With my sixth birthday party over, dad didn’t want to waste any time in teaching me a few lessons ready for entrance exam of the knight’s academy coming up. He had waited long enough while the castle servants cleaned up the mess from the party, they were so quick and efficient.

Queen Daz gave them a thank you once their work was done, then she nodded to dad. I looked up at dad who had been standing there silently. Tigra wanted to stay and watch, so she sat on one of the tables on the other side of the room.

I glanced over at her as she smiled, perhaps she was just as curious as me to see what dad was going to have me do during my first training session, create a gust of wind or maybe even a tornado; I wanted to learn how to use her power.

Dad didn’t hesitate in the beginning of my training as a warrior once the room was empty. I had received Larana it was time I was taught how to fight, mind I wanted to rest after the party was over before doing anything else, but I didn’t want to let dad down.

In the now empty halls, I stood to attention, looking up at dad. He still held the proud expression on his face from earlier, but he also seemed to be troubled by something.

“Alex, I know you are expecting to learn what Larana’s powers are, but you are not ready for that lesson yet.” Dad began.

“What?” I looked at him, feeling let down.

“First I must tell you about another power passed down to you,” informed dad.

“What?” I responded this time with more curiosity, than let down, wondering if it were another birthday present and if it would be as powerful as the talisman I had just received.

“I am sure you have already noticed it; you have the strange ability to see glimpses of the future.” Dad was right, sometimes when something happened, I saw it moments before it actually happened, it had helped Tigra and I escape from her guardians on numerous occasions. “You must master this ability to the fullest, only then will you become a formidable warrior.”

“Did I get this gift from you too?” I questioned, curious as to why I had this strange power.

“Not from me.” Dad shook his head. “This one came from your mum.” I smiled realising I had been given something incredibly special from both of my parents, it made me feel blessed. “It can only grow stronger with practise, concentration and patience.” He took out a small sphere from his pocket. It was silver with holes and strange lettering on it. “I am going to train you on how to use this ability in combat before I teach you Larana’s power.” I stared at the sphere as it became airborne. “All you have to do is avoid it, but if you fail there will be a consequence.”

“Understood.” I nodded, not hesitating to face this challenge dad had set before me.

“Doing this should help you gain a feel for your abilities, but even this can take time, are you sure you are ready?” questioned dad. I wondered why he would ask if I was ready, when he had been the one who wanted to begin my training now.

“I know others have already begun training for the knight’s academy, I need to start too.” I answered. “I can’t put it off any longer if I want to join the academy with Tigra.”

“Good answer.” Dad moved his hand a little and the sphere began to move.

I began my training that day, starting with a single sphere; without a word the sphere began flying towards me. I was surprised to see the sphere moving all on its own, almost like magic, maybe it was even a type of talisman.

I moved slightly to avoid it, nothing too hard, easy actually, but I had to fight the urge to chase after it as my tail began moving wildly. It looked like fun to try and catch, but I kept the thought of what dad said about consequences in my head, wondering what he could have meant by it.

I felt confident in myself, no need for some special ability against just one sphere. I found myself feeling unstoppable. It almost felt too much like a game to be training, but dad always did things like this, most of the time it didn’t feel like I was learning, more like spending time with my dad.

“Good.” Dad spoke for the first time in a long time. “Now let’s try level 2.”

“Level 2?” I repeated.

I was surprised to see the sphere split into two. I avoided the first, but the second came in close at a different speed than the first. I moved just in time as spikes appeared. The spikes scratched against my arm.

“Alex.” I heard Tigra say my name, surprised just as much as I was.

“What was that?” I cried startled, staring at the two spheres now floating near dad, they had stopped moving.

“I told you there would be consequences if you failed to avoid it.” Dad repeated what he had earlier. “This is only a level 2 consequence; higher levels equal more spheres and different types of consequence such as pyro and electro.”

“Pyro, electro?” I repeated wondering what I had gotten myself into.

Dad looked at me, then, held out his hand. “I suppose that is enough for today, we’ll continue this tomorrow morning.” I just stared at him, not sure if I wanted to. Watching as the spheres turned back into a single one and landed in dad’s hand. “For your first time, you were good.”

“Thanks,” I said, keeping an eye on dad as he left the room.

Tigra came running over after dad left. “Are you okay?” She gently took hold of my arm.

“Just a scratch.” I answered.

“You’ll do better tomorrow.” She smiled, gently placing her hand over the scratch.

“I’m not sure I want too.” I admitted.

“If you’re scared of a little scratch then they’ll never accept you into the academy.” Tigra spoke slyly, but I knew she was just trying to encourage me. “You’ll have to get a lot tougher than this.”

“Thanks, Tigra.” I smiled.

“It’s what I’m here for.” Tigra’s smile grew bigger. “Tomorrow you’ll reach level 5.” Now she was taking the encouragement a bit over the top.

“What? Can you see my future?” I gave her a funny look.

“Nope.” She shook her head. “It’s what I would expect of my future Guardian.”

“Who said I wanted to do that?” I was confused, I never said I would become her guardian.

“I did,” she responded.

