Trapped within darkness I could no longer move, my senses all failing me as I could see, hear nor smell what was around me, wondering if the others were fairing any better than I. Link was already caught, and his defences would not last for very long now the Champion class warrior’s attention was fully on him.

  I tried so many times to will my body to move how I wanted it too, but none of the muscles within would listen. Unable to move, my senses moved to the dulled energy from my talismans. The lions had not moved from Tigra’s side, which meant he had not gone for her, which meant Leock was going for Link.

  “You really can’t get yourself out of this one.” Dad was laughing at me as I hung from a tree, vines wrapped around my leg.

  “Hard with no talismans!” I heard myself shouting back.

  “There is always away Alex. Your talismans have told you so many times before, when will it sink in, trust yourself.”

  “I need you.” I spoke within, calling out to Raziel and Arata. “Give me the strength to break through.” Reaching out to Mila and Larana.

  “Yes, master.” They responded.

  I released Larana’s fused armours power, ripping about the vines with wind alone, breaking free there was no light, which meant the effects to my senses was a side effect of the poison within the vines, no problem I’ve fought blind before but devoid of my sense of smell and hearing would be a problem.

  “Listen to my winds,” said Larana. “It will tell you the path.” I lifted my hand waving it up and down like a tide, sending out her gentle breeze across the room, information coming back. Zack and Dash were struggling, but they were handling themselves, Tigra stood back watching, even though she could not see past the vines, she held a stance of composure believing we would win. Leock was over with Link, trying to break through his protection.

  “Interesting, I apologise the will of darkness pushes me forward to do this,” he said, almost ashamed of what he was doing but also held the tone of curiosity. “What?” He moved, turning to face me. “How?” His voice like a silent whisper, heard through the wind.

  “Ready for round two,” I said igniting Raziel’s sword and sparks came from Arata’s. I let out a roar, summoning back my fire, enhanced only by Larana’s wind, spreading out across the whole area. I moved forward without hesitation sensing the movement of the vines through the condensed wind I had created around myself. Shifting my footing many times as I stepped over vines and even jumped over those coming towards me.

  “Impressive.”

  My clairvoyance came in to affect focusing more on this ability and that of the wind, I flowed like Mila’s water, as Leock thrusted forward, I moved only slightly avoiding it, feeling the air as it brushed past the side of my face. His wind talisman resided within these blades.

  Leock brought in his second blade swiping upwards, again I moved seeing it all without seeing.

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  “I know exactly what you’ll do next,” I whispered in his ear. I struck next bringing both Raziel and Arata up in a cross, out from the fire and lightning came out Raziel and Arata, bouncing down upon Leock, pinning him to the ground, using their claws and teeth to remove the daggers from his hands, preventing him from using his talisman’s power.

  I glanced over in Link’s direction, directing the fire to circle around him, destroying the vines that were holding him.

  “Thank you,” he said. “But are you alright?”

  “Fine.” I shook my head as my senses felt like they were burning. I rubbed my ears, hearing the slightest of sounds, my nose twitched to pick up the faintest of scents and a blur of colour across my eyes. “My body is fighting off the effects of his poison.”

  “A Fang.” He chuckled pinned there. “Should have guessed I would not win.”

  Through the vines came flying the vice-captain Ace. Zack and Dash panting, a few cuts here and there.

  “Ace,” called Leock.

  “Can we go home yet,” moaned Dash.

  “Not yet.” Zack gave him a little smack over the head. “What have I told you about complaining.”

  “Sorry.” He slumped over.

  “Do you wish for us to finish him,” snarled Arata.

  “First some questions, is Vali beyond those doors?” I asked.

  “Indeed.” My vision cleared as I saw his nod. “He has gathered great dark energy since the day he was revived.”

  “Do you know what he is planning?” I asked.

  “To claim what was once his,” he responded.

  “Elaborate,” said Zack.

  “Vali is somewhat like you, young warrior of the Fang clan. He stood at the doors of greatness, royalty, a line of princes, first born, next in line to the throne, but fate was against him and evil plans set in motion to take away that which he yearned for.”

  “Vali is a prince,” commented Dash.

  “Fang’s a prince.” Link caught on quick.

  “I just found out myself, that my clan was the second king of Cathopia, standing side by side Tigra’s ancestors,” I mentioned, catching a glimpse of Tigra as she approached, her expression just as surprised as I had been. “Please continue.”

  “Back then like so many twisted by the plays of darkness, his family dishonoured by rumours and trickery so easily in those days of darkness. His throne, title all taken from him, strived from the power that was rightfully his he turned to darkness to gain back what was his, and you’ve seen the results of what happened. Our beautiful palace corrupted and forgotten, warriors of old forced to continue to walk, even though death is all that we call for now, so please Fang, warrior of blood far ancient than ours, free us in the name of the goddess of light.”

  I lifted my hand. “Thank you.” I called forth the light within me, pushing it towards him, directly ridding him of the darkness that had kept him bound for so long.

  “No, thank you.” He began to disappear. “And please return our talismans home.”

  “We will.” I heard Tigra as I moved than same energy to Ace.

  “Finally, I can see my family again, thank you.” And he too disappeared.

  We all stood there in silence, respecting the passing of two fine warriors, who should have been able to find peace a long time ago. Vali had trapped them all just to fill in some lost fantasy of being an Emperor, but no more, we would bring peace to all those he had trapped here.