CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: THE ACADEMY’S COUNTEROFFENSIVE PART VI: THE ENTRUSTED LEGACY PART V: A GAME OF NINJA TAG PART II: THE KOMMENO SYNDESMO

Ryu stood in the Class Of Deviants with Students from both the Classes Of Deviants and Honours.

"Reis, for now, go get Darak. I've sent for extra help. I'm certain it will arrive by the time you return" Ryu said.

Reis nodded and accessed the teleportation crystal in the Class Of Deviants. In an instant, he found himself in the Rangers' Guild. He found Darak sparring with other Rangers within the Temple.

"Darak, I need you to come with me immediately" Reis said.

"Can't now, I'm currently sparring with these guys" Darak said.

"Darak, follow me now! The Academy might be in danger!" Reis ordered.

"Not listening" Darak continued his sparring session.

"Haah, you're so stubborn whenever you're not Darag-Arökna!" Reis declared.

"Whenever I'm Darag-Arökna, my persona overlaps with Dragnarök's" Darak continued to spar.

"Fine" Reis gave up.

"Huh?" Darak turned to look at Reis.

"Do this and I'll battle you when this is over. No holding back, promise" Reis said.

Darak's eyes sparkled at the offer.

"Why didn't you just say so Reis? If you really need my help that badly I guess I can't refuse" Darak said.

"You're just aiming to fight someone strong" Reis stared at Darak suspiciously.

In the next instant, both boys were in the Class Of Deviants. In the Class, amongst the Students was a stranger with long flowing silver hair who bore Twin Swords, one the colour of Daylight, the other the colour of Night.

"Okay, Darak's here" Reis said.

"Reis, Darak. This here is Rikishin, Sir Raygaard's Guardian Force. He's the equivalent of a Dragon from your homeworld" Ryu introduced.

"What do you want us to do Ryu?" Reis asked.

"I've shared a special functionality with you three Reis, Rikishin, Darak, a function called 'Protocol Twelve Gates'" Ryu said and explained the functionality to them.

They accessed the functionality and found the location 'World Of Dreams'.

"It's Zan's homeworld" Reis said.

"Yes, in the year November 27th, 2001, shortly after Ayumi discovers her sigil, the Pyrogeysers, Tristran makes a move against Ayumi through Cowardice, one of Zanfar's souls of evil" Ryu said.

"Yeah, I know about that" Zan muttered angrily.

"So you want us to prevent that event?" Darak asked.

"No, if you get into Cowardice's line of sight, you'll alert Tristran to our actions. Besides, as painful as that event was, it's one of the things that make Ayumi who she is today. You'll journey roughly five years after that event into another turning point in Ayumi's history to correct Tristran's actions through Ayumi's sister Ai Kirisawa. You will strengthen Ai's resolve to save her sister and at the same time strengthen Ai's heart against Decay's attack that occurs six years later. From then on, you will journey to the year in which Zan encounters Ayumi, right before Zanfar's advent and give her your sword Reis" Ryu said.

"My sword? Hmm, this is a family heirloom presented to my ancestor King Dragonhaärt by a man named Origin. I think that person may be Alpha. Well I don't know how my sword can help Ayumi but fine" Reis said.

"Your sword is my own sword Reis. It's the Aurora Sabre. I sealed away two thirds of its power just now to throw off Tristran's suspicions and gave it to your ancestor King" Ryu said. "Well, it is kinda weird to see what you just gave away return to you".

"WHAT?! And what of the Twin Saggeesian Sabres?! Don't tell me you had something to do with that as well!" Reis exclaimed in disbelief.

"I might have had something to do with that. When I arrived on your homeworld, I extracted the sealed two thirds of my sword's power into ores of Sol and Stellar Mithril and handed them to Aurora's ancestors" Ryu said. "Currently, your blade should have the power to separate bonded forces of a polar opposite nature. Entrusting it to Ayumi will calm her fears and strengthen her in the battle against Zanböngfar" Ryu said.

