Ondun squared his shoulder. "Strudel, you're up! Greet it with a bit of water."

  With a deep growl of "Aquehound!", Strudel cloaked himself in a sheath of watery power and threw himself at the blade at an angle. The Rusblade turned itself to try to catch the canine on an edge, but the sheer force of the water at Strudel's command turned the blade. Strudel struck the Rusblade with his forehead, creating a deep bong! that echoed through the hallows.

  The blade rose into the air. Aenora narrowed her eyes. "It's using lightning to levitate. Ondun, Strudel may be in danger!"

  The sword cloaked itself in lighting, and stabbed at the hound. Strudel dodged, but only barely; unfortunately it was more than enough to jolt the Aquehound, causing it to curl up and howl. Ondun reached up to his Medicus Knowledge Gem, and immediately sent a blast of healing energy to Strudel, instantly relieving the pain, and allowing the canine to roll out of the way of a savage slice.

  "Rusblade...rus-rus!" the haunted weapon hissed.

  The Palasorceress Ariel, narrowed her eyes. You impressed it with your feat of healing, but it's also annoyed; it challenged you, not your Mon.

  Ondun sighed. "Look, Rusblade, I'm really trying to cut back on the whole 'violence' thing. I don't mind fighting to protect my friends. A friend is looking for you. We brought them to you."

  Wispowill! was the answering cry as the tiny flame bounced off of Sylphie's shoulder, and in front of Ondun. Wisp-wisp! Wispowill! Ariel shook her head, though. "They're asking their friend to stop fighting, that everything is okay now, that the dark ones are gone."

  Ondun narrowed his eyes. "The Dark Ones trouble you too?" he asked the sword. It only narrowed its eyes, then leveled a slash at him. Instantly, he raised a luminous shield and caught the strike. "Were they wearing a black cloak? Did they wear a mask that glowed with dark powers? Did they draw upon titanic Dark forces?"

  "Rusblade...?" Ariel translated: How did you know?

  Ondun channeled some power into the Spelliths, expanding the shield to push the Mon back. "Aenora and I...we fight them too. They've caused untold destruction on our world. They raise empires and create Grand Calamities for some untold purpose. You just proved they had a hand in this one, too."

  "Rusblade. Rus-rus!" I see. Still...it doesn't matter! The sword cloaked itself in a darkness not unlike Sylphie's Shadow Knight powers, and slammed itself into the shield. The detonation knocked Ondun, Sylphie, and Strudel away and onto their backs. Venus the Luxli jumped in front of Ondun, their tail standing straight up, and growled at the animated blade.

  Despite this, Ondun dusted himself off, then walked forward, his Spelliths about him.

  "Yes, it does. The tragedy that befell you is one we oppose. I wouldn't mind working with you...but you also just hurt someone close to me and close to you. I give you one chance to stand down." Ondun reached up and embodied his Dragon Knight powers. "We can have a civil conversation now, or a civil conversation after I've won. Your choice." His voice was quiet, but unlike previous fights was full of menace.

  Aenora and Ariel's eyes went wide, while Sylphie dusted herself off, and embodied her Shadow Knight powers. She drew the greatsword from her back and came to stand by Ondun, with her Wispowill at her shoulder. The tiny flame, however, had other ideas.

  Wispowill! Wisp. Wispo-wisp-willo-wisp-wisp. Willo?

  Just as Ariel began to translate, Ondun felt a pounding from his head, and the brand on his chest. He reached up clutching his head, only for Ariel and the Rusblade to do similar. Before his senses were lost to the memory, he felt Sylphie throw her arms around him.

  A few days ago...

  An older man with familiar salt and pepper hair was walking through the graveyard. There was no damage from the battle; it hadn't happened yet. Sunlight was streaming through trees, illuminating offerings made to deceased loved ones, both human and Mon alike. Some people knelt with lit incense. Others were talking and crying and comforting, despite wearing the unmistakable avant garde fashions of Cheng.

  "Joyeuse, I'll be honest: I don't know how long I have to live. The Valerians say age is finally catching up with me. I've already buried my wife, and most of my original team. It's only you and Sparkle left."

