Ondun's muscles tensed. The adventurer's heart raced. However, Ondun didn't do what he always did, and reach for his necklace.

  As a Dragon Knight, I'm ideal for fighting Lord Shenlong, Ondun reasoned. That being said...even I can see how doing that would be a terrible idea, and would even play into the Dark Ones' hands. With one less powerful Legendary, the Dark Ones' efforts to tilt the world towards either Darkness or Negative Light would be that much more unchallenged.

  Ondun rubbed his chin, as he began to try to recall every shred of information he could from his time on Monastria. So deep in thought was the Draconian, he didn't see the Silver Dragon smirk in satisfaction.

  Sylphie stepped forward. "Lord Shenlong, before any trials happen, I was asked to return something to you." She pulled a cloth bundle out of her pack. "I have not disturbed the package, nor its contents, of course." She laid it a few paces in front of the furiously thinking Ondun. "I apologize for not starting with that, Lord Legendary."

  Shenlong broke into a wide, toothy grin. You have done well, great-daughter of my favorite human. With a burst of cold wind, the wrappings came undone, revealing two master-crafted short swords that looked as if they had been grown from platinum, and had an odd scaly texture about the handle. These kodachi were of the gifts I gave to the Hero long, long ago. I had wondered if I would ever see them again. Humans chide Dragons for our love of precious metals...yet never have I met a dragon that guards their hoard so jealously as even the least greedy of mankind.

  He did not levitate and store the twin knives. They simply lay there, reflecting the furious, frigid storms of snow and sleet.

  Sylphie nodded. "It's just as in the song of my home, then. What else in the song is true?" she asked.

  Aenora stepped forward. "Lord Legendary, if I may hazard a guess: We are fools."

  Everyone looked at the Felinian. Shenlong's too-toothy grin grew larger. You surmise much. Share your wisdom.

  "The song of Liangjian was passed down father to son, mother to daughter, over these past centuries. The song itself is extremely specific..." she dug out her smartphone, and tapped the screen a few times, until a familiar song sounded on the mountainside...

  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.

  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.

  Ondun's eyes snapped open as understanding dawned upon him. He remembered time stopping as a Gloomwolf charged him the day that he had met Strudel.

  However, when things get bad - and according to my big sister, they will - you're going to have to come back here. You'll have to save me. That's very important. Do NOT forget or both are worlds will suffer a slight case of TOTAL ANNHILATION, seriously do not mess this up.

  Ondun stepped forward. "We got what we needed the moment the people of Liangjian sang the song. The pieces of the Allemandian Teleptite are helpful, and we need them to actually get home...but they're not the headline."

  Aenora gave Ondun a smug grin. "It seems the ace of the Knowing Circle shows us why we revere him so." She gave a nod to her younger ally. "The words, even if they've drifted a bit over the generations, would still generally hold true." She straightened herself. "The Dark Ones have been misdirecting us from day one...back on Arcanis. That did not change when Ondun was displaced to Monastria."

  Ondun nodded. "The displacement itself was happenstance. The real problems started about a week before I came here, relative to how time flows on Monastria." He recalled Alice attempting to interrogate him about the odd power that he now knew belonged to Corrupted Mons.

  Aenora nodded. "Back on Arcanis, a group of soldiers from the Vroskan Empire had been abandoned by their commander in the wake of the successful liberation of Xin-xia. They began scavenging the ruins, trying to refuel animatech devices. The facility they scavenged was the Porta Intermundus, a research facility dedicated to bridging Arcanis and Monastria with an animatechnology gate device."

  Sylphie narrowed her eyes. "They doubtless lost some people. One of them died, didn't they?"

  Aenora nodded. "Just so. In my blindness, my anima sight would have been fooled by the power of the Dark One inhabiting a corpse...but in hindsight? It's all so obvious." She sighed. "Ondun, you weren't directly going to end the world...and that's why Shenlong took notice after my arrival."

  Ondun's eyes went wide, but Hiro understood first. "They didn't follow Ondun, they followed you." He said accusingly. The Felinian only nodded sorrowfully.

