Ondun and Sylphie sat down side by side, and let out a long, exhausted sigh. The last few hours had seen the Rangers, Ondun's party, and City Leader Lee Lee running search and rescue operations. A small tent city had sprung up on the ruined Liangjian City's outskirts, where citizens were self-organizing, rationing food, preparing improvised shelters, and providing medical care where needed.

  Fortunately for the denizens of Liangjian, most people had been on a Circuit of their own before, so they were equipped with all the necessary survival skills honed by weeks on the trails between cities. Only the youngest children were unprepared, but the adults were by-and-large able to step in and give the youngsters some early lessons.

  The elderly were a more difficult problem; many nursed medical conditions brought on by simply aging. In these cases, the community banded together. Groups of citizens scavenged the now peaceful ruins of the city to gather any salvageable goods, usually with squads of Rangers not too far off.

  One of those squads walked past Ondun and Sylphie, giving them a curious eye as they passed. One woman seemed to debate saying something, but a fellow nudged her and shook his head. She sighed and moved on. "It seems we're still public enemy number two..." he whispered to Sylphie.

  The young monster coach, back in her normal attire, just nodded, exhausted in every possible sense. She laid back, then stood straight back up, and frowned. "Even with my daddy 'back', my home is still gone."

  Ondun stared off into the sky, doing his best to purge the memories of the last few hours. Sure, many lives of both humans and Mons had been saved, but many more hadn't. Rows of body bags were being assembled by the various Rangers throughout the rest of Liangjian. Powerful Mons were carefully scanning the area just in case something like the Cheng Incident repeated itself. No chances were being taken.

  The adventurer debated wrapping Sylphie in a hug, not for any romantic value, but just to feel another living being's presence. Sylphie seemed to be debating the same thing mentally. "Hey Ondun?"

  "What's on your mind?" he asked.

  She paused. "I think I owe you two apologies. First...I think you're right. I was clinging to you because I hadn't dealt with my daddy issues." She chuckled grimly at the thought. "I also have generally been awful to you. You're not stupid, far from it. You're very kind, too. I'm sorry. I've been acting like a bratty little kid."

  Ondun scooted a little closer to his friend, his ally, and his traveling partner. "I accept. You sure you still want to travel with me?"

  She gave him a flat look, that softened. "The truth is...now I don't know. My father..." she nodded at the robed man who was using his Auric Arts with a squad of Rangers and their Mons in the distance. "My father's back. I could stay. Olympus knows Liangjian needs all the help it can get with rebuilding."

  Ondun gave a stoic nod, but his heart panged in anticipation of loneliness. Sylphie might not have always been the best of company, but she'd been his most reliable partner since coming to Monastria. She'd fought with him through a few crises. For her to actually contemplate not coming with him felt like he was losing something he'd come to rely on.

  He came to his senses with her giving him a concerned look. "I'm also worried about you, though. Staying here would be hard, but going with you will be harder. The Dark Ones aren't going to stop with Liangjian, are they?" she asked. There was no fear, though - the young coach was trying to make a decision.

  Ondun nodded. "If they get their way, your world will at least face something on the order of a Grand Calamity. Given what the Legendaries have revealed to Aenora and myself about their plans, though, the destruction of your world is more likely." He winced as he said it. A couple of months ago, he'd been helping rebel armies plan operations against the Vroskan Empire. He casually helped Alliance leaders plan the deaths of enemy armies. How could I have been so casual about the fighting I did? He asked himself.

  Sylphie moved closer. "Speaking of that...Ying had a Knowledge Gem from your world. I think the fate of Monastria is tied to what you and Aenora fight. You're not alone. I could probably leave and...well, you'd be better off."

  Ondun finally saw what was going on with Sylphie. "Sylphie. Look at me." She did. "You're not a burden. You've never been one. I know that all of this..." he gestured around "...I know how this can make one debate the notion of their own strength, when faced with reminders about just how fragile and mortal we all are." She nodded.

  "Sylphie, I can't tell you to stay or go. Aenora and myself could save your world. We could also horribly fail. I care for you too much to put myself above the family that you've just barely got for yourself again. If I survive, I intend to go home, and see my family again. Perhaps I was too hasty in choosing to be an adventurer."

