“Take up the sword, but seal your fate.” Said Master Mouse.

Luminous turned back to the sword in the stone. Her tiny delicate hands on the dark blue hilt. Pulling it out Luminous could feel a tingling sensation run up through her arms as the sword attuned itself to her. With one last heave, the glass orange blade unstuck itself from the stone glinting in the bright moonlight above her.

“Hello, new welder of fate.” Said the sword. “I am the mighty sword known as the Dawn of…”

The sword paused, and if a sword had eyes, it would look straight down at the small girl who held it.

“Who are you?” Asked the sword perplexed.

“You, you just, talked” Said Luminous.

“That didn’t answer my question.” Said the sword. “What are you doing?”

“I just pulled you out of…”

“No dang nabbit, that’s not possible!” Yelled the sword. “I mean look at you, your nothing but a weak little milksop! Can’t even pick up a pillow.”

“I can too!” Retorted Luminous. “I once picked up the biggest giant in the land!”

“Really now?” Scoffed the sword. “Okay then, how about you pick up that heavy stone you just lifted me out of? It’s got to be lighter than a giant.”

Luminous’ face flushed pink, she looked to the ground.

“I could... if I wanted to…”

“Ahem!” Interrupted Master mouse. “If you two are quite done, we have to get out of here before this area is completely taken over by the corrupt.”

“The corrupt?” Asked Luminous.

“The dark creatures that attacked you in the palace, the ones you saw attack your friends. They’re the corrupt. Creatures who have lost their hearts to dark desires and have given into the Crow King.” Said Master mouse. “That’s why it is so important we get you out of here to stop the Crow King before he strikes anywhere else, infecting others in his path.”

Master Mouse walked up a spiral sandy path. Luminous strapped the Dawn of Fate to her back walking in tow with the small mouse.

“Curiouser, and curiouser.” Said Luminous looking up at the spiral, sand falling gently down it.

“If you think this is something, just you wait kid.” Said The Dawn of Fate. “There is way more strangeness where that came from.”

Luminous looked back at the sword, before looking forward again. The Dawn of Fate caught the look.

“What?” Asked the sword. “Got something to say?”

“It’s just,” Luminous twired a blonde ringlet in her hand. “How are you able to talk?”

“I don’t know, how are you able to talk? Why?”

“It’s just…”

“Just what?”

“You’re a sword...”

“Well excuse me princess, but aren't you just a...”

“Halt!” Master Mouse put his paw up.

Luminous stop, she and the sword fell silent.

“It’s too late he already found us...” Said. Master Mouse.

All of a sudden the ground shook underneath them. All the white sand on the spiral path slid into the dark pit below. Colossal dark claws came up out of the portal that appeared on the ground in front of them. The rest of the huge dark creature came out of the portal holding a bident.

“...It's the Hall Monitor.” Breathed Master Mouse