I woke startled as I saw the black Draco Melchiah who had attacked during the festival. He fired his deadly attack directly at me, and there was nothing I could do about it; I was thrown back, glimpsing a full moon red as blood.

I sat up gasping, wondering what the heck had happened. I saw Tigra’s concerned face, as she sat next to me.

“Alex.” She placed her hand on my chest as I tried to calm my breathing down. “Are you okay? You just suddenly blacked out.”

It took me a moment to reply processing the information from the casket. “Fine.”

“She calls for you even now,” said Raziel.

“Who?” I questioned.

“The goddess of worlds,” replied Raziel.

“Goddess?” Tigra looked at him.

“It does not surprise me that you have not heard of her,” said Raziel. “Even at the birth of this world, dark forces sort to strip her of her power and plague this world in an eternal darkness, where not even an ounce of life may live.”

“She was being consumed by darkness I think,” I mumbled thinking back on it.

“As this world is consumed, so will her power,” said Arata.

“That is why so long ago they targeted spirits and sacred animals,” informed Raziel. I heard Arata snarl as he mentioned sacred animals. “One was born able to communicate with spirits and brought light wherever he went, that was our master.”

“Fang,” I said.

“Yes,” nodded Raziel. “He was born with the blessing from the goddess and eternal light, which was passed down through chosen ones in his blood line, direct descendants like your mother and those chosen to become Warrior of Fangs, like your father.”

“Can’t believe your supposed to be him,” snarled Arata.

“Fang, you are so much more than you think you are, and there is still so much for you to learn, but now you have had your awakening and seen her, it’s time you made a move against that foul Draco.” Raziel seemed to stand taller, opening his wings slightly. “You must start with those who govern under him, those who brought death to so many close to you.”

“Dumah and his unit,” I said.

“Yes,” nodded Raziel. “Just their presence here spreads his dark power, their touch poisons this land, making its breath even shorter and the goddess weaker.”

“I understand.” I got to my feet. I would have to hunt every single one of them down, but where was I meant to start. “I’ll destroy them all, not just for my friends whose lives they took, but for the goddess to regain her power to balance this world.” I was filled with the anger I felt for Dumah and anticipations of the battles to come.

“But be patient master, the time of their demise will come.” Raziel looked at Tigra. “Weaken the darkness will slowly heal your father from the damage it has done to him.”

“Really.” Tigra held this strange hope in her eyes, almost like she was picturing her dad happy again. The thought even made me smile, she’d been worried about him, especially when he was at his worst with the paranoia and distrust. “Alex.”

“I know,” I put my hand on her shoulder. “And then we can be together without worry, not even Dumah will stand in our way.” I stood up. “Come on, we’ve learned all we can here.”

“Okay,” nodded Tigra. “But are you sure you are okay?”

“I’m fine,” I smiled, holding my hand out. She took hold of it, and I pulled her to her feet. The light of love, was the goddess reference to Tigra, but it made me wonder, did Fang not have someone he loved? “We will face many challenges together, but I know we’ll make it through till the end.”

“Yes.” She came to lean on me.

“I think we’ve kept Dash waiting long enough.” She nodded.

“I am glad you are finally ready master,” said Raziel.

“I guess.” I let out a sigh. “I have a lot of work ahead of me, if I am to bring down this dark power, but…” I looked at my hand. “It also means I have to become so much stronger and having access to the other talisman’s armours would help in that.”

“You’ll never use my armour,” snarled Arata. Raziel shook his head, perhaps he was even getting annoyed by his brother’s behaviour towards me.

“Arata…” I stopped myself. “Let’s go.” As we left the crept where the legendary Fang had been laid to rest. I noticed all my talisman spirits hesitation, but they knew I was their master now. “We’ll come back to visit any time you want.”

Larana raced over to sit on my shoulder. “Really.”

“Of course,” I nodded. He meant the world to them; from the tales they had been their first friend after being forced to become talismans. “He was very important to you, and I hope someday you will all feel the same way towards me too.” I glanced at Arata, he just huffed, I know one day he would trust me.