  "There was an Imperial Garlon who commanded the survivors we ran into. He never attacked me, though - in fact, he stood with Lady Suzumi and I as we traversed the ruins. For Hiro and Sylphie's benefit: The Vroskan Empire's most notable feature is that their native-born peoples literally cannot use magic, unlike everyone else on Arcanis."

  Their eyes went wide almost immediately. "This 'Garlon' commander is probably a cold corpse resting on the floor back on your homeworld," Sylphie said, her face hardened in anger. Aenora nodded. "To anima sight, I never had a point of comparison. Even if I had, the simple fact is I have no way to tell a soul apart from another soul. I may have noticed he was more powerful than before, had such a point of reference existed...but that is purely in the realm of 'what-if's."

  "So, you were followed here. Shortly after, the Dark Ones saw my face plastered over the local media after Sylphie and I defeated Lowell's City Leader challenge." Ondun said, the pieces all fitting too nicely into place. "They immediately moved against me, and began cloaking areas in Darkness or Negative Light. That doesn't explain the Corrupted Mons and fissures though."

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Doesn't it? Lord Shenlong interjected. In the Yongqi Forest you found the other piece of this Porta Intermundus. I have known of it all along, of course - the Hero found it, with a piece of me at her side.

  Everyone's eyes went wide. "Why didn't you just break it?" Ondun asked. The mighty dragon psychically sighed.

  The Hero ever juggled with the notion of returning home. One day, the device failed outright. She spent a few weeks furiously trying to repair the device, and only succeeded in mangling it further. It took much time for me and the others to convince her to live her life here, far away from the evil Emperor of Allemand. The Dragon looked wistful. I miss Elasmia. Her other partners told me she was a lot more cruel when she first met them...but then she opened up. I met her barely before her battle with the Betrayer. She was a kind, loving person. It was as if she was a baby dragon who had taken her first molt, and was spreading newly grown wings, the massive Legendary Mon reminisced.

  Aenora nodded. "Doubtless, that's the day the Allemandian Empire, and the Third Age, came to an end in the Grand Cataclysm of Earth. Porta Intermundus' energy reserves were dangerously near failing, and we know from experience that time does not flow evenly between our two realms."

  The Silver Dragon floated over Aenora. Much is explained by this, O Lotus Blossom Shaman. Your logic and wisdom are without flaw, and have guided others on the path of wisdom. I hereby deem you worthy.

  In a sinuous wave, Shenlong floated to Sylphie. Dark Maiden of the Greatsword Sylphie, companion of Ondun, and Hero of Monastria, I hereby deem you worthy too. Your sword shall gleam in the darkness as a beacon for the weak, and a symbol of the power of love. I deem you worthy, too.

  Shenlong lowered himself to Hiro. Though you failed to stop Ondun in battle, you also obeyed my intent. Hiro Kaminari, Champion of Yamato, when you take power in this world, you will have my blessing...and my backing. I deem you worthy.

  "What of me?" Ondun asked carefully. Lord Shenlong disengaged himself from the group.

  I do not know. You are touched by a mark much like the one Lord Olympus gave Lady Elasmia so long ago, after she defeated the Betrayer and Hellzeph. You are already a hero of great skill that you cultivated. You are already blessed with the renowned of the wise, the courageous, and the powerful. I never considered you unworthy...merely at risk of being used. This is a risk that has been shattered by our meeting this day.

  Ondun nodded. "I see. Hiro? Thank you for helping me meet the Lord Legendary." Hiro nodded warily.

  I sense your intent, Ondun of Arcanis. You wish to return to Lake Yongqi forthwith, to retrieve the Valor Servant and deprive the Dark Ones of one of the keys to their plans.

  The Draconian adventurer nodded. "I do...but there is one problem. We have but one teleporter, in Lady Ariel. Hiro has a flying mount. Aenora, Sylphie, and myself do not."

  The Dragon grinned.

  Evolution of Mons is driven by three factors. The power of the bond between human and Mon is the most important factor, but the other two must not be neglected. The threat of danger deepens the bond and forces the Mon to master their innate power, the power that Lord Olympus created them with. Lastly, as Mons overcome challenges, they gain the wisdom to refine and more precisely use their power to protect themselves and the human they have chosen to journey with.

  Hiro and Sylphie turned to Ondun. Aenora started to giggle.

