I awoke with Tigra still in my arms, this was nice. I wish I didn’t have to let go. I kissed her head, as she stirred, opening her eyes, and gazing fondly back at me.

“Thank you,” I said.

“I will always chase away your nightmares, you only need to ask,” she smiled, bringing her face to mine. “I need my Guardian at his strongest.”

I brought my hand to her cheek. “And I have to stay close to my princess.” We kissed, pulling each other closer.

There was a knock at the door. Tigra went to pull away, but I held her for a second longer, taking in her scent and this moment, before releasing her, she dashed over to her side to get changed, while I went to answer the door.

“Guardian Fang.” It was the elder.

“How can I help you Elder Audun?” I questioned.

“Is her highness up?” he asked.

I glanced over in her direction, where she was slipping her dress over her head, my sight lingered there for a few seconds before looking back at him and responding. “She isn’t quite ready for visitors this morning.”

“I see.” He seemed disappointed.

“Oh Fang, let him in.” Tigra came over, she was ready. “And go put your uniform on.” She ordered. I bowed my head, then went over to the changing screen. “Come in Elder Audun.” Tigra opened the door wide, and they both went to sit down. While I changed, I could only listen. “What can I do for you this morning?”

“I saw the work Fang carried out on the home on the edge of the city, he is a very talented warrior,” began Elder Audun.

“Indeed, he is,” agreed Tigra.

“I would appreciate if he could continue his work on the other homes,” he requested.

“I would be honoured,” I answered, coming over, where I used Raziel to heat up the pot of cold tea on the table, then poured into Tigra’s cup and his. Then I took my position of standing behind her.

“You would,” he smiled, drinking the tea. “That is splendid.”

“I told you; I have come to help in any way possible during my few days of staying here, perhaps even more visits will be required in the future, but for this one, I would like to gain the trust of you and your people,” said Tigra.

“Fantastic,” he grinned.

“When will your king be returning?” I asked, as I had not seen him. I found it strange how the king of Desvulp would fail to appear during a visit from the heir to Cathopia’s throne, even Hunter would find that quite odd.

“Do not worry, he will return long before you depart from our city,” responded Elder Audun, getting to his feet. “I will humbly expect you to come to the building where we first conversed tomorrow afternoon.”

“I will be there,” she nodded.

“Alright,” he bowed, quickly leaving the room, smiling as he closed the door behind him.

“I smell a rat,” I snarled.

“Alex.” Tigra was surprised by my remark. “Do you see darkness around him?”

“Not enough to be concern about,” I admitted, looking back out of the window. “Not much of it anywhere considering the attacks they’ve been getting.”

“Relax, would you,” she remarked.

“Relax.” I shook my head. “With you, my job is not to relax.”

Tigra looked at me, realising I was suddenly on edge. “Alex, please.”

“Don’t you find it the littlest bit weird that the king of Desvulp has not greeted you personally, heir to the throne of Cathopia, your father would not have any contact with anyone but him,” I said.

“Well, I am not my father,” she huffed. “Go fix some houses.” She snapped, turning her back.

I walked towards the window, rather than the door, before jumping she spoke one more time. “I know what I am doing, Alex, trust me.”

“I always trust you Tigra.” I left her, summoning Larana’s wings and heading to the Zerda family from yesterday, where many families stared at their repaired home with amazement.

“Fang.” The young girl greeted me with a hug, the moment I landed. The other Zerda quickly circled around me. “Please help them too.”

“That’s what I am here to do, but I will need all your helps to do so,” I smiled, thinking the others could watch Tigra.

I began to issue orders to the Zerda; I had three teams. Team one gathered the necessary materials for me to craft the bricks. Team two would repair the buildings with the bricks and team three made sure everyone stayed hydrated and fed, it was hard work after all.

The first batch of bricks, they all watched in amazement at the control I held over my talismans, even surprised myself to be honest. The moulding with Mila and the drying with Raziel. It wasn’t long before I had a system going and everyone was hard working as we worked through one home after another.

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I also used this opportunity to practise the technique that Raziel had taught me, to gather the energy around me to restore my own, this wasn’t a battle and most of the time I was standing still; it was tricky focusing on three things at once, but with some Larana guidance I soon had it down, no need to worry about overusing my power.

Zack came to check up on me, astonished at how much I had already done. “You work fast.”

“It helps to have a good team,” I responded.

“You fall out with her highness, this morning?” he asked.

“Just a little disagreement,” I answered. “Did she send you.”

“Just to see how you’re doing,” he admitted.

“About fifteen done, might get thirty by the end of the day,” I mentioned.

“Good to hear,” he nodded.

“Just tell her, I’ll see her later.” I went back to focusing on what I was doing, getting a little annoyed again, Tigra should know to trust my instincts by now, all I wanted to do was protect her, how could I do that if she didn’t trust my judgement. Seeing he wasn’t really going to get anything else out of me, Zack soon left.

By the end of the day, we had completed thirty-two homes. Everyone was exhausted, but in high spirits. “Get a good night’s rest, we’ll continue this tomorrow.”

