I heard the bustling life of the palace gardens as visitors came to the palace, market day where crafters, artisans and food sellers came to sell their wares, encouraged and supported by the emperor. He was graceful, powerful, similar in stature to Skyrus, walking amongst his kin, even surrounded by sacred animals.

  The place was filled with so much life and peace in the days when the goddess’s light shone brightest. I could sense this light as it was the same energy when we had visited her down below Anamothra.

  A cry for help as an Avis gladded in armour attacked an innocent, their body surrounded in dark power, grinning with glee.

  “How dare you step on these grounds defiled one!” shouted the emperor.

  “These grounds belong to me now.” I recognised their voice, it was Vali. The one who had struck down suddenly rose to their feet, inflicted with dark energy, a weapon appeared in hand and struck down the next, who also changed.

  “We must leave!” A griffin pushed the emperor along as the place fell into panic, one after the other corrupted when struck down by the darkness, it was so strong and powerful. Then there behind Vali I saw a Drago, who’s form seemed to shift and change within darkness, roaring unleashing the dark power upon the palace like a curse upon it.

  I woke startled realising it must have been the memories of one of those dark Avis who had been purified. As I suspected not long after we arrived that Vali had been the root cause of this place’s corruption and the one behind me had been a form of the eternal dragon, perhaps the monster himself.

  I noticed I was in a makeshift tent, put together with earth, most likely from Link’s power. I sat up to see him by the entrance, sleeping while sitting.

  I crawled from the space and peeked outside to see Dash and Tigra wondering about the area, which had been completely transformed, to the green grass blanketing the ground to the blossom on the trees, what the heck had I done.

  “Dash there are more over here.” Tigra called uncovering the ground.

  “What happened?” I said going to stand next to Zack who was watching them.

  “You happened,” responded Zack. “Brought this place back to life and this…” He held out his hand, showing a yellow crystal filled with light energy. “And I thought light crystals couldn’t be created.”

  “Not usually.” I took it from him. “Maybe it has something to do with the first one I made and the recent connection with the goddess.”

  Zack shrugged. “Her highness has an idea.”

  “What idea?” I asked.

  Tigra came rushing over with arms full of light crystals. “Feeling better I hope.”

  I nodded. “What’s this plan of yours?”

  “Well, you’re the only one who can combat the dark Avis because of your light, well according to Raziel over there, these are filled with your light so we could use them to enhance our weapons so we can also destroy the dark Avis taking the strain off you.”

  “Unfortunately, these don’t hold energy like the dark crystal so will burn out pretty quickly,” mentioned Dash. “But with so many they should last us a while.”

  “The only problem with that is the fact there are two other sites empowered with dark crystals like this one,” informed Link. “Having cleared this area my senses have returned to normal, if we do not destroy those two places, we have no hope in locating the one behind this.”

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  “Vali.” I huffed at his name. “Listen up guys.” They all looked at me. “During times long past Vali was the one who turned this place into the forgotten palace.”

  “Really.” Zack found it hard to believe.

  “The events recorded in the stories I grew up on are all true as you know, but also those who we have been combatting against were the ones Fang also fought against, but I have a feeling that the power they wield isn’t as powerful as when Fang had to deal them considering there is more light in this time than there was in the past.”

  “Keep to the point Fang,” interrupted Tigra.

  I didn’t like being interrupted but there was no time for me to be rambling, “Vali is trying to repeat what he did here to the forgotten palace.” I looked around the place. “I came into contact with one of the dark Avis memories, once a warrior who served within these walls, all it took was a strike from Vali to corrupt a single soul, but now he needs to use his condensed crystal, if we don’t stop him the whole of Anamothra will become the next forgotten palace.”

  “I see.” Zack nodded.

  “Does that mean we’ve been facing these guys on easy mode,” wondered Dash.

  “There are still many who carry Fang’s light but, in the past, he was the only one,” added Link.

  “It was the sacred animals who sent this palace into the heavens.” Mila appeared. “When I was a child, I saw it rise, then tales of undead warriors corrupted by the eternal dragon lived here, serving him ready for war.”

  “Mila.” I patted her on the hand. “We’re about to free them all and return this place to the emperor.”

  “That is quite the list of stuff to do we have,” shrugged Tigra.

  “I know.” I held out my hand. “Hand over the crystals and your weapons. I’ll infuse them to each other.” They all did as I said and one by one each weapon was enveloped in a white light, my power encircled them, it seemed odd that they went together so easy, perhaps it was related to our connection with one another. “Hope you guys are ready to storm some bases.”

  “As soon as this darkness lifts and more light rains we’ll be able to sense where Vali is,” said Link, who seemed in better condition.

  “Link here.” I held out my hand, infusing one of the light crystals to the pendent around his neck. “This should weaken the effects the crystals are having on you, can’t have one of my members slowing us down.”

  Link smirked. “Thank you.”

  “That’s similar to Tigra’s are you betrothed to him too,” blurted out Dash.

  “What?” Tigra went bright red.

  “Pardon?” I was almost lost for words.

  “Of course not…” Tigra glanced back and forth from me to them, not sure what to do.

  “Wasn’t I supposed to say that.” Dash sheepishly looked about.

  “Well cats out of the bag,” shrugged Zack. “We all know about you and Tigra.”

  “Is it that obvious,” I said feeling flustered.

  “Not in public but in private it is,” commented Link. “Zack doesn’t even watch you at night when he knows you’re in her room.”

  “Someone kill me now.” Tigra shrunk down to the size of an ant.

  “Zack.” I glanced at him.

  “She doesn’t need me when she got you next to her.” He looked away as he said it.

  “How long have you guys known?” I asked.

  “Since the beginning I guess, after all we did know you were friends, but you were a bit too close,” answered Zack. “Don’t worry your highness, your secret is safe with us, but I have one question.”

  “What?” She sighed.

  “Have you given him your betrothal gift?” Her eyes widened as he said it.

  “Raw subject Zack,” I said quickly. “Dumah stole it and won’t return it to Tigra.”

  “So, everyone thinks your betrothed to Dumah because he has it.” Zack pondered for a moment. “Fang needs it if he is become your full-time mate.”

  “Shut up.” She covered her eyes.

  “I think you may be embarrassing the princess,” commented Link.

  “I have a plan for the betrothal sword when we get back,” I mentioned. “King Alton will take it back.”

  “What?” They all seemed surprised.

  “But that is for later, first we have to deal with Vali, so stay focused.” I wondered over to Tigra. “At least we don’t need to hide in front of them.” She slowly nodded. “After all, as your Guardians getting you back home safe is our duty.” The three of them nodded. “Move out.”