  "Ondun...I love you, but this is stupid. This is very, very stupid. We are not challenging a Legendary to a sword or spearfight. Ondun, no. No, Ondun..."

  Shenlong and Ondun's grins both widened. Hiro facepalmed. Aenora started laughing uproariously. She pat Sylphie on the shoulder. "This is classic Ondun, right here. It's in his blood; the Warriors of the Jenghatai Steppe on Arcanis have a love for battle in their blood, despite their more serene dragon blood. As much as he loves you, your pleas have fallen on deaf ears."

  "No, you don't understand..." Sylphie added. "Legendaries are the most powerful Mons on Monastria! They can - and have! - laid waste to entire armies and nations in mere annoyance!" Hiro was nodding vigorously. Aenora sighed.

  "What you don't realize is you just sweetened the pot for Ondun," she said simply. They looked to see Ondun having already switched to Shinobi, and gesturing to the two platinum shortswords, a slightly mischevious gleam in his eye.

  Yes, Ondun of Arcanis. I would see you test yourself against me, with the Hero's blades in your hands. Let your Mons free, and I will offer them all, you all, a lesson in the power of Lord Olympus' children...and just what is at stake if you should have the temerity to fail. If you need proof of your own worthiness, let your battle against me, however long or hopeless, be its own testament: violence alone is not your only claim to fame or grace.

  Ondun gave an Eastern Bow to the mighty silver dragon, then stepped forward, swapping his straight-edged shouken with the flowing platinum blades. Immediately they glowed with power the moment his hands laid upon their hilts.

  The blades have chosen you too. This should be no surprise; I fashioned them from the corpses of my shards, who were slain by the Betrayer. You hold a piece of me in your hands. I like to think I have good taste in mortals. The mighty dragon became thoughtful for a moment. On that note, I would make this a fairer match. Dame Sylphie!"

  The coach was kneeling in front of the Legendary instantly. A plume of silver flowed off the mighty Mon where it twisted in midair, dancing upon the frigid winds, before eventually solidifying into a small, but very familiar draconic form.

  This fragment of myself, I lend to you to aid you in the battles ahead of you and your beloved. My test for Ondun extends to you too. I would test the bond you share not just with each other, but also the Mons who call you their ally.

  She nodded. "My thanks, Lord Shenlong. I will treasure this piece of you as I would any of my Mons."

  Yes, you will; I have foreseen it.

  Hiro was looking around jealously for a moment...but his expression cleared. "Well...I've done my job, haven't I?" he asked. Lord Shenlong nodded.

  Indeed you have, Champion of Yamato. What will you do next?

  Hiro grinned. "You know, I was bummed about not getting more powerful, but you're right. I've already got a primary combat team...and my first friend. I think I'll keep helping the Knowing Circle. I'll have a hell of a story to tell Mom when I go home to visit."

  Ondun flashed the young man a grin, and saw it returned. "Besides," Hiro added, with a thumb jabbed at Ondun. "This meatbrain here needs someone to keep his more combative qualities in check."

  Aenora and Sylphie looked at each other and then facepalmed in perfect sync.

  The Dragon began swimming in the mountain air. Ondun drew the platinum blades, that practically hummed in the air. Zephanie was already out and in front of her human, ready to face one of Monastria's most powerful Mons. Sylphie had Maggie out, with Wispy behind her head like a crimson halo, and the newborn shard of Shenlong draped about her armor's pauldrons and gorget like a flowing silver pelt. Aenora had Ariel out, but Ariel stepped back as Stumpy was released. The Dragon raised an eyebrow at this, but nodded to the tiny stump. Hiro looked around at the various Mons, before pulling out a capture capsule and whispering to it, before an Aquehound materialized, with a slight limp before fully finding its footing.

  Shenlong gave an amused physical laugh that made snowbanks fall into avalanches, wild Galebuls and Galeloons fly off in terror, and all life flee the mountain for a mile around.

  Very well, children of the Knowing Circle. I shall now test your worthiness to drive the Dark Ones from our planet. You shall learn either the skills you need to prevail...or you shall learn the meaning of humility at my fang.

  In a flash of silver, Shenlong lunged at Ondun and Zephanie. A fraction of a second later, everyone else followed suit, as silver clashed with black, green, red, and blue.