The golden light of Gloria fades behind them. The ground changes one more time. It is no longer clouds, or silver trees, or red dust. It is green grass. It looks exactly like the grass in the Miller's backyard.
The air smells like summer. The four friends walk into a valley. In the middle of the valley, there is a fence. It is a white wooden fence with peeling paint. It looks just like the fence in their cul-de-sac.
"Is this home?" Robbie asks. He looks around. He sees a swing set made of silver. He sees a birdbath made of marble.
"It is the Heart of Chivalria," Clara says. She looks at her book. "It is the center of the world. This is where the magic starts."
In the corner of the fence, where the three yards meet, there is a stone table. On top of the table sits an old, dusty book. It is not a magic book with a gold lock. It is a simple spiral notebook with a picture of a cat on the cover.
"My notebook!" Clara says. she runs to the table. "This is the Code of Chivalria. It is our Rulebook."
Everett stands by the fence. He looks at his red sword. He looks at the crown on the Blue Ball.
"Everything we write in the yard is the law here," Everett says. He understands now. "We do not just play a game. We create a world."
But the sky suddenly turns black. The green grass starts to wither and turn grey. A cold wind blows through the silver swings.
CRASH!
A giant claw hits the ground. The fence shatters.
The Dragon Egomania finally appears. He is massive. His scales are made of a thousand different mirrors. He does not have a face. When you look at his head, you only see yourself. But you look lonely. You look like you do not need friends.
"The marble is mine!" the Dragon roars. His voice shakes the mountains. "I am the only King! I am the only Knight! I am the only one who matters!"
Egomania breathes a cloud of purple smoke. The smoke covers the stone table. He tries to grab the notebook.
"No!" Everett shouts. He raises the Sword of Daring.
Audacia jumps in front of the Dragon. She raises her oak shield. "You do not touch our book!" she yells.
The Dragon laughs. It sounds like glass breaking. He swings his heavy tail. It hits Audacia's shield. She flies back into the grey grass.
"Audacia!" Robbie cries.
He holds the Blue Ball tight. The marble is dark. The Dragon is too close. The Ego of the monster is so strong that the hope in the marble starts to die.
"You are nothing!" the Dragon says to Everett. "You are just a boy with a towel! Give me the ball, and I let you go home."
Everett looks at the Dragon. He looks at his friends. Audacia is on the ground. Robbie is shaking. Clara is trying to save the notebook from the purple smoke.
Everett feels a small voice in his head. The voice says: Save yourself. Just give him the ball and go home.
Everett stops. He looks at the Blue Ball. Then, he looks at the Mirror of Truth in Clara's hand. He sees the truth.
"No," Everett says. His voice is quiet but steady.
He looks at the Dragon's mirror-face.
"I am not a King because I am better than them," Everett says. He points to his friends. "I am a King because they are my friends. Rule Number Five: A Knight never stands alone!"
Everett reaches out his hand. "Audacia! Stand up! Robbie! Bring the Ball! Clara! Read the Code!"
The four kids run to the center of the yard. They touch the Blue Ball at the same time.
The Sword, the Mirror, the Crown, and the Code all start to glow together. The red, white, gold, and silver lights mix into one giant rainbow beam.
The light hits the Dragon. Egomania screams. He hates the light of friendship. He hates that they are sharing the power.
"This is our game!" Everett shouts. "And we play together!"
The Dragon flies into the air, his mirror-scales cracking. He retreats to his dark mountain.
The kids stand in the Heart of the World. They have all four gifts. They are ready for the final battle.