"To further throw off Tristran's suspicions we'll call your blade the 'Kommeno Syndesmo' from now on" Ryu said. "Alright, if you head to the Battle Of Black Water Bridge as Arälpheisl and Darag-Arökna, Tristran should perceive you as one of the Nightmare King's forces. You'll blend in quite well and will be able to carry out the rest of your tasks quite effortlessly" Ryu said.

Reis and Darak transformed into Arälpheisl and Darag-Arökna then together with Rikishin, they accessed the Gate to Zan's homeworld and disappeared.

THE WORLD OF DREAMS, THE BATTLE OF BLACK WATER BRIDGE…

Ai stared at the Nightmares that surrounded them. The aura they emanated was terrifying, but their animosity didn't seem particularly directed towards her and her comrades.

One of the creatures that decided to side with the Nightmare King, the Silver Reaper, Rikishin, stepped before the other Nightmares and approached Ai. Ai and her forces put up their defences.

"Listen to me Ai Kirisawa. We've been sent to hold you at bay. Today, your sister Ayumi Kirisawa is one step from becoming a raging inferno. Before she turns into a force that supplies "the ultimate evil" with a great amount of energy, the Nightmare King, the destroyer of lies…will sever her life" Rikishin said.

"Wait a minute…you seem…very familiar. Have we met?" Ai asked.

"Ai! Don't tell me you've been acting as a double agent this whole time!" Aidan yelled.

"Shut up Aidan! We all know you're only after Ai's seat as captain!" Eghan yelled back.

"It's no surprise you find me familiar. You might have created this image of me as you read Edwin Mwintome Bozie's "Legend Of Raygaard"" Rikishin said.

"Why is the Nightmare King after Ayumi's life?" Ai asked.

She was still confused about everything that was going on.

"He isn't after your sister's life. He is after the soul of Cowardice that is nested deep within your sister's own spirit" Rikishin said.

"What are you saying?" Ai asked.

"You may have already realized it Ai Kirisawa. Ayumi's character is slowly decaying and she has begun to lose sight of herself. The reason for that is her fear of abandonment and that of seeing the ones she loves hurt. Cowardice took advantage of that and filled Ayumi's head with lies about fearlessness. A truly fearless person has no attachment to anything, no sentiments for anything…no love for life…not even their own and that is the difference between self-sacrifice and meaninglessly throwing your life away" Rikishin said.

Another figure stepped forward. He was a being with angelic looking wings, six of them and his features looked as though they were a mixture of man and beast…to some extent. He also seemed to radiate a lot of light and warmth.

"I am Arälpheisl young Ai, the Wise One Of The Unison Courts, one of those that mediate between man and forces. Rikishin's words may sound harsh but they are true. Ayumi is fighting to protect humans, that I will not deny…as are a lot of you. However…regardless of this, you are very much serving Zanfar's purposes even without full knowledge of the significance of your actions, and that is why even Celestial creatures like us sided with Sanziri, the Destroyer Of Lies. Your actions are true; all of you Dream Knights…but you are following false intentions. Think about it, Dreams and Nightmares have existed since time immemorial. Many Dream Knights have sacrificed their lives for the sake of humans…and many of those Dream Knights…were in the first place human. Yet, no matter how hard they fought, Zanfar grew stronger until even Zanviel…the ultimate embodiment of Dreams succumbed to Zanfar's grudge against humans. Zanviel loved humans so much…and he sacrificed so much for them…but he was forsaken…and his pain was what created a force much more terrifying than Zanfar alone, a force called "The Deplorable Dream". Zanfar does not care so much for how much you Dream Knights fight to protect humanity, and he doesn't view you as a threat at all. In the end, it does not matter to him young Ai. It is indeed shocking how naïve humans can be. Can you still not understand the difference between Self-Sacrifice and throwing your life away?" Arälpheisl asked.

"Say no more Arälpheisl. The beauty of any riddle is in the quest for its answer, not the solution itself. Until you can understand the difference between Self-Sacrifice and throwing your life away, all of humanity's fate is inevitable destruction" Rikishin said.

"So what are you saying? I should just abandon my sister and all of humanity?!" Ai screamed.

