In a blazed dream of the twin lion’s power, surrounded by lightning and fire, then came about Larana and Mila’s power of wind and water. It seemed to start out as a relentless storm, but each settled into a calming breeze, each of their powers coming together, finding harmony within myself.

I awoke feeling weak, my senses dulled, it was hard to breathe at first, and I could hardly move. I realised my surroundings as my senses came into full focus. I was in a cave, with Tigra sat beside me.

Tigra gently placed a damp cloth on my forehead, gazing at me with an expression of relief and anger.

“Tigra.” I put on a weary smile. “Where are we?”

“A cave not too far from the temple,” she answered.

“What?!” I couldn’t believe we were still so close to the temple; we could be discovered by Dumah or his clones. “We should…” I went to move, but my whole body was filled with pain.

“Stay still.” Tigra quickly pinned me down and placed the cloth back on my head. “What do you expect,” she shook her head. “For using a talisman power before you were ready.” She looked to the other side of me, I looked too.

“I told you it would be unwise to use our power in your weakened state, especially since you had only just passed our test.” It was Raziel.

“For a second I thought I was dreaming,” I admitted.

“You being manifested doesn’t help,” said Tigra. “That’ll drain his strength too.”

“In most cases that would be true, but in some cases like ours, we have the power to manifest without the need of his power,” responded Raziel. “Plus, our contract states that one of us shall remain present at all times.”

“To protect him,” guessed Tigra glancing at me.

“Yes,” nodded Raziel.

“I don’t need your protection,” I snapped trying to move again. “I only wanted to help to save you.”

“We know that,” said Raziel.

“I would stay still if I were you.” I was pinned down as Arata appeared his paw on my chest. I couldn’t push him off I lacked the strength too. “Listen boy, it was dumb luck you were able to hear our names, considering that you were not actually ready for our power.”

“He wasn’t ready?” Tigra glanced between the two of them.

“You’d been calling me, how was I not ready?” I asked.

“Yes, we had been calling you,” snapped Arata. “But did we tell you were to find us.” I shook my head. “You needed more time before you were ready to call upon us.”

“Then this is my fault.” Tigra instantly thought she was to blame.

“No child.” Raziel shook his head. “You see, we were building him up ready for our test, but he came to early, but that was not a bad thing considering what would have happened if you had not arrived.”

“Dumah,” I snarled.

“How can you tare a talisman apart and put the spirit into something else?” questioned Tigra.

“Painfully,” responded Raziel. “And such matters I would rather not talk about.” I glanced at Arata to, the thought of such a thing seemed to bring them pain, so I moved things on.

“If I was not ready, then how did I hear your names and pass your little test?” I asked.

Raziel looked at Tigra as he answered. “It was your sure will to protect Tigra and Brendan and in that moment you were capable of wielding our power, but I’m afraid you will only be able to use a small portion of it until you are ready.”

“How will I know?” I asked.

“You will just know,” he smirked.

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Brendan came into the cave, his fur all wet. “Awake at last,” he grinned.

“What’s happening out there Brendan?” questioned Tigra.

“For what I can gather they are hunting for two stray Feles and an Ursus,” informed Brendan.

“Strays,” she giggled.

“But I also found out the king was unaware of the restriction on the temple Dumah put into place,” smirked Brendan. “I heard rumours the king had been waiting for someone to draw the twin lions and become a protector of Cathopia.”

“And you’re happy about that because?” I questioned staring down Arata as he had yet to move his paw.

“It’ll be your chance to be promoted from knight-in-training which they seem reluctant to change to knight.” Brendan shrugged. “Just as Tigra said.”

“Told you,” grinned Tigra.

“He’s only a knight-in-training,” snarled Arata getting closer to my face. “And you managed to withstand our power.”

“Do you mind,” I snapped.

“Please get off him, noble black lion Arata,” asked Tigra, he looked at her and slowly removed his paw, sitting down silently next to me.

“That does it then.” I went to sit up, I wanted nothing more than to stuff this in Dumah’s face.

“Arata would you.” Tigra held a cross expression. Arata leaned forward, slumping onto my chest, pinning me down again. “You will stay still!”

“Okay! Okay!” I cried. “Just get off me!” I noticed Arata grin and moved to sit beside Raziel. “I just thought it would be best if we returned to Cathopia as soon as possible.”

“What would be best is for you to rest,” snapped Tigra.

“Plus, there is a big storm coming in,” informed Brendan. “And that brings me to my question.”

“What is it?” encouraged Tigra.

“Can we share our cave with some others?” he asked.

“Sure,” nodded Tigra.

“Not so hasty,” said Raziel. “Who is it you wish to join us?”

“Rattus Warriors,” replied Brendan.

“Rattus?” Tigra and I both responded at the same time.

“They are very useful information gathers,” mentioned Brendan trying to sell them off as good to us.

“I don’t see why not,” smiled Tigra. “The more the merrier.”

“Yes,” nodded Raziel. “Rattus are always kind Animalia, especially those from the warrior clans.”

“Awesome.” Brendan disappeared outside for a few seconds, returning with four Rattus. One’s fur was completely white with a glint of red in her eyes, another had completely brown fur, the third white with grey markings around her eyes and down her back and the last had a black head, paws, and a white body.

Each had a small amount of armour covering their tops, and a sash with a dagger placed within a scabbard.

“Feles,” said the one completely white, but she smiled. “Hello, my name is Madi, this is my team Mana.” The white and grey one bowed as she was introduced. “Fiona.” Brown one bowed. “And Iris.” The black and white was the last to bow.

“I am Tigra, Princess of Cathopia and this is Fang.” Tigra introduced us both.

“Nice to meet you, your highness.” Madi bowed and the other three followed.

“Please sit.” Tigra encouraged them to sit by the fire.

Madi’s gaze swept across the room as she sat down, spotting the winged lions and the swords. “So, tell me who is it that was able to draw the twin lion swords?”

“That would be me,” I replied.

“You,” she gave me a weird look.

“Yes,” he heard our names and fought our power through will power alone,” informed Raziel.

“A knight-in-training,” mumbled Arata still not too pleased about my title.

“No one has wielded the lions since the old legends,” said Iris. “Amazing to think their power is needed once more.”

“There has been war lately,” brought up Fiona.

“Brought on by Cathopia,” commented Mana.

“I apologise.” Tigra bowered her head.

“Tigra you have no reason to apologise,” I snapped. “You are not the one that started this pointless fighting.”

“I know that, but he is my father.” Tigra looked down at the ground, ashamed of the acts her father had committed.

“Daughter of Queen Daz,” bowed Madi. “How hard she works behind your father to save lives. “Tigra looked up. “We the Rattus Warriors have always stood by her and provide a lot of information for her about the actions the king continues to commit.” Tigra was surprised, she never knew her mother was playing such a role against her father and Dumah.

“We admit we saw your fight against the knights,” mentioned Mana. “It was most impressive, executing such power from the lions after only just bonding with them.”

“He is a stubborn one,” commented Brendan.

“You’re still alive aren’t you,” I snapped, then let out a cough.

“Don’t exhaust yourself any further,” snarled Arata. “Would be a shame if you died so soon.”

“Please rest,” pleaded Tigra.

“Okay.” I nodded and closed my eyes, still feeling tired after using so much of my own power, I would have to try to remember in future to regulate myself more.

“He always listens to you.” I heard Brendan.

“He’ll know what’ll happen if he doesn’t,” responded Tigra. I ignored them both and just got some sleep.