With Dash and Zack walking beside me we had walked past the only landmark on the map Queen Daz had given us to find the home of the Rattus Warriors, surely they could locate the one who had killed Gual.

I stopped sensing something wasn’t right. I turned around to see that neither Dash nor Zack were there, they had completely disappeared.

“Zack! Dash!” I called for them but heard no reply back. I rushed back but couldn’t find them or the rock where we had started. “Damn.” I cursed.

“Help me Fang!” I heard Tigra’s voice. I turned around to see her and somehow I was back at the castle, in the throne room. Tigra was tied against the throne. “Look out!” She shouted as I was cut along my arm; I jumped back to see Dumah wielding his flaming sword.

“Come to take my betrothal away,” he snarled. I felt a burning pain in my arm it was getting worse, like a spreading fire. I remembered this fire from the talisman he wielded. “I will be king of Cathopia.”

“I don’t think so.” I stepped forward, realising I was unarmed and without any of my talismans, how was I meant to fight him?

“Scared Fang,” he spat. “You know I will always be far more powerful than you.” He was taunting me. “She will be mine.”

I couldn’t step down I needed to keep pushing forward, it didn’t matter if he was stronger than me, at this moment I had no other option but to attack, even with no weapons, he wouldn’t stop me. I would become Tigra’s Guardian and protect her from even being betrothed to him.

“She doesn’t love you Dumah, and she never will!” I ran forward baring my claws.

“Such a fool.” Dumah raised his sword, his talisman spirit appearing above him. “Like she will ever love you!” I felt a sting as I heard him say those words, but I did not hesitate, I wasn’t going to lose to him.

As I got closer I swiped multiple times. Dumah dodged each one effortlessly, a smug smile on his face as a dark aura growing bigger and stronger around him, feeding him.

Dumah jumped back away from me, the flaming spirit of his talisman turning black, great wings outstretched, purple energy coming forth from his mouth. I went to move out of the way to avoid the pending attack, but it still ended up a direct hit.

I fell back, my whole body filled with pain, questioning what had happened for me to get hit with such power, feeling the world around me fading away as the darkness came in around me, trying to consume me.

I blinked finding myself kneeling on the floor out of breath, what was that? It felt more than just an illusion.

I recovered from the strange illusion to see Madi and other Rattus Warriors standing before me. Some of their noses were twitching, gazing at the newcomer.

“Welcome Fang.” Madi was grinning at me.

“Madi,” I managed a smile, I had found them.

“We apologise, our illusion seems to have had a negative effect on you,” she bowed apologetically.

“Negative effect?” I slowly got to my feet, brushing myself off.

“Our illusion is simply to test the intentions of those who come seeking us,” informed Madi. “It seemed it got more personal.”

“Don’t worry about it, a demon I will one day defeat.” I looked around to see Zack and Dash just standing there looking out into space. “Are they?” I began my question but never finished.

“Yes,” nodded Madi. “Now Fang, what brings you here?” She waved her hand, insisting I follow.

“I have a need for your skills,” I began.

“I see,” she nodded.

“Considering your reputation, I suspect you have already heard about Zack’s dad Gual,” I said.

“They say he took his own life, but you believe differently.” I was right, they most probably even knew what we were doing here. “What makes you think that?”

I explained everything that had happened up to this point. During my explanation Madi had settled down at a table and made up some herbal tea, and we were eventually joined by Zack and Dash, who had finally escaped from the Rattus illusions, which I was informed would have been different for each individual.

“I have come for your help to track the Latrodectus who took his life,” I finished.

“We will indeed help you, and considering you gave my team and I shelter; I shall do this for free.” Madi kept a serious expression throughout.

“Thank you.”

“Are you sure you’ll be able to find her?” Zack questioned their abilities.

Madi ignored Zack completely. “You may stay here until we find her.” Madi stood up bowing, before leaving.

“Seriously.” I locked eyes with Zack.

“You expect rodents to find an Latrodectus.” He stood up. “I can’t understand why I keep following you, you’re nothing but a baker’s son.”

“Back off,” I snarled.

“You’d be nothing without those talismans you’re so proud of,” hissed Zack.

“Please don’t fight,” pleaded Dash.

“Stay out of it,” snapped Zack.

“We are all here for the same reason.” Dash stood up. “To find the one who killed Gual.” Zack and I fell silent. “Forget everything else and focus on that.” Dash was right and we both knew it.

“Whatever.” Zack walked off.

“Please try to calm down Fang, he has just lost his dad.” Dash was trying so hard to keep the peace between us.

“I know,” I sighed.

“We have some time before we face the Latrodectus,” spoke Raziel appearing beside his brother. “I suggest you get some practise in, you may wield our swords but not our power.”

“Alright,” I nodded heading off where I asked the nearest Rattus I came across if they had a training facility I could use.

She led me to a large area, an open space with an obstacle course at the far end. It was nothing compared to Cathopia, but it would be perfect for now. Dash had followed, I didn’t know why I wasn’t anything special.

“Ready.” Raziel sat beside me as I drew his sword. “Focus on the heat of my sword, pass your power into my blade and swipe.” Raziel always talked as if I had never used a talisman before.

I placed my power into the blade, fusing it with his power. “Rah!” I let out a cry as I swiped, sending a wave of fire out. It went on for a meter and faded away. I was panting. “Again.” I swiped the blade again, making more fire that travelled further. “Uh…” I stumbled, kneeling on one knee. “Damn.”

“Better than last time,” grinned Raziel. “Didn’t pass out this time.”

“I know my limits Raziel,” I responded.

“Fang.” I glanced over at Dash.

“Again.” I stood up not caring about exserting my power. I wanted to let some frustration out and this was the way I would do it. The lion swords used so much more energy than I had to give but if I was to improve I would need to become stronger and build up the energy I needed to wield them properly.

I managed another four slashes of their power, feeling my own depleting with each one. As the fourth dispersed mere inches away from me, I passed out with not even enough energy to keep standing, perhaps I had taken my frustration a little too far.