  Sylphie scoffed. "The hell you are. You're born for this. You love leaving the cities and blazing trails. Even with the threat of the Dark Ones ahead of us, you were in your element off-Route." She frowned. "Ondun...I know you don't feel...well, everything I feel. I've been throwing myself at you all this time. I'm sorry for that too."

  Ondun pulled the young coach into a tight hug. "I can't say I haven't felt uncomfortable. I can't say I haven't wished you wouldn't do some of what you've done. What I can say, with absolute certainty, though, is I've forged a bond with you, and I dread leaving your side. You've been a good friend and a good ally. I wasn't lying to your father when I said I love you."

  She paused and went red far differently than she had before. Ondun continued.

  "That's why..." he stood. "That's why I want to save your world. When I came here my main thought was figuring out what was afflicting my friends. Yet, if I saved them at the cost of an entire world, I would not, and should not, hear the end of it. They are dear to me, as you are..." he added. "...But ultimately, you're all what I'm fighting for. I started on this path to protect what's important to me." His eyes shone as his limbal rings activated. "I intend to keep doing that."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Aenora and Hiro walked up. "Well said," the Shamaness said approvingly. Hiro for his part seemed conflicted between approval, and his own reservations.

  Ondun smiled at his friend. "Hiro, you said Lord Shenlong warned us from our current path, correct? That if I do what I would normally do, that Monastria would be destroyed?" The Yamato youth nodded.

  The adventurer turned to the Champion of Yamato. "Then...I need your help. I want to protect this world Sylphie calls home. I want to protect Sylphie, and travel at her side. If I keep charging in, I'm ever going to be playing by the rules the Dark Ones have set down, or cleaning up the disasters they leave in their wake. We know the Dark Ones were trying to use my power to break this world. I'm done playing their game."

  Hiro nodded. "You're serious." Ondun only gave a stoic nod.

  The lad tapped his lip. "There's a Kongming legend from long before the Hero came to this land. In the mountains, there's a particularly tall peak where the Silver Dragon himself lives. He sequesters himself there from the rest of the world, for the Silver Dragon gazes on secrets that would freeze the blood of mere humans."

  Sylphie stood, and continued the story. "Long ago, a humble farmer's son sought out Lord Shenlong. With Mons at his side he climbed the treacherous mountain paths, and survived three great trials. Even as he collapsed in exhaustion from the final one, the Silver Dragon saved the lad. The youth was sheltered by Lord Shenlong. In return for his kindness to Mons, Shenlong gave the youth a piece of himself. In return for his wisdom, Shenlong passed on one powerful truth to the young man. In return for his perseverance, Shenlong shaped a scale into two shortswords. This young man founded the Silver Clan, and the place he picked up his swords became a mighty city - Liangjian." She paused. "Here. My family are his direct descendants."

  Lee Lee joined the conversation. "The path to Lord Shenlong is treacherous, but as you've bested me in both battle and conversation, I don't overly fear for you." He turned to Sylphie. "You, on the other hand...I fear losing you. Lord Shenlong's words have been passed down from father to son, mother to daughter. I was remiss in not passing those words to you on your sixteenth birthday."

  Ondun stepped back, seeing yet another father-daughter moment. This time however, a memory sparked in his mind, and he pulled out his cellphone and began frantically tapping the screen, looking for something of particular value that Lowell had sent him and Sylphie only a few short days ago.

  "My daughter. Lord Shenlong foresaw this tragedy. The signs have been mounting for decades. The Dark Ones, as you call them, may be the Corrupters that Shenlong's words speak of."

  He paused, and sang an ancient, discordant song. Ariel translated the ancient tongue for Hiro, Sylphie, and all those nearby. Ondun, thanks to the Wayfarer's Brand, understood perfectly.

  When light casts gloom

  When shadows shine

  The fall doth loom, yes yours and mine.

  To summit tall the dark shall rise

  With blade in hand, with love in eyes

  The fighter seeks the truth of worlds cast far

  The lady blooms, her heart grown hard

  Hand in hand, with Mons as friends

  They learn to fight those who would bring their ends.

