Chapter 35

chapter Thirty-Four

As they were about to head home, the moon cast a soft glow over the trio, creating an ethereal ambiance. The cool night air rustled through the trees, carrying with it a sense of anticipation. It was in this tranquil setting that Mr. Athan, their enigmatic mentor, materialized before them.

His sudden appearance sent a shiver down their spines, and they instinctively turned their attention toward him. The moonlight danced upon his features, accentuating the lines of wisdom etched upon his face. His eyes held a mix of pride and intrigue as he regarded Tessa, Lucas, and Tristan.

"You guys are truly remarkable," Mr. Athan began, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "I must confess, I was thoroughly impressed when you passed the grueling tests set forth by the Council of Elders. However, there is one final step remaining before you embark on your journey. You must undergo a purification ritual and be bestowed with additional powers."

Tessa's brow furrowed with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "But sir, we believed we were already prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. What more do we need?"

In a blur of motion, Mr. Athan moved with an agility that defied human capabilities. He gracefully approached Tessa, leaving the trio momentarily awestruck. "Can you do this?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of challenge.

Tessa's gaze followed his movements, her eyes widening in amazement. "I... I can't," she admitted, awe and excitement filling her voice. The realization that there was still much to learn ignited a spark of determination within her.

Tristan, unable to contain his curiosity, interjected with a sense of wonder. "Sir, can you show us how to do that move?" he asked, his eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and determination.

Lucas, ever the competitive spirit, couldn't resist joining in. "But not just show us, can we learn it too? I want to be able to move like that!"

A gentle chuckle escaped Mr. Athan's lips, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, young ones, it takes time and practice to master such skills," he explained, his voice carrying a hint of wisdom. "But who knows what powers you may unlock during the purification ritual? Tomorrow, in the Chamber, you shall receive the final purification and be granted extraordinary abilities."

Tessa's laughter filled the night air, a melody of joy and camaraderie. "You two are always competing," she teased, her voice filled with warmth and affection. "But let's focus on the task at hand. We'll meet Mr. Athan in the Chamber tomorrow and see what lies ahead."

With their minds now fixed on the upcoming purification ritual, the trio resumed their journey back home. The moonlit path stretched before them, casting long shadows that danced in sync with their footsteps. It was during this peaceful walk that Lucas and Tristan found themselves engaged in a lighthearted argument, their voices carrying on the gentle breeze.

"Lucas, she's my girlfriend, and you know that," Tristan declared, his voice laced with a mix of protectiveness and playful jealousy.

Lucas responded with a mischievous grin, his eyes glinting mischievously. "And she's my friend," he retorted. "Why should I sleep alone when I have a friend who could keep me warm?"

Tristan's face flushed with a mix of frustration and amusement. "How dare you, Lucas! Don't ever say such a thing again!" he exclaimed, his words a clear warning.

Tessa watched the playful banter between Lucas and Tristan, their words intertwining in a friendly rivalry. As their argument continued, she couldn't help but wonder if their lighthearted banter held a deeper significance. Was she the cause of their tension? Was she truly worth their friendship being tested?

"Enough!" Tessa finally spoke up, her voice firm and commanding. "You guys should stop this. We have better things to do with our time."

The atmosphere grew tense as her words hung in the air. Tessa knew she had to address the underlying issue that had emerged between her two friends. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before continuing.

"You know what? Tonight, I'm going to sleep in my own apartment. I won't go with either of you," Tessa declared, her voice filled with determination.

Tristan's face softened as he realized the impact their argument had on Tessa. He stepped closer to her, gently taking hold of her hands. "No, Tessa. Not after what happened to you the other night. My love, you don't have to. Okay, fine. You can stay with Lucas. I don't mind. I can manage. I just want you to be safe. I won't be able to forgive myself if anything happens to you," he said, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Tessa felt a wave of emotions rush over her. She vividly remembered the fear she experienced that night, the vulnerability that shook her to her core. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage, and spoke with conviction.

"I am a champion, for crying out loud. I have to overcome my fears. I can't be scared of those mere invaders. I need to know what they actually want. I can't be this afraid and still expect to fight for the academy. I must overcome my fear," Tessa declared, her voice unwavering.

Lucas, unable to contain his admiration, applauded Tessa's speech. "I must confess, your speech sounded like that of a heroine from a movie," he remarked, a playful smirk on his face.

Tristan's patience wore thin as he turned his attention to Lucas. "Can't you be serious for once?" he chided before redirecting his gaze to Tessa. "I appreciate your courage, but please, I don't think it's a good idea. I have this feeling that you might get hurt," he expressed, his voice tinged with concern.

Tessa looked into Tristan's eyes, her own filled with determination. "I will be fine, don't worry. Don't you trust me?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of assurance and vulnerability.

Tristan's gaze softened, a glimmer of love shining in his eyes. "I do, more than I trust myself," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity.

As the atmosphere grew charged with unspoken emotions, their lips were mere inches apart, poised to meet in a tender kiss. However, their moment was abruptly interrupted But their intimate moment was abruptly interrupted by Lucas, who couldn't resist injecting a touch of humor into the situation.

"Guys, don't you think you shouldn't be doing this in the middle of the road?" Lucas interjected, his tone light-hearted. "Well, I'm heading home. I'm really hungry. Let me leave you guys to do your thing. Bye, Tessa. Stay safe," he added, offering a playful smile before turning to leave.

Tessa and Tristan exchanged a smile, their hearts still longing for that stolen moment. As Lucas disappeared into the distance, they returned their attention to each other, ready to continue the interrupted kiss. But before their lips could meet, piercing screams echoed through the night, resembling Lucas's voice.

"Guys, help! Help me!" the voice cried out, filled with panic and distress.

Their hearts pounding with fear, Tessa and Tristan swiftly broke apart, their eyes filled with a mixture of worry and urgency. Something was terribly wrong, and they needed to find out what was happening. Their bond and resolve were about to be tested once again as they raced towards the source of the screams, their instincts urging them to protect their friend.

With adrenaline coursing through their veins, Tessa and Tristan embarked on a new challenge, the fate of their friend hanging in the balance.