"That is an interestingly narrow choice" Rikishin said with a smirk.

Arälpheisl laughed much to the surprise of everyone.

"Young Ai, I will leave you with a clue that may save your life and those you love in the future. In every choice, there are not only dos and don'ts, but there are also 'intentions' to consider as well as empathetic feelings. Humanity isn't vulnerable to Zanfar's malice because it has no choice…but because you refuse to believe in the path that can heal all your wounds. It's always one over the other for you, get hurt for the sake of others…or let others get hurt for your sake. However, realize this young Ai, that…forsake is the only human word we know of, that can simultaneously be applied to the subject of any action and the recipient of that action; and then contradict itself" Arälpheisl said.

"I don't understand anything you're saying! Jeez, you're speaking to a kid as though you're talking to an adult! But regardless of the meaning behind your words, I'm going to save Ayumi!" Ai yelled.

"That is fine too but…why do you want to save her? Is it simply because you possess the same blood? You have no reason to risk your life for hers. You do not know what is in Ayumi's heart. For all you know, this person you call 'sister' secretly despises you within her heart. There is no way of knowing what dwells within her heart when she smiles at you…but for years now…Ayumi has hardly smiled at you…has she? To say you wish to protect Ayumi…just because she is your sister is no different from washing your clothes because you need to, or eating…or any other biological process. So why do you wish to protect with your life…someone that despises you…and clearly shows it?" Rikishin asked.

Ai smiled.

"Sister is just a word. I understand what you're trying to say Rikishin, even though I'm only twelve. Somehow I can understand what you're trying to say. Ayumi may only be linked to me by blood now…or by a meal we shared once, or by lineage, by videogames, or even by debates and heated arguments…but regardless of the type of bond I share with her, it is undeniable…that there is a bond!" Ai declared.

Rikishin sighed and sheathed his blades, changing his intimidating stance into that of surrender. Arälpheisl laughed again.

"The beauty of a human child has beaten you again, hasn't it Rikishin?" he said.

"It is as Zanviel once said, 'babes are wiser than adults…but adults are more intelligent. However, intelligence does not necessarily make one wise but he who possesses wisdom is always intelligent…and that is why the future of humanity is always rightly entrusted into the hands of its children.' Ai Kirisawa, I praise your earnest nature. I've always said humans are naïve as is a common saying amongst us forces…but not all forms of naivety are evil. Trust…is a beautiful form of naivety…as is kindness and hope…and all the Souls Of Virtue that stand in opposition to the seven souls of evil. The element closest to your nature is the element of water, symbolizing purity and kindness, as well as birth and rebirth. Though unlike one of water's many attributes, you lack it's attribute of mystery due to your earnest nature, you seem to possess its power to cleanse. If you are set in your path, I will not hinder you young Ai but I will at least warn you. The person you are trying so desperately to save now is closely tied to the fate of humanity, be it for good or for evil. In the future, you will come to realize…that your greatest sin…was your kindness" Rikishin said as he motioned to his forces to pull back.

Arälpheisl walked to Ai and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Ai looked worried and she seemed to be crying.

"Young Ai, Rikishin's words may sound like a curse now…but they are indeed a blessing for you. There are two ways to deal with any problem. The first is to avoid it, and the second is to solve it. An unsolved problem can become a hindrance in the future. It's the same as what is happening to your sister now. She wants to avoid pain by 'feeling no fear'. However it will lead her down a path of regrettable solitude in her future. 'Feeling no fear' does not solve the problem of fear, but 'facing fear', Courage, is what gives all of creation the will to proceed towards an unknown future. However, Courage cannot come without Trust…either in one's self, one's relations or one's God. Do what you feel is right young Ai, and have the confidence to face the tragedies that will confront you as a result of your actions. Regardless of the pain it may bring, kindness…is never…a mistake…for the kind are the truly strong…for they confront their own hatred…every single moment" Arälpheisl said as he spread his wings and flew away.

In an instant, the Nightmares in Ai's path disappeared.