“What?” I was surprised wondering why she had decided she wanted me as her Guardian, they were the strongest warriors in all of Cathopia, something I could never hope to become. I could hardly believe that she was planning out my future for me. “And why are you planning my future?”

“I would much rather you follow me about all day, rather than…” She glanced at Gual standing by the doors. “He’s kind of scary,” she whispered. I couldn’t help but laugh. “What?”

“You’re scared of your own protection,” I laughed.

“So are you.” Tigra huffed, turning her back on me; she was right I was scared of him too. “I at least want to choose those who will protect me.” I’d upset her. “It might just be the only thing I can choose.”

“Tigra.” I went around her so I could see her face, she looked so sad. “Alright.” I sighed giving in to her wish. “I’ll become your Guardian, plus I already told the queen I would protect you.”

“Really.” She perked right up. “You must promise me.” She held out her hand, holding out her pinkie. I looked at it before taking her pinkie in mine.

“I promise I will work hard to become your Guardian, Princess Tigra.” I didn’t quite believe I could do it, but if she believed in me, then I could do anything.

“Good.” Tigra glanced at the doors. “I better get going, more hiding to do.”

“More hiding?” I spoke. “But it’s a bit late for that and you have no lessons.”

“Nope, never too late for more play time.” She put on this smile, which faded within seconds. “It was fun Alex. I’ll see you later.”

“Okay.” I nodded.

She quickly zoomed off before I could say anything else. I wondered why she would hide when she had no lessons or stuff today, it had just been a day of us playing and enjoying some really tasty food; my new favourite was the dango.

Shortly after Tigra had left, King Alton came into the hall. I went straight into a bow, just like dad had told me to. Before lowering my head, I caught a glimpse of a young Leo, dressed in nobleman clothing.

I felt a shiver go down my spine, he carried an unfriendly essence with him, it seemed to encircle the king and everyone around him. I could feel it pressing against me, a massive force against my chest that almost took my breath away.

“It seems she is not here, young Dumah” said King Alton.

“Perhaps the peasant has seen her.” I heard footsteps coming closer, was it the Leo? He stopped in front of me. “Excuse me.” I kept my head low. “Have you seen Princess Tigra.”

“I haven’t.” I answered straight away, no way was I going to tell him. I had a feeling that this Leo was the one she had run from, but I couldn’t be sure until I asked her later.

“Are you sure?” I could feel that feeling when he entered the room intensifying, I felt it was trying to consume me, seeping into my very soul to reveal the secrets held within it.

“No.” I responded clearly, was this guy deaf or something, I had already given him my answer.

I saw something flash before my eyes. He tried to kick me. I moved slightly catching hold of his leg in my hands.

I looked up at him. “What are you doing?” I questioned feeling a wild anger within me. Seeing his face his mane had yet to grow in, he was only a little taller than me, I guessed that the Leo named Dumah was only a few years older than I was.

“Punishment,” responded Dumah. “For lying.”

“Can you prove that?” I snarled. We locked eyes, neither one of us faltering. Who was this Leo? And what did he want with Tigra?

I felt my heart pounding faster, fighting back an urge I’d never felt before, a feeling of wills against one another. I quickly understood this new feeling coursing through me, making my blood feel like it was boiling; I wanted to fight him as if we were meant to fight one another.

“Settle down Dumah.” King Alton was shocked at what was happening, rushing forward.

“Peasants need to be taught their place.” Dumah’s eyes never left mine, they held this wild glare, like he was already tearing me apart with his eyes.

“Dumah!” King Alton rose his voice. “This is not how we do things here in Cathopia!”

“You got lucky.” Dumah pulled away from me.

“Yeah right.” I kept my guard up, starting to see this haze filling the room, was it all coming from him.

“You may do things differently within the Prides, but you are a guest within Cathopia, so I expect you to act accordingly.” King Alton was not happy with how he had attacked me unprovoked.

“My apologies, your majesty.” Dumah bowed, changing from aggressive to submissive.

“I believe Princess Tigra was headed to the east wing.” Gual had spoken up, he was still hanging around, he opened the door.

“Finally, someone obedient,” hissed Dumah. “You take notes from him.” Dumah headed for the door.

“Sorry about that.” King Alton looked at me. “He is a visiting nobleman from the Leo Prides.”

“Your Kingdom, your majesty.” I looked at him. “Dad told me this Kingdom is where everyone stands together, not treated like what that guy thinks.”

“Straight to the point, just like your father.” King Alton smiled. “I can see great things from you.” I said nothing as I saw him turn to leave, following Dumah. “Dumah, while you are here, you are not to treat anyone like that again, understood.”

“My apologies your majesty.” Dumah repeated his apology, glancing back at me as the doors closed.

“He told him.” I smirked as the lingering mist remained in the room, what the heck was this stuff. I waved my hand, trying to make it disperse. I didn’t understand what this stuff was, it made the air sticky and thick, circling around Gual and I almost like it was trying to stick to us.

I rubbed my eyes hoping it would fade away, but it was still there. I wondered if dad knew what this stuff was, I would have to ask him when I saw him during training tomorrow. It was clear in my mind I needed to go, to discover more about this stuff and to keep the promise I made to Tigra.