Tinpa. 32

As Kyan led Palas from the royal bedchamber, he called out to see if any of his fellow Tigaren's were still conscious and able to fight. Sadly there was no answer. Somehow the invaders had managed to take the palace without much of a fight. But how can that be? There were more than two hundred warriors stationed here in the palace. How could six strangers overcome their whole fighting force? What of Hati Unstain? He should have been there at the king's side to protect him. Their best chance would be to find the kings guard.
[I agree.] Palas said at Kyan's side causing Kyan to jump. Palas smiled. Kyan wasn't used to having others listening in to his thoughts.
[Strange it is but useful. You must learn to guard your thoughts but still be open to those around you. It takes time but you will get it.]
[With your help.] Kyan nodded. [Hati would be either in his quarters or here somewhere in the royal chambers.]
[Then we must search the king's rooms?]
[Yes.] Kyan sent his young mane following in the breeze. [Follow me.]
With a quick look around the corner, Kyan signaled Palas they could move on. From the bedchambers, they slow and quietly made their way down the hall. Each step was made carefully so as not to alert any of the raiders. They had no idea how many were here in the palace. From the upstairs chambers, they heard voices coming from the floor below them, Kyan suggested he shift to his younger lion form and head down to distract them from his attack.
[No.] Palas said with a sly glint in his eyes. [Let me do this.]
Spreading his arms, Palas shifted his form to a small Wren and hopped up on Kyan's shoulder.
[Does this look harmless?]
Kyan smiled and reached his hand up and let Palas hop on.
[This should be interesting.]
[Stay here until I send for you.]
With a nod from Kyan, Palas was off flying down the staircase. His brown feathers and small shape looked innocent to the Pantherens as he made his way past the first three warriors just before the staircase.
[Come down.] He sent to Kyan. [The three at the staircase are yours.]
Fluttering his wings. Palas dropped down right in the middle of six warriors stationed at the front door to the palace guard room. As he hopped around, the warriors laughed at the little bird and its antics in the palace. As a warrior reached down to grab him, Palas made the shift to his warrior form and sliced the warrior right through his chest. Spinning around, Palas stabbed two warriors and sliced the other three right through their necks. As he turned to see how Kyan was doing, the boy trotted up to him wiping his sword clean. Inside the guard room, they found Hati's weapons. Kyan grabbed them and they headed on with their search,  After one more floor and a hidden passage, a face-off with a trio of Hyenen warriors, Kyan and Palas found themselves right in front of Hati's palace quarters. Kyan didn't think there was much of a chance that Hati could be here.
"What do you think?" Palas asked. "Could he be here?"
"Not sure," Kyan said. "Wait a minute."
Kyan stepped closer to the door then put his ear to the wood and listened. He couldn't hear anything but there was a distinct smell that only a Tigaren could make. He reached for the knob and gave it a turn then went in. The room was as quiet as a tomb and that spooked Kyan. He looked into the sleeping mat and was surprised to find someone there.
"Is that him?"Palas asked. "You should hurry, I don't know how long we will be free of the Pantherans."
"I think so," Kyan said. "But how do we wake him from the spell?"
"Same way I woke you."
Moving around Kyan, Palas went to where Hati was laid out. He kneeled down and touched him between his eyes. As Palas pulled himself back, Hati took a deep breath in, then let out a Tigar roar that shook the room. As he leaped from the mat, Kyan returned the Tigar greeting to let him know he was safe here in Tigaress among friends.
"Kyan," Hati said as he looked around and recognized where he was. "What's going on? Why are you here in my quarters?"
"Listen carefully," Kyan said as Hati stepped out to greet him. "Tigaress has been attacked. I don't know why, but there are Pantherens here and they have taken the royal family and put everyone in some kind of spell. We are the only ones awake and your roar probably alerted them to our presence. It's up to us to win back the palace and free the king and the rest of the guards."
With a flex of muscles, Hati turned from Kyan and went to a wooden chest at the end of his sleeping mat and threw it open.
"These Pantherens seem to have made a mistake." He reached in and pulled out a set of shining spell covered bronze armor and two glowing swords. One long with a blue hue and one short. "They may have had me under their spell, but they didn't take my weapons. Now I will have my revenge and we will free our king!."

