I allowed my new team to relax and recover some of the strength they had lost during the test battle with me. I had been very impressed with their skills; they had much potential, but I could make them better; I just wanted to understand more of their limits and this sphere was the way to do it.

“Times up,” I broadcasted.

“Alright.” Ibiki got to his feet, followed by the others.

“Remember all you have to do is avoid the sphere, if not they’ll bash into you, if this was the harder kind, you’d get shocked and burnt,” I grinned as their expression remained focused, except for Kiba who held a small glint of fear within his eyes. “Okay let’s start with six each.” The sphere split into thirty-six and made for their targets.

I watched them avoid them skilfully, it brought a smile to my face, they were far better than I could have ever hoped for my team, no unit. At least I wasn’t given a bunch of wimps.

“How about level twelve.” I doubled it and seventy-two spheres appeared. I was quite surprised considering I had no idea how many spheres this thing could create.

Kiba and Finn started to mess up a little, getting hit here and there, while Edge, Lin, Ibiki and Rex continued to avoid each one, their instincts were strong.

“They aren’t half bad,” admitted Raziel.

“Don’t push them too hard,” said Larana. “Don’t want to break them yet,” she giggled.

“I think that is enough.” I held my hand out, the sphere became one and returned to me. This thing was awesome.

“Your dad trained you like that.” Ibiki inquired.

“Yep,” I nodded. “Reached Level thirty, the last time we trained together.” Just remembering him made me feel sad. Larana sat on my shoulder, touching my cheek. “Now any questions before I break up our first meeting?”

“How is it even possible that you are able to wield so many talismans? It’s impossible.” Lin seemed to find my power still dumbfounding. “Normally you can only bond with one.”

I shrugged. “My clan maybe. My dad wielded two talismans at one point.”

“I remember hearing tales of him,” said Rex. “He wields Zekon.”

“Correct,” I nodded.

“What about Kiba.” Ibiki pointed to him. “He’s part of your clan, yet he has yet to even get a talisman.”

“Hmm, maybe he just hasn’t met the right one,” I responded.

“Yeah right.” Kiba held doubt in his eyes looking at his dagger. “This is my family’s talisman, but unlike my dad it has never told me its name and stopped listening to my dad.”

“Larana stopped being my dad’s talisman when I was born, so its next master must be out there somewhere, plus each talisman is different, perhaps you have yet to pass its test.” I was trying to be encouraging.

“Like what?” asked Edge.

“For Mila, my will to help someone awakened her, for Raziel and Arata they gave me a test of wills.” I winced at the thought. “I’m not going to lie; it was quite painful.”

“Painful.” They were surprised

“Why would they do that?” asked Kiba.

“I don’t know, but it’s something that should be remembered.” I clapped my hands. “Meet me here again tomorrow, so I can work on making us the best team ever.”

“Right.” They all responded.

I felt quite proud as they headed off. I was going to make them the best in all Cathopia and perhaps I could use them to go looking for dad.

I headed home myself where mum, Brendan and Athena were waiting for me with a big cake.

“Congratulations are in order, for your first day with your team,” cheered Athena.

“You didn’t have too,” I responded embarrassed.

“Athena insisted on it,” smiled mum.

“Congrates Captain Fang,” said Brendan.

“Thank you,” I smiled, my heart feeling as if it was being lifted. They’d all supported me and sharing this with them so just so perfect.

We sat down to enjoy the cake, Athena asking me all sorts of questions about the members of my team. I told her about each one and the fight that had ensued as a test of my power.

I admitted then that they had me a little worried with how close they got to taking me down and wearing them all down had taken longer than I thought; I had been thankful for my own boundless energy supplies compared to theirs even with me using four talismans.

Then I came up with an idea. “Brendan, can I ask you a favour?” He glared at me, but slowly nodded, had he accepted he could not say no to me. “During my fight I saw much of what they were capable of, but I need to view it from the outside, see how they actually work as a team, who might be my second in command, my lieutenant.”

“You are already thinking about so much,” commented Brendan.

“With them I may be actually able to put a dent in the darkness, oh…” I had forgotten to check them for the dark mist.

“What?” Brendan looked at me puzzled.

“I forgot to check if they had become corrupted in anyway with Dumah’s dark influence. I cannot take them any further if they are.” I was annoyed with myself, how could I have forgotten something like that, perhaps the excitement of becoming a captain had caused me to forget such an important thing to check.

“Even if they have become corrupted, long exposure to a Fang, should eventually purify it,” mentioned mum. “If you’d had your awakening, you could purify it within an instant.”

“Did you have an awakening?” I asked curious.

“No,” she shook her head. “I am not a Warrior of Fang. I may have been gifted with our ancestor Fang’s clairvoyance, but it was your dad remember who became the Warrior of Fang.” She let out a sigh. “Still so much he could have helped you with.”

“I’ll find him,” I said getting to my feet. “And bring him home, once my team, unit is at one hundred percent.”

“I know you will,” she responded. Did she know what was going to happen when I encountered dad? I wondered if she could see everything that would happen, if so, then why didn’t she tell me?

“Um… Brendan and I have some preparation to make,” I said. Brendan gave me a nod. “It’ll be fun for you Brendan.”

“Really.” I had piqued his interest; just wait till he hears what I have planned for him.