We were coming close to Cathopia, and I was filled with two emotions, anticipation for when Dumah saw that I wielded the powers of the twin winged lions he had tried to claim and a strange nervousness as everyone’s eyes would be on me chosen one of the winged lions.

Tigra stopped. “For this to really annoy Dumah, I think you should be riding one.”

“Ride one?” I glanced at Arata who had been coaxed back out by his brother, he just turned his head in a different direction, wouldn’t be riding him any time soon. Raziel on the other hand lowered himself.

“Don’t you remember, the hero from the legends often rode his lions,” I nodded acknowledging Tigra’s fact, perhaps she had taken in more of my favourite stories than I thought.

I nervously walked up to Raziel. “Don’t worry master, you will be safe riding with me.” I climbed on and he stood up straight again.

Sitting on him I could feel our connection, his power that fused within mine, I felt strangely closer to him.

I stroked his mane, soft but held this heat to it. I closed my eyes taking in the moment, getting a true feel for his power.

“Let’s move,” cheered Tigra. I was certain she was looking forward to this more than I was. I opened my eyes as Raziel began walking forward, he was proud and strong.

“Comfortable master?” he enquired.

“I am,” I nodded feeling both safe and honoured to be able to ride such a majestic animal.

Tigra walked beside me, touching the white lion’s mane, he didn’t seem to mind, he glanced at her, perhaps already knowing her importance as princess of Cathopia.

We made it back to the bridge back into Cathopia where we came across the first set of knights on guard duty. They stood there astonished at the sight of the lions.

“The twin lions,” he coughed. “No one has drawn their power in thousands of years.” He turned to his fellow knight. “Send a message to the king.”

“Right,” he nodded and ran off; he left with such fast speed, a Jubatus.

“Remember casually,” whispered Brendan.

“I know,” I glanced at him, really feeling the pressure now as everyone would know I held the power of the twin lions. It was obvious on every Animalia’s face that we passed staring in wonder.

“No pressure,” giggled Tigra.

We headed straight towards the castle, gathering quite a large crowd, every Animalia we passed seemed to follow, they were all talking amongst themselves in marvel of the lion’s appearance.

“Raziel, Arata stop,” I gulped, they listened. It was obvious they weren’t nervous by the number of the crowds. “Now roar.”

Raziel and Arata took a more powerful stance, opening their wings and letting out a loud roar, which echoed through the city.

As the roar ended the large crowds cheered, loving the sight of the winged lions, who wouldn’t be astounded by their appearance, to see their power again, for the first time in thousands of years.

“Someone finally drew the lion swords, amazing,” cheered one Animalia.

“Isn’t that the runt everyone’s been talking about, what was he called again?”

“Fang!” A voice raised above all others and the crowd kneeled, it was King Alton.

I climbed down from Raziel and bowed, showing my respect. “Your Majesty.” King Alton remained silent for the longest time, glancing between the lions, then back at me.

“We finally have a champion of the winged lions.” He raised his arms, and the crowd became more hyped, cheering even more. He smiled at me with such pride, a look dad often gave me. “I didn’t know Feles were still trying to obtain the swords, considering you already hold two talismans, do you think you’re being greedy?”

“I am doing my best to become what my father saw in me, to be like him, to be the best knight in all Cathopia, to protect everyone,” I answered his question, but I did not understand where it had come from. Did he feel threatened by the fact I held the power of four individual spirits? “I will become the Guardian of Princess Tigra.”

I waited patiently for him to give a response to my answer. I just prayed it wasn’t throw him in the dungeon or kill him, he’s too strong. I glanced at Dumah who held an expression of absolute disgust.

“Good answer,” nodded King Alton, he seemed pleased.

“I’m sure Dumah could have easily obtained the lions if he had tried to complete their trail of worth, after all he is a powerful Leo,” I said slyly, wanting to make them think anyone could have passed it.

“True, I’m sure,” agreed King Alton.

“I don’t mind if you want to try,” I grinned. “Their test.” Raziel stepped forward, listening obediently.

“They have already chosen a master; it would be silly to do that.” Dumah looked away nervously. I had him right where I wanted him. “Plus, I cannot wield more than one talisman unlike your clan.” His expression was a mixture of disgust at my success and frustration as I had beat him to it.

“That reminds me, your Majesty.” I moved the subject on finding that my duty to Cathopia was far more important than making Dumah squeal, plus I had seen the reaction I wanted from him, so I was more than happy to end his misery. “I must discuss something we saw at the temple.”

“Of course,” he nodded. “This way.”

Things had gone far better than I thought, but I had yet to see this increase in my knight status. Having the lions seemed to have increased my popularity within the city within a matter of seconds, every female Feles was aweing at me, almost like they had fallen in love with me, bunch of rubbish and good luck with that I only had room for Tigra within my heart.

As I passed Dumah we shared a glance, looked like he was trying to kill me with his eyes. I just smiled at him. I’d train with the lions, then I would destroy him and the darkness he had brought to my home.