Anthony crossed his arms, the sheer size of his biceps stretching the fabric of the robes taut. "You fought well," he said with a nod.

"Is that the Bonded of the Mageknight?" Matt asked, adjusting his glasses for a clearer look.

Danny presented the blade for everyone to see as best he could.

Leaning forward for a closer look, Matt reached out as if to touch the hilt. However, he retreated from Sabrina's swatting hand.

"No," she said, stepping forward, forcing Matt backward. "A Bonded is only to be touched by the wielder. It is dangerous to touch another's Bonded."

"Why?"

Sabrina visibly relaxed. "You would have been aware of this fact if you were Lightborn, but since you are only first-years and have not received a Bonded of your own, there is no way you could have known."

"Each Bonded has a personality of its own," Briza lectured, jumping in. "You can never be sure how a Bonded might react if touched by one who is not its wielder. Grave injuries have been known to result from such contact."

"What kind of injuries?" Matt asked, withdrawing his hand, resuming his close proximity to the bed in an attempt to get a better look, like a moth to a flame.

"Severe burns, blindness, or the loss of a limb," said Sabrina matter-of-factly. "Just to name a few," she added with a shrug.

Matt took a step back. "It's an epic sword, looks better from a distance." His comment caused chuckles, easing the tension in the room a little.

Danny placed Magear on the bed beside him. "Oh yeah, who won the final duel between Lion Army and Dragon Army?" he asked, turning his attention toward Sabrina, ashamed that he'd forgotten about the event until now.

Sabrina tensed at the question. "Neither side, once the bells sounded the alarm, the duel was stopped immediately."

"I'm sorry," Danny whispered.

Sabrina met Danny's gaze. "Do not be. It was not your fault."

"But it feels like it was my fault. None of this would've happened if it weren't for me."

"You are right. It is your fault," said Briza, causing those gathered around the bed to shoot her a look of warning.

Doug placed a restraining hand on Briza's arm. "Perhaps you should..."

Briza glared at Doug. "No," she said, turning back to Danny. "The members of the Light have waited centuries for your return and, yes, you are right to think that you are responsible for the unofficial celebration that is taking place on this island despite the tragic event of Syndil turning traitor. You are at fault for inspiring hope to those that had all but given up."

"She's right, man," said Chris. "Your name is being uttered almost everywhere. Syndil is second-hand news compared to your new title as Mageknight."

"That is not exactly official yet," said a stern yet familiar voice. Danny looked up to find Calador standing just beyond the doorway. "Not until the King of the Light sanctions you, of course."

"...Calador!" Danny said as the Elf closed the distance and joined the group. "You're unhurt?" he questioned, looking Calador up and down, not finding even the smallest of scratches. "I could've sworn you were wounded nearly as bad, if not worse, than I. How is it that I'm in this bed while you're up and walking around?"

"I am an Elf, Danny, and you are a Human. Our physical bodies differ quite a bit. You see, Elves are more attuned to magical healing, the Human body can only repair itself at a limited speed, even when helped by magical means."

Danny winced as he adjusted himself. "Yeah, I suppose Sir Virgil already said as much."

"How are you feeling?"

"I've been better but I have some questions for you."

"Of course you do, but the king will be arriving momentarily, so I will answer as much as I can in the time that we have."

"The black sword you wielded. Was that your Bonded?" Danny asked with a probing empathy.

"What is left of it... yes."

"Then you've regained the powers of your Bonded?"

"No," Calador said without the slightest hint of emotion, as if he'd come to terms with this fact a long time ago. "When Enigmir was destroyed by Syndil, she was shattered into seven individual pieces. With the help of Sir Bartlett, I was able to re-forge Enigmir into seven separate swords. Through practice, secretly, I learned to combine these pieces into a larger whole, regaining some of her Awakenings. However, the bond between the blades only lasts for a short amount of time."

"You said she?" Danny asked, he'd only recently learned firsthand that the bond between wielder and Bonded was an intimate relationship.

"Enigmir was my elder sister," said Calador, his composure cracking at admission. "She was killed in service to the Light before my birth and she chose to join the ranks of the Bonded. It is rare that a Bonded links with a blood relative, but it is not altogether unheard of."

"I'm sorry, Calador. I had no idea," said Danny solemnly, glancing down at Magear.

"As I told you from the beginning, Danny, your sympathy, although thoughtful, is not required."

"Are you... able to hear ..." Danny's words grew fainter before trailing off.

"Her thoughts are lost to me," said Calador, knowing full well the extent of Danny's question.

