I opened my eyes to see the cavern walls above my head, wondering if I was dead, clearly remembering I had been bitten by Zahar, from a family of Animalia which can killed their victims within a matter of hours.

“How long do you think it’ll be before he dies?” I heard Dash.

“She said he should have died four days ago,” answered Zack. “But it seems he has been improving rather than getting worse.”

“Impossible!” I heard the voice of that Latrodectus. “You should be dead!”

“Do you mind I have one heck of a headache.” My head was pounding, but I felt fine.

“Fang.” Dash and Zack both stood up from where they were sitting.

I sat up. “Why haven’t you returned to Cathopia?”

“We couldn’t just leave you here,” said Dash.

“Carrying you in a weakened state would have made your death more painful. We thought it best to let you die before moving you,” informed Zack.

“Thanks.” I let out a sigh. “You could’ve just come back for my body.”

“Oh.” Dash and Zach looked at each other. “Didn’t think about that.”

I shook my head, why was I even talking as if I had died, I hadn’t or maybe I hadn’t yet.

“What was it you wanted us to tell Tigra?” asked Dash.

Zack hit him on the head. “He’s not dead, he can tell her himself.”

“Oh right.” Dash rubbed his head. “But seriously what was it?”

“I am not telling you.” I got to my feet, a little unstable but fine. I looked at Zahar. “You did poison me, right?”

“Of course, I did, you should be dead!” She shouted at me.

“Not so loud.” I covered my ears for a second. “Did you do this Mila?”

“No master,” answered Mila.

Larana appeared on my shoulder. “Just like your parents.” I stared at her. “Your clan have been known for their high resistance to poison.” She whispered in my ear.

“And why didn’t you tell me?” I asked crossly.

“I thought you knew,” she shrugged. I sighed. “Most poisons will have no effect on you but a powerful one like she has will knock you out for a few days.” She had whispered most of it so Zahar did not hear, if everyone knew then it wouldn’t give me an advantage in the future against such enemies.

“Well thanks for telling me.” I looked at Zack. “Shall we head home now?”

“Great.” Dash was ready to go.

“I’ll guard her closest considering she can’t kill me with her poison,” I said walking over to her and grabbing the restraints.

“You’re impossible,” she remarked.

“No. I’m Fang,” I grinned.

We returned to Cathopia with our prize, welcomed back with surprise, heading straight to the throne room. Sure, we didn’t find the Serpentis, but we had the one who ended Gual’s life.

I pushed her to her knees in front of King Alton, he glanced between us both.

“This is the one who killed Gual,” I reported.

“Please help,” cried Zahar. “These deluded youngsters attacked me without warning, while I sheltered in a cave.”

“Is this true.” King Alton looked at us suspiciously.

“Framing an innocent Latrodectus,” said Dumah slyly.

“No.” I shook my head. “Gual had bite marks just like these.” I showed the wound inflicted from her bite, keeping it there long enough to use it as evidence. “If it wasn’t thanks to Mila I would have met my end like Gual.” I saw a smirk on King Alton’s face as I said that, perhaps he already knew about the resistance to poison my family had.

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“Lies!” Dumah raised his voice. “That could have been any Arachnid.”

“Strange how you defend this Latrodectus,” commented Queen Daz; she was the voice of reason, since dad had left. “Fang is there anything else?”

“This.” I took Gual’s sword from Zahar. “Taken as a trophy.”

“They planted that on me,” she cried.

“Your majesty this all seems to be a set up,” said Dumah.

“It isn’t,” snapped Zack. “This Latrodectus ambushed us, nearly killing Fang.”

“A simple act of revenge from an angry teen, who’s just lost his father.” Dumah was winning again.

Queen Daz sighed tired of this game. “Enough of the act Zahar.” She had said the Latrodectus name, pulling out a wanted poster. “She has been wanted in our lands for quite some time, assassinating those who stand against the growing darkness.” She showed King Alton. “It’s indeed her wouldn’t you agree Alton.” She sounded peeved.

The king stared at the poster, then looked at Zahar, he nodded. “Take her to the prison and I’ll deal with her accordingly.”

“I’ll take her your majesty,” said Dumah.

“No, I will,” I snapped, only god knows what he would do if he escorted her.

