When I woke I was in a hut, with Dash waiting eagerly next to me. I gave him a strange look, having Tigra looking after me was great, but Dash who I still barely knew, a little creepy.

“Sorry you shouldn’t have had to see that,” I said shaking off the weakness that came with the overuse of my power, which to be honest I was getting used to, not sure if it was a good thing.

“I’d heard rumours you hadn’t masters the twin lions yet,” commented Dash, even though I had admitted that earlier to him.

“They use up a lot of power,” I admitted, sitting up. “It’ll be some time before I can do more than what you saw, as I received their power way too soon.” Why the hell was I telling him this? I didn’t know him, yet I felt I could trust him.

“I believe you can.” Dash had such a strange faith in me.

“Oh.” I just remembered we had left so quickly that Dash had no chance to tell his parents where we’d be. “Hope your parents don’t get angry about you disappearing from Cathopia like this.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that.” Dash laid down on one of the beds. “I don’t have any parents.”

“Oh…Sorry.”

“I’ve been on my own my whole life,” continued Dash. “I was found by Queen Daz when she was travelling back to the city, she then entered me into the knight’s academy saying she saw much potential in me, much like Gual for you, but…” His eyes glazed over. “Being a Wilds, I wasn’t treated well, they all made fun of me because of it and the fact I was an orphan.” He then smiled at me. “That stopped when you stood up for me.”

“I thought you could use a hand,” I smiled.

“And now you’re doing the same for Zack,” added Dash.

“Trying, but also to clear Gual’s honour.” Zack suddenly came in, laying on a bed without saying a single word to me or Dash.

“Night,” cheered Dash.

We stayed in the Rattus village for two days before we heard any news on the location of the Latrodectus, during that time I continued to practice with the twin lion. Raziel had taken it upon himself to tell me when I was about to reach my limit, passing out would affect my status as a knight and well left me vulnerable.

Dash always watched. I could only guess where Zack was playing solo, wondering off on his own, to be honest I only saw him at night when we went to sleep, still he said nothing to me. I didn’t care I was here for Gual, not sure about Dash though.

Early on the third day, Madi came with the news, she seemed concerned about this Latrodectus we wanted to track down, but I already knew the dangers when I saw everything which had happened to Gual.

“Her kind are know for their potent poison, she is too dangerous for young knights such as yourselves to be taking on,” said Madi.

“We are still going,” I said.

“Very well, I can see no matter what I say you will still go,” sighed Madi. “Her name is Zahar, known to have killed ever target she has been tasked to complete, no matter how strong they are. She is known for playing with her prey, setting up her traps of webbing until they can no longer move at all, extremely dangerous most hunters have left her be, hoping she does not come for them, yet you seek to capture her.”

“We will succeed,” said Zack.

“Currently she has set up camp in the ruins south to our location.” She handed as a detailed map. “You best hurry though, she will not be there for much longer.”

“Thank you.” I took the map and handed it to Dash. “I look forward to using your services again.”

“The next time won’t be free,” she grinned. “And only if you survive your encounter with her.”

“Let’s go already,” snarled Zack impatiently.

“I know what ruins these are,” cheered Dash. “I went there quite often.”

“That’s why I gave it to you,” I commented. “Lead the way.” I had discovered over the years, that most of the ruins around the city were all that remained of small villages from the past, most had underground passageways leading underground, sometimes to mines, hot springs and even temples.

We left the Rattus village, which was far easier than finding the place, we also confirmed that the rock marked the entrance. I suspected it was also what caused the illusion that protected their village.

Dash took the lead with the map in hand as neither Zack nor I knew where we were going for these ruins. Dash had most probably played in that one too as a child.

The walk was a rather quiet one, I couldn’t tell if it was nervousness or did we just have nothing to talk about. My suspicions were confirmed as we approached some ruins we could see ahead as Dash’s spots began to faintly glow, if he really wanted to be a knight he would need to get that under control.

“Calm down, we’ll be fine,” I smile encouragingly.

“Yeah.” He was shaking.

“With your speed not even a Latrodectus can touch you,” commented Zack shaking his head. “But if you are too scared you can stay here.”

“No,” gulped Dash. “I came to help.”

“Shhh,” I hushed them. “If Madi is right and this Latrodectus is as strong as she claims we will need to work together to beat her. Dash’s speed, Zack’s shadow and my power over talismans, we fight as one.”

“We’ve never fought together,” said Zack.

“Trust in your instincts, they will guide us all through this,” I encouraged them all.

I took a deep breath knowing this was going to be a tough fight ahead of us, surely the three of us would be able to defeat her, even though Gual met his end at her hands. I could sense to the emotions from those I came with. Zack’s rage, anger, his need for revenge. Dash’s will to help me, his fear, nervousness.

I touched Raziel’s mane drawing my courage from him as I continued to walk forward with no hesitation into the spider’s web, into danger.