While the lobby of Sylvarus had been insane, the room we were staying in was downright criminal. It felt like the fantasy equivalent of a presidential suite—the kind of place where world leaders signed treaties or billionaires laundered money. Two plush couches faced each other in parlor-style luxury, and one entire wall was just... gone. An open-air balcony stretched so far it felt more like a private terrace, overlooking the back half of the island like we owned a small country.

  As expected, Red immediately claimed a whole couch. At least he was predictable.

  Several hallways branched off toward a collection of bedrooms, each with its own balcony opening to warm ocean breezes that smelled like salt and possibility.

  The view was something else entirely. From here, we could see the full sprawl of the island—buildings clustered like jewels, and directly behind the tower sat a massive coliseum that looked like it could house gladiatorial games for gods. Beyond that, spires and structures stretched to the horizon.

  "I'm pretty sure this academy is bigger than the entire city on La-Roc," Cass said, leaning over the balcony railing. A dozen of those Harrier birds roared overhead, banking around the tower with enough force to make the whole balcony shudder.

  While we admired the view, Katie was ransacking cupboards like a woman possessed.

  "Looking for food," she mumbled, throwing open yet another barren cabinet. “So hungry…”

  "It won't be stocked until the start of the Grand Tournament tomorrow," Thea called out. "Stop fucking ransacking the place like a raccoon!"

  "Shouldn't you be back in your lab blowing things up?" I asked. "You didn't seem thrilled to be our liaison. Especially given the stellar name you picked for our team."

  Thea groaned. Darla oinked what sounded like laughter.

  "It was a fucking accident, okay? And you're stuck with me for the whole tournament now. I'm responsible for keeping you alive—so I'm keeping you where I can see you."

  "But seriously, why that name?" Malcolm asked, sprawled across the couch opposite Red with his arms draped over the back like he owned the place. "You couldn't have gone with something like... The Senseless Shit-Baskets?"

  I snorted. "Or The Fuck-Stick Fellowship?"

  "Thea's... Thundering Headaches," Darla added with a smug oink.

  "Fuck all of you," Thea muttered, throwing herself onto the couch next to Red, who rumbled his displeasure at having to share his kingdom. "Spend less time being comedians and more time preparing for tomorrow."

  "We're just messing with you," I said, pulling snacks from my soul-space. Red perked up like I'd just announced Christmas. Katie materialized beside me—lightning fast—shoving pastries into her mouth with the efficiency of someone who'd missed a couple of meals. She tossed a chunk to Red, who caught it mid-air with a satisfied grunt.

  "So what can we expect?" I asked, settling onto the far side of Malcolm's couch.

  "Well, lucky for you," Thea said, eyeing my snacks like a hungry predator, "dropping into the Seeker bracket means it'll be one of three events. If your invisible spy can figure out which one, it'll give you a massive advantage during prep."

  "He'll come through," Cass said with absolute confidence. She remained standing, coiled energy in human form. "He might be a colossal pain in my ass, but that's partly because he's fucking impossible to pin down."

  Thea's grin turned predatory. "That's a stroke of genius. They expect subterfuge, but if you get caught, you lose points. Your guy? He's just a spectator. No penalties at all. Most officials are vain assholes who'd love to feel important by sharing intel with someone clever enough to ask."

  "He's definitely clever," Katie added, surprising everyone.

  "So how does this whole Grand Tournament work?" I asked.

  Malcolm leaned forward, professor mode activated. "Normal tournaments have three rounds. Grands have five. First three are team events—usually fighting monsters with some kind of twist. Then two team-versus-team rounds. After that, confirmation and nine finalists."

  Thea nodded. "Exactly right."

  "Wait." I blinked. "There are actual monsters here on the island?"

  "Of course there are," Thea said like I'd just asked if water was wet. "How else would we run a tournament? How else would we study them?"

  "That's why the Oathbound are here," Malcolm added. "They're the last option. If anything gets completely out of hand, they end it."

