Chapter 244

Walking through a forest in a place filled with sacred animals, filled with peaceful thoughts and no sense of danger, it made a change for me to let my guard down. Even Tigra had laid down of Raziel’s back staring up at the light shining through the trees canopy.

“Is this what the world under the goddess’s power is meant to feel like,” she wondered out aloud.

“It is,” answered Raziel.

“All the more reason to destroy the darkness,” she hissed.

“There cannot be light without darkness,” I said. “Just that the balance has been broken, darkness has been patient and taken away the light this world needs to thrive.”

“I remember the stories you told me,” said Tigra. “The world in darkness, no life thrived until the first city of light, Cathopia.”

“You were listening,” I commented.

“Of course,” she smiled. “Do you know where we’re going?”

“I can hear her voice,” I mentioned. “She’s in that direction. I am hoping she knows where that Avis went.”

“But just in case you sent the others to our original location,” she verified. I nodded. “Surrounded with sacred animals, no Animalia just the two of us, if feels less stressful to try to hide us from them.”

“It does.” I walked closer to Raziel, stroking her cheek. “Comfortable.”

“Surprisingly yes,” she nodded, gazing at me with those beautiful blue eyes.

“When you’re my king, would you bring Cathopia to a light and connection with sacred animals?” she asked.

“I will do whatever you want me to do,” I responded as she took hold of my hand. “I am sorry, this being hard on us both.”

“I just think about us one day being able to stand side by side.” I cherished her words as we continued forward together, getting lost within the forest, surrounded by this feeling I wish could last forever, but knew it would disappear the moment we left this place, but it made me realise something, that this is what I was really fighting for.

The trees were countless, and every direction looked the same, but I felt nothing about that fact had me worried, she would show us the way out once I had talked to her.

Slowly the scenery around us began to change, ancient ruins made from white stone, statues of sacred animals, including some of the winged lions, especially when we were getting closer to a bigger structure at the back of the forest.

“Alex.” The goddess called again. “A little further my warrior of light.”

Tigra sat up. “Was that her?” She asked.

“Yep,” I nodded. “I hope she doesn’t mind I brought you with me.”

“I’m sure she won’t,” responded Raziel coming to stop at the biggest of the winged lion statues, majestic beast, it had a head piece embedded with many gemstones, each glinting in the sun. A golden piece hung around his neck, armoured wings ready for battle perhaps. “Father.”

“This is your dad?” I gazed longing at the statue. Arata starred silently at it, saying nothing, but held this guilt deep within his eyes, I even felt it aching in my chest. “Arata.” He turned away from me and the statue. Even after being within the forms of talismans for centuries the pain inflicted in the distant past still plagued their minds.

“Within,” said Raziel as he began moving again, heading inside the building untouched by time, seeming as if it was built yesterday. White bricks glowing with light, a simple arch the entrance, with blooming roses climbing up either side.

Tigra climbed from Raziel’s back and came to stand beside me. “I am looking forward to meeting her.” I took Tigra by the hand and led her inside.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The inside was just as simple as the outside, with nothing but bare walls and an alter at the end, a great statue of a female figure, she was like Athena with no fur, long hair wavy down her back, some coming down the front, in a long white dress, decorated with fine details of flowers; her hands held in a cup shape in front of her chest.

“Alex and Princess Tigra.” I thought the statue was going to start moving, but light began to appear at the heart of the alter. Its form changing into the goddess.

“She’s beautiful,” whispered Tigra.

“Hello.” I bowed slightly.

“It has been quite some time since we last met, you have grown stronger, but there is still room for some improvement.” She walked forward, she rubbed her hand in the mane of Raziel and then went for Arata, he pulled away. “You have no need to feel the way you do, son of Maximillion.” He snarled at her, then disappeared.

“I apologise for my brother,” said Raziel.

“It is quite alright, Raziel,” she smiled, turning her attention to us. She reached forward taking hold of our grasped hands. “Love, a true symbol of light.”

“We have the blessing of the goddess,” blushed Tigra.

“I am sorry to rush you, but we do have a time limit.” I spoke after a moment of bewilderment, she was so gentle in person, she gazed at us as any mother would gaze upon her child.

“I know,” she nodded. “The crystal of light you created will only last a week at most, considering how much darkness is within that room.” She smiled. “I am impressed that you were able to even create it, quite the task.”

“I need to know where the current Avis being infected went,” I said. “Do you know where she went.”

“Yes,” she nodded, slowly pointing skyward. “Long ago the first palace of the Avem emperor was floated higher than this mountain range, when darkness filled this place, awakening the guardian of this mountain, a sacred animal of terrifying power, a grand protector grown angry with the humans for their constant battering as they tried to gather material from this mountain.”

“Humans?” Tigra repeated.

“They lived amongst you long ago but were more prone to falling to the temptations of the darkness, doing the eternal dragons will just for the power they were so jealous of, but that is a story for another day.”

“You said a palace that floated higher than the mountain, does it still exist?” I asked.

“That it does,” she replied. “The first emperor sealed away the darkness and the souls of those who wished his peaceful kingdom harm, using the guidance and power of the sacred animals, they sent it even higher into the sky, so that no one could be harmed by its power of corruption, left to be forgotten.”

“Vali must be up there.” I began thinking as I felt the goddess grip our hands tightly.

“I am so sorry.” She held sadness in her eyes.

“What for?” I was confused.

“The suffering of so many of my warriors of light have face because I am not strong enough to combat against the darkness.”

“Anyone who fights against the darkness has suffered, including you,” I said. “It is my honour to serve you.”

“Thank you.” She smiled.

“Now do you know how I can get to the forgotten palace?” I questioned; she was most probably the only one who knew how.

“Only the strongest of winds can reach the forgotten palace, your fused form with Larana can reach it, but your friends won’t be able to climb high enough on the lions,” she began. “Unless you ask the help of the great phoenix Lavem, she is more than powerful enough to take you, if she does that is up to her.”

“Your word alone won’t do,” wondered Tigra.

“I gave all creatures choice, but knowing the darkness awakens again in a place she once called home, should be enough to call her to action.” She gazed passed us. “Your friends have arrived at her location. Lavem is ancient, a maternal instinct to take care of all those younger than her, you are merely newborn chicks to her.” I felt her power flow into my hand. “Take this light with you, pass it on to your friends and it will give them the protection they will need to survive up there.”

“Thank you.”

“Good luck Fang.” She gently pulled away. “Make each other strong, your hearts and souls are forever entwined.” She returned to the alter. “May you find victory.” She held a gentle smile. “Fly high above these trees and return to your friends.” I felt Fang’s presence rise within me.

“It has been a long time since I have seen her,” I heard him.

“One day come home, my dear Fang,” she said.

“Sorry I can’t.” He quickly faded away, perhaps only wanted a glimpse again at the goddess, but wasn’t he with her when he wasn’t guiding me or dad?

Tigra and I bowed as she disappeared in a flash of light. I felt peace within me knowing that she could still manifest herself, surrounded by the protection of so many sacred animals.

Tigra climbed upon Raziel’s back, she held a determined glint in her eyes. “Let’s move, the sooner the darkness is dealt with the sooner her peaceful light can fill this world once more.”

“Right.” I flew upwards, over the tree line, glancing back for a moment at her grand statue, wondering if I would get the opportunity to meet with her again.