Core says "You are saying that your sword wants to eat this sword? Can it do that?"

"I don't know if it can or not. Since Blitz is made with part of my soul that is just the feeling I am getting from it."

Core says "I suppose you can try it if you want to, but it might be dangerous. This sword is truly ancient and so was the beast it was made from."

"I don't think I will die if Blitz is destroyed, it will just be really painful."

Core says "Well, alright. Please, do it outside though, I don't want my only home damaged."

"Sure, I'll take it down to the plaza. That way if it looks like it is going to explode I can try and throw it into the driders."

Core says "Do you think that is likely?"

"Not really, but it is possible. Better to be safe than sorry. I will be back in a few minutes."

Core says "Good luck."

Picking up the sword I take it with me as I walk out and down the stairs. When I reach the bottom I stop close to the barrier and lay the sword on the ground. Then I draw Blitz, as soon as I do the vibrations intensify until I can hear the blade humming.

It is a little unnerving that the humming sounds happy, and it just gets louder as I set Blitz on top of the sword. As soon as they touch there is a hissing sound and the greatsword starts to melt. I've never seen bone melt before, it is fairly cool to watch.

As the thunder beast sword melts it starts spitting out lightning but Blitz absorbs all of it. Blitz also starts absorbing the liquid bone, which is fairly disturbing to watch. All the while Blitz keeps humming away happily, like some demented lunatic eating icecream.

With how happy Blitz sounds I find myself getting somewhat worried that this might not have been a good idea. It is too late to change my mind now so all I can do is wait and see what happens. The humming doesn't stop until every last drop of the other sword has been absorbed.

Once the last drop of bone has been absorbed, Blitz goes quiet and still. When I pick it up nothing feels different but when I take a closer look there is a line of white in the blade. Other than that line, that looks like bone, nothing has changed that I can tell.

So I sheath Blitz and head back up the stairs and rejoin the others in Core's room. When I enter, Core seems to be teaching Kechara something and Asuna is paying attention as well. Not wanting to interrupt, I sit and wait quietly until they are done with whatever they are doing.

Core says "Welcome back, no explosions?"

"Nope, no explosions."

Core says "So, what happened then?"

"Blitz melted and then absorbed the thunder sword."

Core says "Just like that? No flashy effects or anything?"

"Nope, I was kind of let down as well. Although, Blitz humming happily as it ate it was kind of worrying."

Core says "The word is terrifying! A sword that can eat another magical sword like that is simply terrifying."

"Is it really such a big deal?"

Core says "Yes! I have never heard of a single magical item that can eat another. I also have never heard of a magic item being destroyed without some form of magic release. What you are saying doesn't make sense, Blitz managed to absorb every bit of magical power?"

"I guess Blitz doesn't follow the normal rules because I made it with part of my soul."

Core says "I know, I saw those memories. It is true that no one of my race ever encountered an item forged with a soul. Until I saw you do it I didn't even think it was possible, honestly you should have died when you tried."

"Yes, I have been told how foolish it was. Several times."

Core says "Yes, your memory of getting hit by Ruby was very clear."

"Anyway, let's get back to sorting through the rest of these items."

Core says "You are really good at avoiding certain issues aren't you?"

"Yes, now what is this thing?"

Core says "Fine. That is the scroll of dragon summoning."

"What? I can summon a dragon?!"

Core says "No. While it is called a summoning scroll, in reality it very politely asks a dragon to come for a visit. No one has ever had the power to force a dragon to do anything."

"Oh, so it won't work while the dragons are asleep."

Core says "Actually, it will, the dragon will just send a manifestation of its will. Dragons are never truly asleep and they can pretty much do anything they want to. If a dragon really wanted to it could wake itself up even when magic is weak."

"So, should we use it and ask the dragon to kill the matriarch?"

Core says "While I would love that, we can't. If a dragon chooses to answer the summons it at most will share its knowledge or give advice."

"Then could we use it and ask the dragon about the temples and the first ones?"

Core says "Actually, that could work."

Before she can say anything more I open the scroll and start reading it out loud. Core seems surprised but doesn't say anything, probably because I've already started. When I finish reading the scroll the whole thing burns away to nothing.

"What now?"

Core says "Now we wait and see if any dragon is curious enough to answer."

"How long do you think it will take?"

Dragon says "Still as impatient as ever, little Ash?"

The new voice makes me jump in surprise and I am not the only one. When I spin around I find a small red dragon, about the size of Asuna, but it looks familiar. When I think about the fact that he called me little Ash I remember the dragon under the mines.

"Um, hello again!"

Core says "Wait, you know this dragon? It is the one from your memories?"

Dragon says "Yes, I have met Ash before, and you and I have met as well. Although, you were a newborn at the time and probably don't remember."

"Does that mean you are the one who helped the elves create the barrier and the guardian?"

Core says "He does look like the same dragon, but those memories are a little fuzzy."

As we are chatting I notice Bones backing out of the room, at least he isn't attacking. Asuna is frozen in place on the bed, but Kechara is standing and slowly approaching the dragon. When she gets closer she lowers herself to the ground in a deep bow.

Dragon says "Hello, little sister. You seem to have had an interesting life so far."

"Um, yeah, sorry about that. I hope I didn't ruin your experiment."

Dragon says "Not ruined, just delayed. In fact you may have actually helped speed it up. By the end of her natural life Kechara may be strong enough to give birth to a dragon or at least a drake."

"So, you are searching for a way to increase dragon numbers?"

Dragon says "Not exactly. However, it would take too long to explain. Better if we get to the point of the summons. I must say I wasn't expecting it to be you summoning me Ash, I was expecting human treasure hunters or something similar. What are you even doing here?"