I stood in the throne room, having been summoned by Alton, dad stood proudly beside his friend, and strangely there was no sign of Dumah. I hadn’t seen him since I had that little fight with him in Desvulp.

The throne room was crystal clear of any dark mist, dealing with each of Dumah’s underlings had even begun to have a positive impact on the city, which made all those hard battles worth it.

“We’ve called you on a serious matter Alex.” Alton started, but then yawned, was he tired?

“The empire of Anamothra has accused Cathopia of kidnapping their crown heir.” Dad got straight to the point.

“Kidnapped?” I wanted verification.

“Apparently there have been signs that a Feles with brown fur took the crowned princess, Emperor Skyrus wants to start a war over this.” Dad seemed concerned, but he was completely relaxed about what was happening.

“Why would we kidnap a princess, we already have one,” I commented.

Alton smirked, wanting to laugh at my comment but coughed instead. “Listen Alex, to prevent a war between our two kingdoms, I have offered to…” He didn’t want to say it.

“It will be dangerous, perhaps putting you and Tigra in danger, but we have no other choice,” said dad.

“What?” I wanted to know already.

“As proof we did not kidnap their princess, they want Tigra to be within their custody until we find theirs.” Alton grimaced at the thought. “How can that bird brain even think anyone from our city would touch their princess.”

“Unfortunately, Emperor Skyrus has become paranoid due to being inflicted with dark energy,” informed dad. “A clan member who was stationed their informed me about the increased mist there. I suspect there maybe dark crystals involved, if they have been planted within the floating rock the main city presides then everyone there could end up like those within the crystal caves.”

“And you want me to deal with it,” I said.

“In a way yes, but you won’t be able to leave until the crowned princess is found,” mentioned Alton, getting to his feet. “The darkness may have infected many, you and Tigra may even have targets set upon your back the moment you enter their walls, every diligence must be taken. I’ve managed to agree on the terms that all her Guardians will be presence during her time there.” He snarled. “I would deal with this personally, but I cannot…” He stumbled.

Dad caught hold of him, the two of them gazing at one another in a moment of silence, I wondered if I should have said something but remained quiet, then dad dumped him back onto his throne.

“I tried to warn you, this is what you get for not listening to me,” began dad, his full attention now on Alton.

“I was doing what I thought was best for the kingdom,” responded Alton.

“You should have kicked that worm out the moment he appeared within the city,” snapped dad.

“He is a Leo, not a worm get the species right.” Alton snarled a little. “And I told you I had a plan.”

“A really bad one,” remarked dad. “All your plans always ended up with some sort of consequence.”

“Not always,” he snarled again.

They were arguing, this was something new, never seen either of them act like this towards one another, but I had not seen them together all that much lately, was this what they were really like, suppose they were best friends after all, each looking out for the other.

“Do I have to bring up that incident again,” said dad.

“I would rather you didn’t.” They seemed to both raise their voices slightly, just for added affect. Alton began coughing again.

“Alton.” Dad’s expression went to one of concern and his raised voice quietened. “You may be recovering from his influence, but this illness is a side effect of your long exposer.”

“You don’t have to say it. I brought this upon myself, I made that choice even though you told me not to. I’ve seen what the darkness does to Animalia, and I know even now you’ve protected me with your light,” said Alton.

“Even my light cannot protect you forever,” said dad.

“Is there something we can do to help,” I asked. “Surely we can.”

Dad brought his hand up to his chin, thinking about it. Alton gazed between the two of us, waiting patiently for a response, he then looked at me.

“Can you hear him too?” he asked. I gave him a huh look. “You can, can’t you.” Dad simply nodded to his question. “Must be confusing having someone else in your head.”

“Question, where is Dumah?” I asked, ignoring the fact that he knew about a warrior of Fang’s ability to communicate with Fang.

“No idea, haven’t seen him in the last few days, planning something probably or trying to bring more back up to corrupt my very core.” Alton seemed to be treating this as a joke.

“There is a way, but it’ll be painful,” mentioned dad.

“You can handle pain,” joked Alton.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“No, painful for you.” Dad looked at him. “It takes two high ranking members of the Fang clan, but we can’t do it here,” he sighed. “We’ll go there.”

“Oh, haven’t been there in a while,” grinned Alton.

“Where?” I spoke as the room flashed and we were suddenly in a white space.

Alton jumped to his feet, glancing at dad. “You sure me being here isn’t going to harm your sacred space?”

“No, your infection isn’t that serious, well not anymore,” commented dad.

“Sacred space?” I repeated looking around. It was the exact place I had met Fang for the first time.

“A warrior of Fang has a sacred space which is where we often converse with Fang.” He looked around. “Who isn’t here right now, I was hoping he would show me how this was done.”

“Wait.” Alton was looking around, then looked at dad. “You’ve unlocked a new power; this space has an electrical charge that wasn’t here before.” I thought oh crap.

“I wasn’t going to tell you to prevent your overly curious nature, but…” Dad glanced at me. “Zekon controls lightning now.”