  "Rusblade!" came the cry. "Rus! Rus-rus!"

  The man turned, a face lined with wrinkles, wearing glasses. Yet on them was a smile. "I've lived a full life. I tell you what I tell you, because in about one year, I too will be dead. I wish to prepare you and Sparkles for what's to come. There is no avoiding it, not for me...and not for you."

  "Rus! Rusblade!" The sword Mon brandished itself in the daylight sending a cutting radiance about. The man sighed.

  "I've been making jewelry for the last forty years. I'll see to it, whoever adopts you can take care of you. However...you're a Metal type. You'll outlive many humans, and most Mons. One day, you will even evolve to become the caretaker of others. Your final form is extremely powerful, and practically immortal, barring some tragedy. Not like a human."

  The man knelt. "Please, Joyeuse. Promise me that, you'll never treat us weak humans with disdain. I stopped being able to go on journeys long ago, after Yue died. I know I'm not the best monster coach for you. All I hope is that I've given your young life happiness, and stability, and let you find the beginnings of a path you can be proud of...one where you and humans can live, hand-in-hand."

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Rusblade..."

  The man carefully touched the blade. "I don't want to go either. I've just gotten the hang of living...and now my body no longer keeps up the struggle." He gave a laugh. "It's just as well, though." He paused.

  "Joyeuse. No matter what happens next, I want you to live, and find light again. If you must strike, hurt only those who bear evil in their hearts. Never forget what it is to love."

  "Rusblade. Rus-rus!"

  The familiar old man nodded. "That's good enough for me. Come. This may be the last chance I get to put flowers at Yue's grave, before I join her."

  He picked up a familiar toolbox with flowers, and a number of metalworking tools, and with Joyeuse the Rusblade at his side, went forth to pay respects to a wife he'd lost so very long ago.

  Ondun's tears were rolling as he came out of the vision. He felt Sylphie's familiar weight on him. In light of the mournful memory, he wrapped his arms about her. "Sylphie...thank you." After a few seconds, the two armored coaches kept their embrace.

  "Ondy, I was so worried about you. Are you okay? You've done this before, back in Xinling," she asked.

  The adventurer let go and gave a stoic nod. "It's my power. Much like Lowell's telepathy, I don't control it. More importantly...I understand Joyeuse's situation better. He mourns...not unlike me."

  Ondun pulled the Lohengrim off his back, and readied it, this time without any fury in his heart, and moved away from Sylphie. "If you wish to work your rage and grief out, then test yourself against the Lohengrim, Joyeuse. I can handle your worst."

  The blade blinked, then flew at Ondun with all of its pathetic force. The shaft of the Lohengrim caught the animated blade, slinging it away, only for it to fly back at the Dragon Knight with an anguished cry of "RUSBLAAAAADE!" The only reply was the clang of living steel on enchanted steel.

  This happened for a few minutes. Ondun made no flashy moves, and attempted no evasions. He just blocked each strike, one after the other. Eventually, the animated blade tired, and with a feeble cry of "Rusblade...", sank its blade into the hallowed earth. Ondun walked to it and knelt.

  "You know...I was sent here by an ally. A man who can read minds. He read mine, and helped me see a vision of a dear friend I lost about a year ago. He was a brave knight; with you in his hand, he could've been a far greater hero than some violent lout like me could be." Ondun blinked, tears in his vision. He heard Aenora, Ariel, and Sylphie, as well as the rest of their Mons come behind him.

  "You know what his last words to me were? 'Do not cry so; a smile better suits the face of a hero.' It wasn't the first time anyone called me a hero...but it was the first I believed it. The people who slew him fled, and we eventually caught up...but not before I buried him, with his brother, his mother, and the few friends I had present."

  Aenora put a hand to her heart and clutched her fist, but said nothing. Sylphie put a black gauntleted hand on the woman's shoulder, giving her a look that said, let's talk later, okay?

