The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a somber light over the shattered remains of the west side of Etris. Smoke rose in twisting columns, and the acrid scent of destruction lingered in the air. The devastation was absolute—entire blocks reduced to rubble, with jagged remnants of buildings jutting out like skeletal remains. The few surviving structures groaned under the strain, as though they, too, were mourning the loss of their counterparts.
Evengarde Rest stood on the edge of the destruction, his expression unreadable. Beside him, Luminous Arclight, Arcanos Duskweaver, and Lethia Stormborne surveyed the scene in silence. The four maestros had reconvened, each bearing the weight of the recent events. Civilians were being evacuated by the Etrean guards, who worked tirelessly to lead the injured and displaced to safety. The festival atmosphere had long since dissipated, replaced by a grim determination to rebuild and recover.
Evengarde finally broke the silence, his voice steady but heavy. "That… entity referred to someone as 'Lord 1st.' He also mentioned something about a 'host.'"
Luminous furrowed his brow. "Lord 1st?" he echoed. "Sounds like a title. Whoever it is, they're clearly someone of importance to them."
Arcanos, her sparkling blue hair—like the stars themselves—catching the light of the setting sun, spoke next. "And a host? Are they referring to… Leonardo?" She glanced toward Evengarde, searching for confirmation.
"Perhaps," Evengarde replied, his violet eyes narrowing. "They were testing me. Testing us. That much is clear. But what their goal is… we don't know yet."
"We'll find out soon enough," Lethia Stormborne rumbled, crossing his arms. His voice carried the weight of unwavering resolve. "For now, we should focus on regrouping and preparing. We can discuss this more thoroughly at our next meeting."
The others nodded in agreement. There was little more they could glean from speculation, and the task of rebuilding—both physically and mentally—awaited them. As the maestros turned their attention to the surviving civilians, the distant roar of the colosseum's crowd reminded them that the tournament had yet to be formally concluded.
In the colosseum, the atmosphere was tense but buzzing with curiosity. The remaining civilians, having survived the chaos, watched as the announcer stepped forward, his face pale and weary. The destruction outside loomed over them like an unspoken shadow.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer began, his voice carrying an apologetic tone, "I deeply regret the abrupt interruption to the tournament. Given the… circumstances, we cannot continue in the current state of affairs. However, the maestros have made their decisions regarding their students."
The crowd murmured in hushed tones, their collective focus shifting to the maestros as they entered the arena. Their presence commanded immediate silence, and the anticipation in the air was palpable.
Lethia Stormborne was the first to step forward. His towering figure and thunderous presence silenced even the faintest whispers. "Ren. Xhen." His voice was firm and unyielding. "You will be my students."
Ren, standing among the competitors, blinked in surprise, his usually sharp mind momentarily caught off guard. Xhen, on the other hand, grinned broadly, his usual cockiness tempered by a glimmer of genuine pride.
Lethia continued, "Xhen, your potential is undeniable. And Ren, your intelligence… it will prove useful in the battles to come. Do not squander this opportunity."
Ren and Xhen stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, Maestro Stormborne," they said in unison.
Next, Arcanos Duskweaver stepped into the spotlight. Her dark robes flowed like shadows around her, and her piercing gaze settled on two figures. "Ubel. Rajin."
Ubel's expression remained unreadable, but his keen eyes betrayed a flicker of satisfaction. Rajin's face lit up with a mix of shock and excitement, his mastery of his attunement now recognized by one of the most revered maestros.
"You have shown mastery over your respective attunements," Arcanos said, her voice as smooth as silk but as sharp as a blade. "Under my guidance, you will refine your abilities further. Prepare yourselves for what lies ahead."
The two stepped forward, nodding solemnly. "We won't disappoint you, Maestro Duskweaver," Rajin said, earning a small nod of acknowledgment from Ubel.
Luminous Arclight was next. His white robes gleamed in the dim light, and his calm yet commanding aura drew the attention of everyone in the colosseum. "Krieg," he announced.
Krieg's eyes widened in disbelief. He had impressed the maestro with his mastery of resonance, but he hadn't dared to hope for this.
"Your mastery of resonance at such an early stage is nothing short of remarkable," Luminous said. "I will ensure that your potential is fully realized."
Krieg stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Maestro Arclight. I won't let you down."
Finally, Evengarde Rest stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the remaining competitors. His presence alone silenced the murmurs that had begun to stir. "Leonardo. Velvet. Kouneli," he said, his voice steady and resolute.
The three froze in place, shock and disbelief written across their faces. Leo was the first to recover, stepping forward with a determined expression. Velvet followed, their usual hyperactive energy replaced by a rare moment of quiet focus. Kouneli hesitated, his imposter syndrome gnawing at him, but the encouraging nods from Leo and Velvet pushed him forward.
"You have displayed tenacity and a mindset to grow stronger than anyone else," Evengarde said, his crimson eyes locking onto each of them in turn. "You will need that strength in the days ahead. Do not falter."
The trio bowed deeply, their resolve solidifying under Evengarde's watchful gaze. "We won't let you down," Leo said, speaking for the group.
With the selections made, the announcer stepped forward again. "The tournament has concluded, and the festival has come to an end. We thank you for your participation and your patience during these difficult times. Please proceed to the evacuation points for your safety."
The crowd began to disperse, the weight of the day's events heavy on their shoulders. The maestros gathered their newly chosen students, their expressions a mix of pride and concern. There was much to discuss, but for now, their focus was on moving forward.
The sun dipped below the horizon as the squads boarded their respective ships. The gentle lapping of waves against the hulls was a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded earlier. Onboard Evengarde's ship, Leo, Velvet, and Kouneli stood on the deck, their gazes fixed on the receding shoreline of Etris.
"So, this is it," Velvet said, breaking the silence. Their voice was tinged with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Our first real step toward becoming stronger."
Leo nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "We've got a long way to go, but we'll get there."
Kouneli remained quiet, his thoughts a whirlwind of doubt and determination. He glanced at Evengarde, who stood at the helm, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp as ever.
"Maestro Rest," he said hesitantly. "What's waiting for us on the Isle of Vigils?"
Evengarde turned to face them, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Challenges," he said simply. "And opportunities. If you're ready to seize them, you'll become stronger than you ever imagined."
The trio exchanged determined looks, their resolve solidifying further. Whatever lay ahead on the Isle of Vigils, they were ready to take on the challenge.