  I thought of the masked woman who'd carved me up with a glance. What did she do when she actually tried?

  "Normally," Thea continued, suddenly serious, "the first event is the Bridge, the Spire, or the Crucible. No matter which one, you start in a prep area where you pick a boon from the Tournament sponsors—in this case, the Monster Hunters. Which is perfect, since you'll be hunting monsters."

  "Knowing the event ahead of time makes that choice easier?" I asked.

  "Exactly," Thea said. "Could be gadgets, potions, even real Arcadian Heirlooms. If it's the Bridge, you're carrying something through enemy territory. You'd want mobility—something for speed or stealth. Completely useless in the Spire, where you're holding a zone against waves of Lumifrax."

  I winced, meeting Cass's gaze. We'd both had our fill of those nightmare frogs.

  "So escort and defense covered," I said. "That makes the Crucible just... straight fighting?"

  Thea shrugged. "Pretty much. But there's always a twist. Nothing too insane—not like the Adept brackets where they try to actually kill you."

  "I'm still wrapping my head around this," I admitted. "Real monsters? Where do they come from? Do you keep them in cages somewhere? I've been hearing for weeks how dangerous they are."

  "Allow me to answer that."

  My heart nearly exploded out of my chest. Even Valor hadn't sensed her approach.

  Dara was suddenly sitting beside Malcolm, legs crossed elegantly, her elf-like features wearing a smug grin that could have powered the island.

  "Wow, Dara," I muttered, recovering. "Totally original entrance."

  Thea groaned. Darla looked intrigued. Red immediately abandoned his couch to receive pets from the newcomer. Katie stared like she'd just witnessed a legend step off a storybook page.

  "Are you... are you the spirit of Sylvarus?" Katie asked, voice filled with wonder.

  Dara's smile turned genuinely pleased. "I'm so happy my reputation precedes me."

  A perfect opportunity for revenge presented itself. I closed my eyes as Ted started screaming in my soul-space—apparently he'd been trying to get my attention for a while.

  I pulled Winchester out, and like clockwork, Ted materialized in a shower of multicolored sparks, planting himself dramatically on the table.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  He spun toward Thea with theatrical flair. "Before you ask who the fuck I am, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ted—Ben's Spirit Guardian and all-around magnificent bastard. Nice to meet ya. And you must be Thea, right? I like your brand of chaos. Don't get any ideas though—I'm spoken for."

  He struck a pose as if he were auditioning for a Broadway show.

  Was Dara... blushing?

  "Ted!" Katie's face lit up. "Where have you been hiding?"

  "Hey Rosie! Sorry about Ben. No particular reason—just in general principle."

  What the hell had I missed at that party? Ted had vanished a few times, burning through my mana to manifest and disappear into the crowd. I'd thought he was just getting drunk—not making friends.

  My brilliant plan had backfired spectacularly. The room erupted in chatter. Cass and Katie acted as if they'd known Ted for years. Even Red abandoned his prime real estate for more pets.

  Thea's eyes had gone wide, staring at Ted with something that looked like predatory scientific interest. Dara was the complete opposite—bright red cheeks, bashful smile, like she actually liked the ridiculous spirit.

  Fantastic.

  "AHEM."

  Silence snapped into place like a rubber band. Every eye turned toward me.

  "I could be thrown off Ark in less than twenty-four hours," I said flatly. "Monsters first. Then follow-up questions. Then we unpack who the hell Rosie is. Sound good?" I looked pointedly at Dara. "Dara?"

  She straightened, regaining her composure. "The arena is part of the tower. It's not fully in the spirit realm like the Trial Grounds, but I can still exert control—adjust terrain, manifest monsters..." She looked proud of this.

  I wasn't the only one staring.

  "You make monsters?!" Katie yelped.

  "Well—no, not exactly," Dara replied sheepishly. "We just have a surplus of them in the various realms connected to Sylvarus. Think of it like your mana beast sanctuary in La-Roc."