Briza's hand drifted to her mouth in utter shock. "You must truly hate Syndil," she said, her words little more than a whisper.

"I hold no grudge against him for the destruction of my Bonded. However, his betrayal of the Light, that is another matter."

Danny opened his mouth to ask another question. However, he was quickly silenced as Calador held up his right hand in a plea for peace.

"Please, I would prefer that the subject of our conversation be changed to more immediate matters."

Danny nodded in understanding, a gesture that was not apparently lost on the blind Elf.

"Thank you."

Danny hesitated and then asked his next question. "What was that black tornado thing? I don't remember much before I blacked out."

Clearly relieved to be off the subject of himself, Calador answered, "What you witnessed was a Shadow Flux, Danny, a tear in our reality created by the Shadows. Essentially, it is a doorway to the Shadow Realm. If you had been caught within it, you would have most likely awakened in the realm of the Shadows, rather than here in the infirmary."

Danny dropped his gaze at the thought. "And Syndil allowed himself to be swept up in that voluntarily?"

"Since no remnants of his presence have been found, we assume so. His traitorous actions run deep."

Danny looked up with hopeful eyes. "And my father's sword...?"

Calador shook his head from side to side. "...Is lost."

"For the time being," said a deep, resonating voice.

Everyone turned toward the sound as the King of the Light entered the chamber, Alamber Halfelvin followed directly behind him.

Suddenly in the presence of the king, Calador honored his leader with a slight nod. "...My lord."

Danny had only seen the King of the Light from a distance, now, in such close proximity, he found himself awed in the king's presence; he was so overwhelmed that he stared without blinking.

The king wore a fine white robe, accented with golden trim and stitching, his robust physique accenting the form-fitting fabric. His beard, as white as freshly fallen snow, sported two long braids that fell just beneath the corners of his mouth. His right hand lingered on the hilt of a golden sword at his side. The pommel of the blade was engraved to depict a detailed crusade of angels and demons locked in endless combat.

The longer Danny stared at the King's Bonded, the more he thought he saw those represented upon the hilt actually move. However, before Danny could contemplate the Bonded any further, the King of the Light stepped forward and stopped just at the edge of his bed, Alonso and Anthony parted to let him through. Drawn to the smooth crown on the king's head, Danny found himself mesmerized by its soft white glow which looked like a halo.

"It is good to see you have regained your wits, Squire Firoth," said the King of the Light, his voice bold and commanding. Placing his hand on the baseboard of the bed, he asked, "How are you feeling?"

Forced into conversation, Danny looked closely at the king, finding the large man's golden-brown eyes rather startling. "...Fine, my king."

The King of the Light eased himself forward, putting most of his weight on his frontward hand, causing the bed to creak. "Please, call me Sire Koltair. There is a time and place for formality, but this is neither that time nor that place. That is, of course, unless you would rather I address you as Mageknight."

"Honestly, my king... I mean, Sire Koltair, I haven't gotten used to being called by that title, and I'm not sure I ever will."

Sire Koltair smiled. "To be completely honest with you, Squire Firoth, I have never truly gotten used to the title of king myself. You see, I was not placed in this role due to traditions of nobility or royalty. The King of the Light is more a political title than anything else. It was not the predisposition of my blood that earned me this role, but, rather, my ambition to obtain it. It is not beyond reason that you could someday become the King of the Light yourself, or, perhaps, someone else in this room, for that matter."

"I could become king?" Alonso questioned. His eyes grew distant, as if, at that very moment, he was imagining his future as the King of the Light.

"If that is your ambition," the King stated. "But I digress. I did not come here to discuss politics. As all of you know, the Light has suffered a grave betrayal. However, the Light has also been blessed with the return of the Mageknight, you, Squire Firoth."

"I'm still not sure what that means."

"Nor am I, Squire Firoth, the ancient text is quite limited on the subject; I know you are well aware of that." Turning around, the king shot Calador an accusing look.

Danny eyed the same Elf curiously.

"Calador has been most forthcoming, Squire Firoth. He has revealed all to me," Sire Koltair said, turning back to Danny.

Shame filled Danny's heart as he dropped his gaze. "Oh," he said softly.

Sire Koltair sighed. "Do not blame yourself for doing something that you thought was right, Squire Firoth. I understand what your reasoning was at the time. However, in the future, I would ask that you be more open with your superiors, myself included."

"Yes, Sire Koltair."

"I would also ask that you meet my eyes when you answer me, Squire Firoth. One can tell much from another's gaze."