2ND JANUARY, 2012, DREAM CITY…

Zan woke up from his dream after witnessing his father, the Nightmare King and Destroyer Of Lies confront Ziri (Lies).

"Let me guess. You just had a dream you can vaguely comprehend but cannot classify as real, illusory or memory" Ananse simply summed up the entire experience.

Zan nodded.

"Y-You finally had...THE DREAM?!" Ananse exclaimed in awe.

"I don't know what you mean by that but this dream was plain weird" Zan said and narrated what he saw to Ananse.

Ananse chuckled and had a nostalgic look in his eyes as though he had finally accomplished his life's work.

"Your identity is calling out to you" he said.

"What's this 'Identity' thing that keeps repeating in my dream?" Zan asked Ananse.

"I hope you're old enough to understand what I'm going to tell you Zan. In this world, there are two kinds of legacies human beings leave behind. The nature of one of these legacies is "Entrusting". The second is "Identity". To tell the truth, human beings have an amazing trait despite all our faults. A trait I believe baffles even the forces. One of these traits is the Human Soul. The Second is "The Debate Of Human Mortality". Human beings in this reality are mortal, yet in some ways immortal. I believe that we have one mortal life to live but blessed humans live three lives on the average. They live their lives; live their lives through the lives of their children and then relive their lives through the lives of their grandchildren. This becomes the nature of "The Entrusting Legacy". The reason our wisdom of old considered childbearing a blessing and not a curse. Our children are shaped by our lives and then regardless of whether they live their lives according to a plan we pre-fashion for them or by their own convictions; they continue on with the legacies we leave behind. Then there is a second type of legacy known as "The Legacy Of Identity". This legacy is left by people; by virtue of "who they were in their lifetimes". You find their names resounding throughout history regardless of whether they leave behind descendants or not. Now, could you imagine the possible future humans could have if we left behind both the legacies of "Entrusting" and "Identity" in positive ways? There lies one of the secrets to the collective immortality of mankind. The second immortality is a more personal one but sadly, not many are able to see it for what it truly is" Ananse said.

"I see. I kinda understand...vaguely" Zan muttered.

IN THE KIRISAWA RESIDENCE...

"Dad, there's something I want to talk to you about" Ayumi approached her father, Ryuuji Kirisawa as he sat in his study reading a book about human-machine interfacing.

"Anything bothering you Ayumi?" her father asked without shifting his focus.

"There's this thing that's happened to my sigil...and Zan's" Ayumi muttered nervously.

"I hope the Pyrogeysers are alright" Mr Kirisawa said.

"Actually, I'm not sure about that myself. The Pyrogeysers are gone. And so is Zan's Silver Dream. They've become a new sigil" Ayumi said.

"What do you mean by they've become a new sigil?" Mr Kirisawa stared at his daughter suspiciously from the corner of his eyes.

"The two have become a single sigil and still they are fundamentally different. Zan and I named it the Pyrostellis Luminares; The Fiery Star Heavenly Lights" Ayumi explained.

"Interesting, where lies the problem?" Mr Kirisawa asked.

"I'm not quite sure it's a stable sigil and its properties greatly differ from the Pyrogeysers and so I'm unsure of whether I can apply all I've learnt about our family's Shinsei Ryuuenjinn battle style. I'm not even sure I can summon Shinsei Ryuuenjinn in battle anymore" Ayumi said.

"What do you mean" Mr Kirisawa asked.

"I say our sigil might be unstable because of something that happened while we battled Sloth and Decay. When Zan was split apart into his various attributes, the Pyrostellis Luminares regressed to our previous sigils" Ayumi explained. "On top of that I cannot verify the nature of this sigil. It started out as two blades linked by a cord of sorts; but when we fused them; it became a cannon. I'm worried about how it can impact our fighting styles and considering Zanfar's imminent advent, I'm not sure I'm ready for something like this. Zan spoke of an edge against Zanfar but he may have just been second guessing as well. In truth, none of us can verify Zanfar's true nature" Ayumi said.

