The roar of the crowd still thundered in their ears as Nyx and Deon stood atop the grand podium, basking in their hard-fought victory. The arena, now quiet except for the cheers of fans, glistened under the evening lights. Golden sparks erupted around the stage, marking the historic moment for Eternal Guardians .
Deon turned to Nyx, his grin stretching ear to ear. "We actually did it! Champions!"
Nyx smirked, brushing a streak of dirt off his jacket. "Of course, we did. Did you ever doubt us?"
"Well," Deon teased, glancing at Nyx, "there was that moment when Jolt got hit by that surprise fire blast—"
Nyx rolled his eyes. "Details, details. The important thing is we won."
The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, silencing their banter. "Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've been waiting for! Presenting the grand champions of this year's Legendary Tamer Tournament—Nyx Walker and Deon Lue, leaders of "Eternal Guardians!"
A wave of applause and cheers surged through the crowd. Flags bearing the team's name fluttered in the stands as fans celebrated their victory. At the center of the stage, a tournament official approached the duo, holding a large, gleaming metal case. His ornate robes glimmered in the spotlight, reflecting the significance of the moment.
"With your extraordinary teamwork, strategy, and determination, you've conquered every challenge in this tournament. It is my honor to present you with the grand prize of €250,000!" The official opened the case with a flourish, revealing neatly stacked bundles of cash.
Deon's eyes widened, the sheer weight of their achievement finally hitting him. "That's… that's more money than I've ever seen in my life," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the crowd.
Nyx nudged him. "You better get used to it, champ. This is just the beginning."
The official handed the case to Deon, who lifted it with both hands, his grin contagious as the crowd roared louder. Fireworks exploded overhead, painting the night sky with brilliant shades of gold and silver.
Back at Camp
Later that night, the team gathered around a roaring campfire, their pets sprawled across the clearing. Jolt and Blazeclaw exchanged playful sparks of electricity, while Mist and Zephyros soared in lazy circles above. Vira's soft healing light bathed the area, keeping the atmosphere warm and comforting.
Deon looked at the case of money sitting nearby and shook his head in disbelief. "So, what's next for us?"
Nyx stretched, his gaze fixed on the stars. "First, we take a well-deserved break. Then, we start planning. There's always another challenge, another opponent waiting to knock us off the top."
Deon nodded. "Yeah, but for now… I'm just glad we made it this far."
Their conversation was interrupted by a courier who approached the camp cautiously, holding a sealed envelope. Nyx accepted the letter and inspected the unfamiliar crest on the seal.
"What is it?" Deon asked, leaning closer.
Nyx broke the seal and scanned the contents. "An invitation," he said, his tone curious. "It's for another tournament."
"Another one?" Deon blinked. "But we just finished this one."
Nyx smirked. "Relax. This one's not until next year. It's a whole different league—a world championship. The stakes are going to be even higher than this."
Deon grinned. "Sounds exciting. But for now, let's enjoy this victory."
Plans for the Future
The next morning, Deon and Nyx sat together by the fire, dividing the prize money. "So, what are you going to do with your share?" Nyx asked, tossing his bundle into a bag.
Deon thought for a moment. "I think I'll help rebuild House 15 and maybe invest in some better equipment for us and the pets. What about you?"
Nyx leaned back with a thoughtful expression. "A little bit of gear, a little bit saved for travel. And I think I'll find a way to help other Beast Tamers who can't afford the resources we had. It'll be nice to give back."
The two exchanged a glance, their unspoken agreement clear—they were just getting started. Victory in this tournament was just a step forward. With stronger enemies on the horizon and their bond as a team solidified, they knew their best battles were yet to come.