Unbreakable Bonds
The Hogwarts training continued with even greater intensity, pushing the twins, Tranquility, Endymion, and his guardians to their limits. Every day brought new challenges, and with each one, their skills sharpened and their bonds deepened.
Sparring Under the Moonlight
Late one evening, Tranquility found himself in the castle courtyard, his sword in hand, the silver glow of the moon reflecting off its polished blade. Across from him stood Reiko, a confident smirk on her face.
“You sure you want to do this?” she teased.
Tranquility twirled his sword, taking a ready stance. “I still owe you for last time.”
Reiko lunged first, her blade flashing in the moonlight. Tranquility met her strike, their swords clashing in a burst of sparks. The duel was fast and fluid, each movement a dance of precision and power.
“I see you’ve improved,” Reiko noted, sidestepping his next attack.
Tranquility grinned. “Had to. Couldn’t let you keep beating me forever.”
The match ended in another draw, both panting, neither willing to admit defeat. As they lowered their swords, Tranquility reached out, gently tucking a stray strand of Reiko’s hair behind her ear.
“You really are incredible,” he murmured.
Reiko’s breath caught, her heart pounding in a way that had nothing to do with the fight. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
For a moment, they simply stood there, the unspoken words between them growing louder.
A Test from Salazar
Meanwhile, Syaoran found himself under Salazar Slytherin’s scrutiny. The founder had taken a particular interest in him after noticing the boy’s affinity for both darkness and moon magic.
“You have power,” Salazar observed as Syaoran conjured a swirling orb of dark energy in his palm. “But do you have the control?”
Syaoran frowned. “I—”
Before he could finish, Salazar snapped his fingers, and a serpent made of pure magic lunged at him. Syaoran reacted instantly, dodging and countering with a burst of silver energy.
Salazar smirked. “Good. But next time, don’t hesitate.”
Watching from the sidelines, Yue found himself even more impressed with Syaoran’s growth. Later that night, as they sat in the library again, Yue finally spoke.
“You’re reckless,” he stated.
Syaoran glanced at him, smirking. “And you’re too serious.”
Yue rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, he placed a hand over Syaoran’s, a rare moment of warmth passing between them. “Still… you’re strong.”
Syaoran’s breath hitched slightly, but he didn’t pull away. “I have to be.”
Yue nodded. “And you will be.”
Endymion and His Guardians
In another part of the castle, Endymion trained alongside his four guardians, sparring in pairs under the watchful eye of Godric Gryffindor. His sword clashed against one of his knights’, the impact sending vibrations up his arm.
“You rely too much on brute force,” Godric pointed out. “A true warrior adapts.”
Endymion gritted his teeth but nodded. He knew he had to refine his technique, especially if he wanted to stand beside his cousins in battle.
As the night drew on, the group reconvened, exhaustion evident but spirits high. They were more than just warriors-in-training now.
They were family.
And together, they would be unstoppable.