Being in front of the door to access the sacred sword of the legendary hero, Elysian proceeded to explain how to open it, the requirement being to pass a test that the young people had to take.
-Elysian: Very well youngsters, as I had told you, this door has a specific way to open and not only because young Shiko is the chosen one does it mean that he is able to open it.
-Shiko: What do you mean?
-Elysian: This door has a key, but it is an item itself. The way it can be opened is by complementing the key by making it resonate.
At the moment Elysian was explaining, Asuka suddenly had a headache, causing her to scream in pain because of how loud it was. Shiko and Elysian were shocked and frightened to see the girl in such pain, causing the young swordsman to worry about his partner's problem.
Elysian: That can only mean one thing... the powers of the young Asuka are awakening.
-Shiko: Awakening? Does she also possess abilities like mine and the trio of brothers?
-Elysian: Yes, but at the same time they are different. Asuka's powers function as a catalyst between the separate pieces of the hero. That is, she is the one who holds the key so that you are able to gather all your power. Once she manages to awaken them, they will need their hearts to resonate as one to complement the key and open the door.
-Shiko: Asuka is the most important person for me to awaken my full power... That explains why she's been with me since we came into this world.
-Asuka: Ahhg! It hurts so much!
-Shiko: Resist Asuka! I´ve got an idea! Try to expel all your power! Maybe this way you will release your full dormant potential just like me, and you can get rid of the pain!
-Asuka: I-It's okay! I-I'm going to give it a try! Aaaaah!
Without further delay, the young woman gave all her effort to expel all her power, being surrounded by a huge golden aura until then, she could feel a lot of energy running through her body, relieving her headache.
-Asuka: I-I think... that it has worked... I feel very energetic... so much so that it is overwhelming.
-Shiko: Don't waste your strength, maybe, due to lack of habit, once your body stabilizes you will feel very weakened just like me.
-Asuka: Then we have no time to lose, Master Elysian has said that we must gather our hearts and make it resonate to be worthy in front of the door and then it will be opened.
-Shiko: You're right... Let's do it!
Very nervously, the pair of young men stared at each other and clasped their hands together, raising their power to the maximum, Shiko activating his transformation in the process. Both auras were so overwhelming that they made the whole place tremble because of how powerful they were, while neither of the two who were overexerting themselves gave in to exhaustion and continued to hold hands.
-Shiko: Asuka…I believe this is more than just elevating our power.
-Asuka: That's what I've been thinking... He said that we should make our hearts one... So...
-Shiko: I think what matters is also to make these resonate together at the same time.
Asuka: How can we achieve this?
-Shiko: I think that... let's just let out all our thoughts that we have towards each other, all our trust and believe that we are capable of opening it together!
-Asuka: Good! It's about working the way we've always done it... together!
Then when he realized it and they gave in to his feelings, the auras combined into one, mixing with each other, causing it to begin to resonate with the door, which began to open little by little, until it was completely open, causing an immense warm light to illuminate the entire dungeon. Once their goal had been achieved, both fell very tired from their effort, their clothes were worn out because they could not tolerate the amount of energy expelled from their bodies. When they looked towards the door, they noticed that what was behind it was a very beautiful place, full of vegetation, flowers, pure air and for some strange reason, it seemed like a kind of exit to the outside, since a blue sky full of clear clouds could be seen in the distance.
-Elysian: They did it... this step only means that they are getting closer and closer to facing Eclipse. It's hard to believe, but their destination is closer than it seems.
-Asuka: W-We have really made it... but it has cost an immense amount of strength, I feel that I am about to faint...
-Shiko: Resist... That's because you're not used to it and you overexerted yourself on your first time, try to stay awake.
-Elysian: Don't worry, I'll take care of helping you both.
-Shiko: Don't worry about me, I feel tired, but I can stay standing and don´t die, please, I leave Asuka in your hands.
While they regained their strength, one after another, the monsters approached full of joy to observe that the door had been opened, signaling that their destiny had hope of being saved. "He really is the chosen one", "We will be saved, hail gods", "We can depend on him" were the thoughts that could be heard among the whispers of all of them, who could not help but show their happiness for the act so significant for their lives.
-Elysian: Good, Young Shiko, proceed and enter the place to take out the sacred weapon.
-Shiko: Asuka... I'll go alone, stay safe, yes?
-Asuka: I'll be alright, Silly. I trust Master Elysian.
With that said, Shiko went to the room where the weapon was located and once he entered the place, he could feel how his body was filled with energy. The air of the place was totally clean and in front of him, there was a very long sword, with a platinum and shiny edge, a very showy red handle which had a symbol and was full of yellow peaks where the handle intersected with the edge. When the young man was about to try to draw the sword, one of the mysterious men who were watching him on the island appeared behind him, who had the symbol of the star on his forehead.
