The silver trees of Honoria are gone. The ground is now soft and white, like a thick carpet of wool. The air smells like fresh rain and sweet clover. This is the Kingdom of Gloria. It is the land of hope and light.
The sky is usually a bright, glowing gold. But today, there are dark streaks in the air. It looks like black ink on a yellow page. The shadow of Egomania is spreading.
"The light is dying," Clara says. she looks at her book. The gold letters are dim. "We must find the Crown of Hope fast. Without hope, the light goes out forever."
In front of them stands a mountain. It is not made of rock. It is made of solid, white clouds. At the very top, a palace of light shines.
"The Crown is in the palace," Everett says. He holds his red crystal sword. It flickers like a candle in the wind.
They start to climb the cloud mountain. The ground feels bouncy under their boots. It is fun at first, but the higher they go, the colder the air becomes. The golden sky turns a dusty gray.
"I am so tired," Robbie says. He stops to catch his breath. The bag on his shoulder feels very heavy. The Blue Ball inside is almost dark.
"Don't stop, Robbie," Audacia says. She tries to pull him up, but her own arms are weak. "We are almost there."
Suddenly, a thick, purple mist rolls down the mountain. It smells like old, sour milk. A voice whispers from the mist. It sounds like a hundred bullies.
"Why do you keep climbing?" the voice sneers. "The Dragon is too big. You are too small. Go home to your backyard. Go back to your chores. You are just children playing a game."
Everett stops. He looks at his hands. They look small. His cloak feels too big.
"Maybe the voice is right," Everett whispers. "We are just kids from the cul-de-sac. How can we fight a dragon?"
The purple mist grows thicker. It starts to swallow the path. The kids can no longer see the palace. They can no longer see each other.
"Clara? Audacia?" Robbie calls out. He sounds scared.
Clara opens her book. She cannot see the words. But she remembers the Rulebook from the backyard. She remembers the day they wrote the most important rule of all.
"Rule Number Twelve!" Clara shouts into the mist. "Rule Number Twelve: No Backsies on a Promise!"
"Everett! Audacia! Robbie!" Clara continues. "We make a promise in the yard. We promise to protect the ball. We promise to stay together. No backsies!"
Everett hears her voice. He remembers the backyard. He remembers the popsicle sticks and the cardboard shields. He remembers his friends.
"No backsies," Everett repeats.
He holds the Sword of Daring high. He does not use his own strength. He uses the strength of his promise.
Robbie reaches into his bag. He pulls out the Blue Ball. "I hope we win!" Robbie yells at the top of his lungs. "I hope we save Chivalria! And I never take it back!"
The iridescent marble explodes with a brilliant, rainbow light. It is the brightest light they ever see. The light hits the purple mist. The mist screams and vanishes.
The dark streaks in the sky disappear. The sun of Gloria shines bright gold again.
At the top of the mountain, they reach the Palace of Light. In the center of the hall, on a pedestal of starlight, sits a small crown. It is made of woven gold and sparkling diamonds.
Everett picks up the crown. It is very light. He places it on top of the Blue Ball in Robbie's hands.
The marble pulses. The iridescent colors become so bright they hurt to look at.
"We have three gifts," Everett says. He feels a surge of energy. "The Sword, the Mirror, and the Crown."
"One more to go," Audacia says, a big grin on her face. "The Code of Chivalria."
"But look," Clara points to the horizon.
In the distance, a mountain of black glass and smoke rises. It is the Lair of Egomania. The Dragon is no longer hiding. He is waiting.