After Link had finished the burial for his fallen friends and family, we slowly headed back to the village, our pace a slow one, releasing all that energy which had come from a pure light somehow related to my awakening I felt tired and wanted nothing more than to have a good sleep.

Link moved stiffly; it had been years since he had left the crater. He stared down at his feet when he touched grass, lifting it up and down.

“Soft.” It was almost like he was a child, then he looked skyward as the last of the storm clouds cleared away, revealing blue skies. “Beautiful.”

“You alright?” asked dad, patting me on the back.

“Yeah, sooner we return to the village the better,” I replied. “At least now we don’t have to worry about the lightning striking anymore.”

“Sorry about that.” I heard a bout of guilt in Link’s voice.

“You have nothing to apologise for Link,” said dad. “When protecting what you believe in, sometimes you become blinded and can no longer see the truth.” Dad moved ahead as we came to the borders of the village. “You serve my son now; your path will be a tough one, but he will guide your actions and you’ll never be lost again.”

“Yamato!” A voice shouted. “The storms they’re gone.”

“Yes, elder.” Yamato bowed as a group of Animalia came into view. “I bring home a present.”

“Elder Teppei.” Link’s expression lit up.

“Link,” smiled Elder Teppei. “At last, you have finally returned home safe and sound.”

“I’m so sorry.” Link’s eyes welled up, he fell to his knees, almost like he was ashamed of what he had done. “I couldn’t protect anyone, they all died.”

Elder Teppei strode closer embracing him. “You protected us from the dangers within the crater, destroying those who wished us harm, you did what was right, your job is done now, your parents would be proud of you.”

“You think,” he gazed upwards as Elder Teppei moved away.

“I do,” he nodded. “You all need your rest now, come.”

I looked around noticing that none of my unit were present. “Elder, where is my unit?”

“They are still out within the forests, working in Yamato’s stead,” answered Elder Teppei.

“Larana contact Ibiki,” I said.

“Right, connection made,” informed Larana.

“Ibiki,” I began.

“Fang.” He almost sounded surprised to hear from me.

“Return to the village,” I ordered.

“I would but something strange is happening,” he responded.

“What?” I wanted an answer.

“Strange activity from the knights guarding the area,” began Ibiki. “They seem to be reinforcing the walls with the elemental energy from talismans. Rex has tried to knock it down but seems to be too powerful.”

“Why would they be doing that?” I was puzzled.

“Kiba also says the walls seem to be steaming with dark energy,” continued Ibiki. “Something big is happening.”

“Return to the village, you can tell me everything and then we’ll make a plan,” I ordered.

“Roger.”

“What’s wrong?” asked dad.

“They have reinforced the surrounding walls with elemental energy and seems to be steaming with dark energy too, they’re up to something,” I informed.

“Looks like he doesn’t want us getting out,” chuckled dad.

“Dad this isn’t funny,” I shook my head.

“This is no different from any other time they have tried to trap a Fang.” Dad seemed unfazed by what was happening, was it really nothing to worry about? I wasn’t so sure. “Listen, there will be challenges ahead, that seem impossible to overcome, but they are simply tests, something that must be passed to continue the path fate has written for you.”

“Dad, do you know what is going to happen?” I asked.

“He told me many things, but I do not know everything,” he shook his head. “Three Fangs in one place, two of which hold the title Warrior of Fang, he will come, especially now we have destroyed his dark crystals.”

“You mean the Draco,” I said remembering him.

“Ah, you have met him before,” acknowledged dad.

“Yes, he thought I was about to die, so left me be,” I mentioned.

“If only he knew.”

My unit returned to the village, all tense from the activities they saw the knights doing, were they scared? They all came straight over.

“Chief Yamato,” said Kiba. “They are all using dark and elemental energy. Are they summoning something?”

“Not sure until it gets here,” responded dad.

“I won’t let them harm anyone else,” snarled Link.

“Who’s this?” questioned Edge.

“Not now,” I said. “Get everyone inside…”

“Warriors of Fang.” A voice rang through the air. “Been a while since I’ve seen so many in one place. Your light grows weaker, while mine forever grows stronger.” My nose and ears twitched trying to locate where the voice was coming from.

“There!” Link pointed upwards, all the hairs on his body standing on end. “He is the one who planted the dark crystals.”

Flying high above was the Drago I had met before, his whole body breathed with dark energy, he was completely one with it. I could tell just seeing him, he was in charge, the one leading all those who followed the darkness.

“One half of the eternal dragon,” commented dad.

“It seemed this place didn’t just trap you Yamato but your son too,” he gazed down upon us like we were ants. “You have all been a hindrance in my plans, since your son began his journey, it’s a shame the poison did not kill him, it would have saved him the horrors I will summon before you now.” He rose his hand skywards, drawing in dark energy.

“What is he doing?” asked Kiba as we all stared in wonder.

“I have to stop him.” Larana’s wings appeared.

Dad grabbed hold of my hand. “You will die if you face him. He is the embodiment of darkness itself.”

“But…” I looked directly up at him.

“Trust me Alex.” He didn’t have to say that, of course I trusted him.

I watched as the dark energy grew bigger and bigger, until it blocked out even the light from the sun. The Draco’s laughter began to fill the air as he knew his victory was assured.

“Goodbye Warriors of Fang, say hi to the goddess for me.” The Drago slowly ascended upwards as the sphere of dark energy began to drop, like an asteroid, was this the end.