Strength in Unity
The training chamber was alive with the sounds of clashing swords and crackling magic. After passing their trials, the four of them had little time to recover before Clow Reed, the Founders, and their mentors pushed them into even more advanced training.
"You're holding back," Godric Gryffindor barked as he parried Syaoran’s strike with a single fluid motion. "Hesitation will get you killed, boy!"
Syaoran grit his teeth, pushing back against the legendary wizard's strength. His muscles ached from the relentless drills, but he refused to yield. Yue watched from the sidelines, his arms crossed, his sharp eyes catching every movement.
"You’re unfocused," Yue said coolly. "Your mind is elsewhere."
Syaoran growled in frustration. "I’m focusing!"
"Then why haven’t you landed a proper hit?" Yue challenged, stepping forward. "Switch opponents. You’re with me now."
Godric chuckled and stepped aside, clearly entertained by the change.
Yue summoned his crescent-shaped blade, the light glinting off the polished edge. "Come at me, Syaoran."
Syaoran swallowed, knowing this wouldn’t be easy. Yue wasn’t just a masterful fighter—he knew Syaoran too well.
But if he wanted to prove himself, he had to win.
Tranquility and Reiko – A Dance of Blades
On the opposite end of the chamber, Reiko and Tranquility faced each other, wooden swords in hand. Salazar Slytherin stood nearby, watching with an amused smirk.
"Enough staring, Prince," Salazar taunted. "You came here to fight, not to admire your opponent."
Tranquility flushed slightly but took his stance. "I wasn’t staring."
Reiko smirked. "You kind of were."
Tranquility rolled his eyes before lunging forward, his movements swift and precise. Reiko met his strike easily, the sound of wood against wood ringing through the chamber.
"You’ve improved," she admitted, ducking under his next attack.
"I had good motivation," Tranquility countered, spinning to avoid her counterattack.
Salazar leaned against the wall, clearly entertained. "Careful, Prince. A swordsman distracted is a swordsman defeated."
Tranquility smirked. "You assume I’m distracted."
With a sudden burst of speed, he twisted around Reiko’s next strike and hooked his foot behind her ankle, sweeping her off balance. She barely managed to catch herself, flipping back into a defensive stance.
Reiko’s eyes glinted. "Alright, I see you."
She charged again, this time faster, matching his movements with sharp precision. The battle became a dance, each testing the other’s strength and reflexes.
But Tranquility wasn’t fighting to win. He was fighting to match her.
And Reiko realized—so was she.
Endymion and the Guardians
Endymion stood in the courtyard, surrounded by his four guardians. The trials had changed him, and his bond with them had deepened.
Jadeite smirked. "Finally ready to take us seriously, Prince?"
Endymion rolled his eyes. "I always took you seriously."
Nephrite chuckled. "Really? Because last time we sparred, you got tossed into a tree."
Zoisite crossed his arms. "Shall we see if that happens again?"
Kunzite, ever the composed leader, merely nodded. "Four against one. Let’s see if you’ve learned anything."
Endymion didn’t hesitate. He charged forward, magic flaring at his fingertips.
This time, he was ready.
Evening Conversations
After hours of training, the group finally gathered outside near the castle lake. The stars shimmered above, reflecting on the still water.
Syaoran sat beside Yue, his arms crossed. "You went easy on me," he accused.
Yue arched a brow. "Did I?"
Syaoran frowned. "I’ll prove myself to you."
"You already have," Yue said quietly.
Syaoran looked at him, surprised. There was something in Yue’s expression—something softer, something just for him. His heart skipped.
On the other side, Reiko and Tranquility sat close together, their shoulders nearly touching.
"You didn’t have to hold back in training," Reiko said.
Tranquility smiled. "I wasn’t holding back. I was matching you."
Reiko turned to him, searching his face. "Why?"
He hesitated, then simply said, "Because I want to stand beside you."
Reiko felt warmth spread through her chest. She didn’t say anything, but she reached for his hand.
He didn’t pull away.
Endymion watched them from a distance, shaking his head with a smirk. "Took them long enough," he muttered.
Jadeite snickered. "You’re one to talk."
Kunzite placed a hand on Endymion’s shoulder. "You did well today. You’re becoming the leader we always knew you could be."
Endymion exhaled, a small smile forming. "Thanks."
As the night deepened, they all sat together, the bonds between them stronger than ever.
The battles ahead would be fierce. But together, they were unstoppable.