In the blue void, Taro and the dragon made eye contact.
"W-Who are you? And where am I?" Taro asked, confused.
"Don't worry, human," the dragon responded. "I'm the Azure Dragon, one of the legendary creatures, and the one sealed in that shard you're holding."
"Legendary creatures? What are they?" He asked, eyes widened.
"Companions that once fought alongside their warriors," the dragon answered. "However, we were sealed decades ago. Sealed the moment our warriors died."
Taro paused to think, then asked:
"Was there any connection between you, the legendary creatures, and Armageddon?"
"Nothing, except sealing him in the dark realm," it said. "With that question... does it mean Armageddon broke free?"
"Right, and he's on his way to spread chaos and rule over all the realms," Taro replied. "Azure Dragon, I need your help. I must stop him before it's too late!"
The dragon was silent for a moment, then stared deeply at him, saying:
"You proved yourself by traveling a long way to unleash me. I will help you, human. I will lend you my strength."
Suddenly, the dragon glowed brightly and entered Taro's body. Instantly, it added:
"Whenever you're in danger, use my power. Let us combine our strength."
Then, everything went black.
Taro regained consciousness and opened his eyes. The shard had stopped glowing. Later, he realized his voice was back. Apparently, the dragon's power had removed Armageddon's curse completely.
A few seconds later, Enzo appeared, saying:
"You managed to obtain the legendary shard. Well done."
"The shard, and my voice too," Taro replied. "Guess it's time to visit Flint one last time."
"Let me open the portal then," Enzo said.
"You could? We could've done that before the journey," Taro asked, surprised.
"Not true. I can only open portals to places we've visited before," Enzo responded. "Unlike the {Portal of Realms}."
"Ah, got it," Taro replied. Nothing is obtained for free anyway...
Minutes later, Enzo opened the portal. Taro jumped into it, landing outside the Azure Kingdom.
"Oh well, getting in isn't the same as getting out," he muttered.
Then, he went to the blacksmith, showing him the shard.
"That's an interesting material," Flint replied. "Give me two days and I'll turn it into a sword for you."
"Thanks. I'll go rest during that time," Taro said.
He returned to his father's house, grabbed a small barrel from the restroom, and went to a fountain in the middle of the kingdom. After filling it with water, he returned to wash.
"You could've washed in the public hot springs," Enzo said.
"Yeah, but that would feel awkward," Taro replied, setting down the barrel. "Privacy is better for me."
"Dignity, isn't it?" Enzo asked, smiling.
"I don't know... maybe shyness," Taro replied, laughing. "Now if you excuse me, I'll wash myself."
After washing, he wore his regular clothes and began reading a few books. Some were about abilities and strategies, others about potion brewing. He also read about Armageddon: his identity, his power, and his minions... especially the Dark Lords.
Taro felt uneasy reading about them. No weaknesses had been discovered for Armageddon. However, he read about the third legendary knight... the one who got the closest to defeating him.
When night fell, he stopped reading, blew out the candle, and finally slept. In the morning, a day before getting the sword, he trained with his other blade, blue steel one.
He then went to the quest board and saw Cael.
"You never get tired of quests, Cael," Taro said.
"Abodo! You're back!" Cael exclaimed, smiling. "So, did you get the shard you were talking about?"
"Yeah, it's with the blacksmith now," Taro answered, pointing his thumb back.
"Oh, that's great!" Cael replied, impressed.
Cael then turned and said:
"Come on, let us grab a new quest!"
"Sure. This is my last one," Taro replied.
"The last?" Cael repeated, surprised.
"Yeah, I need to return to where I belong. To the people I care about," Taro responded with a smile. "But don't worry, I'll visit sometimes."
"In that case, let us pick a hard one!" Cael said, excited.
They picked a quest to eliminate wild boars. They walked for hours, then started slashing all the boars... until none remained. They carried some and headed to the kingdom.
"Do you like boar meat, Abodo?" Cael asked suddenly.
"I prefer steak or chicken. My mother's choice," Taro answered.
"She must be a professional cook," he replied
"True. She's the one who taught me," Taro said, smiling.
At the bar, they submitted the loot and quest paper with the map, then received their rewards.
"Here, Abodo, take your share," Cael said, handing over coins.
"Keep it, Cael. I'm leaving tomorrow anyway," Taro refused.
"But won't you need it when you visit?" Cael asked back.
"I'll handle this by my own. You just focus on improving your gear and skills," Taro suggested.
Cael paused for a few seconds, then said:
"Abodo, you really are a kind person. I loved going on quests with you, and I'll miss you. But... sorry if this sounds rude, you should be colder and more serious sometimes. Being too humble and quiet might cause problems."
Taro smiled, then said:
"Thanks, Cael. I know what you mean. Yet don't worry. I know when to express emotions without changing who I am."
"Alright then, Abodo," Cael said, smiling. "That's our farewell!"
"Wait, before you go," Taro stopped him, handing over his sword. "Here, use this. I won't need it."
