As nightfall came the whole festival came alive in a different way, bustling with even more kinds of Animalia, laughing, chatting, and winning games.

We had found a nice little spot not too far from the water to wait for the masters of fire talisman to begin their show.

While the others held an expression of excitement to the show about to begin. I found my breath catching in my throat, a strange stillness I could not explain. Everything around me seemed to move in slow motion, from movement to laughter.

I looked out across the crowd my eyes settling on a masked figure shrouded in the same dark aura as Dumah, they were looking back at me.

An Uncia walked in front of them, and they were gone, the sound of a bang as the show began, everything returning to normal.

I touched my head feeling lightheaded, what was that just then, almost like the dark energy had somehow reached out to me through the crowds and noise.

“Alex.” Athena touched my shoulder.

I glanced at her, she seemed to be the only one who had noticed, as everyone else’s attention was on the show of master fire talisman users.

“It’s nothing,” I shook my head, shaking it off.

“You are most definitely sensitive to the dark power, more than most,” she said.

“You can sense it too?” I looked at her puzzled.

She nodded. “It scares me how it grows but it is a burden this strange gift brings.” A weary smile crossed her lips. “Being different can be difficult, but such difference and power should be embraced.” Her eyes looked at my direction. “Be on guard darkness draws in.” My hand rested on my sword.

“Wow!” cheered Tigra, nudging me. “Did you see that one?” Her face expression was one of true delight, I almost felt sad her fun maybe ruined by those who followed the darkness like Dumah, perhaps there were even more of his type about than I cared to admit, was that the real reason dad went on missions that other knights could perform.

“Yeah,” I nodded, looking up.

The show was amazing, but I only saw glimpses of the amazing shapes and explosions caused by such mastery. They followed through with some forming into stories, like the story of Cathopia’s creation, these guys had it right too.

It showed Fang and the first king amongst chaos, finding these lands, and creating a peaceful place for everyone to live in harmony, defeating the great eternal dragon. It was beautifully told and even held a tribute to the current royal family.

“They really do love you Tigra.” Brendan pointed out as there was a whole load of Tigras, and well her twin brother Hunter.

“I am the crowned princess,” she commented. “One day to be queen.”

“You don’t want to be queen?” I questioned.

“I guess I don’t,” she shrugged. “But perhaps if I found the right king I wouldn’t mind so much,” she glanced at me as she said those words. “At least I can guarantee I’ll have the best Guardian.”

“I still have a long way to go, so don’t hold your breath,” I responded. She still held such faith in me, that it drove me crazy. I feared one day I would let her down, her faith in me was worthless.

The display of fire talismans continued, great explosions in the sky. I guess fire was quite a cool elemental talisman when it wasn’t trying to kill you back, like Dumah’s Demori. I didn’t understand what a talisman spirit did to choose their master, but it seemed not to matter which side they resided on, could things have been different if I had been chosen by Demori instead of Larana.

The masters of the fire talisman banded together for one last huge explosion, the ambers of fire drifting down over the water of the small lake. Where five Lepidoptera, butterfly Animalia were gently fluttering above the water’s surface.. Each one was a different species, some had bright yellow, others brown and red wings.

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When all the attention was on them, they began to dance, just ever slightly touching the water’s surface. Their wings moving elegantly, they had thin, slender bodies, each moving together in perfect sync.

“I’ve heard of them,” beamed Tigra. “The performing Butterflies.”

“Performing Butterflies.” I watched them intently. I did hear rumours of a bunch of Lepidoptera starting up a performing caravan. Dad mentioned about a group getting permission to perform around Panthera, were these the same ones.

“Just wait for it.” I glanced at Tigra, her eye sparkling even more dazzling in the small amount of light.

“Never heard of Lepidoptera performing at night,” commented Athena.

“Some do, some don’t,” responded Brendan. “A bit boring if you ask me,” he shrugged.

“Shh.” I quickly hushed them, wanting to let Tigra get lost in this world a bit longer.

“Next she’ll appear,” said Tigra quietly.

As the dancing continued, mesmerising everyone who was watching, to be honest I was almost drawn to it too, but my guard remained up, the hairs tingling on the back of my neck, I shivered.

The dancers, stepped out, leaving an opening between them. Then up rose the waters, a bubble coming up, rising in the air. I squinted trying to see what was inside, all I saw was blue.

It ascended higher into the air, then suddenly popped, revealing a beautiful Lepidoptera with stunning blue wings, the lights from the festival shining through them.

“Charlotte, the Morpho,” gasped Tigra and most of the other Animalia.

I caught a glimpse of a water talisman in the form of a pendent around her neck. It was the only way she could ascend from the water like she did. I could sense it wasn’t a particularly strong spirit but was good enough for what she wanted.

Charlotte allowed herself to gently glide down before taking over from the other dancers, it was obvious she was the star of the show.

“Still not impressed,” commented Brendan.

I glance back at him. “Tigra is enjoying this.”

“Obviously,” responded Brendan.

I watched the performance for some time before my sight drifted off into a different direction, my mind flashing to a scene of chaos, everyone running. I shook my head, touching Tigra’s arm.

“What is it?” She was annoyed at me for disturbing her enjoyment.

“We need to leave,” I said.

“Why?” she snarled.

“Somethings about to happen,” I replied, pulling at her arm slightly.

“But…” she glanced back at the Performing Butterflies.

“I know, but we can’t take the risk, not with you.” I gently pulled her towards me. “We’ve had loads of fun; it won’t hurt it ending sooner than we wanted.”

“Okay.” Tigra agreed and began to move.

“Brendan, Athena we need to leave now,” I said. They both nodded not questioning me for a second, but it was too late.

There was a loud bang from one of the stalls, black flames rising up and this alarming sound filled my ears. My vision blurred slightly, Tigra stumbled into me. I quickly place my arm protectively around her and Brendan had done the same to Athena.

“What the hell?” I cried, trying to shake the sound off, it was disorientating.

It was having the same effect on all of the Animalia, the Performing Butterflies had fallen into the water, not good.

I reached my free hand up, slowly lifting it up as I summoned Mila’s power, rising the water around the struggling Lepidoptera, removing them from the danger they were in and bringing them to solid ground. They were all fine, but just using Mila had drained me quite a bit, this sound seemed to affect my sync rate too.

“Alex!” cried Tigra her voice quivering.

“I’ve got you.” I held onto her tighter, no harm would come to her, not on my watch.

Amongst the struggling crowd walked a single Animalia, heading right in our direction. It was the one I saw earlier wearing a mask, their aura soaked in dark energy. They reached for a dagger at the waist.

“Brendan,” I heard Athena. “You need to disrupt the sound waves with vibration.”

“On it.” Brendan reached for his claymore, his hand quivering from the disorientation but his determination was clear. Gripping on to his weapon, he swung it round, slamming it into the ground, where everything shook, and the sound stopped.

My senses only just returned to me as the masked Animalia jumped forward, their target Tigra, well I think it was her. I twisted her behind me, drawing my sword to defend.

“Who are you?” I snarled; they gave me no reply as their eyes met mine. They held no emotion just the cold notion to kill. “I won’t ask again, who are you? And why did you attack us?”