Location: Summit Garden, Astral Academy — Late Afternoon
The sky above Astral Academy was painted with strokes of amber and lavender as the sun began its slow descent. Students had returned to their dorms to rest, the island trials still fresh in their bones. But Anay had been called elsewhere.
He walked silently through a secluded path leading behind the Academy Tower—toward a place very few knew existed.
"Summit Garden?" he thought, glancing around. The air here was different—quieter, more aware, as if even the wind was holding its breath.
He stepped through a stone archway and found himself in a walled garden, ancient trees glowing with spiritual runes and white blossoms floating like stardust.
Two figures waited near a koi pond at its center.
One leaned casually against a stone pillar—a boy with golden-brown hair tied back, eyes sharp as glass and thoughtful. His posture was relaxed, but every movement screamed battle-honed precision.
The other sat quietly on the edge of the water, letting her fingers skim its surface. Her dark silver hair shimmered like moonlight, and her expression was calm, unreadable… almost like a mirror.
They looked only a year or two older than him. But the energy around them was something else entirely.
Boy (smiling softly): "So… you're Anay."
Girl (without looking up): "The one who defeated a Contractor without revealing his true strength."
Anay blinked, then gave a respectful bow.
Anay: "I was asked to come here. May I know who you are?"
The girl stood up, her movements fluid and graceful.
Girl: "We are Elders of Astral Academy. My name is Liora."
Boy: "And I'm Kael. We're... the quiet ones. The ones who clean up what no one's supposed to know."
Liora: "We watched your match with Darshan. You didn't just win. You made a decision. A dangerous one."
Anay straightened.
Anay: "I couldn't let him go wild. I knew the risk."
Kael stepped forward and placed a hand on Anay's shoulder.
Kael: "And that's exactly why we asked for you."
Liora: "You think before you swing. You act when it's needed. You're rare, Anay."
They guided him to sit beside them near the pond.
Liora (softly): "We've been watching over Astral from the shadows since we were chosen. The world sees Elders as wise old sages… but wisdom doesn't wait for age."
Anay chuckled lightly.
Anay: "You two are barely older than me."
Kael (grinning): "True. But we've seen more than most soldiers do in a lifetime."
Their expressions darkened momentarily—but just for a flicker.
Kael: "And that's why we want to train you. Personally."
Liora: "Not just as a student. But as a Guardian in the making."
Anay's brows rose.
Anay: "Guardian?"
Kael nodded, tossing a smooth spirit stone into the pond. It shimmered and dissolved into light.
Kael: "Guardians are those who protect balance—between realms, between elements, between power and restraint."
Liora: "We're still testing you. But you're already halfway there."
A pause.
Liora (smiling faintly): "Also… Kael thinks you remind him of himself when he was not an idiot
Kael (mock offended): "Hey! I'm still not an idiot
They all laughed, the tension easing.
Anay (quietly): "Why me?"
Kael looked at him with an expression that held no doubt.
Kael: "Because you're not hungry for power… and that's exactly why you're worthy of it."
Liora: "And because you already carry something most others don't."
Kael asked anay about his academy tower
Anay said yeah we have to just give our names in it.
After some min of silence
They stood, their figures backlit by the fading sun.
Liora: "Meet us here tomorrow morning. Training begins at dawn."
Kael (smirking): "And don't be late. Or we'll start with ten laps… through the mountain."
Anay smiled, deeply.
Anay: "I won't be."
As they turned and walked away, he remained seated for a moment—staring into the water.
Two strangers had appeared. And somehow… it felt like they'd been allies all along.