I opened my eyes as I felt the vision Larana had been showing me coming to an end. I felt sadness for Queen Daz as she ones held the same power Tigra and her siblings held, even though she had lost her power, it had still been passed on to her offspring.

I gazed at mum who was standing in the doorway, she smiled gently. She may not have been there, but she knew exactly what happened, through her clairvoyance and perhaps dad had even told her.

“It is something none of us has ever forgot,” she spoke quietly remembering the past.

“Mum.” I stood up.

“That day is also when your dad first asked me out,” her smiled grew bigger, then she sighed. She missed him every day since the king sent him off.

“I understand what happened, I can’t believe something like that was even possible,” I said thinking about it all, every detail, and her power of seeing everything Daz had been through was most clear. “But you know where dad is, and how he is,” I said. “How is that ability even possible.”

“The abilities that we have is something which develops over time. As you master clairvoyance, you will be able to see more than you could ever imagine,” she came closer touching my shoulder. “Your dad is fine. I just miss him so much.”

“So do I.” I hugged her. “But can’t you just bring him back.”

“No,” she shook her head. “Where he is, there is still stuff to do.”

“How long must we wait?” I asked.

“That is something I do not know,” she gently stroked my head. “Become stronger Alex, to stop the growing darkness, to not just save the king or his kingdom, but the world.”

I stepped back, shaking my head. “I can’t be expected to save the world, it’s hard enough wanting to protect Tigra.”

“Tigra will help you become stronger, your will to protect her will take you far,” smiled mum.

“Seriously mum, I can’t save the world.”

“I wish I could tell you so much more, but he must tell you when your awakening has occurred.” I just looked at her. “You are not ready.”

“Yeah and when the heck is that meant to happen?” I slightly snapped.

“Patience,” said Raziel. “There is one you must face for the first time before your awakening can happen and that could be sometime yet, as he has yet to reveal himself again in this world.”

“Everything will become clearer as time passes.” Our conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door.

“Come in!” called mum.

“Good evening.”

“Gual,” I said the name of Tigra’s Guardian.

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“I heard you had just returned from the cavern atop the Jagged mountains,” he said.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Why would they create such a place?”

“Dark powers are at play, they want to upset the balance, to revive an ancient evil,” responded Gual.

I raised my hands, waving them. “Don’t go there. I am not strong enough to save the world, let alone against some dark power.”

“Fang.” Gual almost seemed surprised. “You’ve already been helping against it, against Dumah, protecting the orchards, helping Yuuma, protecting the spirits of the twin lions.” He named a few things I had already done.

“All I want is to protect Tigra,” I admitted. “She asked me to do those things, some may not have been directly, but I did them for her.”

“Tigra is only one Animalia,” commented Gual. “You have so much more to protect as a Warrior of Fang.” I looked at both Gual and mum bewildered, why were they both bombarding me with this.

“Gual, it is too soon.” Mum spoke softly. “He will realise when the time comes.” Mum then moved the subject on. “Gual. I see you haven’t given Zack the coming of age sword.”

“Oh,” he pulled a short sword from its scabbard at his side. “He isn’t quite ready yet,” smiled Gual. “Like your son, he still needs much training.” I am standing right here, is what I wanted to say, but I knew that he was right. I had only just obtained the twin lion swords, even now I struggled to maintain the power from the two swords. “I fear it’ll be some time before many of the young will be ready.”

“It’s not like we’ll have much of choice,” I spluttered. “Sooner or later Dumah will twist the king’s arm and send us off.”

“That is why I am here,” mentioned Gual. “I have come on orders from the queen.”

“Daz,” said mum.

“She would have come herself, but she is doing her best to fight the ever so delicate balance of light left within the king, in your father’s stead.”

“In his stead?” I repeated, remembering the memories I saw thanks to Larana. They had been best friends; dad had been a reasoning voice and Guardian.

“I expect it is why Dumah ordered him away from the castle,” pondered mum. “To weaken his light.”

I just stared at them both, feeling something much bigger than myself was happening, to be honest I had started to ignore the dark energy over the last two years, only really taking notice if I had too.

“Her highness has requested me to ask if you Fang would do personal missions for her, go places that she cannot,” continued Gual. “After all you are a knight now.”

“I already do requests from the queen, she had no need to ask,” I commented. “But tell me what’s brought this on?”

“You’ve demonstrated your will to protect Cathopia, doing missions without hesitation and never failing what has been asked of you,” answered Gual.

“I don’t know if I can start straight away, after all I have barely begun to understand the power of my new talisman and I have more questions about my own every day.” I was happy to hear those words, but did I really have the skill and power to fulfil what everyone expected of me.

“She expected such a response,” acknowledged Gual. “Remember the longer you take to answer your own questions, the stronger the grip of darkness becomes on this world.”

I looked away. “I don’t know what the queen sees in me, or anyone else for that matter. I did most of those things against Dumah for the fun of it because I could. I am no hero.”

“Tigra also sees it in you,” mentioned Gual. I looked back at him, thinking about how much faith Tigra had within me to claim the twin lions. He bowed. “I take my leave.” Without another word he left.

“What an honour,” said mum.

“I guess.” I looked at the ground. “I think I’ll head out to do some training.”

“Have you seen King Alton about the completion of your mission?” questioned mum.

“Yeah, did that as soon as I arrive back in the city.” I nodded, then headed off.

I went to practise with the two lion swords. Two swords were still tricky to use, not many Feles were trained to use more than one sword or any other weapon. This would take some work to get right.