Together as a team we made our way through the forgotten palace, with the others wielding weapons enhanced by the light crystals, it took the strain off me from having to always deal the final blow. Link needed no such help as he just absorbed the dark energy and the enhanced pendent was working in protecting him from the effects that inflicted him earlier.

Unfortunately, progress was slow with no idea which way to go through the mazes of warped space, being attacked by swarms of dark Avis warriors and the light crystals only lasted about five minutes from the first enemy they take down, so having to stop and refuse light crystals to their weapons took up quite a bit of time, but our determination was undeterred and we continued forward.

Tigra kept a close eye on the number of crystals we had in our possession, didn’t want to use them all up before any big fights began, wondering when we would come across other sites like the one filled with dark crystals.

We creeped through the door, spying the army of fifty odd warriors wondering around the gardens. I spotted a dark crystal poking out of the ground, this was definitely the place.

“Five light crystals left,” mentioned Tigra.

“Once this place is dealt with, I’ll make some more,” I said, even though I wasn’t even sure how I made them in the first place. “We’ll get the numbers down first, so I can focus more energy on the dark crystals within the ground, hopefully I won’t pass out this time.”

“The area looks somewhat small, which will make this a little more challenging,” said Link.

Thus, we entered combat against them, swinging open the doors, I forced out Larana’s wind, creating a path right down the centre of the garden, splitting up the warriors from each other as tornados of fire and lightning spread out as the wind blew around the garden. This place too would bloom.

Link, Dash, Zack and Tigra all wiped out the dark Avis warriors quickly. The reaction between our first attack and the dark crystals were obvious as the ground gently pulsed with their power, causing more to manifest in the blink of an eye.

Everyone split up across the battlefield, having everyone present gave me a sense that we were invincible.

Tigra’s lightning ability complimenting her sword style as she flowed wildly, dodging effortlessly, fast as lightning, striking with grace and accuracy, dealing heavy damage, none of them stood a chance. Lightning sparking off her sword as she took one down, my light energy seemed stronger when she used the crystals and lasted longer too.

Dash had his targets on the run, deciding he wouldn’t waste any time, his speed gave him the opportunity to always strike first, no stopping any of them now.

Link when striking down the dark Avis warriors they did not return, he’d quickly absorb the dark energy and move on to the next. Frequently changing weapons from sword to spear.

Zack was jumping in and out of the enemy shadows staying one step ahead of them every time.

This time there was no hesitation in their attacks as now they could just what they wanted to start with, to wipe out the enemy that stood before us.

The rate in which we got through the number of dark Avis was more than the dark crystals could summon more, but I also had a feeling that it had something to do with the fact that we were also using the light crystals to attack with, cleansing the souls of those summoned, preventing them from being summoned again, so needed to summon a different soul.

“Now would be the time master,” said Raziel as we got down the number of dark Avis to twenty. As long as the others kept it up, while I dealt with the dark crystals, it would be a lot easier on me.

“Allow me to help.” Link came beside me. “I can absorb some of the dark crystals while you purify the rest.”

“Are you sure you can keep handling this?” I asked.

“I have come to realise that I am not that much different than a dark crystal, they will only add to my power,” said Link, who shrugged. “I also know how to disperse of too much energy safely without causing the dark energy to infect others.”

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“Alright.” I nodded, digging Raziel and Arata’s swords into the ground, just like I had done before. “Here I go.” Just like before I spread the light through the area, the ground glowing with my light.

Link placed his hand upon the ground and his power silently pulsed through it. The dark crystals his energy connected with all disappeared, joining one with him, while the ones I dealt with purified, and some even became light crystals.

The dark Avis still in the garden disappeared and the place came to life before my very eyes. Green grass and trees came into blossom. Glad I got to see it without passing out this time.

Tigra wondered over to the tree, touching its bark, she smiled. I glanced at Link who sat back to recover. I thought about the things he did, how he was able to create things and even help me cleanse these dark crystals, yet never once had the others questioned me about it, wondering why his power lied.

“Easier when we know what we’re doing,” commented Dash.

“This is just the easy part,” said Zack. “Don’t let your guard down, Vali could appear from anywhere.”

“Sure, in this great palace I wonder where I would be.” He went into a daydream. “Emperor Dash, your entertainment has arrived.” I shook my head, and Zack gave him a whack. Dash flinched. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Come on Link, one more.” I stood up sheathing the twin lions and moving to hold out my hand.

He gazed at me with his eyes filled with admiration for me. “Understood.” He grabbed my hand, and we headed out. There was no time for slowing down now, we needed to deal with this before the dark crystals could get the chance to grow any bigger considering the dark crystals at the second locations were slightly bigger than the first.

With more of the palace purified from the dark crystals the area seemed to become less warped, and there were fewer enemies along the corridors, it wouldn’t be long before all the souls who’d been captured would be free from this curse placed upon them.

The third location of the dark crystals were in another garden, this time it was a larger area than the first one, which meant it would take some effort to remove them. Looking through the door, we saw the number of warriors double then previously and some also seemed to have taken on a different form, like a Draco, did some of them perish here too.

I looked across the ground to see dark crystals poking up from the ground, these were definitely bigger, most likely planted first, this would put a greater strain on Link and I, but we needed to pass this challenge to reach the next.

Before we could even enter through the doors, one of the Drago turned, firing a dark energy ball from his mouth, sinching the door. This first attack ignited the dark warriors, and they all came running in our direction.

“Well, this won’t go well,” commented Arata.

“It all depends on how you act next.” I responded, pushing open the doors and letting off a roar, sending waves of fire and lightning across the charging foes, breaking apart their formation and creating the opportunity for my team to attack.

Tigra started with lightning bolts, breaking them apart further. Zack and Link went into to attack, wiping at several in a matter of seconds.

The ground began to glow. I thrusted my swords into the ground, hoping to combat the darkness before it could start creating more, spreading out my light, but could only cleanse a small section as another large group came towards me.

Link grabbed their attention as the lions pounced, their claws and teeth taring away at the darkness until nothing was left.

I blew a gust of wind through their ranks, summoning forth one large tornado, directing it through the heart of it all. For me to purify everything quickly I needed to be at its heart.

I followed my own tornado as it sucked up Avis after Avis, even a few Draco, shredding them to pieces and then spitting them out again.

A Draco came at me breathing dark fire, burning even the lifeless ground and Avis all around, they didn’t care who they harmed. I broke apart the fire with my wind, moving quickly as I swiped right, and left with my swords, sending a beam of fire and lightning, quickly in succession I pulled back, lifting Arata’s sword upwards summoning a wave of electrified water.

The Draco spread its wings to fly away but was not fast enough to avoid my incoming attack, washed away in my waters along with any other dark manifestations. Dash was nearby but the waters simply parted, and he was untouched. He shivered, then kicked an Avis into the waters.

Tigra came up behind me, along with Link and Zack. “Quickly, get rid of the dark crystals, we’ve got you covered.”

“Right.” I twisted Raziel and Arata’s swords in my hands before digging them in deeper than before. Focused on my breathing I began to purify the area, whispering to Fang. “A little assistance if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Too much for you,” he responded, jokingly.

“You need to pull your weight too,” I smirked.

“Oh, very well.” I felt the power of his light. “I was thinking of helping you with this one anyway but remember this, against Vali I cannot help you.”

“I understand.” His power passed through the twin lion swords and into the ground with mine. “This time I don’t fight alone.”

Fang’s light enhanced mine and the area was quickly filled with a strong light, victory was ours this time too, but our fight with Vali would not be so easy.

“Great job.” I smiled as the garden came back to life. “Let’s set up camp.”