We were heading towards Anamothra escorted by elite warriors sent by the emperor, one went by the name Rockray, an ex-adventurer turned Champion, a Guardian equivalent warrior of the Avem Empire. Larana seemed to trust him, but I could not even after he mentioned about dad, by name.

We were being stalked from the moment they arrived by the energy released from a talisman, it was definitely not from Vali as he did not wield a talisman, perhaps it was someone who followed under him.

The city of Anamothra grew bigger as we approached, the size was immense, but from here I could only see the mountain it rested within and the enormous rock floating above it. I stared at it, seeing it change as smoke rose from within, cracks across the complete mountain, the glow of ancient crystals as it was pushed upwards by pressured volcanic lava.

I saw eyes glaring out from the lava, through the rocks being pulled apart, the sound of a chilling roar, a shiver going down my spine, then the beast settled, and I gazed upon the mountain as it is today.

I shook my head, understanding it was the past I had seen, the creation of this mountain formation was created by a sacred animal, what kind I don’t know but whatever it was it was extremely powerful to be able to move rock, perhaps it even still slept within those mountains.

Rockray led us up a side path carved into the mountain, for those who could not fly. I could sense the energy coming off the rocks, the path carved with the power of an earth talisman.

The path wrapped around the mountain. Tigra looked out across the land as we ascended, spotting Cathopia in the far distance, only noticeable by the tallest tower of the castle poking above the trees.

“This is amazing,” she mumbled to herself. I looked out, it was a beautiful view, didn’t often see this type of view apart from when I was flying.

I expected there to be a bridge going up to the massive floating rock, but there wasn’t. I heard the sound of horses, then I saw them standing there at the top, cared for by a Cyanistes caeruleus a member of the blue tit family. She wore light weight armour in blues and yellows to match her feathers, her wings proudly resting upon her back.

The horses she tended were not any ordinary horse, but Pegasus, magnificent white horses with stunning wings, these were sacred animals.

“Sacred animals,” I said allowed.

“Indeed,” acknowledged Rockray.

“But how, most Sacred animals…” I almost said what had happened to them. “Were all but wiped out in times long passed.”

“We have long been protected by the generation of emperors, but we did suffer the loss of many of our kin, safe here to grow and flourish,” explained one of the mares. “Just as before we bond with the Avis and live in harmony.”

“I see.” I was surprised to see a species such as them in the open, when the fairies still hid in fear of the darkness.

“Please board the carriage,” insisted Rockray, indicating towards a black and gold carriage with blacked out windows.

I led Tigra over and helped her inside. “Follow from outside, please.”

“Of course.” I nodded as Dash, Link and Zack went aboard too. I glanced back at Rockray. “I’ll be flying with you.”

“Don’t usually allow outsiders to fly around our mountains, but considering who you are I see no harm,” said Rockray, grinning. “Almost forgot you as a Feles that can fly.”

“Shame more don’t, quite fun,” I admitted as Larana’s wings appeared upon my back. “Shall we.”

“Right.” He nodded to the Cyanistes caeruleus who took flight first, the Pegasus pulling the carriage took a running start, straight off the edge of the mountain. I flinched and Rockray laughed.

We took after it next, seeing the massive rock above our heads that was Anamothra, following the Pegasus as it circled upwards around the rock formation.

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“Fly just as well as any of our kind,” commented an Avis.

“Just as good as Yamato,” smiled Rockray. I glanced at him, sure was an interesting individual. “Look.” He pointed downwards into the gap between the floating rock that was Anamothra and the mountain it once rested within.

Down below was a lush forest of green trees, the area filled with flying creatures, not just Pegasus, but dragons, griffins, Roc, Phoenix and so many more.

“How?” I looked at Rockray.

“Each emperor has a contract with the sacred animals, which is to keep them safe and secret, no outsider including the Avis kind are not allowed in the air space around or below the city, even the mountain is guarded, that is why all visitors must journey within the carriage,” informed Rockray.

“Have you ever been down there?” I asked.

“Well, I have, but no one without permission can enter or if they have a contract with one of the sacred animals, which happens during a festival,” explained Rockray. A few of the sacred animals flew up towards us, a griffin approaching and flying with us.

“Rockray.” It said, glancing at me, then spotted the winged lions flying not too far from me. “Winged lions.”

Raziel came closer to me. “This place is filled with so much light from the sacred animals, no darkness could ever corrupt this place.”

“Why are we here then?” I wondered. I would soon find out.

Flying higher I noticed that the area was filled with smaller rocks, floating around the heart of Anamothra, getting passed the rock level, I got to see the city for the first time. A place of trees and tall building, so many different levels each connected by the branches and roots from the trees.

There was a large market on today, filled with so many different species of Avis and other Animalia visiting, most probably all got the lift from the beautiful Pegasus’s, such a rare sight would be a tourist attracting point to start with.

I followed the carriage as it landed at a specific spot on the biggest island. I could see the Avem Empire grand palace from here, spreading out across one fourth of the main island, with hall walls all decorated in bright greens and reds, from above I had seen the gardens that covered the land within, only a single high tower at the heart with glass panels reflecting light from the sun in all directions.

I landed beside the carriage, opening the door for Tigra to step out. “Welcome to Anamothra, your highness,” I said.

“Wow.” Tigra gazed around at everything. “This place is beautiful.” She held a smile and seemed to relax a little more. “Weird flying in that with no windows.”

“And for good reason,” I responded. She didn’t ask any questions as I would tell her later.

“Please follow me,” said Rockray, ruffling his feathers after landing.

Being escorted through Anamothra drew quite a lot of attention, I think it was more from the presence of their Champion being with us. My ears twitched as I heard many of the residents talking amongst themselves.

“I heard rumours we would have a royal visitor from Cathopia.”

“Princess Tigra, the crowned heir.”

“Are those her Champions.”

“Is that a winged lion.”

I changed my mind, we were getting quite a lot of attention, but everyone seemed to handle it fine, well apart from Dash who was nervous; I noticed early on that he got nervous when it came to being in the spotlight, unfortunately that came with being a Guardian.

Tigra held her composure in front of the those around us, stopping to have a look, but I could tell she was excited about seeing Anamothra as her tail occasionally flickered.

Rockray led us straight to the palace, where we entered the gardens with ponds and oriental fish, shaped trees in the emperor’s image, he sure loved himself.

Grand doors decorated with sacred animals, most of which I had seen in the forests beneath the city, every door within the building was also decorated in this way, embellished in gold, some dedicated to specific sacred animals, perhaps the Avis even remembered the past of what had happened to the sacred animals as their souls were ripped from their bodies and placed within talismans.

The walls were decorated with fine painting of the scenery scene from up here, from Cathopia all the way to Desvulp, what a vantage point this city was, but the Avem Empire often kept to themselves, not wanting to melding in the affairs of others.

Grand plinths with giant vases on, stands with decorative swords upon them, this place so far grander than the castle at home, but Alton was never interested in showing stuff off.

Those who accompanied Rockray stopped at another big double doors with a flaming beast depicted upon it. Rockray knocked once then opened the door.

“Fang his majesty awaits inside.” I glanced back at the others, suspecting this meeting was only for us. Zack gave me a nod, taking a place beside the Avis warriors, Link and Dash followed his lead.

Tigra without a word headed inside the room, I followed after her, wondering what was going to happen beyond these doors.

“Ah, Fang, here at last.” Smirked Skyrus.