I now held the sword the serpent’s spirit called home, his name Yuuma. I looked at the sword, still saddened by the condition it was in; deep within I felt I knew what I had to do for him.

I held the sword in front of me, hovering my free hand over the blade. I summoned forth my own power, allowing it to pulse through my entire body, then through my hand, where I began to somehow heal the sword.

Yuuma gasped a little as he could feel and sense what it was I was trying to do, he did not resist and a few short seconds later, the sword gleamed silver. I saw a flash in my mind of Yuuma’s true form, but not being his true master, he could not become what he once was. He was in fact a great winged serpent, far bigger than he was now.

“Thank you,” he sounded so grateful. “It would have taken my new master a while to restore my form.” I nodded to him, taking a few deep breaths.

“Are you alright?” asked Brendan.

“Fine,” I answered. I still didn’t understand what Yuuma meant by not meant to wield him, wasn’t calling his name, and making the connection with his power good enough to be his master?

I could feel a strange strain on my power, almost like it was taking everything I had to just keep the connection made, was it something to do with an individual’s power, which made the connection with the talisman that suited it.

“Why does having the wrong master make them sick?” I asked.

“Compatibility,” answered Yuuma. “But with you it is a little different.”

“How?” I wanted answers.

“You my boy are destined to wield specific talisman, but like now you can connect with others.” He was so much more talkative now, should have tried this from the start instead of fighting, I’d remember to tell Larana, quick solution first. “Unfortunately, not very affectively as your power is not yet matured to that state.”

“And because it isn’t mature, you’re draining more than you should.” I wanted to make sure I had all the information.

“Yes,” he nodded his head. “So, let us hurry. I do not want to take too much from you as it’ll take time for it to be restored again, due to the stress and strain you are feeling.”

“Making unsuited masters sick.” I found this all to be rather interesting, but he was right I was feeling a strange strain on my own power.

“Let us move,” hissed Yuuma.

“You’ll have to find your new master within the village and bring them to me,” I said.

“And why is that?” he wondered.

“I’d rather not be seen in the village, if anyone from Cathopia finds out what I am doing here, there is a high risk of both Brendan and I being labelled traitors,” I informed.

“Is that so,” he seemed displeased by my response, perhaps thinking with the connection draining my power, I would want to rush things along.

“Yes, we must plan carefully before making contact to find your new master,” I said ready to make a plan, between Brendan, Yuuma and I, surely we would come up with something.

“Not good enough,” responded Yuuma. I was startled as he wrapped his tail around me and shot off heading for the village.

“Brendan.” I let out a yelp, crying out in surprise.

“Alex.” Brendan quickly ran after me, only just managing to keep up with the speed of Yuuma.

“What are you doing?!” I shouted.

“You are still a child,” he hissed. “You want my help before Larana’s barrier fades away.” I nodded to acknowledge him. “Then we must hurry as it will not last much longer while you are connected to my power.”

“I still don’t know how I even made the barrier,” I responded.

“A will of protection can cause all manner of things to happen,” mentioned Yuuma. “You like my first master wanted to keep this place safe and your power and connection to Larana caused the barrier to manifest.”

“Will of protection,” I repeated remembering dad talking about the will of protection, it was something I had almost forgotten. “Alright.”

Yuuma took us straight into the heart of the village, where all of them were still holding their arms up to the sky, calling out to their grand protector. I found the sight quite sad, if they had remembered their grand protector so well, they would know, he does not use the power of wind.

Yuuma slivered straight over to the leader of the village, their eyes met, and I saw a strange fear fill his eyes. Yuuma put me down in front of him.

“Hi,” I said nervously.

“Our grand protector,” his voice quivered as he said those words, why was he so scared of Yuuma. The leader’s eyes rested upon me, noticing straight away the uniform I wore. “He has brought us one of those who wish us harm.”

“Nope,” I shook my head, casually holding the sword over my shoulder.

“What?” He was even shocked to see the sword.

“I am his master,” I said.

“No one can become the master of that monster,” he responded.

I glanced back at Yuuma. “What did you do?”

“He tried to claim my power many years ago, but he was not meant to wield my power and became seriously ill,” answered Yuuma. “I must say I am surprised you still live.”

“You’re scared because he made you sick,” I shook my head.

“How dare you steal the grand protector!” roared the leader causing a complete uproar amongst everyone. “You are here to destroy us, just like all the others.”

“No,” I shook my head again, catching a glimpse of Brendan finally arriving. “My name is Fang.” I introduced myself. “I may be a knight of Cathopia, but I am also one of the only Animalia in this whole world who can help you right now.”

“Fang,” he repeated my name.

“I am sure you have heard of my clan before, perhaps even Yamato Fang,” I said. They all nodded as I said my father’s name. “I am his son and carry on his will of protection.”

“Lies!” shouted the leader.

“Silence,” hissed Yuuma, encircling around him. “Listen to the boy, the only one among you who have tried to help me.” I looked around to see more fear on their faces.

“You also lashed out!” Someone shouted back.

“You attacked us!” Shouted another and more soon followed.

It seemed Yuuma had plenty of Feles from this village visit him, but due to the darkness consuming him, he saw them with angry eyes, it wasn’t his fault. It was obvious this was also the darkness’s doing.

I felt Yuuma shrink back a little, feeling his emotions through our connection, he felt doubt, fear, and rejection.

“Enough!” I shouted sending out a wave of wind, which blew over anyone unprepared for it. I was panting, just using that while connected to Yuuma was almost too much.

“Careful,” warned Yuuma concerned.

“I’m fine.” I knew where his concern came from as if I spent all my power, my own life would be extinguished. “He lashed out because of the darkness that consumed him for the years he was just left at that shrine, all alone.” Everyone had fallen silent. “Can you imagine that? You spend decades protecting this village and suddenly you’re locked away from those you want to protect.”

“There is no master for him here,” snarled the leader. “He has already protected us.”

“I was the one who created the barrier protecting you at this moment and soon it will disappear, they will attack again and this time, there will be no survivors.”

“Let him help.” A female Puma Concolor spoke up, with her brownish red fur. I noticed there were not many of her kind amongst those within the village. Yuuma’s eyes gazed upon her as if he had seen something.

“No!” shouted the leader.

“Please help us,” the villagers began talking, asking for help.

“Alright then,” I nodded. “But first he needs to find a new master, as I am not meant to wield his power. I am only a vessel to pass on the rite of succession.”

“The rite of succession can only be carried out by his master,” spat the leader.

“And I am his current master,” I snapped back. “Now then, who would like to try to see if they are suitable for him.” I refrained from saying his name as his new master would need to say it.

“There is no need.” Yuuma headed towards the female Puma Concolor. “I can always recognise the one who is meant for my power.” He slowed down his approach. “I taste my first master’s blood within you.”

“Leave Renen alone!” shouted the leader.

“Brendan.” I just said his name and he came over, standing in front of the leader snarling. “Now then, don’t move or things will end badly for you.” I smirked, no Feles would dare challenge an Ursus. I headed closer to Renen. “You sure she is the one?”

“I am most certain,” he came down to her level, sensing her fear, he wanted to make sure he didn’t scare her. “Hello child.” Her eyes darted in all direction, perhaps looking for somewhere to run and hide.

“Do not fear him,” I said. “He wants the same thing you do.”

“And what’s that?” she asked.

“To protect this village, like all his masters before,” I answered. “All you have to do is take a leap of faith in his power and that of your ancestor.” I held out my hand, in the hopes she would take it.