Chapter 124: Looming Mission
Darius strode beside them, with his mind sharp and determined, his scars on his chest, shoulder, and leg were faint.
But visible beneath his tunic, his soulstone glowing with Peaks’ soulstream gems, labyrinth runes, griffon feathers, shadow claws, shadowdrake fangs, riftclaw pincers, altar runes, psychic gems, riftbeast scales, psychic crystals, riftlord spines, and riftmonarch scales, its light bright in his hand, a beacon of his unyielding spirit.
His Veilbane Medal shone proudly, with a mark of his defiance against the Veil’s flames, its surface was catching the hall’s glow.
Rhoam, his iron-plated panther, prowled at his side, his massive plates clinking softly, their cracks now faint lines, gleaming with restored strength, his scratches healed but visible, the honor rune etched in the infirmary glowing faintly.
The panther’s low growl echoed through the halls, a quiet promise of protection, his bond with Darius anchored him through the lingering memories of Ironholt’s destruction, fueling his resolve to rebuild.
The trio’s return to their dorms was a triumphant homecoming, met with a roar of cheers from students, their voices echoing off the rune-etched walls, the Sanctum’s community embracing them as heroes who had shattered the Veil’s hold.
Classmates swarmed around them, their eyes wide with awe, offering words of admiration and small gifts rune-etched stones pulsing with fire essence, vials of shadow essence, and psychic shards glowing with mental clarity, each a token of respect for their triumph over Veyra, Torin, and the Sovereign.
Kelvin nodded gratefully, his arm was strong but cautious, his scars were tingling as he accepted a fire rune from a young tamer, Xerion’s hiss a soft acknowledgment of the crowd’s admiration, the serpent’s scales flaring briefly.
Lyra smiled, her gauntlet flaring as she thanked a group of shadow tamers for a vial of gloomstalker essence, Salaris’s screech was a sharp note of pride and her feathers were shimmering in the hall’s light.
Darius tossed his soulstone with a grin, joking with a rival tamer who offered a soulstream gem, Rhoam’s growl was a quiet warning to any who lingered too long, his plates were gleaming despite their scars.