As the red moon rose higher and higher in the eastern sky, Thaumas raised his mace and called a charge on the walls of the city. A cheer went up as Hyenen warriors charged down with weapons raised and ready. On the wall, Tigaren archers let loose with a barrage of arrows to rain down on the incoming enemies. As the Hyenen charged on the wall, each warrior carried both a weapon and a shield for defense. As the arrows fell, shields went up to catch the death rain. It was like little bits of thunder striking down out of the sky almost taking the Hyenens down. But it wasn't enough. Onward they came scrambling up the wall. The Tigarens tried chopping at the ropes. A few fell, but not many. Soon they were fighting hand to hand, Hyenen and Demomdogs against Tigarens. The fighting was savage, Tigarens used their most savage Tigar form to battle the enemy. Each Tigar ranging from 350 to 420 inches weighing 610 to 740 lbs. Massive beast with claws and fangs that could rip their enemy apart and move on to the next in mere minutes. Unfortunately, the Hyenen over numbered the Tigaren and overpowered them with their Demonic forces. Claw to claw the two factions met. Incredible strength was used to rip into each other using monstrous force as the Tigarens went from form to form attacking the enemy. One by one, Tigarens fell. Soon they were down to their last five warriors when out of the setting sun came a blazing fury blasting lines of warriors as it swooped down past the battlefield. As it flew fiery circles over the battlefield, flaming bursts shot from it out onto the battlefield where it split into fireballs and chased down a line of fifteen Hyenen warriors and burned them to ash. When Thaumas saw his warriors fall, he called to his Warlocks for back up. In a tent not too far from the fighting, three crocked and ancient turtles stepped out from the tent. They gazed at the battlefield then raised their hands and started to chant. Blue streaks of energy flared up into the sky speeding at the flaming orb. In a matter of minutes, it hit the orb and blew away the flames. As the power of the orb was disrupted, a great red Dragon split off from the fire and dived down at the oncoming Hyenen menace. Extending its claws, the Dragon reached out and grabbed a number of Hyenen warriors from the charge and tossed them into the air. As the Hyenen's fell, the Dragon let loose with a blast of flames that fried the Dog Warriors. Still chanting, the shell backed Warlocks split up and took aim at the Dragon. First blue then green bolts shot at the Dragon. As it dropped its wings, the Dragon sped between the bolts rolling and spinning throwing fire darts into the charging enemy line. With a huff and a puff, the third Warlock swung himself around and sent black flames up at the Dragon. As the Dragon backpedaled, it shook off the dark flames and sent its own heat back at the Warlock.
"Try all you want Dragon." The lead turtle called up. "Your flames cannot hurt the Three Shelled Terrors from Tornarok."
[Then we will have to use more than flames.] Inferno sent. [Behold the sounds of your death.]
As Inferno lifted himself further up into the heavens, a piercingly loud noise vibrated out through the clouds and sent a shock wave down at the Turtles. Crashing like a lightning bolt, the sound wave scattered the Turtles, throwing them out of the way of the sound wave. Looking up, the Turtles watched as Pitch, the sound Dragon flashed cross the battlefield screaming out sonic notes at them.
As the assault continued, a thunderous trumpet call on the left side of the battlefield announcing the arrival of Aggar and the Jaguar force. Like speeding arrows, they came in cutting down Hyenen and Demondogs. Aggar with his knives drawn charged in and cut a bloody path through the enemy force heading straight for Thaumas the leader of Mulu's battle force. As they met, a circle cleared around them giving them room to fight.
"Aiya Thaumas Dulmuald, may the god of death welcome you into her hall of warriors. You deserve a place there to rest after all the fighting in Aspana."
"As do you, Aggar Ren." Thaumas and Aggar circled each other waiting to strike the first blow. "After this day the fighting in Aspana will be settled and one side will stand as the leader in Aspanian affairs."
"They will indeed," Aggar said as he moved in he slicing out at Thaumas. With a quick sidestep, Thaumas moved aside as he pulled his short sword and lunged back at Aggar. As his hand raised, Aggar deflected the sword then kicked out connecting with Thaumas side knocking the breath from him. As Thaumas caught his breath, he got back to his feet and pulled his second blade. Determined to win. Thaumas stepped in, ready to battle as Aggar adjusted his armor and came again to fight. Blades swung and stabbed as the two warriors jumped and dived at each other looking for an opening where they could take advantage of their opponent and make a killing blow. Back and forth they fought as their weapons got heavier and heavier in their hands. Sweat ran down muscled arms making each swing more difficult until that one fatal slip. Aggar stabbed out at Thaumas but slipped in a small puddle of Thaumas blood. As he laughed at his luck, Thaumas clutched his blade as he advanced for the kill.
