"How long do I have?"

"A few months, perhaps," said Tyramear. "The Shadows' movements have become increasingly bold and the Light is ever busy."

Danny dropped his gaze, worried. He was terrible at tests, not knowing what to study made it that much more difficult.

"Do not fret," said Tyramear, seemingly reading his thoughts.

Danny suddenly wondered if it was in the power of a full-blooded Dragonic to read minds. He stared at Tyramear with one raised eyebrow.

"No, I cannot read your mind," said Tyramear with a smile, but your expression is as readable as an open book."

Danny smiled and scratched the top of his head. "It's just that... I'm terrible at tests."

"This is no test that you can study for. You are as prepared for it right now, as you will be when you are destined to take it. Try not to worry."

Before Danny could say anything else, Moon called from the kitchen, "Dinner is ready." Her words heralded the aroma of something delicious, causing Danny's mouth to water.

"Come, Danny. Not only is Moon a gifted healer, she is also an amazing cook."

After a dinner of hibachi-style chicken, egg rolls, and fluffy white rice, keeping in the tradition of Moon's Korean heritage, Danny said his goodbye to Sabrina and her mother. With the hour getting late, he was grateful when Tyramear offered to drive him home.

Before he started the car, Tyramear produced a long, thin object, wrapped in a velvety red cloth.

"I have something for you," holding the cloaked item in the palm of his hand.

Danny took it, he could feel the weight of something heavy and solid.

Starting the car, Tyramear turned around. Shifting gears, he said, "Go ahead, open it."

Danny un-wrapped the red cloth, one fold at a time, revealing the splendor of polished metal. He was looking at a slender dagger sheathed in a silver scabbard, with the symbol of Light engraved into the middle. The hilt of the small blade resembled the head of a dragon. Danny held the brand up to his eyes to get a better look at it, he gasped at the intricate artisanship.

"Take it out," urged Tyramear, as he navigated the long driveway.

Danny wrapped his fingers around the base of the hilt. The metal was cool in his hands as he pulled the blade free with a slight ring of steel. The moment the naked edge left the scabbard, it bathed the car in a soft white light.

"It's beautiful, thank you," said Danny, admiring the sharp blade as it glowed with a pale luminescence.

"It is for your protection," said Tyramear before Danny could ask. "You must keep it on your person at all times."

"I can't take this to school," argued Danny, holding the dagger before him, raising both eyebrows in question.

"It is enchanted. Those without the gift of sight, will see a common ink pen. It is imperative that you keep it with you at all times. Without it, you will be helpless against a Shadow attack."

"...Helpless?"

"The Shadows are creatures of magic. They can only be destroyed by magic. Crafted with Dwarvin skill, the dagger in your hand is charmed for the specific purpose of felling Shadows."

"Charmed?"

"It is magical. Only magical weapons can harm a Shadow. Mortal weapons are useless against their kind."

"So that's why the rock went right through the Shadow's head."

"Yes," affirmed Tyramear.

"Then how could Sabrina hurt it? She wasn't using any kind of weapon that I could see."

Tyramear smiled and took his eyes off the road to look at Danny. "Like me, Sabrina is of the Dragonic, dragons are naturally magical creatures."

"Oh," said Danny, pausing for a moment while thumbing the engraved symbol of Light upon the scabbard of the dagger, a solid white chain interlinked with a black chain of seeping dark flames. "What does the symbol of Light stand for?" he was mesmerized by the emblem.

Tyramear followed Danny's captivated gaze down to the small sheath. "At the core, the symbol is meant to represent a balance of a sort, a union between both good and evil." Glancing at the road and then at Danny, he continued. "You see... good cannot exist without evil and vice versa. The white chain represents the Light, the forces of good, while the black chain represents evil, the forces of the Dark. The white chain is solid and pure because we of the Light acknowledge the presence of the Dark and strive to maintain the proper balance. However, the black chain, warped with escaping tendrils of dark flame, symbolizes the Dark's desire to overthrow that balance. Evil does not know boundaries, Danny. The forces of the Dark will work tirelessly to unravel everything, even at the risk of their own destruction."

"I see," said Danny, tracing his pointer finger around the circular symbol of the Light. Tyramear's words settled heavily upon his shoulders.

"If I am going to get you home, I will need your guidance from this point on," said Tyramear, turning his full attention back toward the road.

Forced from the burden of his thoughts, Danny nodded, sheathed the dagger, and gave him directions.

Chapter 6 - The Gift of Sight.

anny awoke to the sound of his mother's scolding and sighed as he fought the urge to try to go back to sleep.

"Come on, Danny, get up, you're going to be late for school!"

The night had passed slowly, sleep had refused to come and had only found him a few hours before he had to awaken. The events of the past few days haunted his thoughts and invaded his dreams, causing him more nightmares.

Throwing the blanket from his body, Danny wondered if everything had just been a bad dream, or a really good dream depending upon the point of view, but moving his pillow aside, finding the dragon-hilted dagger beneath it, he knew differently.

After a final warning from his mother, Danny got up, dressed and began his morning routine. Bursting through the front door with his right shoe halfway on, the bus was just about to pull away. With a shout and a wave, he halted its departure. Securing the dagger under his belt, he bolted for the bus.

He found a seat toward the back, sat down and sighed. Pulling the sheathed dagger free from his belt, he caressed the cool metal with his thumb, admiring the intricacies of its design.

