I had been given the morning off as Tigra wanted to spend some female time with Athena, even Dash was told to stay away if he didn’t want to hear all their girl talk. I thought whatever and decided to hang out with my best bud Brendan.

“I wonder what’s got into Tigra?” wondered Brendan, grabbing hold of my arm, and swinging me across the training grounds. We were sparring, something much more fun than some girl talk.

“Who cares.” I answered, gripping onto his arm, he wasn’t going to throw me again.

Brendan smirked as he swung faster. “You should, you are her Guardian.” He held so much strength in his arms, I couldn’t hold on and was thrown against the wall.

Larana softened the blow and I landed on my feet, unharmed. “All she told me was she wanted to spend time with Athena.”

“Is anyone watching her?” He asked.

“Link.” I answered. “He is always watching.” I pointed to a single point in the distance. “Over there at the moment.”

Brendan laughed. “Always keeping tabs on your new team.”

“I guess,” I shrugged. “Round 4.”

“Put some effort into it this time,” sighed Brendan. “You’re getting boring.”

“Pardon.” I was shocked, but he just smiled.

“Been a while since we’ve done this.” I nodded to his words.

I ran at him, using only Larana to push him backwards. I stayed back enough so he couldn’t catch me, but that didn’t stop him. He stepped forward to swipe me with his claws, I ducked low, then jumped as he next swung his claymore.

“Better.” Earth shook underneath where his sword had been swung, coming up to greet me. My eyes widened as it pushed me up, Brendan grabbed hold of my leg.

“No way.” I summoned Larana’s wings, trying to fly away, dragging him along the ground. His power over earth was even stronger now he had mastered the sword passed down his family, a powerful earth talisman named Diluc. I never figured out how one became a talisman, but he was immensely powerful.

“You know you can’t move me like this,” laughed Brendan.

This continued for the next hour, until it was over. It was always a friendly match, so no overpowered moves, but for some reason it always ended with me on the floor and Brendan sitting on top.

“You really are a push over, when you don’t fight back.” Brendan looked down at me.

“How about we get something to eat now,” I coughed out the words.

“Sounds good, your mum’s pastries are the best.” Brendan stood up, holding his hand out to me.

“That they are.” I took hold of it, and we headed off.

Going along the corridors of the castle, heading towards the bakery, Brendan asked. “How are you and Tigra?”

“Fine,” I answered.

“That’s not what I meant.” He grinned.

I looked away. “Everything is fine.” I repeated. “It’s nice to be able to spend so much time with her.”

“Come on tell me.” We both looked ahead hearing Tigra. “You know I’m right.”

“No.” Athena responded as they came into view. They both stopped when they saw us. Athena looked at Brendan, then turned away. “Tigra.”

“Hi.” Tigra waved. “Come on.” Tigra pulled Athena. “We still have loads to do.”

“But…” Athena was reluctant for some reason.

My breath caught in my throat as I realised Tigra had her hair done up nice, her fur was extra glistening and looked extra soft. I held my breath, she was even wearing something different, a skirt that tightly fitted her waist and just enough fabric to cover her top half, not really something a royal would wear, but she didn’t really care, and no one would speak against her either.

Athena was in a similar outfit, blushing as she looked at Brendan, who didn’t even seem to notice. They both headed around the corner, out of sight. I finally took in a breath.

“I didn’t know Athena was in to having make overs.” Brendan glanced at me. “Oh, you liked.”

“What?” I was alarmed. “No.”

“You are pretty good at hiding it,” laughed Brendan.

“Two seconds,” called Tigra as she came running back, stopping in front of me. “Mum wants to see you.”

“Really.” I gulped.

“Yeah, something about a task she needs you to investigate,” continued Tigra, blinking slowly. “What do you think?” She twirled on the spot.

“Looks stunning on you,” I answered, feeling my heart pounding faster.

“Great.” She smiled. “Your reaction is just what I wanted.”

“If the queen has something for Alex to investigate, who will protect you?” asked Brendan.

“I still have Dash,” replied Tigra, twisting around and glancing back. “I’ll save this outfit for later.”

“Good idea,” I nodded, just staring at her.

“Since you might be gone for a few days.” She sounded sad.

“I’ll be back as soon as possible.” I stood proudly.

“Good answer.” Tigra waved and headed off again.

“Man, she looked so cute in that outfit.” I let out a sigh, calming myself down.

“I guess,” shrugged Brendan. “Looks like our day has been cut short”

“Yeah, sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry about it, you are very busy, plus…” he grinned. “I got to beat your butt in a sparring match.”

“I let you win.” I snapped.

“Sure.” Brendan began heading off. “Keep me updated on what happens.”

“I thought you didn’t want anything to do with it.” I said.

“I don’t, but if it helps me protect Athena, then I’ll do anything,” responded Brendan.

“Got it.” I nodded. “See you later.” I waved and headed off to find the queen.

-

Queen Daz was heading to the throne room when I found her, she smiled when she saw me. “Fang.”

“I was told you wanted to see me your highness.” I bowed respectfully.

“Yes,” she nodded. “Walk with me.” I nodded and followed her. “I’m guessing you’ve already noticed the lack of fish being served within Cathopia.”

“Not really.” I shrugged, thinking about it.

“Well anyway, there has been a shortage in fish recently, caused by something attacking the fishing villages around our coasts.” Queen Daz began explaining.

“What’s that got to do with me?” I questioned. “I’m Tigra’s Guardian.”

“I have sent many before asking you, they all claim there is nothing wrong with the supply or the fishing villages, but my information from the Rattus says otherwise,” informed Queen Daz. “They are being attacked by someone, both the fishing boats and the fish are being scared away.”

“Why would the ones you sent lie?” I asked.

“I think they have been manipulated by Dumah,” she replied. “I want you to investigate the attacks for me Fang, personally”

I looked at her. “You definitely believe Dumah has something to do with this?” She nodded to my question. I had to think about it for a second as we headed out into the castle gardens, where the queen sat down on a bench, surrounded by blooming roses.

“Will you go for me?” she asked.

If it indeed had something to do with Dumah, then I would need to deal with the problem, if I was lucky, it would lead me to one of his units, if it was fish related then there was a high probability Cutter would be the cause of the problem.

“Alright, I’ll go.” I looked around. “But I’ll be taking Link with me.”

“Of course.”

I whistled and Dash appeared. “You called.”

Queen Daz clapped. “Well trained.”

I smirked at her comment. “You’ll be watching Tigra on your own. Link and I have a request from the queen to complete.”

“Understood,” nodded Dash. “When will you be leaving?”

“Tomorrow.”

-

I only saw Tigra once before it was time to go to sleep, she came to hang out with me, to tell me how her day with Athena went. We sat on the sofa together, she rested in my arms.

“I am telling you Athena likes Brendan,” she said.

“And I am telling you, I don’t think an Avis can go out with an Ursa,” I responded.

“That doesn’t matter,” she shrugged. “What did Brendan think of her outfit?”

“He didn’t really say anything,” I answered. “But who cares about them.” I pulled her up closer. “You look so darn cute in that outfit.”

“I knew you would like it.” She smiled.

“I might be gone for a few days so don’t go worrying too much,” I said as her face came up to mine.

“I won’t, just don’t take too long.”

“I have you to get back too.” I smiled.

“I’m sure Link will keep an eye on you,” she joked.

“Hey.” I chuckled.