Madi returned six days later, sooner than I expected, but the Rattus were always known for their quick work. The Zerda had a request for a fresh supply of food as they had large shortages. The trade route between Cathopia and other cities had been destroyed due to the attacks from those mysteries assaults Madi mentioned.

I had been out preparing the horses, I had realised that the best animal to pull the cart was a camel, but we had no access or knowledge how to get one. Madi said it would have taken her longer to return if she had grabbed one while she was there. A little annoyed as it would have made this part easier.

Dash was actually on time, gathering whatever I asked him for and placing it in the cart. Zack was putting in the food supplies for the Zerda and us.

Link had arrived with Tigra who had managed to get the royal tent as requested. She was throwing the strange cube in her hand.

“You are so lucky I got hold of this one,” she commented.

“Why’s that?” I glanced at her for a second.

“Well to be honest, they only hand these out for official missions, you know those set by those at the academy or those set by my parents, so they said no.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “They said no to me of all Animalia.”

“So, how’d you get it?” I asked.

“I may or may not have taken it by force,” she shrugged.

“She knocked them out,” verified Link.

“You didn’t stop her,” I said.

“She’d done it within the blink of an eye,” he commented.

“Tigra.” I shook my head.

“What? I got what you wanted.” She threw it in my direction. “Plus, this mission is very important to me, if I am to be queen one day then I need to restore what the darkness has made father destroy. We must restore the legacy of Fang.” She went to sit on the cart, which was a seat for one, the rest of us would be walking. “And what better Animalia to restore it with than a Fang.” I smirked at her comment.

“Alright, I’ll let you off.” I shouldn’t have really been surprised.

“And so you know, this tent comes with a stable.” She took hold of the reins.

“You did good.” I couldn’t say anything else than that.

“Fang.” She gazed at me. “You don’t mind if and when I become queen.”

“Huh.” I looked at her confused, catching a glimpse of the others, also confused by her question. “I have no say in that matter, but if you’re worried about losing me as a friend, you’ve nothing to worry about. I will walk this world with you, no matter what title you have, I will always be your Guardian.” I finished prepping the horses. “Now let’s move out, we have a long way to go.”

Tigra gently whipped the reins, and we were off. I continued to feel an excitement about this mission. I hadn’t been out on a mission before with my new team. For a moment a sense of dread came over me, could I protect them from the darkness.

Raziel rubbed himself against me. “Do not doubt your power master.” I looked down at him. “You have defeated Cutter, during this battle you have come to accept the anger you felt towards those who took your friends lives, realising the affect it has on our synchronisation.”

“Did Fang ever suffer from losing synchronisation?” I questioned.

“He was the one who discovered this connection, understanding it more than anyone else,” responded Raziel. “Only once did he lose his temper, his anger so great he lost all his power for quite some time.”

“What caused his anger?” I glanced over at Tigra.

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“The loss of so many lives, including those of his closest friends and those of many sacred animals.” Raziel sighed. “Anger is what the darkness feeds upon the most, hatred, greed, negative emotions it can exploit, you must be more careful with these emotions in the future master.”

“I understand,” I nodded.

Larana appeared on my shoulder. “Did you know the most powerful emotion for a talismans connection is love.” She giggled as she said it. I glanced at her. “Your heart master is filled to the brim with your love for Tigra, focus on that if you ever fall to your anger again.” She tenderly whispered those words into my ear, so the others couldn’t hear.

“I will.” I took in a deep breath, taking in Tigra’s scent on the wind.

Zack came to walk beside me. “Link told me what happened at Dagan,” he started. “Quite the challenge to face after what they did to Ibiki and the others.”

“Yeah. I nearly lost, but my talismans guided me back on track,” I responded.

“I want you to know I will serve you best I can, just as my father had helped yours in the past.” Zack bowed his head a little. “I was told many tales the darkness takes upon its destructive path. I believe the world is at a pinnacle of the balance, only you can restore it.”

“Perhaps I can,” I chuckled. “I wish so many Animalia would stop putting so much faith in me.”

“You my friend need to have more faith in yourself,” commented Zack.

“He’s right,” agreed Dash. “You are awesome.” He grinned happily.

“Dash, you have a job to do, scout ahead to spot any potential danger,” I ordered.

“Understood,” he nodded and shot off.

“You worry too much,” said Tigra. “Madi said she had this path covered, that she would even meet us at the edge of the Panthera borders, after all none of us have been to the desert before.”

“Alright, if she said so,” I shrugged.

We headed across the green fairy bridge, heading south west through Cathopia, in this direction you could always get a glimpse of the jagged mountains, another place I have always wanted to visit. Tigra said it was Smilodon territory and only they had access to the crystal caves there, shame, but still worth exploring, unfortunately that would have to wait for another day, we had a date to keep with the Zerda.

Tigra breathed in the fresh air, sighing loudly, we all looked at her silently, trying to decide whether or not to say something, then she spoke. “Don’t you think it’s strange how the air away from the city smells so much purer.”

“I suppose it does,” agreed Zack.

I looked around understanding why she would feel that way, out here away from the city, where Dumah had focused the main forces carrying and spreading his dark power, out here within the forests the darkness was a thin mist, to be honest it made me feel more relaxed.

It took two days for us to reach the desert, if we hadn’t the stuff on the cart, we would have arrived sooner. It then occurred to me, why hadn’t we all just gotten horses, a mistake on my part, just hoped the others didn’t notice.

Arriving at the edge of Panthera borders where everything just suddenly changed, where the life fullness of the forest met the edge of the barren desert. I could already feel the heat increasing, how was this natural phenomenon even possible.

“At last, you have made it.” Madi jumped down from a nearby tree.

“Madi,” smiled Tigra. “Just you today?”

“The least of us here the better I believe,” acknowledged Madi to her question. “The other Rattus Warriors are on other important missions.”

“I’d like to have a word with you about that,” I mentioned. “But later.” She nodded. “Please lead the way, Madi.”

“We will have to wait till nightfall, as you know during the day the desert is most unforgiving and those who do not live here struggle to know its dangers.”

“I understand,” I acknowledged her advice and advised everyone to take a little nap, before we continued. Tigra decided she would snooze closest to me as I leaned against a tree, staring out across the desert, what awaited beneath the sands I wondered. Glancing down at Tigra who curled up with her back against me.

I looked around to see the others relaxing with Madi on guard. I was surprised no one had commented on Tigra being so close, but they all knew we were best friends, she felt safest with me.

I closed my eyes for a moment, hoping perhaps my clairvoyance would perhaps show me something. I saw a faint outline of a giant scorpion come into view. Taking in a deep breath, trying to control it. The vision becoming a little clearer, to show me Scorlax riding upon its back, as he caused destruction to the Zerda city and commanded a small army of unnaturally big sized scorpions.

I opened my eyes, gasping. I quickly caught the attention of everyone. I turned away worry quickly seeping into my mind, if it was indeed Scorlax and scorpions, we would have to be very careful, if a single one got stung, would I have the power to heal them, would they die on this mission.

I felt a nudge, looking down I saw Tigra, looking up at me. “Stop worrying.” Her gaze was gentle and soothed my mind. “You’ve got this, have faith in your power.”

I smiled. “I will.” She always seemed to know the right words to say to me, she really was my soul mate, if only I could share it with the world.