I came around being carried in my dad’s arms, he held an expression mixed with anger and concern. I heard a low snarl in his voice as he spoke to Instructor Willis. I spotted the remains of the obstacle course not too far away, it was scattered all around the place, even in other areas of the academy grounds.

“The course was completely safe Yamato,” argued Instructor Willis, who’s body language was in a submissive state, the scent of fear was all over him, was my dad really that scary.

“Obviously not, from what Larana explained to me.” I looked up at dad, his eyes like slits, locked on to his prey. “Did you even test the course before these young ones attempt it?”

“Well, no,” he replied nervously.

“Then you could not ensure that it was safe.” Dad was furious. “I will be doing a full investigation into this, if I find out you had something to do with this, your life will be in question.” I could feel his entire body tense.

“You can’t say things like that to me.” Instructor Willis was shocked. “You’re not even a Guardian anymore.”

“Being a Guardian was simply a title,” responded dad. “I am still the most powerful warrior in this city or would you like to test that too.” There was a spark of heat all around him.

“No, of course not.” Instructor Willis was back on guard.

“Well then I don’t want you getting in the way of my investigation and I will be reporting this to King Alton.”

“Understood,” he nodded.

“Now get out of my sight!” Dad raised his voice. Instructor Willis backed away slowly, before turning and making a run for it. I was almost surprised, to see my dad bring fear to someone just with his words.

“Dad.”

As soon as dad heard my voice his expression changed to a calm one. “Alex.” He put on a smile. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay,” I responded. “What happened?” My head was a little foggy on what had happened.

“The obstacle course collapsed around on top of you,” explained dad.

The moments flashed through my mind. “How did I escape? I didn’t release Larana’s power.” I only just remembered everything being blown away.

“That was me.” Larana appeared, her wings moving slower than usual.

“Larana.” I reached my hand out to her.

“That was dangerous Larana,” commented dad. “You know what it can do to you.”

“But I needed to save him,” responded Larana determined she’d done the right thing.

“Thank you for saving my son.” Dad continued to hold a gentle smile.

“As promised,” bowed Larana.

“Next time I will be prepared, so you won’t have to use your power without me.” I realised she had risked her own life to save mine by using her power without my help. I smiled, knowing I could put my faith in her no matter what.

Dad took me home, where he made me rest for a few days, and Larana. I wasn’t to use her power until she had fully recovered from unleashing her power without the use of mine.

The next few days he spent investigating the scenes of where the obstacle course had collapsed, even telling King Alton of the events that occurred; he was shocked to learn what had almost happened to me.

I sat at the dining room table with him, he wanted to do something with Larana, saying he needed her talents, how I was her master now.

“Larana I need to see exactly what happened to Alex.”

“Understood.” Larana hovered in front of dad holding her hand out.

“What are you doing?” I questioned, curious as to what was going on.

“Sometimes when a connection between a talisman is strong, you can look back on their memories through a mental link,” informed dad.

“I was with Yamato since he was six years old, like I will be for you,” smiled Larana. “Even though you are my master now, we still hold a connection with one another, it is something that will always be there, even now he can still sense and feel my power.”

“So, let me get this right, you are using this connection to view Larana’s memories on the events that happened during the obstacle course incident.” I quickly figured out what they were getting at.

“Yep,” nodded Larana.

“Now shhh. This takes concentration.” Dad touched Larana’s hand and closed his eyes.

I watched them both wondering if something would happen. A wind gently blew around them, I could almost see this light transferring between them. I put my chin in my hands, wondering if I would ever do that with Larana.

Dad suddenly opened his eyes, Larana moved to sit on my shoulder.

“Well,” said Larana.

“I can see why you had no choice but to release your power.” He seemed to think for a moment. “Something that needs to be worked on during your training, but it would seem the course was never safe to begin with.”

“Yamato.” I glanced at the door to see King Alton, he came striding over and sat next to me.

“How many times must I tell you, you don’t live here,” snarled dad. I was starting to get used to him coming over whenever he felt like it, but it really annoyed dad.

“I came to see how your investigation was going,” admitted King Alton.

“The course was not safely checked before it was used, the whole thing was badly damaged from the collapse so I was unable to see what may have caused it,” informed dad. “Considering that Alex was the only one in the class to get to that portion of the course, it could have happened to any of the young ones.”

“And Instructor Willis?” questioned King Alton.

“I don’t believe he had anything to do with it, even though he holds ill will towards Alex,” answered dad.

“I see,” he nodded.

“Your majesty.” I addressed the king.

“Yes Alex,” he gave me a smile.

“How is Tigra’s training?” I asked.

“Curious are we.” King Alton leaned closer. “She is doing great, top of her class and maybe in another year she’ll even get picked by one of the masters.”

“One of the masters?” I glanced at dad.

“If a student of the academy shows potential, a master, one who is an experienced warrior will take them on and teach them personally,” explained dad. “I was kind of hoping a master would have come for you, but with Instructor Willis keeping his class out of sight from them, none have stepped forward.”

“Can’t you be my master?” I looked at dad.

“I do not hold the title of master, my training alone will not get you to knight status,” responded dad.

“Really.” I didn’t know if what he said was true, so I looked at the king.

“It is true,” nodded King Alton. “Don’t forget your dad’s title used to be Guardian.”

“Oh.” I felt let down, thinking I had a short cut to reaching the top.

“Is that all you came for Alton?” asked dad.

“No,” he shook his head. “I have bad news for Alex.” His gaze fell on me. “But this does not just affect you but all those in your class.”

“What?” I gulped suddenly fearing his words.

“Considering the test was not completed by anyone, you won’t be progressing any higher,” explained King Alton.

“No!” I cried.

“Sorry.” King Alton’s expression was a sad one. “It is what the masters in charge of the academy have decided.”

“But you’re the king.” I stood up. “Don’t make me do another year with him.”

“Alex, calm down.” Dad raised his hand trying to calm me.

“No.” I couldn’t go through it all again.

King Alton placed his hand on my shoulder. “You will pass next year; I know you will.”

I sat down again in shock, I would again be stuck in a class I did not belong, learning the same things I had this year, listening to his voice, the expression of fear that every single one of them gave me just from the words spoken by Instructor Willis.

“Remember your promise Alex.” My gaze fell on dad as he said those words. “Forces will try to stop you, and you must not let them, never give up.” I slowly nodded.

It was easy for him to say, from what I heard, he had fought through his academy years quite quickly, even though he had been stuck in the basic class like I was now. I wondered if he had struggled going up from it like I had this time, somehow I doubted it, he was the best after all.

“You’ll be fine.” King Alton was trying to encourage me too, but their words meant nothing to me at that moment.

That day was the first time true doubt seeped in but would one more year be all that bad. I thought more about it, it was just another obstacle in the way of my end target. I wasn’t sure I had the guts to tell Tigra that perhaps I would not be able to keep my promise, so for now I would not tell her about it.