"Noooooo!" Deja screamed as she advanced on them carrying her blood-soaked scythe. "Get away from my father and face me Demon!"
"No Deja," Aggar said. "I lost, let him do what he must,"
[NO AGGAR.] Said a voice in his head. [THAT IS NOT YOUR DESTINY. YOU MADE A PROMISE TO ME. YOU MUST FULFILL IT]
As they watched, Aggar stood up then disappeared.
"I guess it will be you that pays your father's debt to me."Thaumas walked out through the bloody battlefield to where Deja stood. "If your father couldn't kill me, what makes you think that you can?"
"You are overconfident." Deja clashed her blades together. "If you beat me, there will be another and another and on and on until you fall. Your tired, your fatigue will be your downfall."
"I have enough to beat you, pretty lady."
"We will see Mutt."
 Leaping forward, Deja engaged her enemy. Her blades flashed in the firelight like twin dazzling sparks. Thaumas could barely keep up with her.  With a slash, Deja put a slice across his chest. After two more swings, blood ran from three cuts on his arm. She stabbed in then hacked with forwarding swings that made contact with his neck. A cheer went up when she thrust out her leg and tripped Thaumas. As he stumbled and fell, Deja jumped on his chest and slammed her blades down on his hands un-arming him. With a smile, she put her scythe to his throat.
"Do you surrender?" She asked.
"NEVER!!"
"Then you die!!" With a quick jerk, she sliced his throat, then stood up and walked away from his blood covered body. As she looked around she saw the battle was over. The Hyenen was on the run trying to find somewhere safe from the Tigarens. After a few minutes, Pitch and Inferno came walking up to her looking cool and calm.
"Well done," Inferno said. "Now Tinpa is free. But I must move on. I have my own country to worry about. Be safe. We will meet again."
"Myumbo," Pitch said as he waved goodbye,
"We are sorry about your father," Pitch said as he turned to Deja and Kifedi. "He was a brave man."
"He's not dead," Deja said as Kifedi made his way over to them. "Maybe we should go in and make sure the royal family is alright. Astan will want to know."
"We can't right now," Pitch said. "The gate won't open. I think it's a spell. Those blasted Turtles again."
"How do we open it?" Kifedi asked.
"Good question."
As they stared at the city gate, it had a sort of glow that extends all the way around the city. Since none of them were strong in magic, they would have to wait until Astan could get there.

Inside the palace, Zakia, Kyan, and Palas searched the dungeons from top to bottom for Yonas and the rest of the royal family with very little success. They couldn't find any Pantherens or Hyenens, they place looked as dead as a tomb. But they knew they had to be here somewhere.
"Maybe it's magic," Kyan said. "Maybe we're looking in the wrong way."
"You could be right," Zakia shifted his vision to see on the magical planes. Blue and green bands of magic were everywhere. The palace was full of spells and incantations that had been put there since the day the palace was built. There were spells for protection and some for preservation. They were even spells that held the palace there on the Aspanian plane of existence. What Zakia was looking for was anything in the bands of red of black, dark spells. Spells that should not be there. So they went back to the first floor, checking from dark spells as they moved.
Zakia saw suspicious bands of purple and some ancient ones whose color he couldn't even recognize. He reached for one and a soft warmth feeling ran up his arm to his shoulder. As he held it, it got hotter and hotter until he realized it was the palace hearing system, and he let go. Further on, he saw bands of white and lite blue, he knew it was some sort of protection spell, he had no idea who it was to protect. Then somewhere in the middle of the second floor, Zakia though he had found what he was looking for. It was bands of red that flowed all through the castle to each and every part.
"This is it," Zakia said pointing at the knot of red in the center of the room. "As I start taking the bands apart, things will happen."
"Like what?" Kyan asked.
"Things may appear," Zakia said. "Don't believe what you see.  Some may not be so nice. You may have to put them down."
"We will stay at your side," Palas said. "No matter what happens."
