We entered the ruins of the forgotten village as the sun set into twilight, it was silent, filled with eerie shadows on cold grey stone bricks. Once tall buildings stood here, houses and bustling with life.

A head was a small cave. Dash informed us it was the only form of shelter around here, containing a small underground stream, it was the only place she could be.

I headed inside first with Zack and Dash following. Barely any of the days remaining light reached inside as we went in deeper, hearing the sounds of dripping water. If she was going to try something it would be in these moments.

I held my hand up to indicate nice and slow movements, moving as silently as we could. My eyes adjusting to the darkening light, seeing the cave walls going deeper in than I thoughts filled with many hiding places for any Arachnid.

Cautiously we headed in even deeper, remaining silent, body low ready for combat if necessary. I kept glancing in every direction almost expecting something to happen.

“Zack!” I shouted, pushing him out of the way as I saw Zahar coming down from the shadows above to bite him. I would not allow the same thing to happen to him like it had with Gual.

Just as I pushed Zack out of the way, she came down, twisting around me as I attempted to avoid being bitten, but it was unsuccessful as she sunk her fangs into my arm.

“Fang.” Zack jumped into action attempting to force Zahar away from me, swiping his dagger, she bit in deeper, catching Zack’s blade between her hands.

“Ah!” I screamed, for some reason I couldn’t pull away, my strength dwindling, this was it for me.

“Master!” roared Raziel as he opened his mouth summoning fire, forcing Zahar to move away from me. Raziel’s fire burnt anything it touched, but for me it did nothing, after all it was my own power, it just felt like a gentle breeze of heat.

“I was so close to finishing you off, shame it’ll be a more agonising death for you.” She wiped her mouth, grinning. “I’ll look forward to hearing all your screams.”

“We need to get out of here,” panicked Zack. “Get you back to the castle.”

“I’m done for,” I mentioned gripping hold of my arm. “You can’t turn back now, avenge me and your dad now, bring her to justice.”

“Alright,” nodded Gual.

“You think you can capture me,” she laughed.

“She knew we were coming,” I said feeling her poison through my body, a burning feeling spreading out from where she had bitten me.

“Very clever,” she grinned. “I was told three useless knights would come for me. I wasn’t worried, it meant more fun for me.” Her gaze fell on me. “I’ve heard rumours of you, my masters will be pleased when they find out I ended your life.”

“At least I can capture you first.” I slowly lifted my arms drawing the twin lions.

“You think you can defeat me before your time is up, ha.” She was underestimating me, like everyone else.

“I will because I am not alone.” Zack and Dash stood beside me.

“What a joke,” she shook her head. “I’ve been assassinating long before you were born, my name alone should have send shivers down your spine.”

“So,” I taunted. “I am Fang and I’ll be your last victim.” The burning through my body was beginning to turn into tingling, I summoned Mila’s power to numb any pain the poison caused, I needed to keep a clear head if we were going to win, so at least Zack and Dash would escape with their lives.

I went into action, moving forward as fast as I could, not as fast as usual as my entire body burning was affecting my movements already. The amount of poison she injected into my arm was high, spreading quicker than I had expected.

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Dash was faster doing an assault of kicks and punches in seconds, he didn’t seem to wield a weapon, that would have to change. I was amazed no one could rival his speed.

“Is that it?” She grabbed hold of Dash’s leg on the next round and used his own speed to throw him aside. Like other Latrodectus they had strong body structures compared to our soft skin, kicks and punches weren’t going to do it. I swiped at her with Arata’s sword, sending lightning at her, but she moved out of the way. “A bit slow there.”

“Damn,” I cursed.

“I got your back.” Zack suddenly came out from the shadows at my feet, upper cutting Zahar with his blade.

Zahar stumbled back in surprise only to get a shocking from Dash. It wasn’t nearly as powerful as Tigra’s power, but it was still enough to get his point across, and she certainly felt it.

“Children should not dance with death.” She lifted her arms up, sending out webbing out across the room, each one was razor sharp, one touch was enough to cut. Dash was stopped dead in his tracks as he had tried to move away, none of us dared to move. “All talk young Cathopian knights.”

“Mila, I need you to slow the advancement of the poison, even weakened it,” I whispered.

“I will do my best master, but such tricky work will use more of your power,” said Mila.

“We know the outcome of this Mila, just do it,” I ordered as my entire arm began to glow a faint blue, covered in a film of thin water. “I know I am not ready, but I need both of you to win.” I addressed the twin lions. “Please lend me your strength so I can protect their lives.”

“Allow us to serve you well master.” Raziel roared loudly.

“You’re such a fool,” remarked Arata as he appeared. I smirked at his words, even though we never got along I quite liked his bluntness.

I dashed forward feeling a speed boost from Arata’s power, I’d be able to keep up now, even with the poison spreading through my body.

I slashed through her webbing as if it was string, I had nothing to fear now. I was doomed anyway what would a few cuts do to me.

Breaking through the webbing freed Zack and Dash, who quickly backed me up, between the five of us we quickly overpowered Zahar, she may have been an assassin, but rarely do you find someone capable of withstanding such a forceful attack all at once. I could hardly believe how well of a team we made as Dash went back and forth as support, striking whenever she got too closer to doing any real damage, such as summoning more webbing.

Zack hid in anyone of our shadow, attacking whenever she dropped her guard. He often picked Arata as his speed and accuracy was the best.

I was thankful to be able to fight with such a gifted lot, but a part of me couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to the lions without me.

The frustration on her expression was clear, as I came forward at her again, slashing with Raziel’s flaming sword. Zahar jumped back away the heat from my power, burning away the fine hairs on her skin. Arata came in close as Zack jumped from his shadow, swiping upwards with his dagger.

We had pushed Zahar back into a corner, I summoned a blaze of fire, she couldn’t go anywhere now.

“Damn you,” she cursed.

“Game over,” I smirked pointing Arata’s sword at her, not long into our fight my arm had gone completely numb, so much so I had to have Mila move it for me.

“At least I managed to take the infamous Fang down before I lost this one,” she grinned.

“I came in the name of Gual,” I said panting a little.

“With all that moving about it won’t be long now before you draw your last breath.”

“What happens to me doesn’t matter, you’re done.” I was ready to knock her out.

“Just like him. One less Animalia to stand in his way,” she still seemed pleased with herself.

“What are you talking about?” questioned Zack.

“Just like so many others who opposed my master for knowing too much, to stop the darkness,” laughed Zahar. “Shame you won’t be able to stop the fall of this world.”

“Shut up.” I zapped her and she collapsed. “Quick tie her up.” Dash did as he was instructed as I stumbled to my knees.

“Fang.” Zack came up beside me. “We need to return to Cathopia quickly.”

“Too late.” I struggled to breathe.

“Lay him down,” said Dash, Zack nodded, helping me to the ground.

“Can you guys’ apologise to Tigra for me,” I began. “I couldn’t keep my promise.”

“Of course,” nodded Dash.

“Have her look after my talismans until a new master can be found,” I added. “And tell her…” I could barely get it out, I wanted her to know my emotions for her. I coughed trying to get the words out.

“What?” encouraged Zack urgently.

“That I…” I blacked out after that, unable to get out the words I was so desperate for Tigra to know.