As the midnight star burned bright in the night sky, Msia, Akani, and Aggar took their first step over the border into Panthera. Msia stopped and looked down on the hills of his homeland. There was a stream and he could see the fires of the Black Coyote burning bright as they kept watch on the border. Over to the right, the Striped Jackals who sat proudly as Atrua main hunters. Msia's let out a deep breath, he was home at last and nothing would ever take him away again.
"I know how you feel," Akani said as he came to join Msia. "It's been quite a long time since I've been home."
"What took you away from Sciatica?" Msia asked, "I know Sciatica went through a civil war, but Versa Gruva was the rightful leader and a good dog. He always had my trust."
"I was taken in a raid by Mulu and forced into service." Akani said, "It was that or death. I spent five years there doing ever disgusting task they could think of from cleaning their nasty dung pits to being their bed slave."
"I'm sorry Akani," Msia said with his hand on his shoulder. "That's just the kind of injustice I've been fighting against. I'm glad you found your freedom."
"But what about the other?" Akani asked looking from Msia to Aggar. "You know they die slowly in his service. If it's not the battles, its starvation. We have to find a way to free them,"
"What do you think we're fighting against?"Aggar shouted to Akani. "We fight not for Panthera, but for all of Aspana. If we lose, Mulu will take the world. Would you like your children living under Mulu's reign?"
'No," Akani said in a huff. "It's just taking so long."
"A friend of mine once said," Aggar stepped over to Akani. "The battle for freedom is never quick and easy, and he's right."
Changing the subject, Akani stopped a minute to think, "Atrua is a long way off, are we planning to walk all the way they?"
"I think we may have too," Msia said. "I don't want anyone to see us in Dragon form. We have no idea who's in Atrua. I want to go in as farmers and keep down until we know what's going on."
"A farmer?" Aggar looked at him with doubt. "I don't know much about your society but would a lion prime be a farmer?"
"No. Msia said. "And I would be recognized the second I step through the gate. Your right."
"Then what do we do?" Akani asked. "Maybe Mr. Aggar can go in with me? We won't be recognized?"
"Yeah, but what do we use as an excuse for being in the city?" Aggar asked as he bent down and took a drink the stream. "We can go in using our normal forms but, the guards at the gate are going to ask what our business is in the city, We will have to answer or we'll be arrested."
"What if we're there to deliver a gift to the Regent?" Msia stuck his hand into his pocket and fished around until he pulled out a small box wrapped in parchment paper. He held it out to Aggar and Akani."
"What is it?" Aggar said as he took the package in his hand. "Feels heavy for such a small box."
"I don't know." Msia raised his eyebrows in a curious way.
"Where did you get it?"
"I found it in my pocket," Msia reached out and took the box from Aggar's hand. "And I don't know where it came from. It wasn't there yesterday and it wasn't there this morning."
Aggar and Akani both looked at Msia with questions in their eyes, but they knew there was no point in questioning Msia. He didn't have the answers they were looking for. All they could do accept it and use it in any way they could.
"And the answer to your next question is no," Msia said firmly. "I'm not going to open the box. It's not for me and it's not for either of you,"
"Then what do we do? Akani asked looking each of his new brothers up and down.
"I guess we take the simple road," Msia said as he pushed the box back into his pocket. "Face this thing like a warrior."
As the rain fell cold over the city of Tinpa, Astan clutched his cloak and held it tight against his body. Though he was searching for his family, Sakura was still heavy on his mind. He couldn't help but worry about his Pantheren mate. It had been close to a month since he had any contact his mate and he didn't have a clue as to where he might be. Regnant G'ania had danced all around any info about Sakura and though he wouldn't admit it, Astan was sure the Regnant knew exactly where he was. Was he wrong not to follow the Regnant? Or was he right keeping his distance away from the cold-hearted bastard? Astan wasn't sure, all he could do was to trust in his heart that Sakura would be safe until they could find each other again.