Zakia stretched and rolled his head on his neck to loosen the muscles. He slammed his hands together to warm his fingers then sat cross-legged in front of the door. As he cleared his mind he started a chant real low then reached for the first red band and twisted it around his hand as it started to loosen from the knot. As it loosened, red and purple lights flashed out and a strange wind started growing stronger and stronger until Kyan and Palas could barely stay on their feet. Then Zakia reached for the second band. It was like touching an electric eel and saw he held on, something appeared.  It was about six feet tall, bright as the sun and crackled with electric energy. With a sickly moan, it reached out to the winged man. Palas jumped up spreading his wings and did a backflip into the air. As Palas circled above, Kyan pulled his sword and lurched for the electric thing.
"NO!" Palas called. "You can't touch it with the sword. You can't use anything metal."
"Then what do I use?" Kyan asked while he jumped around trying to stay away from the moaning electric beast.
"Rubber or glass will work," Palas called. "And don't touch it!!!"
Confused and unsure of what he should do next, Kyan jumped over what had to be Yonas's desk, Kyan grabbed things off the desk and threw it at the electric beast, it roared but continued on its course after the young lion. There was no rubber or glass here on the desk. Just two clay cups of tea from the morning breakfast. Thinking fast, Kyan threw them on the floor in front of the beast, then. dived down behind the desk and put his head down. As the beast stepped forward into the tea there was a sudden burst of light and energy and the beast exploded,
As Kyan looked up over the edge of the desk, Palas jumped down with a smile.
"Good job." He said. "I knew you could do it."
"I wonder what could be next?" the young lion asked.
With slumped shoulders, Palas and Kyan stepped the door with their weapons ready to protect Zakia from anything that came out of the conjuration.
Zakia's hands spun around and around then one went left as the other stopped, the went up over his head. Magic flared and flashed, there were sounds like screaming animals then squawking like birds. As Zakia worked, things came poking out of the wall. First tentacles came out. Kyan jumped forward with his word and got busy slicing them before they could get to Zakia. Then weird bird things. But they didn't look like any birds they had ever seen before. They had scales and fangs. Palas knew right away they were carnivorous. Palas launched himself up into the air slashing out with his talons, they swerving to keep the weird things away from him.
As Zakia worked, his voice grew louder and louder until he was screaming but still twisting the bands of the spell. He worked harder and harder yanking and pulling with all his might. Soon he was down to the last bands. As he touched the band, there was a loud grumble. Zakia kept working because a moments distraction could not only cause him to fail, but it could kill him.
While Zakia worked on the spell, Kyan and Palas got ready for whatever came out of the spell next. First, the palace shook with heavy vibrations. Then a head came out of the wall and bawled a horrible cry as it pulled the rest of its body through the wall. With a quick look, the giant swung its club down at Kyan and Palas.

As Aggar and Pitch started toward the gates of Tinpa, there was a noise like rolling thunder, then a lightning bolt struck down in the middle of the battlefield. Pitch and Aggar turned to find Mulu Amin and his Demondog army standing there watching them.
"So you beat my dog warriors," Mulu said as he slammed his staff down causing a tremor that made our warriors to stumble and fall. "You thought the fighting was over. You thought you had won, didn't you? You have not faced me or my Demondogs and trust me. We will not be so easy to beat."
"We beat your dogs," Pitch said as Aggar and their forces spread out to be ready to fight. "We will beat you too."
"Ha ha ha ha ha!!" Mulu threw back his head to laugh. "They were nothing. Drones made for you to toy with while I sat back to watch. I knew the Hyenen could never beat you. But they served me well, Now you will face the true me.  Kill them!"
Like puppets, the Demondogs charged across the field heading for Aggar and all his warriors. Pitch made the shift and launched himself into the sky where he would have better access to the charging Demons
Unknown to him, the Demon's had a surprise for them.
As Pitch dived on the oncoming Demon horde, wings unfolded from their back and they launched into the sky coming after him. Surprised, Pitch banked left and let out a scream that tore through the oncoming horde. Again he backed left and dived at the Demons. After taking a deep breath, he sent a barrier of sound at the Demons.  Flapping his wings at high speed, Pitch created a sonic field around himself and let the Demons come in to attack. Like bees, they came in to attack. Buzzing backward. Pitch watched as they hit the sonic field and the vibrations tore them apart. Spinning around, Pitch sent out bolts of sound that burrowed holes through their shields and into their bodies. As his sonics rose in pitch, a blue glow surrounded his body and bolts of ultra shot out blowing Demons out of the sky.
