With Tigra’s blessing I set out for the home of the Smilodon, those who governed over the lightning crystal caves, the only species who were able to enter the caves to excavate the crystals within, rumour had it each crystal cave had a guardian of sorts and they had favourites among Animalia and would cause harm, illness or even death to those they did not want there.

This particular crystal cave was quite close to Cathopia, within the Jagged Mountains, only a single-entry point, which only the Smilodon’s knew about, so my first point of contact was with their village.

I had tried to prevent Tigra from sending anyone out with me, but she was adamant that I take Dash, she then opened the balcony window and summoned Link over, telling him how they were going to hang out for a few days. Link’s expression was a confused and uncomfortable one, he did not do well socialising with others and had very little conversation time with Tigra; she smiled. “Gives me some bonding time with Link.”

I sighed glancing at Dash who was excited to be coming with me. I wasn’t too concerned as Hashana always seemed the weakest of Dumah’s little squad, she had been the last to be brought back into this world, but if Dumah could get stronger than surely the same could be applied to her, especially if she had the same concentrated dark crystal.

“Is Link really okay spending that much time with Princess Tigra, he doesn’t exactly talk much but she does ask an awful lot of questions,” said Dash.

“He’ll be fine, was going to happen at some point, right?” I glanced at him, and we both let out a little laugh. As long as she didn’t find out his little secret everything would be fine. “According to the map I received from Madi, it would be best to enter from the furthest point, from the opposite direction from Cathopia.”

“Why? That would take twice as long to reach,” said Dash.

“Most of Hashana’s wolves and underlings are this side, ready to spot anyone coming from Cathopia, but the other side has very few Animalia travel through, except those who are travelling to village for trading purposes.”

“Oh, okay,” he nodded. He was not one for thinking ahead, but I guess that was what made many underestimate his abilities.

-

As planned we headed over to the far side of the Jagged Mountains avoiding all the hot spots where Hashana kept her look outs, all thanks to Madi and the Rattus Warriors amazing skill in recognisance we were not spotted.

Making it there safely, Dash and I approached low, hiding our presence within the long grasses at the edge of the village. I also dispersed our scents to prevent the wolves patrolling the village from noticing us.

The village was pretty basic, tall huts constructed from dried grasses and wood from the forests, some were damage, even completely destroyed. Hashana showed them no mercy. I noticed the darkness spreading through the village like a mist, slowly corrupting this peaceful village.

“What’s the plan?” questioned Dash, spotting a young Smilodon coming out of a hut to collect water from the well at the centre, her eyes were filled with fear, flinching at the growl of a wolf.

“We need to deal with those on lookout around the edge of the village, then the wolves on patrol, taking the village back will be the first step, then the Smilodon can lead us to the crystal cave,” I replied.

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“But how will you enter the crystal caves, only Smilodon can enter,” commented Dash.

“There is a way,” mentioned Raziel. “But we’ll get to that later.”

“Dash, I want you to wait for my signal before taking out the wolves,” I said. “I am going to take out the lookouts.” I sniffed the air, picking up their scents, all the same, first clones I had seen for a while, why make more when you already have your masterpieces.

“Most probably created from the lightning crystals,” said Larana.

“Is that possible?” I verified.

“With enough high-quality crystals, yes,” responded Larana.

“Time for me to move.” I moved away from Dash, making my way through the trees, climbing up one, so I could see the lookouts a little clearer, the weren’t even hiding.

I took in a breath, sending out Larana’s winds to find all of their locations; there were six of them all lining the village.

“This will be easy.” I heard Larana.

I lifted my hand, summoning a few blades of wind, a downsized version of Wind Cutter, aimed and ready, I struck each one down, them falling from the trees was Dash’s signal to take down the wolves. I heard a few whimpers, and it was over, that was the easy part.

I joined Dash at the heart of the village seeing little faces looking out from the hut doors, the first thing I realised is that most were cubs.

“Fang where are all the adults?” asked Dash.

“Most probably collecting the lightning crystals and planting the dark crystals,” I replied. I knelt down low. “We are here to help, my name is Fang, and this is Dash, we are here in the name of her highness, Princess Tigra.” I heard mumbling before one of the older cubs came out, a few years younger than Dash if I had to guess.

“You’re here to help?” he asked.

“I am,” I nodded. “What is your name?”

“Beck,” he replied.

“Can you tell me what happened here?” I questioned.

“It was during the late hours of the night when a pack of rouge wolves came into the village, the attacked everyone, wounding the elders and those not fast enough to get out of the way,” began Beck. “Then a Lupus arrived, commanding the wolves to stop, she commanded everyone to the caves, even taking Gina and Furina as hostages.” Beck gazed at me. “Furina is very special, she is capable of drawing out the biggest crystals within the caves, the sign of out guardian in the form of a birthmark.”

“Shush.” Hushed some of the others unsure of my intention in the village, who knew if I was here to trick them in the name of their attacker.

“He is accompanied by a winged lion.” Beck glanced at Raziel sat behind me. “Can you save them, please.”

“Is there anything else you can tell me?” I asked.

“They often come to collect some of us to work in the caves, but no one is ever brought back,” mentioned Beck. His words confirmed that some may have already lost their lives planting the dark crystals, I needed to hurry.

“I’ll free you of your wolf problem,” I said getting to my feet as a few more of the children came out of hiding. “Dash, I want you to stay within the village, to protect them from any other unwanted guests.”

“You can’t do it alone,” said Dash, not happy with my order.

“We can’t have her using any more Smilodon’s as hostages,” I said, glancing back at him. “That is an order.” I added.

“Alright but contact me if you need help.” Dash swayed from side to side, suddenly nervous.

“I know you can do it Dash, otherwise you wouldn’t have been chosen to be Tigra’s Guardian,” I encouraged.

“I know, just not done this on my own before,” he admitted.

“They’ll look after you,” I joked trying to lighten his mood. I stood up. “Beck, can you lead me to the caves please.”

“Of course,” he nodded, leading the way even though the others tried to stop him. We were outsiders they had no reason to trust us, but I was still determined to help them, especially against the darkness.a