"You are worried about so many things Ayumi. Haven't you learnt anything from your courtship of the seven Zans? If I learnt one thing, it's that you can't bring out your true potential if you are divided against yourself" Mr Kirisawa said calmly.

"I know" Ayumi said.

"Besides, this is partially your fault. What do you expect after a heart transplant from Zan? I've heard the saying of giving your heart away but never witnessed it in the sense Zan gave his. Maybe except for when I gave mine to your mother and the Princess Of Dreams to the Nightmare King; haha! You and Zan can no longer be considered separate entities so to speak, but at the same time, you're not completely one. So my guess is your sigils changed accordingly and took on a dualistic yet unary nature that can switch depending on your feelings about the fight. That might explain why it became a rocket launcher when you chose to blast Sloth and Decay to smithereens" Mr Kirisawa said almost indifferently.

"Hey, hey old man, I never said anything about a rocket launcher. But if the Pyrostellis Luminares is a dynamic weapon, things might get interesting" Ayumi thought.

"So do you want me to teach you?" Mr Kirisawa asked.

"What father?" Ayumi asked.

"Don't be silly, the ultimate technique of our family's battle style" Mr Kirisawa said.

"Heh, you're quite stubborn about retirement ain't you dad? I've already been deemed worthy as your successor. We both know I can summon Shinsei Ryuuenjinn now" Ayumi boasted and started to walk away.

"Suit yourself. Hope it doesn't take you twenty years to Master the Reborn Dragon Flame God Assimilation technique; and then another twenty years to master the epitome of our battle style; the Ryuuenjinn no Sotensouryu; otherwise known as the Reborn Dragon Flame God's Blue Heavens Twin Dragons. Well, I did manage to master both by the time I was forty making me the youngest in our ancestral line to master this technique" Mr Kirisawa said.

"You're bluffing" Ayumi said.

"Can you afford to assume I am at this critical time? I pride myself in the fact that your tenacious willpower drove you to discover how to summon Shinsei Ryuuennjinn at such a tender age but do not fool yourself into believing five or even ten strikes is the zenith of Shinsei Ryuuennjinn's ability a human can call upon" Mr Kirisawa said.

"Damn you dad! So you held back in all our battles and training sessions?!" Ayumi roared angrily.

"I didn't want to kill my daughter. Forgive me if I have to say all you knew how to do then was spout flames. You've changed since then. If you can sense the development of your sigil then I deem you worthy" Mr Kirisawa said.

"How long will it take?" Ayumi asked.

"No less than thirty years at least" Mr Kirisawa said.

"HAVE YOU GONE SENILE?! ZANFAR'S SHOWING SIGNS OF CRUSHING THE NEW YEAR AND YOU CAN PROJECT THIRTY MORE YEARS SO CONFIDENTLY?!" Ayumi yelled angrily.

"Well, it is possible to simulate thirty years without affecting the ageing process of your body. A hyperbolic time chamber of sorts if you'd like to call it so" Mr Kirisawa chuckled slyly.

"I think you've read too many manga!" Ayumi roared and turned to leave.

"If after all you've witnessed, you can so clearly define the borders of dreams and reality and impose limits on them; you might be the one that has gone senile Ayumi. Either that or you're just delusional" Mr Kirisawa said.

"Interesting proposition dad but no thanks" Ayumi refused.

"What?!" Mr Kirisawa exclaimed in shock.

"I have my warrior's pride as well. For someone who intends to surpass you, I don't intend to walk in your shadow for forty years; not even if they are forty years projected in a hyperbolic time-space chamber" Ayumi said.

"You really are stubborn, just like your mother" Mr Kirisawa said.

"If Ryuennjinn no sotensouryu was so effective, Zanfar should have been defeated by now. It will take more than just fighting techniques to beat Zanfar. That is one thing I am certain of; the fact that we don't know what exactly...is unsettling. Needless to say, elemental attacks may be useless against him as well" Ayumi said.

"You realize all that and still..." Mr Kirisawa was saying when Ayumi interrupted him.

"I appreciate your concern dad, I really do, but I'll train in my own way" Ayumi said as she walked away.

