As I followed the signs of the winged lions guiding me through the strange tunnels that run along the inside of the building, was this once used as a secret entrance by those who lined themselves with Fang and against the darkness.

I could feel my heart racing as I was filled with excitement, something amazing was going to happen I just knew it or was it just the anticipation of wondering what the winged lions would do to Dumah as he attempted to claim their legendary power for his own.

The glowing winged lions led me to a terrace high above the main hall Dumah had entered. He was only just approaching the podium which held the two lion swords; they were positioned in a cross with two statues of the lions sat right behind them.

“Your power will be mind,” snarled Dumah.

“Careful you do remember what happened the last time you attempted to take the swords,” warned Valli. Hearing his words, I wondered how many times Dumah had tried to claim the winged lion’s power.

“Shut up,” snarled Dumah. “I have been preparing myself this time, I know exactly what to expect of them this time.”

“If you say so, but you do still remember his power don’t you,” said Valli.

“I could never forget, and neither would our master.” Dumah said no more as he took hold of both of the lion swords. Since the lions shared their power, their connection, both had to be taken together at the same time.

We all stared expecting something big to happen, but it appeared Dumah had become frozen to the swords the moment he touched them. Was something wrong with him? I focused solely on him seeing the dark mist faltering to stay around him, a purifying light coming from the swords.

Being the only one able to see a portion of what was actually going on, I understood that there was no way Dumah would ever be able to wield the power of the winged lions.

“Is he okay?” asked Brendan.

“He is locked in a subconscious battle with the lions to see if he is worthy of their power,” informed Larana.

“Subconscious battle?” I repeated.

“We have told you before master, there are many tests to earning the power of a talisman,” said Mila.

“My power is usually passed from father to son,” mentioned Larana. “By blood.”

“You showed Brendan compassion with all your heart, which showed me the extent of your heart,” said Mila.

“And the lions?” questioned Tigra.

“I am uncertain,” shrugged Larana. “They have only served masters who have important parts to play and…” she was interrupted by Dumah being thrown back, his hands burned and his body pulsing with lightning energy. His expression was blank, eyes wide, then he took a sharp breath and returned to his senses.

“Damn,” he cursed.

“Ha.” I laughed a little, seeing him fail was somehow satisfying.

“Curse those damn lions!” shouted Dumah as Valli tried to help him to his feet, but Dumah just brushed him off.

“What happened?” asked Valli.

“What do you think!” Yelled Dumah. “How dare they threaten me, saying they’ll take my life if I try again.”

“Perhaps you shouldn’t, they were only ever wielded by powerful warriors of light,” mentioned Valli, a hint of fear within his voice. He was the same age as Dumah why would he fear something he has yet to see the power of.

“I will break their wills yet,” snarled Dumah getting to his feet, he held frustration in his voice.

“Dumah.” Valli just stared at him.

“I have been given orders to tare their form apart if I have to,” smirked Dumah. “I will destroy the swords they reside within and place them within some crafted just for me.”

“They might not survive the process,” commented Valli. “It was never perfected back then, and we lost so many sacred animals.”

“I don’t care as long as he does not get his hands on them, things should progress as planned,” hissed Dumah. “He has already put a dent in our plans, just by being within the city walls, I had hoped he would never be born again.”

“You don’t know if he is him,” responded Valli.

“Oh, I know he is and until I have full control over King Alton I cannot destroy him,” said Dumah heading towards the doors. Tigra gasped at his words. “Tomorrow we will reforge the twin lions into a new form.”

“I will make sure everything is prepared.” Valli bowed his head.

“Good.” Dumah glanced back at the lions. “Your power will never be within his hands again.” And he was gone, being replaced by sixteen knights who stayed behind to keep an eye on the swords. Was he really worried about someone getting their hands on the twin lion’s power before him?

I wondered who this him and he they were talking about, did they somehow want to prevent the return of someone as powerful as Fang, if so who? I looked at my hand, slowly hovering it over Larana and then Mila, and now Tigra brought me here to claim the twin lions for myself.

“I won’t let him destroy the lions,” I said.

“But what can we do?” questioned Brendan.

“We’ll just have to do what Tigra brought me here to do.” I stared down at the swords, they were calling to me; the statues set behind them looked back at me, their eyes gleaming with hidden power. Was I a form of the legendary Fang? Brought back to fight the darkness which threatened this world.

“There are too many of them for us to even get any closer,” commented Brendan.

“I’ll just have to try something new,” I grinned.

“Here we go,” sighed Tigra. “Always a game to you.”

“This is why you really brought me here,” I said without looking at Tigra. “You knew Dumah was attempting to obtain them and even destroy them, so you were hoping I would be the chosen one to wield their power, considering I have mastered two already.”

“Yes,” nodded Tigra. “I heard rumours about it spreading through some of the knights, such sacred beasts of history should be shown respect.”

“First let’s get down there.”

I jumped down from the balcony, using the wind to silently descend. I held my hand out in front of me, clenching my fist as I sucked away all the air around the knights spread across the room, just enough to cause them to collapse, clones or not they still needed oxygen to breathe.

I landed and turned to face the swords. Tigra quickly joined me, elegantly flipping in the air before landing beside me. Brendan being an Ursus took a bit longer, coming down with a crash.

I watched as the swords faintly glowed, waiting to test if I was worthy of their power.