I had spent the night watching over those inflicted by the darkness, wanting to see if my light crystal could cure any of them, but the darkness still gripped so tightly to their souls, the only cure, the destruction of Vali and his dark crystal.

I arrived at Tigra’s room before she had even awakened. Zack glanced over his book, gazing at me. He always read on duty; bet he got through a lot of books.

“Morning,” he said.

“Her highness awake yet?” I asked.

Zack’s ears moved right and left, then he nodded. “Yes, seems she been up for some time.”

“I’ll take it from here,” I added. Zack closed his book and headed for bed.

I knocked on the door, before entering. She was sat on a chair having a drink, smiling when she saw me.

“So, where do we start?” She asked.

“I need information from Rockray,” I mentioned.

It wasn’t too long before he made an appearance. I gave him the name of the guard who was the last to be infected. He had a family who lived on one of the higher islands and was more than happy to take me but was surprised when I said Tigra was coming.

“Surely she would be safer here,” he argued.

“Do you not think I am capable of looking after myself,” she snorted.

“Of course not, your highness.” Rockray bowed, apologising.

“Right then, let’s go.” She held out her hand a little. “I will be riding Raziel.” He strode over to her and put his head against her hand.

“Not often do sacred animals take likings to those that they are not bonded with,” commented Rockray.

“She will one day be queen of Cathopia,” responded Raziel. “A beckon of light for every Animalia and sacred animals alike.” Tigra climbed upon his back.

“Shall we go,” she smiled as Raziel began walking first for the door. I dashed forward to open it.

“Wait, you don’t know where you’re going,” called Rockray.

“Get a move on then,” responded Tigra.

I shrugged. “Royalty.” And went after her.

As soon as we were outside, we all took flight, following after Rockray as he headed towards one of the many islands floating amongst the skies that was all around Anamothra. Rockray took the lead, showing us the way we needed to take.

Flying higher than the mainland of Anamothra, I felt a calmness, seeing hundreds of Avis flying amongst the clouds. I spotted where we were going.

Tigra was looking around amazed, she had no need to watch where she was going, riding upon Raziel’s back.

“Here we are.” Rockray landed first. I followed next seeing that the small island had several little houses on it, each one also had a small garden with plants I had never seen before, obviously designed for these heights. I had also noticed that the air up here was thinner, but still, plenty of oxygen to breathe, nothing for me to worry about.

Rockray rushed over to one house with a busted in door, talon marks around the frame. I dashed forward too. What we found inside was completely destroyed, furniture thrown across the room, talon marks across the walls and blood.

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“What happened here?” Tigra stood at the door with her hand over her mouth.

I examined the entire room seeing a thin mist of dark energy, the crystal had been here, had turned who ever lived here mad.

“This is madness,” said Rockray.

“No, this is what the darkness does,” I responded. I then closed my eyes, drawing in energy around me, clearing my mind and allowing the events of what happened here to appear before me. My control had improved, I trusted it so much more than I had when I first developed this power, I understood the fear mum had for this, but I could not fear this precious gift.

I saw a female Avis of Aquila, eagle heritage, she had a pendent around her neck, glowing with dark energy as it circled around her, slowly eating away at her body and mind like a virus. It was obvious she had not had the condensed crystal for long, but it held more energy than it had when I felt it within the princess’s room, it was growing stronger with each new victim it claimed.

The Avis was aggressive and irritable towards her mate, snapping at him, her eyes glazing over as the darkness grew and she proceeded to kill her mate, attacking furiously until he drew breath no longer. I found it hard to watch as she threw the furniture at him, slashed at him with her sharp talons, he didn’t even fight back.

Once she had finished, she picked up his beaten body, carried it outside and flew skywards, directly up to the light of the sun.

I found myself standing outside staring up at the skies high above us. Where she went after that I did not know, I couldn’t sense the dark crystal or any darkness for that matter.

“Fang.” Tigra came beside me. “What did you see?”

“She was inflicted by the dark crystal.” I touched my head wanting to shake off the images of her killing her mate. “She killed her mate and then took his body and flew skyward.” I couldn’t see anything in that direction. “Is there anything above Anamothra?”

“I don’t think so,” he shook his head.

“I suggest we ask the sacred animals,” said Raziel. “Perhaps they will remember something the Avis do not.”

“All are forbidden to go down there,” said Rockray.

“I’ll just have to get permission from Skyrus first for my whole team, I refuse to do this alone,” I said, guiding Tigra back over onto Raziel’s back. I had fought against Hashana alone and I did not want to do that again, I knew there were risks involved but they had already excepted them long before I had.

“I doubt he will say yes,” commented Rockray.

“I have a feeling it is not really up to him,” I responded looking over to Raziel, he nodded confirming my thoughts.

-

We quickly returned to the palace, Skyrus was sat upon his throne snoozing, which I thought was odd, but he had been increasingly worried about his daughter, I guess the stress finally caught up to him.

“Your Majesty,” spoke Rockray. He didn’t respond.

I smirked as there was a gentle pulse of energy around, something was waking him up for us. He woke with a jolt, gazing upon us, he rubbed the sleepiness away from his eyes.

“I apologise for my rudeness,” he said. “I should not have fallen asleep.”

“No one would blame you,” comforted Tigra.

“What can I do for you?” he asked.

“I need access to the area of the sacred animals for my whole team,” I said getting straight to the point. “I need a meeting with the oldest of the sacred animals, the one bond to you.”

Skyrus glanced behind him at a great carving of a dragon behind his seat. “He is indeed one of the oldest, but you would need his rival in power as she is much more knowledgeable.” He winced as I was guessing his dragon partner was annoyed with his words.

“Your dragon partner knows who I am right,” I said.

“He does.” He nodded. “Will it help in your mission to free my daughter.”

“Yes,” I replied. “As the darkness has left the city and flown high into the sky.” I glanced to Raziel. “Raziel says I need to seek audience with your sacred animals who history and memories are even better than yours.” He gave me a stern look as if insulted. “I mean nothing by it but even your kin cannot remember everything.”

He nodded again. “Very well. Rockray will be your guide.”

“Will he also be willing to carry a passenger, as I don’t have enough wings for all my unit,” I mentioned.

“Of course,” spoked Rockray.

“Sooner we go the better, and your Majesty get some proper rest knowing that I will free your daughter and your kin from the darkness that plagues your city.” I turned to leave.

“Thank you, Fang.” Skyrus held a glint of hope in his eyes.

I needed to prepare for down below, a jungle environment from what I saw, protected so taking all our own supplies would be best, so not to do anything to the balance of such a sacred place. I think Rockray was surprised that we got permission so easily, I wasn’t as being a Fang had given me access to the crystal caves which was governed over by a sacred animal; being a Fang had some perks.