THE NEXT DAY…

Ayumi lay on the couch in the sitting room.

"I've read as many books in our library as I possibly can today and I've still found nothing more about Zanfar. In fact, there is no explicit mention of the force known as "Zanfar". It might be a term probably only used in Dagara culture but I find it hard to believe that there is no literature on the force known as Zanfar" she thought. "I thought I could at least help Zan by gathering more knowledge on the events surrounding the History Of Dreams and Nightmares and his birth. To be honest though; no one knew the true nature of Zanfar until Bamane dropped hints and Enslavement confessed" Ayumi sighed.

"Zan; looks like we're already running into road blocks. Please remain safe" Ayumi said worriedly as she shut her eyes and sighed again.

MOMENTS LATER…

"Ayumi Kirisawa" a voice called out to her just before she drifted into slumber.

"Who are you?" she growled.

Her mind presented her within a place surrounded by mist. She put up her guard. Her Pyrostellis; a blade that flamed with an intense golden blaze was already equipped. Her armor had changed as well. Her clothes seemed lighter than her previous armor. She in fact appeared to be clothed in a warm golden blaze.

"I like the look of your flames now….Ayumi Kirisawa. They are now kind and purifying; not the kind driven by malice. You once said; your family was founded to sever the chains binding light didn't you? Can you save the Dreamweaver?" the voice asked her.

She looked ahead and saw two figures. One of them appeared to be cloaked in bright light; a kind ever changing light. The other was cloaked in intense flame similar to those of her Pyrogeysers in the past. Both men appeared to be partly human and dragon in likeness. Their facial features were human and their bodies appeared to be humanoid but they had wings and scales on their limbs like the scales of dragons made of flame and light. One of the men; had bright white wings like those of an angel. The other had wings made out of flame. Both men seemed familiar.

"We've met before Ayumi Kirisawa; on that dreaded day, known now as The Battle Of Black Water Bridge. Our interaction then was more with your sister than with you" one of the men; the one who appeared to be made from light said.

"I recognize you. You flew over our army back then. You were part of the Nightmare King's Gamma Knightmare Forces" Ayumi said.

"Ayumi Kirisawa, you may not know us but we've met your sister Ai once, during the battle of Black Water Bridge. Your eyes are different now than they used to be. You have the eyes of one who has found herself so we will present you with a gift. This blade; it is a sigil; but one forged from many feelings. It has the power to sever bonded forces of a polar opposite nature. However, over time, its blade has been dulled by the superfluous feelings roaming this world and that is why truth appears to be a force that holds almost no power in your world. Do you wish to save Zan?" Darag-Arökna, the man who appeared to be made from flame, asked her.

"I do. If there is a way, please tell me" Ayumi pleaded.

"There is a way. If ever there comes a time he is consumed by evil to such an extent that he loses sight of who he is, you might be forced to teach him how to be human all over again. As absurd as it sounds, he might have to learn anew how to be human. That is what this sword does. Fill it with the depth of your feelings and plunge it into his heart, however if your feelings are not true, he will remain corrupted and destroy you and everything and eventually, himself. Can you live with that?" Arälpheisl; the man who appeared to be made from light said.

"What is this blade?" Ayumi asked as she took it within her arms.

It felt lifeless. There was absolutely nothing special about it.

"Its name is "Kommeno Syndesmo". It means "Severed link"; and so you should be prepared as well...in case the result of its use is that you'll be forgotten again" the two men said as they disappeared.

Ayumi awakened from her sleep to find herself clutching a sword rusted tight within its sheath. Her discovery puzzled her but her heart was beginning to become more focused and calm. This might be the only way to save the one she loved but the final outcome would not depend on the lifeless sword in her hands; but on the depth of her feelings.

ABOARD THE ARK…

Rikishin, Darag-Arökna and Arälpheisl returned to the Ark, the latter two assuming their normal forms.

"Well done, Reis, Darak, Rikishin" Ryu congratulated them.

"You owe me a battle Reis" Darak reminded Reis.

"Yeah, yeah, I haven't forgotten" Reis said.