  We all stared at her blankly. Even Ted looked unimpressed.

  "You've got a goddamn monster zoo?" he asked. "Oh, you have to show me this, gorgeous."

  Dara sighed. "It's not a... wait, what's a zoo?"

  "Oh!" Cass perked up. "Ben told me about this. It's where humans keep animals for people to visit. Like the Lobby, right?"

  Ted and I nodded.

  "Then yes, I suppose it is. What a strange word—zoo," Dara mused. "We collect monsters from other towers around Ark and study them. We've had... limited success."

  "So what?" Malcolm asked. "You've got a giant jungle under the Academy filled with monsters?"

  "Not physically, no," Dara began—but a sharp knock cut her off.

  Everyone turned toward the door. Valor had sensed nothing. I looked around the room, and even Red was staring at me like I was the designated door-answering adult.

  Sighing, I stood and pulled it open. The hallway stretched empty in both directions.

  But something tugged at my aura—just enough to set my teeth on edge. I stepped back, closing the door slowly. The second it clicked shut, I ducked on pure instinct.

  A chair hurtled past my head and struck something invisible with a meaty thud.

  "OW!" Henrik yelped, his concealment spell failing as he clutched his shin. "Come on!"

  Katie was already on her feet—clearly the marksman. Thea whooped with pure delight.

  "Henrik Winters," Katie snapped, "does your mother know you're here? What does she say about skulking around like a thief?"

  "I knocked! That's why I knocked!" Henrik protested, brushing himself off.

  Everyone stared at Katie now. Even Red gave a little snort that might have been laughter.

  Katie's face melted in horror. "Oh no. I'm so sorry, Henrik! It's just... reflex." Her cheeks flamed red.

  Cass clapped her on the shoulder. "Good arm. But much as I hate to admit it, he's helping us now."

  Henrik claimed the only remaining seat—right between me and Dara.

  "I've got—" he started.

  "Queue," I interrupted, raising a hand. "Ted, explain why Katie is Rosie."

  "Oh yeah! Red hair. Plus she's got this tattoo that looks like a rose on her ches—"

  Katie lunged forward, wrapping Ted in a headlock that could have choked a horse. She was now several shades redder than her hair.

  "Back to monsters and tournaments, right Ted?" she said through a strained smile.

  Ted nodded frantically from her armpit. When she released him, he cleared his throat with wounded dignity. "Right. Dara, babe, tell us about the tournament."

  Dara smiled serenely. "I can't reveal specific events—only public information. You'll have to discover what's coming first on your own."

  Henrik raised his hand like he was in school. "I know."

  Every eye locked onto him. He didn't look in any hurry to elaborate.

  "Okay..." Malcolm said, breaking the silence. "What can we expect?"

  Henrik hummed thoughtfully, clearly savoring the attention—until Cass casually walked over to a chest of drawers and hoisted the entire piece of furniture with zero effort.

  "Okay, okay!" Henrik threw his hands up in surrender.

  Cass set the dresser down beside her like it weighed nothing. "I'm keeping this here in case I need it again."

  Thea burst out laughing. "I thought this was gonna be boring as hell, but you people are growing on me. And you—" She jabbed a finger at me. "Spirit Guardian? What's that staff? Let me examine it."

  The room exploded into chaos. Questions and explanations as conversations splintered in five directions simultaneously. Too many people, too much noise, and the one person with actual information was drowning in the verbal tsunami.

  My healing cuts stung with renewed intensity.

  "ENOUGH

  The word echoed from somewhere deeper than my throat—more than sound, carrying a weight that rippled outward through the air itself. Every conversation died instantly. Darla and Red's ears flattened, heads lowering as if something had physically pressed down on them. Even Ted dissolved into multicolored dust and fled back to my soul-space.

  All eyes turned to me.

  "Uh," I said slowly, pulse hammering. "What the fuck did I just do?"