From the hidden hall where Astan his first seen the Regnant, Astan made his way north to the first of the four towers. Astan remembered this tower from his lessons when he was a cub. This was Master Fandrel's tower. He had been responsible for teaching Astan the history of his ancestors. Father had always said that one should know about his past to know where they were going. As he climbed the stairway memories of past kings and their mistakes and success flashed across his mind. Things like King Jinga and his mastery of healing magic to Prince Laric and his romance of the lady of the house D'arski which merged the Cheetahs into Panthera. As Astan searched the spirit of the great lady hung heavy over her tower. This was always a place where Astan could go for good advice.
"Lady?" He called out. "I seek your council,"
[I know what you want young Astan.] The lady said as her beautiful form appeared. [Alas, your family is not in my tower, but don't give up. You will find what your heart seeks.]
With a smile to thank her, Astan turned and moved off to continue his search. From the north tower, Astan followed the corridor left where, instead of a tower, he found a stairway down. From his day's sparring and his classes on self-defense, he knew the stairway led down to the palace guard barracks. Memories of his younger days in class with Master Perry learning to fight with a sword and a staff. He wasn't the Masters best student, but he could hold his own and maybe throw in a few magical surprises.
As he started on his way down, Astan remembered his days sparring with Master Perry's son Kain. Kain was older then Astan and far more advanced in swordplay. But Astan had learned a lot from the tall soldier. He learned when he could use his spells and the best ones to use. If his opponent was stronger, then Astan would use spells to speed up his actions. If the opponent was more skilled, then Astan would cast a paralysis spell and pray his adversary wasn't as skilled as he was.
Three floors down, Astan heard the sound of footsteps coming from below him. After a simple invisibility spell, Astan sent a probe down to see who or what was about meet him down on the next floor. With his eyes closed, he set his attention on the oncoming threat.
As Zakia made his way up from the Palace barrack's his mind wandered back to when he last sawKing Yonas. He made a promise he knew would be impossible to keep. He promised the king that he could bring his son home safely. But now he didn't think he could do that. He knew Mulu had captured the prince and he wasn't sure what the mad Hyenen would do if he thought he was losing.
And that was the possibility that scared Zakia the most. Thought Astan was a great spell caster, he was unfamiliar with the dark spells he would need to defeat Mulu and Zakia wasn't sure if that was good or bad. In fact, Zakia knew Astan couldn't win the battle without using dark magic. Astan just didn't have the heart for the battle.
As Zakia walked, his mind was on Astan and what he would have to do to defeat Mulu. Zakia knew the exact spells he would need to beat the Hyenen Magi, but there hadn't been time or a reason to teach them to Astan. Zakia knew that to be one of his mistakes, but then again being a white warlock, learning dark spells could be beyond Astan's capability.
As Zakia took his next step, something in his head started screaming out a warning that there was danger ahead. Thinking quickly, Zakia threw up an electric wall of warning. just in time as Mulu came around the corner with his arms raised ready for battle. Like a bull, Mulu hit the wall and bounced back shaking the shock from his system.
"So we meet again," Zakia said as he raised his hands and started to circle. "I always knew this is how we would end it."
"So did I," Mulu said as sparks flared from his eyes. "But I think you will be surprised by my growth."
Zakia looked at Mulu strangely. What did he mean by that? He knew Mulu to be as equally gifted as he was. Something wasn't right here, Something in Mulu's eyes was all wrong.
"Nothing you do surprises me," Zaka said. "Unless you care to end this right here and now."
"I will never give in to you." With his hands held high, Mulu called upon the lightning from the sky to strike out and blast Zakia. "Tigeress with never give in to you!!"
As the clouds opened and sent out a bolt to devastate Zakia, a veil opened to reveal Mulu's true identity. Through the mad laughter of Mulu Amin. Mulu's true identity was revealed to be Astan Kinyo. With Mulu's true self-revealed, Zakia tried calling out to Astan. But it was too late. In a second that lightning bolt would strike and Zakia would be dead and out of time. Zakia only had a split second to act with no time to think.
SPELLS AND INCANTATION.
HEXES THAT RHYME.
