CHAPTER 76: ENVY IN THE MIST OF CELEBRATION 2

Darius’s grin vanished, his hand tightened into a fist. "Say that again, Zack. I dare you."

Kelvin intervened, resting a hand on Darius’s arm. "He is not worth it," he murmured. To Zack, he said, "We did what we had to and that is all that matters."

Zack’s smirk widened. "Sure, that was a lucky shot. Just don’t get comfortable. The real threats are still out there, and they won’t fall to a rag tag trio."

He turned on his heel and melted into the crowd, leaving a bitter taste in the atmosphere. Lyra leaned close, her voice was a whisper. "He is an ass, but he is not wrong. We can not let this to be our peak."

Kelvin nodded, his eyes tracked Zach’s retreat. "We won’t let our victory get to our head. But tonight, we will celebrate."

The hall was filled with energy as the night deepened. Musicians struck up a lively tune, pipes and drums weaved a rhythm that drew tamers to the floor.

Darius, ever the instigator, dragged Lyra into a clumsy dance, her protests dissolved into laughter as he spun her awkwardly around.

Later, as the crowd became thin, Kelvin sought a quiet corner. Master Kaelus stood there, he gazed at a distant.

He had been Kelvin’s rock through countless trials, a mentor whose wisdom cut through doubt like a blade.

"Master Kaelus," Kelvin said, stepping closer. "Can we talk?" Kaelus turned, his stern features softened. "Always, Kelvin. What is on your mind?"

"Master Veyne mentioned the Veil rift," Kelvin began, his voice was steadied despite the unease that coiled in his gut. "He said it will come back stronger. How do we get ready?"

Kaelus sighed and said. "The Veil is a shadow that we can not fully grasp. It feeds on chaos, grows in the cracks of our world. But you, your bond with Xerion, with Lyra and Darius, that is your shield. Strengthen it and you will stand against anything."

He gripped Kelvin’s shoulder, his hand was steady as a stone. "Power is only half the fight. It’s heart, guts, and the will to protect that defines a tamer. You have got that, Kelvin. Don’t forget it."

Warmth surged through Kelvin, a quiet resolve that took root. "I won’t, Master. Thank you."

The celebration wined down as midnight came close, the hall was emptied as tamers stumbled to their beds. Kelvin, Lyra, and Darius delayed a bit, they sat on benches near the dying fire and their beasts were dozing nearby.

"We did it," Lyra murmured, her eyes traced the embers. "We actually did it." Darius grinned and stretched himself as he said. "And we will do it again. No rift will take us down."

Kelvin met their gazes, pride swelled in his chest and he said. "Together, we will indeed overcome against all odds".

As they headed to the dormitories, a shadow detached from the wall and meet with them, a young tamer, barely more than a girl, her eyes were wide in awe.

"I just wanted to say thank you," she stammered. "For the Shadowfen. You all were amazing." Kelvin smiled but was touched. "We are just tamers, like you. But thanks."

She went off, and they continued on. In his room, Kelvin sank onto his bed, Xerion curled beside him which was a warm weight against his side.

The day’s echoes, fear, triumph, hope which swirled in his mind as sleep tugged him under. Dreams of flames and shadows danced behind his eyes, but through it all, the Tide’s Crest stood firm.

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The morning broke with a chorus of birdsong and sunlight that spilled through Kelvin’s window. He rose and stretched himself gingerly, the ache in his arm was a faint whisper at this time.

Xerion yawned, flames flowed as he followed Kelvin to the courtyard, where Lyra and Darius waited.

"We should check the Sanctum’s defenses," Lyra said, her tone was alive despite the rope that still hugged her arm. "Make sure we are solid after the mission."

Kelvin nodded. "That is smart. Let’s split up to check the perimeter, wards, enclosures of Sanctum."

They dispersed with their beasts in tow. Kelvin traced the outer wall, his fingers brushed the rune-etched stone, each glyph hummed with a protective energy.

A rustle in the bushes that made him freeze, his staff was half-raised, but a blue-feathered bird hopped out which was oblivious to his tension. He laughed and shaked his head.

The patrol was uneventful, the Sanctum’s strength was reassuring. Back in the courtyard, Lyra frowned as she reported, "The wards are stable, but I felt some flickers in the energy. Nothing big, just... off."

Darius shrugged and leaned on Rhoam. "Enclosures were tight. No cracks, no trouble." "Good," Kelvin said. "Let’s go and tell Master Kaelus."

They found him in his study, hunched over a book, the air was thick with parchment dust. He looked up and smiled faintly. "The heroes has returned. What is the word?"

Kelvin relayed their findings, ending with Lyra’s observation. Kaelus’s brow furrowed. "Flickers? Odd. I will get the rune masters on it. But here..."

He pulled three leather-bound journals from a drawer, their covers were worn smooth. "These are from tamers who faced the Veil. Study them."

Kelvin took the books, their weight was a promise. "We will go through it. Thank you sir."

Outside, Lyra flipped through hers, her eyes were alight. "Listen to this: ’The Veil is a tear, a hunger. It thrives on fear and grows with every loss.’"

Darius muttered with a low voice. "Cheery stuff." Kelvin raised his shoulders. "We will learn from it and we will be ready."

The weeks that followed were a blur of training and study, the journals was a constant companion. They moved with their beasts, honing instincts and bonds, while the rune masters stabilized the wards.

Evenings found them in the common room, where laughter mingling with strategy and their unity was indeed alive.

One night, Darius grinned, smiling mischievously . "We need a flashier name. Tide’s Crest is fine, but how about Shadow Slayers?" Lyra snorted. "The name is perfect as it is. It means something."

Kelvin laughed. "She is right, the name meant something and is cool the way it is. But what do you think? you can pick the battle cry."