On the ground Aggar and Kifedi went from Demon to Demon stabbing and slicing, throwing punches and kicks. A Demon leaped into air casting fire out over the Lycaon army. Shields were raised to block the fire but many fell from the Demon heat. As Deja watched the fire take here warriors, she called out to Kifedi then pointed up to the Demon. With a nodded he got himself ready for what she had in mind. With a quick stab and a push, he was dining with his foe and ready for her. As she gathered her wits, Deja leaped at Kifedi. He clasped his hands together to catch her. Deja slipped her knives from their place and spun them in her hands and leaped at her disfigured mate. As her foot caught his hand, Kifedi threw her up in the air at the Demon. Her knives flashed as she stabbed out piercing the Demons chest then did a backflip away before it blew away.
In a dark mood, Mulu Amin kicked out at a Lycaon warrior breaking its back then he kicked it out of his way as he started towards the Tigaren city gate. He lashed out sending a shot of energy at a trio of Jaguars hurrying to try and stop him. There was no power he thought that could stop him. All these weak Cats had no chance against a power like Mulu Amin.
As he reached the city gate he looked up at the spell that kept the gate closed. There were green, brown and traces of red in the gate spell. Mulu thought it might take time, but he was confident he could break the spell.
As he reached for the first band, he sensed danger and spun around with a shield spell that blocked a power from hitting him.
"Who dares?" He said as he turned to searched for his enemy. Are sure you want to face me? You could join me. I'd give you a place where you can be together."
"You mean betray our people?" Sakura frowned. "Leave them to your tender mercy."
"No," Astan said. "You couldn't give us enough to do that."
"But I do need someone to keep you company while Astan and I talk," Mulu said.  "I don't want this to be a one-sided conversation.
"What's the matter Mulu?" Sakura called. "Scared I'll put a sword in your back? Of course, I would."
Mulu smiled giving them a devious look.
"Then meet a friend." Mulu took a finger full of dust from his stash in his belt around his waist and flicked it out in the air. There was a spark of light, then a flash, and Clav Do' gon appeared in front of Mulu.
"General Do'gon, this is your chance to prove yourself to me," Mulu turned his head to look at Sakura. "Kill him."
"Yes my Lord."
Do'gon looked at Sakura with his soulless eyes then took out his swords and jumped in front of him ready to fight.
"Are you sure we can do this?" Astan asked staring at Mulu.
"Scared?" Sakura asked.
"About to piss my pants," Astan said.
"Don't worry," Sakura rubbed the front of Astan's pants. " I have faith in you. You won't let them hurt me."
[Never Love.] Sakura heard with warm feelings of love and arousal. [I'll fight for you, any day I have to."
As Do'gon walked out to meet Sakura, he studied his walk. A slight limp in his left leg, and blood on his shoulder. Sakura jumped forward with a stab out to draw him in. Do'gon dodged the stab and countered with a swing for Sakura's head. Sakura pulled his head away and spun around with a kick to Do'gon's side just as he moved back to avoid the blow. Continuing the spin, Sakura jumped back to keep Do'gon from knifing his back.
As Sakura and Do'gon moved in and out of battle, Mulu looked at Astan with red contemptuous eyes. "You really should have escaped Aspana when you had the chance." Mulu rumbled. "Now I have no choice but to kill you."
"You can try Dog master," Astan said as his magic gathered about him. "But I am not the weak child I was when this all started. I have something to fight for, and I warn you. I won't let you harm my people or my mate."
"Then shall we dance?" Mulu lifted his staff and cast out a rain of power pellets at Astan. Spinning around, Astan waved away the pellets, then attacked with a blast of energy. As the power blast hit Mulu's shield, Mulu fell down to his knees but held the shield tightly. When he got to his feet, Mulu growled and sent his blast at Astan. Astan moved aside then tripped over a root and fell on his face.
This was it. Mulu's chance to be rid of the pain in the ass Tigaren. He readied a power ball and moved himself over to stand right over Astan.
"Any last words?" Mulu snickered. Astan pushed his way up so he could look Mulu in his eyes. He started to say something, but he was cut off by the Dog lord. "Die Feline!!!"