Looking up, Danny met the king's golden-brown eyes. "Yes, Sire Koltair," he said again.

"The blame is not yours alone, Danny," said Alamber, taking a silent step forward. "None of us, Calador included, could have known the depth of Syndil's betrayal."

"I understand that Syndil has turned to the Dark but why did he take my father's sword?"

Calador stepped forward. His blindfolded gaze focused in Danny's general direction. "You do understand that the blade Syndil stole is not simply your father's sword?"

"Yes," said Danny, dropping his eyes once more. "The sword Syndil took is a Bonded created from my father's soul. Sir Bartlett told me."

"...What?!" Sabrina said, looking to Calador, Alamber and then to Sire Koltair for an answer. When no answer appeared to be forthcoming, she held Danny's bandaged hand in her own. "I am sorry, Danny. I had no idea."

"We will get him back, man," Chris assured, placing a comforting hand on Danny's shoulder.

Briza gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. "That's horrible."

Danny could feel his heart pounding faster with every passing second. His sadness turned to rage as he balled his left hand into a fist, ignoring the searing pain that followed. "Why'd he take my father?" Danny asked, raising his head, meeting Sire Koltair's gaze.

Everyone turned their attention to the King of the Light, awaiting an answer.

Sire Koltair looked straight at Danny. "Ten years ago, your father, along with a cohort of other Knights of the Light, set out on a secret mission to obtain a rare artifact of legend, the Black Bonded. Said to have been created from the essence of a Shadow, the possession of this weapon would strengthen the Shadow hordes beyond the capability of the Light. If they possessed this weapon, Squire Firoth, it would allow the Shadows to fashion Bondeds of their own. This could not be allowed to happen." The king paused to allow the full weight of his words to sink in. "Your father was successful, his fellow Knights of the Light were slaughtered.

"Before your father passed and allowed his essence to be placed within the shell of a Bonded, he hid the Black Bonded in a location known only to him. The reason Syndil wanted the Bonded containing your father was to locate the final resting place of the Black Bonded. Because a Bonded will only awaken when touched by its eventual Bond mate, we were unable to question your father about the resting place of the Black Bonded. However, even if we could have, the transition from body to blade can be most confounding, and it is unknown whether your father even remembers its location anyway.

"Most likely, it is Syndil's intention to force your father's Bonded to consciousness and coerce him to reveal the location of the Black Bonded."

"Why wasn't I told about this?"

"Only a handful of Knights of the Light were privy to this information. Additionally, it was your father's wish that you be kept as far away from the conflict between the Light and the Dark as possible. He did not want this life for you, Squire Firoth. However, it seems that it was your destiny regardless, as the Mageknight, you would have been pulled into this ancient struggle whether you wanted to be or not. Syndil must have chosen you because of your father, hoping that some clue concerning the whereabouts of the Black Bonded may have been passed down to you. Syndil must have considered it an added bonus that you actually turned out to be the Mageknight."

Danny dropped his eyes. "Yes, he said as much, he used me."

"Syndil used all of us, Danny," Calador said in a calm voice.

"What happens now?" Danny asked, taking comfort in Calador's words. "What'll be required of me now that I'm the Mageknight?"

The King of the Light smiled. "You are the Mageknight in title only, Squire Firoth. I am afraid that, in mind and body as well as ability, you are still just a Squire of the Light. Thus, you shall fulfill only the requirements of that duty at this time. You will remain a Squire at the White Rock Academy of Illumination, being no different from the friends gathered around you. You have reached the end of your first year as a squire and as such, you must make a choice. You may choose to continue your training to become a Knight of the Light, or, if it is your wish, you may return to the life you knew before. No one within the Light will stop you."

"You're saying I could simply go home and not have to return."

"...If that is your choice, Squire Firoth."

"...Even though I am the Mageknight?"

"Even so, the Light will not force you to fight."

In turn, Danny met the eyes of his friends. He wondered what they would choose to do, given recent events.

"You should know that your friends have already decided," said Sire Koltair, as if reading Danny's thoughts.

Danny looked closely at his friends. "I'd like to know their decisions before I make my own."

The king responded with a slight nod and said, "Of course."

Chris was the first to speak. "You know me, man. I've never been one to back down from a fight. I have chosen to return next year and continue my training to become a knight."

Danny smiled at his oldest friend, the truth of his words was heart-warming. Chris was forever faithful. Once he put his mind to something, he would allow nothing to stand in his way.

Alonso spoke up next, "I had already planned on returning, now that I know I could become the king, I want to come back even more."