Chapter — Aftermath: Bonds and Farewell
The thunder of battle had faded.
The air inside the Nexus Arena still shimmered faintly with residual energy, streaks of light and smoke twisting upward into the high ceiling. The once-roaring crowd now murmured in awe and disbelief, watching the few figures who still stood among the rubble and dust.
Only three students remained standing.
Anay, his chest steady, strands of his hair fluttering in the faint wind his aura generated, looked around. Cracked tiles, frozen fragments, and scattered embers told the story of chaos. His breathing was calm — not forced, not labored — as if he had only been warming up.
Aanya stood a few meters away, her golden lightning fading from the air, her expression half irritated, half intrigued. She hadn't expected anyone to still be standing after her burst of power — yet there Anay was, with that composed, almost amused smile.
And near the far corner, Sunny — the third participant — stood with a faint smirk, brushing dust from his uniform. His eyes glimmered sharply, reading the two in front of him with a strategist's curiosity.
A moment of silence hung between the three before Aanya finally broke it.
"You're strong," she said, her tone firm but genuine. "Which academy are you from?"
Anay blinked, surprised at the question's simplicity amid the chaos. He smiled faintly and replied, "Astral Academy." His voice carried quiet confidence. "And you?"
"Nirvana Academy," she answered proudly. "Or as most call it… Nirvan."
Anay's eyes brightened slightly. "So you're from the academy famous for elemental fusion and aura discipline. I've heard of it."
"And Astral is known for spiritual control and advanced synergy techniques," Aanya replied, tilting her head slightly. "No wonder you didn't fall when everyone else did."
There was a small pause — not awkward, but charged with mutual respect. Both had fought with everything, yet neither had shown their full strength. They both knew it.
Before either could say more, Sunny strolled toward them, his grin widening. "Well, well," he said casually, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Two prodigies from the top academies, huh? Astral and Nirvan — now that's a clash worth watching."
Aanya narrowed her eyes slightly but didn't respond. Anay only smiled politely.
Sunny continued, "You two will obviously participate in the upcoming Academy Matches, right?"
Anay raised an eyebrow. "Probably."
"Then," Sunny said with a playful smirk, "you'll see a little surprise from me. Let's just say… not every top academy sends their best out in the open."
Aanya folded her arms. "You sound confident."
"I don't need confidence," Sunny replied, brushing past them with a calm grin. "Just strategy."
Anay chuckled softly under his breath. "He's clever."
"Too clever," Aanya replied. "But I'll remember that name."
Sunny waved lazily over his shoulder as he walked off toward the healers' section. "I'll remember yours too. Both of you."
The air grew quieter again. The lights around the arena dimmed as the support staff began cleaning up and tending to wounded participants.
Aanya glanced at Anay once more, her tone softer this time. "I'll see you again — maybe not here, but at the academy matches. Don't disappoint me."
Anay smiled, his expression calm and genuine. "I was about to say the same thing."
She turned away, her lightning aura dispersing like golden dust as she walked toward her section.
Anay exhaled slowly, watching her leave, then gazed up at the vast arena ceiling. "So Nirvan, huh…" he murmured with a faint smile. "That'll be interesting."
Later – Ground Level, Tournament Hall
The medics were busy, drones whirring overhead to assess energy readings. Kael and Liora stood near Hrithik Rao, who was still analyzing the holographic data of the battle.
Kael's expression was composed, though his tone carried quiet firmness. "Mr. Rao," he began, "Anay will not participate in the second phase."
Hrithik looked up sharply. "You're withdrawing him?"
Liora stepped forward, her presence calm but absolute. "Yes. His performance in the first phase has proven enough. We have other plans — ones that don't align with Phase Two's structure."
Hrithik crossed his arms. "You do realize he could win the entire tournament?"
Kael met his gaze steadily. "We're not here for victory. We're here for growth."
For a few seconds, Hrithik said nothing. Then a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You Astral people never fail to surprise me."
Liora nodded politely. "Thank you for understanding."
"Fine," Hrithik said finally, deactivating the hologram. "Anay's name will be officially removed from the next round. But tell him this — I'll be expecting to see him again in the Inter-Academy Circuit. That's where real monsters appear."
Kael gave a short laugh. "We'll see you there."
That Evening — Nexus City, Skytrain Terminal
The sun was setting behind the towering skyline of Nexus City, painting the glass towers in hues of orange and violet. Kael stood with Liora at the terminal's edge, waiting for their transport to the outer ring. His usual confident demeanor carried a trace of melancholy.
Liora glanced at him. "You're thinking about them, aren't you?"
Kael nodded slightly. "Yeah. Sunny, Veer, and Tia. I promised I'd see them before leaving."
Liora smiled faintly. "Then go. I'll handle the travel permits."
Kael gave her a grateful look and turned, walking down the marble steps into the nearby garden plaza — the place where it had all begun.
The Farewell
He found them sitting by the fountain — Sunny, Veer, and Tia. The faint hum of the city surrounded them, but when they saw Kael, everything else seemed to fade.
Sunny jumped up first. "Oi, look who finally remembered us!" he said with a grin.
Veer chuckled. "We thought the mighty Kael got too busy being famous."
Tia smiled warmly. "I knew you'd come."
Kael smirked, trying to hide the hint of emotion in his eyes. "Of course I did. I couldn't leave without saying goodbye."
Sunny folded his arms, his grin softening. "So you're really leaving?"
Kael nodded. "Yeah. Liora , anay and I are heading … something bigger waiting."
Veer tilted his head. "Bigger than this tournament?"
"Much bigger," Kael said quietly. "And more dangerous."
Tia's expression softened. "Then promise us one thing — come back alive."
Kael laughed lightly. "You make it sound like I'm marching into war."
Sunny shrugged. "With you, that's always possible."
They all laughed together, the sound echoing gently through the plaza. For a moment, the world felt simple again — like the early days when they first arrived in Nexus, filled with energy, dreams, and rivalry.
Kael looked at each of them in turn. "Thank you. For everything. The fights, the training, the madness… I won't forget it."
Kael raised his hand in mock salute. "Then it's a promise. I'll see you all soon."
Kael stepped back, his expression growing calm. "Time to go."
Tia stepped forward, giving him a small bracelet made of thin energy-thread. "For luck," she said softly.
Kael smiled, tying it around his wrist. "I'll treasure it."
The three waved as Kael turned toward the gate of Nexus where Liora and anay was waiting.
"Goodbye, Kael!" Sunny called. "Don't get rusty before we meet again!"
Kael turned once, giving a brief wave. "Not a chance."