With glowing eyes, Astan got up on his knees. With the power ball hot and ready. Mulu raised his hand over the Tigaren. In one swift move, Mulu slammed it down into Astan's chest. Astan screamed as the mystical energy burned its way into the young Tigaren. His eyes popped open and magical energy seeped out of his mouth and eyes. Mulu stepped back away Astan. This wasn't going to be as easy as Mulu thought it would be. With glowing eyes, Astan stood and turned to stand to face his enemy. Calmly Astan tilted head and raised his hand to point at Mulu. Sharp points of light shot out at Mulu. With his shield up, only one made it's the way through to stab into his chest. With a flick of his wrist, Mulu turned the attack back at Astan who dispatched it with a wave of his hand.
As the Dog Lord walked in a slow circle opposite his opponent, he knew this battle had become much harder than he wanted it to be. Astan Kinya wasn't going to be an easy mark. His magic might be equal to or better than Mulu's.
"I will not let you stop me," Mulu said as him and Astan circled ready to strike. "I have come too far and sacrificed too much to lose now."
"What have you sacrificed Mulu?" Astan asked. His head tilted, he had a blank look with his glowing eyes. "You take what you want. You don't care what others think. You don't care who gets hurt. All you care about is what you can get. You are no king. You can't rule here. You're just another tyrant to be disposed of."
"And you think you and your mate can bring me down!!" Mulu shouted as saliva ran down from his maw. "Then try it, you fucking rat catcher!!"
With a wave of his hand, Mulu sent a blast of frigid frost at Astan. Astan took a fighting stance then thrust out his hands and blew a gout of flames strong enough to overcome Mulu's cold.
"You think you can kill me, we'll see about that."
Mulu spun his hands round and round gathering more and more magic. Soon, he was wrapped in so much magic, you could barely see him. Astan stood ready and waiting for whatever evil Mulu could conjure.

"Kyan, move!!" Palas leaped into the air ducking the next swing. Kyan rolled then jumped up out of the giants reach. The giant had to be close to fifteen feet. His hair was dirty and filled with matted debris. There were scars all over its body from a lifetime of battles. Its arm and legs looked strong enough to tire a hole on the world. As it reached for Kyan, the boy swung down with his sword and cut in its arm. The giant howled and kicked out it Kyan sending him flying across the room. His cat-like reflexes turned him as he hit the wall and Kyan launched himself back at the giant with his claws out and ready. As he hit the giant, Kyan shifted to his lion form scratched deep grooves in his chest.
"Cat boy hurt Dunzig. Now Dunzig hurt cat boy bad!!!"
Like it was lite as a feather, Dunzig lifted his club and slammed it down where Kyan had been standing. Kyan jumped back and picked up a broken cup and threw it in Dunzig's face. The giant roared and pounded the ground with his fist then picked his up club again and leaped at Kyan snarling. From above, Palas circled the room looking for something he could use as a weapon against the giant. There was nothing here but books and China. Things from the table and the shelves of the library. Diving down, Palas grabbed knives and forks then took off back into the air. As he circled above, he looked for spots on the giant that would be tender to attack. Gripping the knives, Palas dived again. This time aiming for the spot behind Dunzig's neck, his spinal cord. Slamming the knives in, Dunzig screamed in pain then reached back trying to dislodge the knives. Unfortunately, they were stuck in deep and getting them out would not be an easy task.
Dunzig ran back and forth in the room trying to either smash Kyan or swat Palas. Either way. he wasn't having much luck. Then there was a bright explosion of light, and Zakia ripped lose the last band. As the door opened, something streaked out and hit Dunzig like a bolt of lightning. He staggered back away from Zakia and Kyan, then fell dead before the open door. As the dust cleared, Yonas held Aryonna as they made their way out from the dark trap. Behind them, Kapor staggered out shaking his head to clear his mind from his three days of captivity.
"Zakia!" The king called. "How fares my house tonight?"
"Not as bad as one might think, your highness." Zakia bowed. "Astan and Sukura have returned to save the day. But the battle isn't over yet. There are still enemies that need to be destroyed. Astan is here outside battling to get in. It's up to us to defeat the invaders in the palace. By us, I mean you, me Kapor, Kyan and Palas."