At first light, when the crystals on the ceiling of the cavern began glowing, shining down with the radiation of the sun, we set out again, looking for the crystal mum had sent me here to find. I felt even more hopeful and full of excitement as I had the feeling we were barely touching the surface of this place.

Brendan and I continued to explore, heading to the lake for a drink. Brendan wasn’t too happy this morning, I put it down to the minimum amount of sleep.

We both sat near the water’s edge, drinking up the crystal clear water, that tasted so refreshing. I looked around sensing something, but it was just the rippling of the waters, fish coming to the surface.

“Brendan over there.” I tugged at his fur a little, then pointed to the left, on the edge of the lake as it turned, where I spotted some wooden structures. “Let’s go have a look.” He nodded and we headed off.

We followed the water’s edge coming to the structure I had spotted, it was the remains of an old dock, there had obviously been Animalia living down here at some point, if there still was we would have seen them by now, wouldn’t we.

“Alex.” Brendan nudged me as he was looking in a different direction.

“What?” I turned to see what he was seeing, to discover there was an almost completely covered path leading off into the bushes.

“Could lead somewhere important,” he commented.

“Alright, but keep your guard up,” he nodded, and we set off.

Following what was left of the abandoned path we continued on our mission, slowly approaching tree by tree, checking what was ahead of us. We had gone for quite some time without seeing anything.

Larana appeared shaking her head. “Come on master.” She beckoned me onwards as she flew ahead. Had she recognised something here like Mila had? I glanced at Brendan, we both nodded at one another before following after her.

She had flown straight into an opening where the remains of a once thriving village had been. All that was left was half collapsing walls made out of blue crystal bricks. I inspected them closely to discover it was the same stuff I had seen in my dream; this was the place we were drawing closer to the crystal I needed to find.

“We’re close,” I mentioned to Brendan as we continued to explore.

“These guys left in a hurry,” commented Brendan as he went into one of the spaces. “From the placement of the items, this place was abandoned.”

I had a look too, agreeing with him. “But why?”

“Who knows,” shrugged Brendan.

“Darkness reached even down here,” spoke Larana, touching the bricks. “It hunted master down when they discovered who he really represented.” She glided her hand over the crystal walls. “This place was once a haven for those seeking shelter from the desolate lands above, but even here we were not safe, in the end he had no choice.” She glanced at me. “His fight continues even now, against the eternal dragon, who once carried the form of a thousand creatures.”

“Larana.” I followed her as she continued to follow the rows of abandoned houses.

“Master was strong, able to call on the power of all talismans, he gave hope to all those who stood by him, saving countless lives, even helping…” She paused. “Everything has played out, yet still needs to.” She stopped pointing forward. “Pass this test master.”

I looked ahead more than a little confused by the words that Larana had spoken what did she mean by everything had played out, yet still needs to.

In front of us was an untouched little hut made from the same crystal bricks. I recognised it instantly from my dream, it had been calling me. I stepped closer, realising there was a solid wall of clear crystal surrounding it. I looked up to see there was only one way in.

“How the heck do we get in there?” questioned Brendan. “Even on my shoulders you’d never make it.”

I looked at Larana. “I need to fly.”

“You can’t fly,” he let out a laugh. “All you do is crash.”

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“I can do this.” I took in a sharp breath, summoning Larana’s wings. I focused on simply going upwards as my feet slowly left the ground, as I ascended my mind began to flash, mixed images I couldn’t make out. I heard mumbling voices, that prevented me from concentrating. I descended back down panting.

“Alex.” Brendan came closer concerned.

“I saw something, but it was muddled up, perhaps I’m not ready to get this crystal,” I told him.

“You must push through master,” said Larana. “Only then will the images become clear.”

“Push through,” I nodded. “I will try again then.” I focused on what I was doing, allowing the wind around to flow, perhaps I was trying too hard to fly. I closed my eyes for a moment, reading the wind as it blew, allowing it to guide me upwards.

