who?” I asked curious.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” she grinned.

“What have you been doing in my absence?” I was keen to find out what had been happening while I was dealing with Cutter, but she was not giving anything away; I guess I would just be patient; she would tell me soon enough, just hoped it wasn’t anything too dangerous, my priority was to keep her safe. I knew she could handle herself in a battle, but I would prefer if she didn’t get hurt or dragged into too much conflict, but then again, she might have other ideas, and unfortunately, I could not refuse an order of any kind.