The bus squeaked to a stop but Danny failed to notice anything because he was so engrossed with the gift from Tyramear. Seconds later, Alonso plopped down beside him.

"Wow, is that what I think it is?" his blue eyes were wide with awe.

Surprised, Danny swiveled in his seat and yanked the dagger behind his back. "If you think it's just a normal ink pen, then yes, it is what you think it is," said Danny, faking a smile.

"No, it wasn't," said Alonso, shaking his head. "That was a knife." Beckoning with his right hand, "Let me see it."

From the seat in front of them, a head peered over the hump. Danny recognized Michael Swaft, a plump boy with black hair trimmed in the shape of an upside-down bowl.

"You brought a knife to school, Danny?" Michael asked in a booming voice.

"No, I-" Danny tried to explain, but before he could come up with an answer, the bus ground to a halt.

Moments later, the bus driver stood over all three boys, glaring in Danny's direction. "Who has a knife?"

Michael and Alonso turned toward Danny, singling him out. Danny appeared to be the most likely culprit with his hand still behind his back.

"What's behind your back, Danny Firoth?" the bus driver asked, stabbing her pointer finger through the air.

Sighing, Danny took his arm from behind his back and presented the object in question.

"Is this some kind of joke, Danny?"

"No, Ms. Virginia."

"It's just a pen," said Michael Swaft, pointing out the obvious.

"No, it's not. It's a..."

"That's enough," said the bus driver, interrupting Alonso. "Bringing weapons on the bus is no laughing matter. I suggest you keep that in mind and refrain from such pranks in the future." Without waiting for Alonso's smart reply, the bus driver turned and stormed back to the front of the bus.

"But..."

Danny's arm shot out; he covered Alonso's mouth with his left hand before the boy could blurt out anything else. Placing the dagger on his lap, he held his finger to his lips indicating the need for silence.

Alonso's eyes narrowed in anger, but he nodded that he understood.

Once the bus resumed its course with a hum of the motor, Danny spoke softly. "You can see the dagger?" holding the object in question before him.

"Why did Michael and Ms. Virginia think it was a pen?"

Danny looked around to see if anyone else was eavesdropping. "I can't tell you anything here." After a moment of thought, he continued, "Can you meet me after school?"

Alonso nodded.

"Okay, meet me in front of the library after last period."

The bus stopped in front of the school.

"I'll see you after school, Danny, and I expect an explanation," Alonso said as both boys parted ways.

Danny sighed, making his way to the front entrance. Navigating the halls, he sighed again, this time with relief. Sabrina stood at her locker, placing a brown math book in her bag. Danny scurried to her left side and slumped against the lockers.

"Hey, Danny," said Sabrina, turning to look at him.

She seemed different from last night, carefree and light as opposed to focused and heavy. Danny concluded that this was her disguise.

"I think there's something you should know," said Danny after a moment of hesitation.

"What's up?" the silky skin of her cheeks creased in a smile.

"Alonso Martinez has the gift of sight as well."

Sabrina did a double-take, looked in either direction and slammed her locker shut. Dragging Danny by the arm, she shoved him into a corner by the stairs. "Are you sure?" her once-cheery demeanor returned to the serious state of the night before.

Feeling shocked and a little unnerved at her close proximity, Danny nodded. He could smell the intoxicating aroma of her perfume, wild roses.

"How do you know?"

"While we were on the bus, he could see the dagger your father gave me." Confirming his point, Danny pulled the slender dagger from his pocket.

Sabrina stared at the blade, lost in thought.

"I told him to meet me after school. I figured we could explain things to him then."

"So be it. Then I will discuss this at length with father later." Sabrina released Danny and added, "I'll see you in gym class," she turned and disappeared into the bustle of the hall.

Looking around, trying to act inconspicuous, Danny made his way to his locker.

To Danny's surprise, the first two periods, music and math, passed without incident. After making his way into the gym locker room, he threw on his clothes for P.E. Unwilling to leave Tyramear's gift behind, he stuffed the dagger into the folds created by his right sock and his shoe. Satisfied, he made his way into the gym and sat cross-legged in his assigned position next to Chris.

"Hey, Danny," said Chris, turning to acknowledge his friend. However, his eyes went wide with shock as he looked down at Danny's right leg. Chris scooted closer. "Danny, why do you have a dagger in your sock?" he asked in a whisper, pointing at the object in question.

"You can see it, too?" Danny questioned as he covered the dagger with his right hand.

"Danny Firoth," said a familiar voice.

Danny looked up to find Mr. Ingram standing above him, his right eyebrow raised.

"You know the rules, Mr. Firoth," said Mr. Ingram. "No pens or pencils are allowed on your person during gym class. Please go and put it in your locker now."

"Yes, Mr. Ingram," Danny said, as he stood up and walked back toward the locker room.

"And where do you think you are going, Mr. Greene?" the gym teacher asked in an authoritative voice.

"I have to use the restroom."

"Make it quick, Mr. Greene, or I'll count both of you tardy."

Chris moved at a jogging pace to catch up.

Danny spotted Sabrina exiting the girls' locker room. She shot him a questioning look. Danny shrugged in response as he passed through the boys' locker room doorway, Chris darting behind him.

"Okay, Danny, what's going on?" Chris asked, once they were alone.