“Very well,” nodded King Alton. I grabbed hold of her restraints pulling her along, both Zack and Dash accompanied me, perhaps just to make sure she was locked up.

“My master will curse you all!” Yelled Zahar realising she had no way out of her little predicament.

Queen Daz followed shortly later, meeting us in the dungeons in the basement of the castle. She was smiling obviously pleased with our success. “Well done boys.”

“How did you know?” I questioned. She was obviously informed of both our target and our return. I let out a sigh, already knowing the answer. “The Rattus Warriors.”

“Not just them.” She put a hand on my shoulder. “But your mother too, her clairvoyance is far stronger than yours.” Her words made me realise something, she most probably dreamt of me being bitten; I would have to check on her after this.

“Thank you.” Zack came up to me. “I fought you all the way, but all you did was fight for my dad.” He bowed. “If there is anything you need of me, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I won’t,” I smiled. “I’ve got to go.” I bowed to Queen Daz, waved at Zack and Dash before rushing off. I bumped into Tigra on my way down one of the corridoes, she hit me before explaining why. “Ouch.”

“You had me worried,” she puffed out her cheeks as if she was about to have a tantrum. I noticed tears at the corners of her eyes. “What if you had died too,” she looked away. “You could’ve come back for help you know.”

“Tigra.” I touched her shoulder and she looked at me. “I’ll tell you something neat.” I was hoping to cheer her up, not really thinking about what I was saying. “I’m actually…” I paused for effect. “Immune to poison.” I grinned. “Cool, right.”

“Is that it?” huffed Tigra.

“Yeah the Latrodectus bit me but because of my strange immunity I didn’t die, just passed out.” She didn’t seem very impressed Dash thought it was awesome.

“Alex you are still so reckless,” she commented, shaking her head. “You need to me more careful, if you are to become my Guardian.”

“Don’t worry I’ll get there.” I winked. She let out a frustrated sound, moving away and turning her back. “Tigra?”

She glanced back. “What if you weren’t immune to poison, what then?”

“Sorry.” I lowered my head. I had never thought once about how Tigra would have felt when she found out what had happened.

“Just please be more careful,” she pleaded.

“I will,” I nodded. “I need to go check up on mum now.”

“Alright,” she put on a smile. “I’ll catch you later.”

“Of course.” I ran past patting her on the back. I headed straight to the bakery to see Brendan heading in, he couldn’t do much without mum’s cooking, especially his favourite pastries. “Brendan!” I called. Brendan stopped, grinning as he saw me. I joined him at the door before heading in.

“Heard you got bitten by an Latrodectus,” commented Brendan.

“I did,” I nodded.

“I thought Tigra was the only one for you.” I gave him a weird look. “Oh, forget it.” He let out a sigh. “Isn’t Latrodectus venom deadly.

“Yep,” I nodded again.

“Are you going to die any second then?” he asked.

“No.” I saw mum at the counter, she came running round to give me a hug.” Sorry.”

“What for?” she held me tight.

“I was reckless,” I answered. “You most probably saw it all in your dreams, your nightmares.” She pulled away. “I remembered you used to have quite bad ones about the darkness.”

“I thought you wouldn’t remember, after all you were still so young,” responded mum

“Are you still having them?” I asked.

“Yes, stranger every day,” she admitted. “I can usually handle them, but it has been difficult since he sent your father away.”

“King Alton did not send dad away,” I mentioned, remembering the king’s words. Mum’s expression said she didn’t quite understand. “I bet Dumah sent him away so his voice wouldn’t reach the king.

“You must be careful Alex.” Mum put her hands on my shoulders. “Soon a war will come, putting this kingdom against itself.”

“What do you mean?” I questioned.

“Darkness grows, consuming all who are weak against it. The beast awakens his power grows, your destruction…” Mum passed out after that.

“Mum.” I was slightly alarmed but quickly realised it must have been her clairvoyance. Mum could see far more than I ever could.

“Is she okay?” asked Brendan a little freaked.

“Yeah.” I scooped her up in my arms.

“What did she mean your destruction?” he asked another question, this time I did not know the answer.

“I don’t know.” It would be a few years later before I knew exactly what she meant.