"Are you sure? That one's expensive." Cael asked, surprised.
"Yeah. Better than letting it rust with me." Taro answered.
"Thanks, Abodo. I'll take good care of it!" Cael said.
They shook hands and parted ways.
Taro returned home and packed his backpack. He slept that night, ready to leave the next day. In the morning, he wore his father's outfit and went to the blacksmith.
"Here's your sword. Don't forget to name it!" Flint said, winking.
"That's obvious, Azure Blade," Taro replied. "So... the price?"
"No, no. It's free," Flint refused. "You got the material, not me."
"But your hard work...?" Taro asked back.
"Don't worry. Your father already paid through our friendship," Flint said, giving a thumb-up.
"Thanks, Flint. I owe you one!" Taro said, smiling.
Then, he headed out and opened a portal to the Overworld. He jumped to the forest where Varnok was buried. He watered the flowers on the grave and continued toward his house.
After a few hours, he arrived, but no one was home. He knocked on Yukiko's door, but no answers. Vincy's room was empty as well.
"Where did they go?" Taro asked.
Then he saw a note on the table in the living room. He picked it up, reading:
"If you're back, Taro, we're at your favorite place... dealing with an annoying mess!" Signed by Vincy.
"What do you mean, Vincy?" Taro whispered, shocked.
He dropped the note and rushed to the field.
There, he saw Vincy and the others, under attack by the Dark Lords' massive beam. Immediately, he gripped his sword with both hands. A dragon symbol appeared behind him. It was a sign of using the Azure Dragon's power. He raised his left hand and unleashed a massive blue shield, blocking the beam completely.
He walked to the center, between the Dark Lords and his friends. His eyes and body glowed, and his sword shimmered with an azure light. Zero and Malice were shocked, then Zero whispered:
"I-Impossible... how is HaruAbodo still alive?"
"That's not Haru. That's his son... TaroAbodo," Malice growled.
"Grr, I'll smash him!" Obsidian roared.
"Obsidian! Don't!" Zero warned.
However, Obsidian charged anyway, raising his fists. Taro unleashed his shield, stopping the punch easily. Then, he instantly sliced all four arms off and kicked Obsidian back.
Obsidian managed to regenerate only two arms. Zero fired a dark slash, but Taro blocked it easily with his shield. Malice summoned clones that blasted energy shots. Shields kept appearing to block them. Taro swung his sword, unleashing several azure slashes, destroying them all.
Taro's expression remained unchanged. Just that same cold glare. Malice was exhausted, unable to form a plan. Zero rushed in, slashing wildly. Taro blocked every move with his right arm only.
Zero stepped back, breathless.
"How... is this possible...?" He muttered.
"Do you notice that glow?" Malice said.
"Is... is that the AzureDragon?!" Zero asked, stunned.
"Indeed. That punk released him," Malice responded, irritated.
Suddenly, Taro gripped his sword tightly and unleashed three massive azure slashes. Zero and Malice barely dodged, but instantly, Taro appeared in front of Zero. He smashed him in the shoulder, then slashed rapidly. The last strike sent him flying.
Malice raised her hand to blast, but Taro used {Flash Step} and kicked her face, slamming her into the ground. The others watched in shock. Kevin smirked, and Ema stared at Taro's blade, amazed by its energy.
The Dark Lords could barely stand, gasping for breath.
"This isn't working. He's going to end us," Malice said.
"There is only one last thing, we must attack together," Zero responded.
They surrounded him, forming a triangle. Each began preparing their strongest attack: Zero a huge slash, Malice a massive blast, and Obsidian a destructive quake.
Suddenly, Ema shouted:
"Abodo, let me help you!"
She blasted a {Light Beam} toward Taro. He understood immediately and pointed at it with his sword, absorbing the light.
Instantly, he stabbed the ground, releasing a huge burst. When the light faded, he was behind Obsidian. Zero tried to stop him, but Taro broke his sword and knocked both back. Malice tried blasting a dark beam, but he blocked it easily with his blade.
They lost hope and chose to retreat.
"This is useless. Open a portal, Malice," Zero admitted.
Malice opened one. As they entered, Taro unequipped his sword, saying:
"Just one thing before you leave. Tell your king I'm going to end his life soon."
The three were irritated, however they stepped through in silence.
At the dark realm, they stood before Armageddon.
"Forgive us, sire. We failed," Zero said.
"All of you failed again. Disappointing," Armageddon snapped.
"Sire, the enemy released the legendary creature... the Azure Dragon," Malice replied.
Armageddon was silent for a moment, then asked:
"Who is that?"
"TaroAbodo. Haru's son," she responded, annoyed.
After hearing what Taro said on the portal, Armageddon grinned, then declared:
"I see... this means war!"
In the Overworld, after the portal vanished, the others ran up to Taro. Vincy and Yukiko were overjoyed. His glow faded as he turned with a gentle smile and said:
"Hey guys, anyone interested in a hot chocolate?"