  "That," Dara said, rubbing her temples, "was a Soulcry. Your spirit spoke louder than your voice." She sighed as if not surprised. "Because of course you can do that. Why wouldn't you?"

  Everyone looked frozen in place, eyes wide. Thea shook herself first, followed by a chorus of sharp breaths and awkward shifting.

  Then she was inches from my face, nose twitching, black eyes boring into mine. "What the hell? That wasn't even that strong, but I've only seen Grand Masters pull that off. And get Ted back here—I want to examine him."

  "Sorry," I said, still not sure what had happened. "I was... frustrated."

  "That was deeply uncomfortable," Cass muttered. "Reminded me of when Mom gets truly pissed."

  Henrik let out a long breath. "Remember when she caught us in the sugarcane fields?"

  Cass flopped onto the floor, stretching out like a cat. "My legs still lock up when I think about it." She grinned at me. "Nana said you constantly pull miracles out of your ass. Add this to the list of ass-related surprises."

  Everyone chuckled, and whatever weird aura effect I'd unleashed seemed to have passed. The tension evaporated. After thinking the room was too crowded, it suddenly felt perfect—these people were the closest thing I had to family on this entire world.

  Red trotted over, climbed halfway onto my lap, and launched into a full-scale face-washing assault. I made a show of trying to escape.

  "Okay, okay!" I laughed, pushing him back. "Today's apparently one of those days. Let's unpack the Soulcry thing later. Henrik—please. I'd really like to still be on Ark tomorrow night."

  Cass and I noticed it simultaneously—Henrik's expression had twisted into confusion. He didn't know what we were talking about.

  We filled him in rapidly. Once he understood I wasn't just some random Unbidden but an actual Terran, and that this tournament would decide whether I got to stay on Ark or get booted into the void, his entire demeanor shifted.

  "How did you not pick up on any of this with all your sneaking around?" Cass asked.

  Henrik shrugged. "I don't just eavesdrop on everything. And... a Terran? I thought you just looked kind of plain." He winced. "Sorry—I didn't know. The officials never mentioned you were competing just to stay alive."

  "That would've been helpful information," I said, half-laughing. "Sometimes I forget not everyone knows what’s going on."

  Without a word, Henrik reached into his vest and produced a folded slip of paper, offering it to me with newfound seriousness.

  I opened it carefully. The paper was stiff, pristine, written in gorgeous vertical calligraphy that took a moment to decode.

  

  

  

  

  Grace Delpicius, Oathbound.

  The name was written in plain letters, not characters. I was certain I'd seen Delpicius somewhere before—maybe in that awful textbook Diana had inflicted on me?

  I looked up at Henrik, who watched me expectantly. Around the room, everyone leaned forward.

  "Where did you get this?" I asked.

  "I couldn't get into the meeting rooms where Nana was screaming at someone," Henrik said, "but this masked lady appeared out of nowhere and scared the hell out of me. Tapped my shoulder and handed me that. Said it contained what you'd need for the first event."

  The Oathbound who'd sliced me up with a glance? Why would she help me survive the tournament? Thea had said this was political—this confirmed it.

  I relayed the information to the group. Thea snapped her fingers in triumph.

  "The Bridge is manageable. Simple objective—carry something from one end of the arena to the other. Most teams don't fail outright. It's graded on completion time, style, and effectiveness. But tethered hunt means you three are connected—rope, chain, mana line, something that keeps you close together. You can't separate, and you're only as fast as your slowest member."

  "So Cass can't just sprint through it," I said. Thea nodded grimly.

  Dara spoke up from her perch. "Your informant might be mistaken. A trial starting tonight is something I would know about—"

  She stopped mid-sentence, eyes glazing over for half a second like she was listening to something none of us could hear.

  "I'm being summoned. One moment."

  She didn't move. We exchanged glances.

  "Uh oh," Dara muttered, smiling nervously.

  Two heavy knocks thundered against the door.

  "It starts right now."