Epona hurried back to the riverside on Mushi's back, only to find silence, and the image of Llew carrying a girl in his hands.

"Llew! Did you win?" She questioned.

"Yeah.."

"Who's that?"

"Her name is Phoenix. I don't know how but she was the one who transformed into the monster that we fought earlier."

"Allow me to explain."

A turquoise-haired woman wrapped in a robe of marigold stepped towards them. Her irises flashed golden in the dim light of daybreak, pools of wisdom that seemed to be bottomless.

Llew asked. "Are you Ergodiel?"

"Indeed. I am the Cosmo Healer herself. And the caretaker of Phoenix."

"Is this why you guys are keeping her away from everyone? Because she might turn into a monster and hurt people?"

"No." Ergodiel shook her head sadly. "Young Phoenix.. was born with an unresolvable curse. Her heart is open to the hearts of others. When she is close to others, she can feel their happiness.. and their pain. And when she receives too much negative emotions.. she turns into it. The Reverse Aura Phoenix."

"So.. I turned her into that thing?" Llew croaked.

"The Blaster Blade is a weapon that converts your raw emotional energy into power. It should act as a shield to mask your emotions. But I suppose you have yet to fully master it."

"No.." Epona interrupted. "Then it must be my fault. I stubbornly came in here without permission and-"

"Child," Ergodiel stopped her with a smile. "You must understand that it takes a lot more than two people to set Phoenix ablaze. I believe that.. her own darkness had been forming in her heart. The pain from solitude and isolation. Is that right?"

Phoenix's eyes drooped. "I.. I'm sorry, Ergodiel. Even with you around, I can't help but feel alone.. so alone.."

"Do not blame yourself. Anyone would feel that way. If only I could heal your desolation with my powers. But all I can do is keep trying to erase the curse."

"Erase it?" Llew quizzed.

"Indeed. The main reason why I am here with Phoenix, is to use my powers everyday to try and cure her. But it's been ten years and nothing has changed."

Phoenix sighed. "I'm never going to be free.."

At that moment, Epona walked towards Phoenix, and handed her a card. "Here."

"What's this?"

"It's called the Critical Trigger. It's a good luck charm that someone gave to me. So.. don't give up, Phoenix! I'm sure that someday Ergodiel will definitely lift the curse! And until then.. I'll come over and spend time with you as much as I can, alright? So you don't have to be alone anymore! Let's be friends!"

"Really? We can be friends?"

"Yup!" Epona beamed.

"I've never had a friend before.." Then, Phoenix broke into the most radiant of smiles. "Ergodiel! I've made a friend!"

Ergodiel grinned. "Indeed."

Phoenix hugged the card tightly to her chest. "I'm gonna keep this safe forever. And if i do.. someday.. someday for sure! I'll see the outside world!"

…

While Epona and Phoenix chatted outside, Llew and Ergodiel had entered the hut to discuss more serious matters.

"Well then.. why don't you tell me why you've come all this way, young hero?" Ergodiel lay herself on a rocking chair.

"I need a cure. My friend and Sanctuary Guard Dragon were injured by a monster. And their wounds just won't heal."

"A monster? What did it look like?"

"It looked.. strange.. it looked like a human in white armour. But it's eyes were red. Just red. And it carried a weapon. A long spear."

Ergodiel took a sip from her cup of tea. "An invader, I suppose."

"Invader?"

"Over the years.. there have been many sightings of these mysterious creatures. All dressed in the same white armour. No one knows where they come from or what they want. I personally haven't seen one myself."

"So.. you can't fix it?"

"But I have treated a patient who was harmed by one of those things. A wound that just didn't seem to heal naturally."

Ergodiel walked over to a cupboard and procured two translucent grey orbs. Then, humming while waving her other hand over it, the spheres were infused with a strong golden light.

"Take it," Ergodiel said, holding the item towards Llew. "These have now been filled with my power. If you crack them over your friends, it should heal their wounds."

At the thought of Salome's awakening, the knight could only smile. "Thank you."

Leaving the hut, he called out to Epona and informed her that it was time to leave. Bidding her new friend farewell and promising to return soon, the young girl fetched Mushi and soon the two were soaring back to the City of Angels.

"Hey. Epona."

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. I never could have done this without you."

Epona beamed to herself. Finally, she had proven to herself that she was worthy of her title.

Her title as a Royal Paladin.

…

As they descended into the courtyard of the Embassy, they found Kiriel and Lozenge Magus at the entrance.

Kiriel launched a quizzical expression at Llew, to which he responded with a flourish of Ergodiel's golden orb.

She smiled.

"Well? How did it go?" Lozenge Magus asked as she went over to Epona's side.

"I think.. I'm on the right path. To the future that I want."

After a night of rest and recuperation, Llew's team assembled, fully geared up and ready to leave.

"Randolf and Epona.." Llew started. "I need a favour from both of you."

"What?" They asked in unison.

"I need you to bring the orb back to the Capital in order to save Salome and Sanctuary Guard Dragon."

"Huh? You're not coming with us?!" Randolf demanded, shocked.

"No. My journey is far from over. To become Blaster Blade himself.. I need to travel to the five nations. It's something I have to do, to become a true hero."

Llew had made his decision the night before. Despite his achievements in unlocking the holy sword's powers, he was still far from becoming the fabled hero who had saved Planet Cray countless of times. And this was something he had to do. So that if the Invaders returned, or if any other threats came by, he would be able to fight. To protect Salome. To protect his friends. And to protect his home.

"Well. We're coming with you!" Flogal barked.

"Yup! Yup!" followed Wingal.

Llew grinned. "Of course."

Epona nodded. She understood perfectly. The desire to become stronger.. to become braver.. she too was going to start working very hard after returning to the Capital.

"Well, looks like you've made up your mind!" Randolf slapped him hard on the back. "Good luck!"

"Good luck, Llew!" wished Epona as she gave him a hug. "Make sure you come back safely! And don't forget about us!"

"Thanks, guys. Thanks for everything!"

And as he waved goodbye, Mushi disappeared into the distant clouds, vanishing into the horizon.

Llew stood at the Embassy. He was alone again. Well, not exactly alone.

"That was unexpected," Kiriel mentioned as she floated by. "Did Alfred ask you to do this?"

"No." replied the knight firmly. "I made this choice for myself, and for everyone."

"So where are you headed off to next?"

"You wouldn't happen to have a pegasus to loan me, would you? Preferably one that can find his way back home."

"A pegasus?"

"Yup." And thus Llew took his first step on his new journey. "It's a long way to Star Gate!"