  "I'm telling you this, because my friend was taken from me through the machinations of the Dark Ones too. We share this grief. The difference between us, is you didn't plunge yourself into fighting for a year to sate your grief and rage; I did. I didn't seek out foe after foe to lay waste to foor the noble purpose of ending suffering, but to spite those who created it. Joyeuse...I am not a hero." Ondun sighed. "Alice saw right through me, didn't she? Lord Yonghaixi did too. Lowell probably saw the worst of me the moment I stepped foot in his city. Flirting aside, I wonder what City Leader Ying sees of me?"

  "Rusblade..." the sword lifted itself out of the ground. "Rus-rus. Rusblade! Rus-blade-rus-rus-blade!"

  Ondun, Joyeuse's thoughts are in accord with all of ours, but for yours, spoke the Fae Mon. Joyeuse says he understands. I think we all do. Everyone here has known loss, even myself. She paused as if looking for courage, the continued.

  My son, Garamond, serves Lady Alice, the Guardian of Kongming. He has been ever away from our clan. One day, I have foreseen that a great battle will take him from us permanently. Aenora's heart echoes with the memories of her lost family. But for her Master's tutelage would she have starved. You've seen Sylphie's tale with your own eyes, over months going from a happy family, to one that has all but fallen apart.

  She looked to the worried canine Mon. Even Strudel, your faithful, loving companion, was taken from his parents too soon. Venus lost their entire litter to the Daemon that you slew. As to Zephanie? She knows what her evolution will make of her, when she finally becomes a Galeshrike. She will live for the hunt; she fears herself, and lives every peaceful day she can, before her power consumes her.

  Ondun looked up. Sylphie, Aenora, and the Mons nodded, confirming the psychic Mon's words.

  I say this not to drown your pain, but to empower you to stand. All know loss, sooner, or later. We only borrow the time of the lives who intersect with ours. Because of this, hold those close who you can, while you can. Start with Sylphie, and Aenora, and Strudel, and Zephanie. If you wish your path to be different, hero of Arcanis, know that it is in your power to change it.

  The feminine Mon knelt next to Ondun. Know too, that even at your worst, you have saved many lives. You can fight to protect others honestly, and righteously...but you must choose your battles. Most importantly, you must know which enemies need to be defeated...and which do not.

  Ondun got up, and wiped the tears from his eyes. "Ariel...Joyeuse. Aenora. Strudel. Sylphie. I thank all of you. I...I don't know what to say." Ondun closed his eyes. "Joyeuse. Heed your friend's words. Learn to live and love. Don't be a fighter like I've been, and don't fight the foolish fights I've fought."

  "Rusblade! Rus-rus!"

  Ariel raised her eyes. I will...on your team. Consider me the blade that will keep you honest.

  Ondun looked at Sylphie and Aenora who just shrugged. "They want to come with you, and you have openings on your team," the Shamaness said. Sylphie giggled. "I mean, we don't have matching swords, exactly, but I'll take the win." Ondun felt a warmth in his chest above and beyond the comfort of Ariel's words.

  Ondun slapped his cheeks. "Then, I'm being a fool. If a capable ally wishes to join us, then far be it from me to say no. Journeys are best taken together." Ondun dropped his Dragon Knight powers, and fished out a capture capsule. "I take it you know how to get in?"

  "Rusblade!" The blade smartly tapped the capture button and was drawn in. Ondun let it out again a moment after.

  Ariel broke the silence. Ondun, good as that was for you, as much healing as that brought your wounded soul, we both know that's not the most important part of your vision. Ondun sighed, and turned to Sylphie. "The man who made that necklace was in Joyeuse's memory."

  Sylphie tilted her head in confusion. "Wait...he died? Then how'd he make this?" she held up the necklace, only for Aenora to snap the chain off her chest, pry out the Knowledge Gem, and hand it back, before taking the brass framing off and throwing it into the graveyard.

  "All-Mother how could I be so blind?" asked the sightless Shaman. "That necklace was enchanted. Everything we just said was relayed to another. Someone with magic made your necklace, Sylphie."

  Her eyes went wide. Ondun's narrowed.

  "I think we've found our necromancer. I think we've found one of the Dark Ones."