As the Dolorian Dorm stood ready, a mixture of aches and defiant pride in our guts, my gaze drifted across the vast Gauntlet Hall, sweeping over the sea of faces from other dorms. My eyes found her. Seira Galegaard. She stood with the Armania crowd, her crisp white robe a stark contrast to her vibrant presence. Her magnificent, iridescent wings seemed to shimmer even in the hall's light, and her striking blue hair flowed around her shoulders like a living current, framing a face of breathtaking beauty. Her golden eyes, sharp and intelligent, held a quiet intensity. As I watched her, my heart began to pound, a frantic drum against my ribs, and to my surprise, my void seemed to react to her, a low, resonant thrumming deep within me, as if recognizing a long-lost part of itself, or a destiny suddenly laid bare. It wasn't the kind of simple, physical attraction I felt for beautiful women like Selyra or the other Iskirians; this was something far more intense, a different kind of pull, a profound, almost primal magnetic force that vibrated through my very core, demanding my attention, a feeling akin to finding a missing piece of my own soul. Even after so long, after all the distractions, the feeling remained, a constant, strange attraction I couldn't describe.
**Then, my gaze shifted, and I saw her twin, Seina Galegaard, standing with the Merlin Dorm students. Her presence was just as striking, her magnificent large wings and blue hair a mirror of her sister's, yet her smile held a mysterious, knowing quality. As our eyes met across the hall, she offered a subtle, almost imperceptible smile. Then, her voice, soft yet clear, seemed to echo directly in my mind, cutting through the din of the crowd: "It's time for awaken, isn't it, Void Bearer? Or not. It's up to you. Just make sure you're alive and still in your body." With that enigmatic statement, she gave a slight nod and turned back to the Merlin crowd, leaving me stunned. She's weird, I thought, a shiver running down my spine. Always warning me about something I can't even begin to decrypt. **
After Monika's fierce, fiery welcome and our military-sharp salute, the atmosphere in the Gauntlet Hall crackled with anticipation.
One by one, Headmaster Gallahad called each dorm to the portal. First up was Merlin Dorm. I watched as Raika stepped forward, her tall, lean figure moving with a quiet grace. Her striking blue hair, so unusual for a Drakarian, fell straight and unmoving around her pale face, and from her temples, a pair of slender, straight horns, the mark of her Drakarian heritage, emerged. Her dark eyes, usually downcast, were now fixed on the shimmering portal with a cold, unwavering determination, a silent defiance in her posture.
Next was Armania Dorm. My cousin, Enchidna, practically bounced forward, her excitement palpable. She shot us a competitive grin before disappearing into the swirling energy. **As she leaped, her ample breasts, barely contained by her straining white uniform, bounced visibly, a familiar sight that instantly pulled my mind to the vivid dream I'd had of Aunt Allana's naked form. Good gods, I thought, a fresh wave of heat washing over me. It's too distracting. Maybe after the Gauntlet, I'll go home for a while, just to meet my family and tell them about all this. Especially my aunts. I'm really curious about... everything. **
Finally, it was our turn. "Dolorian Dorm!" Headmaster Gallahad's voice boomed.
My heart hammered against my ribs. I looked at my team – Gianna, Yor, Jove, and Henry – their faces etched with a mix of apprehension and grim resolve. "We're going to make it," I told them, my voice firm, filled with the raw determination of the past week's training and the weight of Henry's story. "We're going to bring back Louis, Henry's brother."
They all nodded, a silent, unified promise passing between us. With a shared glance of resolve, we walked towards the portal. It wasn't the shimmering, ethereal gateway I'd imagined. Instead, a massive, jagged archway of rough-hewn stone, like a natural cave entrance, stood before us. Within its depths, a pulsating, vibrant pink light swirled, reminiscent of Anna Emrys's bubblegum pink hair, making me wonder if this was what an Arcane Bind truly looked like. The air around it crackled with raw, untamed magic, and ancient, glowing runes were intricately carved into the surrounding boulders, humming with power. It felt less like a doorway and more like a living, magical maw, ready to swallow us whole. We stepped into its depths, ready to face the unknown horrors of Merlin's Gauntlet.