Lavem had ascended over the city of Anamothra, getting quite a lot of attention from the city below. The higher we went the city grew smaller; the air became thicker, harder to breathe. I manipulated Larana’s winds around each of us, if I did not have her then it would have been impossible to even breathe up here, let alone fight.

In a flash we were suddenly flying high above a new island. I sensed it before I laid eyes upon it. The dark energy coming off this place was massive, hundreds of years it had been left untouched even by Fang.

It was very similar in design to the current palace of the Avem empire but bigger, obviously the newer one was built on the bases of this one. Think walls around it, a single point of entry, once held life, but not even a single tree grew, what would have been gardens barren of all life, nothing could survive in that.

A dark mist rose from every inch of it, moving as if it was alive. Bending and weaving in all direction, some raining down to the city below, but all the sacred animals within and below the city prevented it from becoming corrupted like its once proud palace.

The structure seemed in good condition considering the times that had long passed, not a single tile out of place.

“To think this was up here,” said Dash.

“So much darkness,” commented Link also sensing and seeing the darkness that riddled every corner.

“Everyone on guard,” I said as Lavem took us closer, but then darted right as the dark mist came at her, like it was trying to bring her harm.

“You must jump,” she screeched.

“We’re not close enough,” I responded. “Dive from above.”

“Alright, get ready.” She flew higher, avoiding the darkness as they entered a dance, where she attempted to not get touched by the stuff, surely it would be like poison, was this really safe. I heard the others grunting and moaning as they clung on tightly to her feathers.

“I can’t hold on!” cried Tigra.

“I’ve got you.” I managed to crawl a little closer, gripping hold of her hand. “Hang in there a little longer.” I glanced at the others to see them struggling too.

Lavem swung sharply left, twisting and diving towards the palace. “Jump.” She came inches away from the buildings, swooping over the place to the edge of the island.

“Now!” I ordered.

Each one of us jumped from Lavem’s back, I held tightly to Tigra’s hand, not wanting to get separated from her, the darkness would not touch her.

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Lavem dove down passed the edgy of the island, she had escape without injury, however I could not say the same about us, as the winds picked up changing the location we were meant to land, pushing and pulling us around like we were rag dolls.

“Fang, do something!” shouted Zack.

“I can’t.” This was not just wind that was trying to pull us apart, but the darkness. My grip loosened as I let go of Tigra, each of my friends sent out in different direction. “Tigra!” I tried to manipulate the wind, to control her direction but it was no use, something powerful controlled this place.

“Alex!” Tigra held an expression of fear on her face, my winds around my friends would make sure they had a safe landing, and would allow me to find once separated, but this was something that we did not need, not when this place was filled with so much darkness.

“Link.” I signalled to him, seeing as he was heading in the same direction as Tigra. “Keep her safe.” I saw him nod and then I lost sight of all of them behind the many walls that made the gardens and buildings of this place. A vast maze where an Avis like Vali would have full advantage.

Landing alone I looked up, ready to take flight, so I could get back to Tigra. I flew upwards but was forced back down by some unknown force, but I knew it was the dark energy around me, there was so much of it I couldn’t see it moving like I had in my other encounters.

I hit the ground again with a crash this time. I laid there stunned for a moment wondering what I was supposed to do next. Getting here was one thing but what now. First stage would be to find my friends, Tigra first, even though she would likely be with Link.

I lifted my arm seeing my whole-body glowing, as my light combatted against the darkness around me, too much to purify so a small shield of sorts to keep me safe. The light that the goddess gave me to pass onto the others would keep them safe from danger, but how long?

“That light will not fade,” said Arata. “Ever.” He made it sound like I had insulted her.

“She knew what danger you would be entering; she may be weaker than she once was, but she still sees all,” added Raziel.

“Well not up here, there is too much dark energy,” said Larana.

“I remember hearing tales of this place,” said Mila. “A place where the bad Avis go when they die.”

“Well, that’s enough of that.” I stood, thinking she was about to go into telling a horror story about this place, of dead Animalia coming back to life, wondering the halls as if they were alive.

I wasn’t far off, but this thing walking towards me was neither dead nor alive, just an accumulation of dark energy, it took the form of an Avis, perhaps one who once called this place home.

I quickly drew Raziel and Arata, ready to fight whatever this this once was. A sword and shield constructed out of the darkness that surrounded us. Darkness moving it like a puppet.

I steadily moved around it as it thrusted is sword forward, stumbling, this thing was no challenge. I sliced at it, but nothing happened, my sword went straight through it.

It then turned sharply, catching my arm, the wound throbbed, feeling the dark energy passing through my blood, like a poison, but with my light it faded into nothing. I had a feeling this was why the goddess had me give my friends her light.

It seemed to change completely, becoming more aggressive as if testing me, but if I could not harm it what else could I do.

“Master,” called Larana, warning of another figure of darkness, thrusting forward, darkness had made a second out of thin air, this one had a spear. I had only just been able to move to avoid taking a hit.

“What the heck are these things,” I moaned, spotting a third and fourth coming into existence, if not even I could harm them, then the others would not stand a chance, especially alone.