I walked beside my new master, feeling a huge sense of pride, today was finally the day everything changed for me, saved by him I would do anything for him, after all he was my master.

As we walked I saw the mist spreading around the grounds, to be honest I wish I couldn’t see the stuff, it gave me the creeps, circling around like a vulture waiting for it’s pray to die.

“You can sense it, can’t you?” Master Lance spoke casually. I looked up at him, not sure what he meant. “The darkness.”

“Not just sense it, I can see it,” I answered.

“Same as your father then,” pondered Master Lance.

“My dad can see this stuff too?” He nodded in response. “Then do you know why we are not inflicted by it?” Did he know?

“That I do not know,” replied Master Lance. “But I am sure the answers will reveal themselves in time.”

“Master Lance.” An Album Tigris just like Tigra came running over, but tripped on a rock, face planting in the mud, he looked up at us and smiled. I stared at him, was this really Tigra’s brother, he seemed a bit clumsy for royalty.

“To your feet Prince Loki,” ordered Master Lance. Loki jumped to his feet and stood at attention. “I would like to introduce you to Fang.” I lifted my hand in a nervous wave. “He will be joining us during training.”

“You’re the one who is friends with my big sis.” His face lit up at the sight of me. “It’s nice to finally meet you, she’s always talking about you.”

“Really.” I strangely found myself blushing at his words.

“Um… Master Lance is he like me?” asked Loki, glancing up at his master.

I glanced at Master Lance too as he responded. “Yes.” He looked down at me. “He too has limitless potential that no one else can see.”

Loki walked over to me. “Nice to meet you Fang. I am Prince Loki, third in line to the throne.” He introduced himself, holding his hand out with a smile.

“Nice to meet you,” I smiled back, like Master Lance the dark mist did not touch him, seeing this I knew I could trust him. I took hold of his hand, immediately when my hand touched his, I got the shock of my life. A pulse went through my entire body and sent me flying a few feet away.

I coughed, slowly sitting up wondering what the heck had just happened. Loki had a mischievous smile on his face. “Got you.” He laughed. I just stared at him, feeling both surprised and confused about what had just happened, then I remembered Tigra’s words. ‘I’ll warn you now; Loki can be a little...’ Had she meant trickster?

“Please behave Prince Loki.” Master Lance was shaking his head.

“I was breaking him in,” shrugged Loki. He seemed much more childish than Tigra. I had to wonder, were they really siblings? I looked around as I got up, he must be he was the only other Album Tigris I had seen.

Master Lance led us to an open area away from everyone else. He then looked at us both. “I want you two to spar together, show me what you can do Fang.” Just hearing Master Lance, Loki was fired up. “Stand at opposite sides and only begin when I say.” We both did as we were instructed without question.

Looking at Loki, he was hard to read. I thought about how Tigra fought, she could use lightning attributes, perhaps he was the same.

Loki was smiling at me, was he already thinking of a plan. I would have to remember my training with dad and brace for whatever was about to come my way. I would have to wait until he struck first so I could get a read on him, then act.

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“Begin!”

Loki was the first to move, he made his movements obvious, drawing a dagger from his belt. I had dad’s practice sword, but refused to draw it just yet, and of course Larana, I would not use her unless he was a real threat.

Loki came at me, I dodged to the left, he quickly followed me. I kept my distance, avoiding every attempt he made.

“Use my power master,” requested Larana. I could feel her excitement as I had not used her power in a while.

“No.” I shook my head, ducking low, below chest level, I head butted him in the stomach.

Loki stumbled back surprised. I got my claws out and swiped at him. He jumped back and raised his dagger. I saw a small spark of electric energy around his body, he was smiling as if he were about to do something amazing.

I watched him carefully as tiny plants rose from the earth, each one charged with electricity, but that was about it, they stayed tiny, reaching just above the ankle.

“I think that is enough.” Master Lance had spoken up, he had his hand to his face.

“I can make it bigger!” cried Loki, trying even harder, but nothing else happened.

“Loki enough,” ordered Master Lance. Loki sighed, stopping his power, and slumped forward. “You’ll get there.” He then looked at me. “And you…” His eyes gleamed as he suddenly rushed at me. I stumbled back as he swiped at me with his claws but was stopped inches away by Larana as I summoned a small portion of her power for protection without even thinking about it. “I thought so.” He backed away. “Good to see you back in action Larana.”

“Master Lance.” Larana appeared in front of me.

“You know each other?” I questioned.

Larana glanced back at me as Master Lance replied. “I once fought beside your father on the royal knights.” I was reminded he once fought alongside my dad. “I thought I recognised Larana’s bracelet when I first saw you,” he smiled. “I had hoped you would have been put in a higher class but seeing as Dumah put a stop to that I had to be patient.” He continued after he helped me to my feet. “I saw an opportunity to claim you as my student after Dumah’s fire attacked you, no one would want a mangey Feles in their class.”

“Thanks.” I looked at myself, I had multiple spots with no fur, but I didn’t care.

“Why did you not use Larana’s power?” questioned Master Lance.

“I have yet to master her power,” I answered. “If I had used it while those fires burned I would only have enhanced the flames.” I thought back on it. “Even Larana knows that.”

“You are with me now; I expect you to train harder.” Master Lance seemed disappointed by my answer. “No one is here apart from us, show me what you can do.”

“I’m not really that good at using her power.” I admitted. “I’ve had no need to use it.”

“Well now is your chance,” said Master Lance. “But start slow, she is the most powerful wind spirit.”

“That’s what everyone keeps telling me,” I sighed. “Okay Larana.”

“Finally,” she cheered, the wind around us blowing wildly.

“Your father often used Larana to fly, but that is an advance skill,” informed Master Lance. “You can use a talisman’s power to do anything you command, lift objects, cut things to pieces, restrain someone.” He said a few examples, things I already knew. “Her power is as limitless as the air around you, as long as you can withstand the strain her power will have on your body and the stamina and strength to wield it.”

Larana was so excited that I didn’t know what to do with the power she had summoned around us. It was raw and untamed, I wondered how dad had mastered such wild power.

“What did you want me to try?” I asked.

“How about something basic.” Master Lance thought for a second. “Craft a sword from wind.”

“A sword from wind?” I repeated. I’d never done anything like that before, all I managed to do in training was use Larana’s power to push things about, I’d even almost flew for a few seconds, but to be honest the last few years I hadn’t trained as hard as I should have.

“Is that what master wants?” asked Larana.

“Yes.” I held my hand out, the wind circled around me, forming tighter in my hand. I could see it forming into a sword but broke apart before it could become complete. “What happened?”

“Lack of training,” answered Master Lance. “It takes a long time and practice to control a talisman as strong as Larana and I suspect you have neglected that training, even with your dad.”

I looked away I had started to ignore him a bit, avoiding the training because I had begun to think it was completely pointless, why did I need power stuck in the basics class, but today that all changed.

“Then train me.” I bowed. “I am at your disposal master.”

“Very well Fang, but know, this will not be easy.” I glanced up at him smiling.

“I will keep my promise.”