  Local Rangers were gathering around, and began stomping and humming, granting the song rhythm and harmony. To Ondun the song sounded distinctly Xin-xian. His and Sylphie's hands met, as Aenora put a hand on Hiro's shoulder. "Listen well, young one. I believe this may be important..." she whispered.

  To halt the darkened streams of blood,

  You must find the gate and slam it shut!

  With valor's servant at your side

  Seek out the Dark wherever they hide.

  When you find them, raise your blades!

  But listen to their tragic lay

  For your foe, too, has lost their world

  Thus why they eat the blackened pearl.

  The people of Liangjian ended the song, and knelt to their City Leader, only for him to raise a hand. "Please, people of my city. Kneel not to me." He gestured to Sylphie. "For it is my daughter who is the Lady the song speaks. Lord Shenlong's words were of the rise of a Shadow Knight. For many years, I thought Lady Ying Biyu of Cheng was the blooming lady. I see now that it's not so."

  He stepped forward, and drew forth a blade of pure Light. Aenora's eyes went wide. "Ondun of Arcanis. You mean to approach Lord Shenlong, do you not?"

  "I do."

  "Will you take Sylphie with you?"

  "If and only if it's her decision. I would welcome her company...but far be it from me to demand it." He paused. "I've fought terrible foes before. I know what we're in for. This won't be pleasant, or easy. In fact, it's going to be awful."

  Sylphie nodded, only for Aenora to come with Hiro, and put a hand on her shoulder.

  "Pout not so hard, young Sylphie," the Shamaness said kindly. "Your love for Ondun is far more than a clinging brought on by loneliness and fear. He is no fool, that much I know from experience, so I know that he knows it too." Ondun nodded.

  "So, Sylphie, choose as you will. As far as I'm concerned, whatever decision you make is wise. An ancient song may refer to you, but your life is decided by your choices. Be sure you choose wisely."

  She closed her eyes, then reached into her pockets and drew forth the Knowledge Gem. In a blast of burgundy, her armor and greatsword materialized.

  "Daddy. You fear for me, but I'm not the same little girl who cried at her mother's bed. I've endured love, and loss, and fear, and pain. I love you. Ondun," she turned to her friend, "I love you too. And what you said about your friends?" She looked around. "It applies to me too. If I saved my relationship with my father, but let the world burn, it would render that trust and love worthless. I want my family to truly be something worthy of the word." She turned to Lee Lee, and slammed black armor into light robes, in a mighty hug. "I'm going with Ondun." she declared.

  Lee Lee returned the hug. After a moment, they released, and he pulled out his cellphone. Ondun's phone chimed with confirmation for an incoming download. He looked up. "Wait, these texts look similar to what Lowell sent me..."

  Aenora was at Ondun's side in the blink of an eye. "This is High Allemandian. I can read it. This...this is technical information." She looked up.

  "These are instructions for how to build something very similar to a Teleptite. Ondun...this is what we need. We can use teleportation to go back home..." she frowned. "It's not complete, though."

  Ondun nodded. "I don't know where more fragments of these documents are, but a silver dragon who hordes knowledge seems like an amazing candidate." He turned to Lee Lee. "Besides, I'm not wont to run from my troubles. I have friends back home. I mean to call for reinforcements."

  Lee Lee nodded. "Then, Ondun of Arcanis, guard my daughter well. I've also sent you the map to Mount Yinshan. It's not far from here, as you've just heard." The City Leader stepped back. "There's a sizable Ranger force. By my authority as City Leader of Liangjian, I declare you innocent. Now, take your friends and your Mons, and go. Lord Shenlong's wisdom is sorely needed, by you, now."

  The City Leader spared a smile for his daughter. "Go, and know that your father is proud of you. I...I will seek healing for the wounds on my spirit. When I see you again, I wish for us to be a family again." Sylphie smiled and nodded.

  "Ondun of Arcanis. The next time we meet, I want it to be with you as a monster coach who is challenging me for Circuit supremacy. Train your team; they are already exemplary."

  Ondun nodded and extended a fist. Without any prompting, the man slammed a glowing fist into his violet, scaled knuckles.

  No more words were necessary. Ondun nodded to his friends. They didn't even bother nodding back. As one they set forth for Mount Yinshan, and the Silver Dragon whose wisdom could break a cycle of senseless loss.