Tigra and I had spent the next few days just reading books in her room, it was nice, she’d lean her back against me. I just relaxed and enjoyed her company. Every day as it got dark, she would fall asleep, she was so cute and today had been no different.

“Look at this,” she pointed at one of the illustrations of Fang. “I see Mila, Larana, Arata and Raziel, but I also spotted this one here.” She pointed directly to a little shield on his arm, connected directly to his vambrace. “I’m not sure, but I think this could also be a talisman.”

“Interesting.” I nodded, glancing at an illustration in mine and there the shield was again. “And in this one.” She looked over.

“Maybe I need to find it.” I glanced over at Raziel who was on guard today. “Do you know this one Raziel.”

“He is a forgotten talisman,” answered Raziel. “I lost track of him a few hundred years ago.”

“Shame,” I stared at it. “So, originally Fang had five talismans not four, but there is no mention about it anywhere.”

“Actually, four not five,” said Tigra.

“Huh.” I looked at her.

“Raziel and Arata count as one talisman as you cannot have one without the other, their power would be halved if they were separated.” Tigra grinned, proud she knew something I didn’t.

“Really?” I glanced back over to Raziel as he nodded his head. “Okay, what else do you know miss smarty-pants.”

“Only what’s in the books I read,” she replied.

“We did the whole you read one I read another to tell each other,” I snorted. “I’m not reading all of them again, these books have so many words and the last one I read half the words were missing.”

“Pretty old book then.” Tigra looked at the book. “But I wonder why these legends stopped being passed down.”

“Maybe to have everyone forget about the real danger of those who serve the darkness and about the light our clan brought to this world.” I could only guess. “Empress Milliana said if either dad or I weren’t here, this world would be in trouble.”

“Perhaps,” she nodded in agreement. “Have you talked to Brendan yet?” she asked.

“Not yet. I’m not sure how he’ll take me butting in, you know what he’s like,” I replied. “Last time I said something about his training, he bit my head off.”

“I think he’d just work harder at protecting Athena like you do for me,” commented Tigra.

“True.” I nodded. “I’ll have a word with him later.”

“I have an idea,” I glanced at her. “Why don’t we go back to the twin lion’s temple, it had loads of images throughout it, plus without the lion’s swords there Dumah would have no reason to have it under watch.”

“Not a bad idea,” I nodded. “Alright, we’ll head there tomorrow.”

“You sure you don’t mind taking me, mister it’s my duty,” grinned Tigra.

“I don’t mind, we’ll bring Dash, and Link will keep his usual distance watch,” I responded.

“Already got things planned in that head of yours,” she commented.

“Always.” I raised a fist. “Now let’s finish these last books.”

“Right.”

We went back to reading in silence, coming to the last pages I found a note written on the inside of the back page. ‘Our clan’s history is slowly fading, the dark power works to push Fang’s light from this world, preventing them from knowing our purpose here. I hope there is some light left before it is too late. I must go for the protection of my people. King Dagger Fang.’

I wondered more about my clan, why did this Fang named a King. I had never met another Fang member except for Kiba, who had sided with Dumah during my test for my unit. After that he joined my unit, where like the others he lost his life.

From what I had learnt so far, my clan had originally been there to combat this growth of dark power, the awakening happening in each generation, direct descendants of Fang but something happened to them as even Empress Milliana said they’d chased are clan away. I wondered if mum or dad knew because these books must have been written before it happened.

I heard a book fall and felt Tigra sliding down. I smiled; she’d fallen asleep. I slowly moved picking her up.

I walked over to the bed, gently putting her down, as I pulled away, she opened her eyes sleepily. “Leaving already.”

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“Do you have too?” She placed her hands on my cheeks.

“It’ll be Zack’s time to watch you soon,” I replied. “Plus, I need to go talk to Brendan.”

“Just a little longer.” She pulled my face closer to her, kissing me affectionately. I kissed back, moving closer as I became absorbed in her scent.

There was a knock at the door, I pulled away touching my forehead against hers. “Told you. Good night Tigra.”

“Night.” She smiled.

I left her there and left the room. Zack waiting outside patiently.

“Is she asleep already?” he asked.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I will leave her protection to you.”

“Of course,” nodded Zack.

I headed off, before I could get any sleep I needed to talk to Brendan about Athena. I wasn’t sure if he would believe what I had to say, but I was certain Athena already knew about the those who seek to use her power.

I caught them at home in the bakery, Brendan had quickly taken over my room the second I moved out.

“Yo, Brendan.” I waved as I walked in.

“Alex.” He was surprised to see me. “You don’t sleep here anymore.”

“No, I came to see you.” I laughed.

“What about?” He wasn’t one to mince his words.

“It’s about Athena,” I started. “She needs to be kept an eye on at all times.”

“What do you think I’m doing?” Brendan seemed a bit confused by my visit.

“Let me start from the beginning,” I said.

“That would be helpful.” I told Brendan about the awakening that had happened the day after the attack at the festival. About Fang coming to me, telling me about things. I kept the subject on Athena.

“He mentioned about a blue winged Avis having the power to transcend between worlds.” I finished.

“I know what needs to be done to protect her,” responded Brendan.

“If even Fang from the past is worried, I wanted you to know,” I mentioned. I was expecting a sharper response.

“My clan found Athena when she was a baby, she had a strange power to open portals, knowing she was different we pledge to protect her,” informed Brendan. “Like my brother before I will continue to do so.”

“I see,” I nodded understanding. “Just remember, there will be dark forces bent on capturing her.”

“You just protect Tigra from that monster Dumah. I will protect Athena,” said Brendan.

“Alright, but if you ever need a hand, just call on me,” I said determined to still help my friend.

“I will remember that Alex.” Brendan acknowledged me.

I smiled. “Plus, remember you still need to pay off your life dept to me.”

“Stop bringing that up,” snarled Brendan.

“I’m off, busy day tomorrow,” I said ready to leave.

“With Tigra,” he grinned.

“We are doing more research into my families old legends, still so much to learn.” I moved towards the door.

“I recommend you set something up outside the castle, if you are going to start some sort of resistance against the darkness,” said Brendan. “He has ears everywhere.”

“Thanks for the advice,” I acknowledged. “Later.” I waved.