“That is awesome.” He was in dad’s face in a second with a hundred questions. “When did that happen? Does Zekon have a new form with this new element? Do you think you’ll unlock his other lost elements? How powerful are his lightning abilities does it compare to when you used the black winged lion of lightning Arata? Does Zekon’s belly have three colours on it instead of two now?” Dad let out a sigh. “How about your fused armour, is that different too like when you change between wind and fire?”

“Is this really the king?” I was again surprised by how he acted.

“He has always been like that, even when he took the throne, only the darkness changes this side of him,” mentioned dad.

I glanced around realising I had no connection with my talismans here. “Dad.”

“That’s normal.” He instantly knew what I was on about.

“Sorry I am late.” Fang’s form manifested, he seemed somewhat dazed. “I had something to take care of.”

“Your dead,” I commented.

“There are even things to do beyond life, young Alex,” responded Fang. He walked straight over to Alton. “Your Majesty.” He bowed.

“Been a while, Your Majesty.” Alton bowed back.

“Fang’s no king,” I said.

“Actually, Cathopia once had two kings, my ancestors and yours,” mentioned Alton. “But dark times put a stop to that shared relationship.”

“I’m a prince,” I said. “And I am dating a princess.”

“Perfect, right.” Alton grinned. “The Fang’s can one day again be kings.”

“Alton.” Dad nudged him.

“Always scheming as always, but your latest one has taken quite the toll on you,” said Fang, placing his hand on Alton’s chest. “This time your core has taken some damage.”

“Is it serious?” asked dad.

“Nothing we can’t remedy,” said Fang. “We… You two will be placing a light seal around his core, to prevent anymore dark energy from reaching it, in turn it will heal on its own protecting it from any more exposure.” Fang shook his head. “Any longer and the damage would have killed you, like it almost did last time. I’ve told you before talk to Yamato before doing anything on your own against the darkness.”

“I just wanted to protect everyone,” admitted Alton.

“Your will of protection is just as strong as anyone who carries my power, but like most warriors, you keep forgetting you do not fight alone.” Fang was so full of knowledge, well what did you expect for a Feles who spirit, soul, energy, whatever you want to call him, being around for so long.

“How are we going to do that exactly?” I asked.

“Ah, Alex, come on closer.” Fang lifted his hand and a table appeared. “Alton lay down, this will be rough on you.” Alton did as he was told and laid down; Fang had us stand on opposite sides of the table. “I can no longer perform this myself due to me, well you know, but this works far better when you have a strong connection with someone.” Dad said nothing simply listened, so did I. “Place your hands over Alton, allow your power of light to flow through your bodies, to your hands, then down into Alton.”

“Understood,” nodded dad, doing as instructed, I quickly followed.

“This much light energy will be quite tense, just hang in there Alton,” said Fang as our two lights folded down like a blanket over Alton.

“Nope, don’t feel a thing,” he winced, obviously already in great discomfort.

“Now the tricky part, you need to spread your lights deeper within Alton, allow it to naturally form within him, reaching out to touch his core,” informed Fang. “You’ll sense it much like you do a talisman.”

I focused on Alton laying there, his body letting off a thin mist of what darkness was left inflicting him. I could sense within him, no natural abilities or capability to connect with a talisman, but he had still managed to keep up with the same skill level as dad, he was truly an amazing Animalia.

There within him was his core, damaged with an essence of darkness still clinging to it. I felt dad instantly increase the power of light he was sending into Alton, the moment he noticed it. I heard Alton yelp, then he bit his lip. The darkness was quickly cleared away, to reveal the damage.

“Now create a sphere of your light around the core,” instructed Fang. “Visualise it taking form, but you also need to reach out and connect with each other’s energy, you are father and son so the two will be compatible making it stronger.”

I could sense dad’s energy coming into contact with mine. I was picking up on his urgency as together we created the seal that would protect his core from being destroy by the darkness if he came into such close contact with it again.

Alton relaxed more, letting a sigh out. “Sorry for making you worry, Yamato.”

“Would you listen to me from now on,” snarled dad.

“Most probably not,” he grinned.

Fang touched Alton shoulder. “Time to rest my friend, while their light heals the damage done.”

“Okay.” Alton nodded, not even arguing with him.

“He can stay here with me for a while, you two have a lot of work to do, he will make his move soon,” said Fang.

“Alright, come on Alex,” said dad.

“Coming,” I responded even though I had no idea how to leave this place, but just as I thought those words, I found myself standing back in the throne room next to dad, with Alton who seemed to have fallen asleep on his throne. “Will he be okay in there?”

“Under Fang’s watch yes, and no Dumah within the city, the final struggles approach and hopefully we’ll rid the world of this chapter’s darkness,” replied dad.

“But it always comes back,” I said.

“And our clan will always chase it away again, but I am hoping for a much longer fix than just a few years,” commented dad.

“Almost forget you had to deal with some big stuff relating to the eternal dragon,” I said.

“Each Warrior of Fang has had their struggles and continued to do so throughout their lives, before me there had not been a Warrior of Fang for a number of generation, so I can understand why it has gotten as bad as it has, but we’ll soon sort that.” Dad grinned. “Report back to Tigra what we discussed, you’ll be leaving the city for quite some time I suspect, be careful out there and protect her.”

“I will with my life,” I responded.