I stood there beside the tree where Gual had been killed, I had seen the truth, my eyes filled with tears as I had witnessed the last moments of his life, how the darkness had rid this world of one of the finest warriors just to test the skills of another.

I was overwhelmed with sadness, then anger. I would find the Latrodectus who had done this to him, preventing her from killing anyone else, then Sniper the Serpentes would be next.

“Fang.” Dash had rushed over to me concerned.

I held my hand up before he could come any closer. I felt slightly weakened by the long vision but held strong as I let the words leave my lips. “Gual was killed by a Latrodectus.” They both gasped.

“You certain?” Zack looked at me, it was obvious he did not believe me.

“They wanted him dead for what he knew and to test a potentially new allies to the darkness.” I didn’t hold back on what I saw. “After she bit him, she was ordered to hang him, to make it appear as if he had killed himself, she took the dagger meant for you.” I glanced at Zack.

“This was pointless, we’ll never find one Latrodectus who you claim killed my dad,” said Zack turning to leave.

“I might know a way,” I grinned.

“I doubt that,” commented Zack.

“Give him a chance,” said Dash. Zack did not respond just stared at me.

I gave them no information on where it was I was going, but they followed me anyway.

I went to see Queen Daz, remembering the best informants I had shared a cave with when recovering from retrieving the twin lion swords. The Rattus Warriors. She would know how to contact them.

“Your highness.” I bowed.

“Fang.”

“Can I ask you about the Rattus Warriors?” I casually asked.

“How do you know about them?” she was surprised.

“I shared a cave with them a little while ago,” I informed. “They told me what you are doing, and I suspect it is why you also wanted me to help, but I never gave Gual my response.”

“I see,” nodded Queen Daz. “Why do you need the Rattus”

“To track down Gual’s killer,” I glanced at Zack.

“Gual was murdered?” She seemed unsurprised.

“By a Latrodectus,” I responded.

“Say no more.” She placed her hand in her pocket, pulling out a single piece of paper. “This is where you will find them.”

“Thank you.” I took hold of it, but she did not let go.

“I will send a message ahead to tell them of your arrival, but it will be up to them if they wish to help you.”

“I understand,” I nodded.

“One more thing, have you given much thought about what you discussed with your mum and Gual?” she asked.

“Ask me again when I locate Gual’s killer.” She let go of the map.

“Be safe Fang.” She looked at Dash and Zack. “Quite the team you’ve put together.”

“I’ll do anything for Fang,” smiled Dash. “Plus, not many believe what he does, I want to help him, like he did for me.”

“Continue to believe in him young Dash.”

“I’ll kill the one who killed my dad,” snarled Zack.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Go find Gual peace.”

“Let’s go,” I nodded once more before taking my leave. Both Dash and Zack followed.

The map the queen had given me had taken me across the forgotten bridge straight into the thickest parts of the forest.

I noticed there was only one landmark to look for on the map she had given me, just mainly to continue through the forest, this was going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack. I sighed wondering if I would find the home of the Rattus Warriors which hardly anyone knew where they were.

“Are we there yet?” asked Dash.

“I don’t know!” I cried out getting frustrated as we had already been looking for a few hours.

“What’s the map look like?” asked Zack coming up beside me. “Oh… a forest and a rock.” Zack slumped forward. “You’d think her highness would give better directions.”

“Maybe it’s meant to be like that,” commented Dash.

I glanced at him, then Arata who had switched places with Raziel. “Do you know where the Rattus are?”

“No.” Was all he said. I let out a sigh, if only Raziel was out.

We continued to wonder the forest aimlessly, heading in one direction. It almost felt like we were going in circles, like the forest had no end, surely we would have come across the twin lion temple by now.

“I think we should take a break.” I stopped, even with the shade of the trees it was surprisingly hot today. Unfortunately, we had headed out without thinking about picking up supplies. I had been so focused on finding the one who killed Gual I had forgotten to watch out for myself and those with me. I sat against a tree.

“The queen needs to get better at giving direction,” commented Zack, sitting on a tree stump.

“Agreed.” Dash plopped himself against a rock. “Where the heck are we going to find a rock in the forest.”

Zack and I glanced at one another. “Dash move.” I stood up. “You’re sat against it.” Dash rolled to the right, moving so I could inspect the rock.

“What does it say?” Dash beamed excitedly.

I looked closely at the writing. “Rock of illusions?” I spoke out the only words on the rock.

“Rock of illusions?” Zack raised his arms in the air. “What the heck does that mean?” Him like the rest of was growing increasingly annoyed, perhaps trying to find the Rattus Warriors was more annoying than I thought it would be.

“Rattus are known for being mischievous perhaps we’ve already arrived and haven’t even realised.” Dash came out with something quite interesting.

“Do you play dumb for fun?” I blurted out. He had never shown any actual smarts before.

“Everyone is different Fang,” he grinned. “I just do my best not to be noticed.”

“Why?” I questioned. Dash was a Jubatus born with natural super speed, his entire body could radiate with pure lightning energy. Then I remembered the first time I met him, Leos picking on him because of his glowing spots. It can happen unvoluntary when he was nervous.

A darkness fell across his face. “I’m not worth being noticed.”

“I think you are.” Dash stared at me. “Not many are born with lightning abilities. I believe if you work hard enough you’ll be stronger than any bullies.” I saw the darkness lift a little, what had he been through to make him feel worthless?

“I’m all for pep talks but this still doesn’t help with the location of the Rattus village.” Zack shook his head.

“Rock of illusions,” I glanced at Arata. “Do you have any idea what this could mean?”

“I can’t give you the answers,” snarled Arata.

“Aren’t you supposed to be my guide or at least give me words of wisdom,” I said.

“No.” He looked away from me.

“He really doesn’t like you,” commented Zack.

“It’s mainly because I can’t actually use their power properly yet,” I admitted a weakness to them. Sure, I held their swords, but I did not command their power, not yet anyway.

“Please Arata,” pleaded Dash.

“What did the map show?” Arata spoke slowly.

“Forest and a rock,” I answered.

“Follow the rock master,” chimed in Larana.

“You can’t keep giving him the answers Larana,” snarled Arata.

“We’re here to help our master Arata,” snapped Larana and I let out a sigh.

“Help, but not babysitting.”

“You were doing neither,” responded Larana.

“He needs to develop by himself,” said Arata.

“Enough.” I stood up straight. “Rock of illusions.” I repeated it again. “I suspect it isn’t just as simple as walking through the illusionary forest and then we are there.” I glanced at Zack and Dash. “Come on, onwards.”

“Whatever,” shrugged Zack. “I’m sure I could have found that damn Latrodectus myself by now.”

“You can’t face it alone,” I snapped. “Plus, I want to prove that your father did not kill himself.”

“Why?” snarled Zack not understanding my connection with Gual.

“Because he saw something in me that I never saw. He saw the darkness I chose to ignore instead of doing something about it. Instead of becoming what Tigra wanted of me I just laid about sparring and wasting most of my time on meaningless missions,” I answered.

“Fang,” he just stared at me

“Let’s get this over with.” I walked past the rock through even more trees ahead, a never ending row where none of us knew where we were going.