I opened my eyes again as I began to ascend, the voices and images came again. I pushed through, shaking my head to scare them off. I wasn’t going to stop.

I reached halfway when an arrow shot passed, bouncing off the crystal wall. Suspended in the air, I looked around spotting someone in the trees.

“Keep going Alex, I’ve got this.” He drew the claymore from his back and ran in the direction the arrow had come from.

“Be careful,” I called, looking back up as I continued upwards. “Just a little more.” I touched the top, the images coming in more, almost completely clouding my vision. “Almost there.” Using my hands, I pulled myself up the rest of the way, then flipped over and descended down the other side where the images and voices completely filled every one of my senses.

I saw Fang again as he walked into the hut. “You can share mine with me.” He glanced at me as I seemed to be seeing through someone else’s eyes.

“Thanks,” responded his guest.

“No thanks needed, we are in this together and I promise you we will save her.” Fang held this confidence in his voice as he headed in, a table set in the centre of the main room. There was a plant pot in the centre with a tiny sproutling.

“What’s that?!” his guest asked.

“This is for someone in the future,” he gently held his hand over the sproutling. “You see, the crystals here grow like any other plant, spreading seeds, but they can take years to mature.” Fang glanced back. “It intones itself to those of this land, why don’t you have a closer look.”

His guest stepped forward, closely inspecting the sproutling. “Crystals that grow, a little farfetched if you ask me.”

“And you don’t think you being here isn’t.” Fang chuckled.

“I suppose your right,” he laughed. “Grow nice and big.” He talked to the crystal, and it glowed.

My senses returned to me as I walked forward, entering the hut to see a crystal growing in a pot on a table, it glowed faintly, almost calling to me.

“I finally found you,” I smiled reaching forward.

As my fingers touched the crystal I felt a strange spark connected within me, then it glowed even brighter until the whole hut was filled with its light. This light was an ancient one, just as old as the talismans I carried.

I closed my eyes allowing the light to fill me, perhaps this was the crystals way to make a connection with someone.

As the light faded, I brought the crystal close to my chest, then quickly put it in my pouch as I heard Brendan grunting from outside, had he come into contact with the ones who had attacked us?

I rushed out of the hut, seeing that the crystal wall around the hut had disintegrated, perhaps it had been constructed to protect the crystal until I had arrived to claim it.

“Brendan!” I shouted as he was surrounded by masked Feles, some had stripes, others had spots. I rushed forward and they quickly backed away, suddenly going down into a bow.

“What you do?” questioned Brendan, who was a little banged up in the short time I had left him to retrieve the crystal.

“I don’t know,” I shrugged.

“Fang, Fang,” they began chanting my name.

“Weird,” I whispered to Brendan, getting suddenly very nervous.

“It’s alright master.” Larana appeared on my shoulder. “They are associating you with my first master as you carry both Mila and I.” I glanced at her. “After all your family are his descendants.”

“Hi,” I gave a little wave.

“Welcome one of Fang.” One with a grey mask, decorated with large whiskers and feathers along the top stepped forward. “We were told one day a descendent of Fang would come to retrieve the crystal he once planted.”

“That was a long time ago,” I commented. “I didn’t even think anyone lived down here.”

“We have always been here, away from the world above, protecting these sacred places,” he responded. “Now then. I insist that you join us Warrior of Fang,” the leader smiled bowing slightly and indicating us to follow him. I glanced at Brendan who nodded even though he too felt uneasy.

“Relax master,” encouraged Larana. “They are the descendants of those who once fought with my first master,” she smiled. “They just want to celebrate the return of his blood.”

“Well since you put it that way I suppose we can stay for a little longer,” I nodded.

“This way then Warrior of Fang.” He began walking, we followed after, then so did the others who had accompanied him.

“Think these Animalia are safe,” whispered Brendan.

“I trust Larana, and she seems to think these guys are okay,” I responded.

“Alright,” nodded Brendan and we continued to follow.