When Shiko sensed his presence, he was alarmed, but the man spoke a few words to him to show his sound of peace.
-Otacon: Relax, young man.
-Shiko: Who are you...? How were you able to get in here?
-Otacon: That information doesn't matter currently... what matters is that you have managed to open the door to enter this place. You must know this, but Eclipse has sealed that sword, at the level of your powers you will currently not be able to lift it. This sword is a catalyst capable of making your powers work in a better way and for this, it has decided to lock up its power, in this way, you would never be able to awaken who you really are.
-Shiko: So, is it impossible for me to wield?
-Otacon: This sword is not the only thing you need on your journey as you also require one more sacred item to be able to control your power to the fullest... You see, in order to lift that sword, you need a blessing that is capable of removing cursed seals.
-Shiko: Whose blessing?
-Otacon: Of a god, of course. In our world there are seven gods who control different aspects of life in this world, but for a long time they have only overseen taking care of the natural order of things. These gods choose their representatives on earth who are responsible for avoiding any disaster that threatens the natural order. On the continent you're on, people are dedicated to worshipping the goddess Lunasin, goddess of the stars, who at this time decided to divide her power into three representatives. The sun, the moon and the stars. In order for you to be able to release your power in its entirety, you will need the blessing of the three representatives of this goddess, but for the time being, in order for you to be able to release the seal of that sword, you will only get the blessing that I am about to give you.
-Shiko: Then you... You represent a part of the power of this goddess of whom you speak.
-Otacon: As you can see, on my forehead the symbol of the stars is marked, being the representative of these. Let me give you my blessing so that you may be able to bear the sword and fulfill your destiny.
Then the star man raised his hand towards Shiko, and through his aura he caused the young man to be surrounded by a light golden light, making him feel a warm breeze all over his body.
-Shiko: I guess I'm able to do it now, but... I don't understand, if you and two others are representatives of the goddess in this world, why aren't you the ones who take care of all this mess?
-Otacon: A few years ago... there was a war in which this world suffered a huge blow, without knowing our fate, the three representatives faced each other making the goddess Lunasin suffer with the world... however, at the end of it, Eclipse appeared, who planned to conquer this continent as the beginning of his plan. When we were about to face him, this legendary hero appeared to defeat him, leaving in our hands the blessing of the goddess so that when the demon returned, we would be in charge of awakening the person chosen for his return.
-Shiko: So... Did you know this legendary hero? How long ago did this happen? And why didn't he take it upon himself to exterminate him once and for all?
-Otacon: There are questions that I am not the one who should answer. However, your destiny to know the answers is closer than you think, now, take that sword out of there and help your teammates who are fighting against La'Parca at this very moment.
Curious, Shiko decided not to continue insisting for answers and took it upon himself to hold the handle of the sword to get it off the pedestal it was on. Then he activated his transformation once again and with all his strength pulled up to try to pull out the sword, which reacted to the young man's powers by causing the seal to break. As Shiko continued to struggle, the power that was released at that moment caused there to be another earthquake within the entire dungeon, leaving everyone inside shocked.
-Asuka: This huge earthquake... Is it being caused by Shiko?
Elysian: Drawing the sword is probably not an easy task, but if he manages to show himself worthy, young Shiko will awaken to half of the true power that lies within him. With that 50% he can achieve great things from now on.
The young man continued to struggle, until he was finally able to pull the sword off the pedestal, causing it to feel surrounded by an enormous amount of power, causing a huge aura to come out of his entire body. Shiko was surprised by his newfound power, because he could feel it running through his entire body.
-Otacon: With this... One more step has been taken for the true awakening of the legendary hero... the divine dragon.
-Shiko: I see... So, if this is one more step towards gaining that legendary power, I'm closer to awakening my true self completely.
-Otacon: Because of your newfound power and my blessing, I believe you can break a barrier between this site and the real world, do it to get out of here.
-Shiko: Well, I'll go get my partner and once everything is ready, I'll leave to help my friends. Thank you very much for everything!
Shiko quickly rushed to Asuka to leave the room, leaving Otacon alone inside the room. Once Shiko returned to where Asuka and Elysian were, he observed his companion totally renewed and with restored clothes, with better clothes. The young woman wore a pink sweater very similar to the one she wore at the beginning of the journey, but with slight improvements, a grayish skirt and black stockings with very high boots.
-Shiko: I see that apart from recovering, you got a new look. It really looks good on you, Asuka. You look very beautiful.
-Elysian: Not only her, allow me to modify your suit through my powers as well.
Then the elf master raised his hand to Shiko, restoring his clothes, giving him a black sweater with long gray sleeves, black pants, and recovering the damage from the boots he was wearing.
To be continued...