WHAT'S MINE IS YOURS
TILL THE END OF TIME.
As the clouds boiled, lightning flashed all through it. Zakia knew all he had was a split second, not much time for a long message. But all he really needed was a thought.
[Astan. We don't have time for questions. Our family is safe under guard in the south tower. Tell them I love them and myumbo from me. Once I'm gone you will have all you need to defeat Mulu Amin. Let him know it was me that passed you the spells. I am very proud of you and Sakura. May Tyree be with you always.]
With that last thought, the lightning struck. Zakia was lifted three feet off the ground. His eyes flared with power as his magic went from Zakia to Astan. A million volts of electricity fried Zakia's brain and the message went from Zakia to Astan. When Astan shooked himself free, he was standing over Zakia's body with a tear in his eye.
"Be at peace Uncle."
After he said Goodbye, Astan hurried to the south tower where he woke the king and explained what Zakia had done. The king promised to be ready if he was needed, and Astan packed what he thought he might need for his battle with Hyenen shamen. After saying farewell to his family, Astan said the spell that would take his to Atrua.
With a flash of pain that spun through his mind, Msia opened his eyes then quickly closed them to shut away the pain. Where in Angela's house of pain was he? The last thing he remembered, Him, Akani and Aggar had just left the Dragon Cave. They were heading to Atrua to reunite with G'ania and the rest of his family.
[Home.] he thought. It had been a long time since the last time he had been home. Or seen any of his family. Sakura would be fully grown by now. In fact, Kenji should be ready to go on his solo hunt by now. As he thought about his family, Michiyo face flashed across his mind. Her soft tan fur, those golden eyes, and her shapely body. He could feel himself getting hard just from his memories. He hoped she hadn't remarried.
Just then, Msia sat up. Chains rattled as he moved. He was in chains. He was in a dungeon. The smells were right. He was back home in Atrua, but where was Akani and Aggar? As he looked around, he looked down at his chained wrist.; With just a thought, he pulled at the chain and snapped them apart. So much for chains.
"Akani?" He called out.
"Here sire." Akani answered from the cell across from him. "Aggar, D'aryl are you here too?"
"I'm here." Aggar's voice rang out. "D'aryl?"
"Here sir," D'aryl said in a sad tone. The green-garbed warrior walked over to the cage door looking down.
"Do you know something about this?"
I know where we are."
"Yes," Msia said. "We are in Atrua. My home. The city I built."
"No!" Boomed out from outside the cells." "This is my city. I clearly remember you walking away from us. You have no right to think you can come back."
"Regent Gazini," Msia said with a smile. "I see you kept my city safe while I was way."
"I am king here!!" G'ania screamed. "You are nothing!!"
"Nothing?" Msia said as he stepped up to the cell's barred door and took a hold to it. "Nothing?"
Smoke flared out from the sizzling door as the bars started to melt. The Regent stepped back brushing the sparks off his jacket and screaming for his guards. As he stormed out his guards rushed in, Msia grabbed the door and ripped it from the wall. As he stepped out of his cell the guards tried to rush him. Msia took a deep breath and blew a blast of flames out at them. While the guards held back from the flames, Msia reached out for the hinges of Aggar's cell and melted them to nothing, then he pulled the door from the wall.
"Keep the guards busy. while I get the other's free."
Aggar stepped down out of his cell. When Msia's flame stopped, he stepped out and sent a blast of wind down the corridor. After Aggar, Msia set Akani and D'aryl free. With brazing red eyes he told them to follow him.
With his claws out, Msia left the dungeon and made his way up into the palace. On the first floor, four Hyenen warriors caught them coming up from the dungeon. As they charged, Akani stepped out and barked out a sonic blast. Like leaves to a hurricane, they were bowled over and thrown aside. From there, Msia led them on into the palace. Some praised them as saviors, while some fought them as intruders. But by the end of the day, things seemed to settled down, The only real threat was a few warriors still fighting lingering around with hate on there mind.
Once his father was free and he had promised his help, Astan was off to find his mate and whatever faced them in the battle to free Aspana.