I returned to our current residence; Link was on guard duty tonight. I gave him a nod as I entered my room, to see Tigra sat waiting for me, she was in her night wear so obviously have planned to go to sleep but decided to wait for me.

She came straight over to me. “I’m sorry Alex.” Hugging me.

“Tigra.” I was surprised.

“All you do is look out for me. I don’t really have a clue what I am doing here, what if something was to go wrong here, an attack, a failure to connect with this place.” She was laying out her emotions right in front of me. “I can’t do this without you or the others, you’re the one working with the people.”

“Shut up,” I said, she stared stunned at me. “You have nothing to worry about, follow that huge heart of yours and I will follow, no matter where it leads. Now get some rest, tomorrow will be another busy day.” She smiled, clinging to my arm as I headed to my side of the room, quickly realising she wasn’t going to leave me, I didn’t mind.

-

The next morning, I woke with a jump, I had been struck down by that deadly attack from that Draco. Tigra was right there to settle down my racing heart.

I thought I could go alone to start repairing the homes, but Tigra joined me, even helped. It was a fast start and some of the Zerda had already collected huge piles of the raw materials I needed.

As I worked, I kept an eye on the suns position, waiting for the afternoon when we would meet up with Elder Audun in the main building. I let out a little laugh, for a city this size, with a king, that had no palace or mansion, still seemed odd to me.

Finishing the day’s work, Tigra and I got washed up first before heading to the building the elder told us to meet him, he was waiting outside and I was accompanied by all my fellow Guardians, I just had this bad feeling I couldn’t shake.

“Well, your highness,” he bowed with a smile. “Please come in King Kahli is waiting for you.”

“His Majesty.” Tigra beamed, walking faster towards the doors.

“Not you.” Elder Audun stood in front of me. “This is a private meeting.”

“I am to be with Princess Tigra at all times, as is consented to my contract as her Guardian,” I snapped.

“King Kahli is very shy, and wants to only see her highness,” responded Elder Audun.

“I…”

“It’ll be fine Fang.” Tigra didn’t let me finish. “You stay here with the others. I trust you will see any danger before it happens,” she smiled.

“As you wish,” I lowered my head, then turned to stand guard by the doors with the others, I did not like this one bit, I didn’t like being away from her, it was a little different when I was on missions as Dash and Zack were there in my stead, but right now, she was heading in there alone. I glanced back, watching her go through those doors.

My tail was flickering with anticipation, the sooner Tigra finished her meeting the better. I shot a glance at the others, all stood at attention. The Animalia of the city stared at us as they passed.

I let out a grumble, knowing it had only been a few minutes, but waiting always felt longer than it actually was.

I stumbled back a little as my mind flashed, seeing a giant scorpion smashed down the wall, swiping to grab hold of Tigra.

I turned on my heel, pushing past the two guards by the door, hearing the footsteps of the others as they followed behind me.

I blew open the doors as the wall at the back was smashed open, a giant scorpion with Scorlax riding upon his back, the claws swiping as Tigra looked at it with surprise, shock.

“Tigra!” I shouted, Larana’s fused armour taking form as I dashed forward, drawing Raziel’s sword. I boosted my speed, standing between her and the scorpion within a second. I swiped my sword, cleaving off the scorpion’s claw, its blood squirting out, splattering here and there.

“Damn you, Fang!” shouted Scorlax as the scorpion sharply turned, burring under the sands to get away. I lifted my hand, hitting him with a single concentration of wind, marking him with Larana’s power.

I relaxed a little as I felt Tigra’s hand touch my back. “Thank you, Fang.”

I glanced back at her. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, then I saw a glimpse of anger fill her eyes, a spark of lightning shot off in the direction of Elder Audun. “You.” She let out a low grumble.

“Please, your highness, this was not my doing,” he pleaded.

“Lier!” More sparks being let off in his direction. He cowered back. “The reason you have no fear of the attacks is because you would trade my life. I came to help you, and this is how I am treated.” Her anger was growing.

I put my arm up in front of her. “Please Tigra, calm down.”

“But… he,” she stuttered.

“I know,” I said soothingly. “But he will indeed suffer the wrath of King Alton, when I inform him of what happened here.”

“King Alton.” He shuddered when I mentioned the name.

“I may be her highness’s Guardian, but I am also on good terms with the king, along with him being best friends with my dad, Yamato Fang.” I informed.

“No,” he shook his head.

“Dash tie him up.” Dash quickly did as I told him. “Arata, please stay with Tigra.”

“As you wish,” he manifested, standing beside Tigra.

“Don’t you need him?” questioned Tigra.

“I can still use his power, even if his physical form is not present,” I mentioned. “Now we’re going scorpion hunting,” I grinned.

“He went under the sand,” commented Link.

I smiled with excitement. “I placed a little portion of Larana’s power upon him as a tracker. Now let’s move out.”

“Please be careful,” said Tigra concerned.

“We’ll be fine, back before you know it, right guys,” I said.

“Right,” they all responded in unison.

Unlike against Cutter, where I fought alone, this time I would be fighting alongside the best in all Cathopia, Scorlax wouldn’t stand a chance and another one spreading the darkness would be removed from this world.