Still breathing the remnants of the confrontation, the group gathered in the corridor connecting the underground sectors. The magical instruments vibrated with a new alert: the rift that had housed the shadowy creature — the entrance to the Void — was growing in size. A spectral and dull light emerged from the edges of the opening, as if the darkness sought to expand beyond known limits.
Amidst the tension, Headmaster Solon and Professor Radomir led an emergency meeting.
— The signs are unmistakable, — Solon announced gravely. — The rift is expanding, and this may indicate that forces once contained are finding new openings. To contain this threat, we must divide our resources. Each group will investigate a specific sector of the academy, for only then can we map, understand, and, if necessary, reverse this expansion.
The Tamers' Division
After intense discussions, the tamers were divided into teams. Ethan's original group — composed of him, Lira, Kael, and Neyra — was assigned to explore the eastern wing. Meanwhile, other teams were dispatched to the northern and southern wings, where minor ruptures or disturbances in arcane energies had also been detected.
Ethan felt an unexpected weight upon realizing that the unity that had strengthened them in the previous circle would now be split to face distinct challenges. It wasn't weakness or individualism, but rather a strategy to encompass a threat spreading like ink in still water.
— Despite the distance, our mission is one, — said Lira, her voice calm but firm. — We must remember that every fragment of information gathered here will feed the collective knowledge.
As Kael adjusted the wings of the Spectral Raven to fly with greater reach, he added: — We'll follow our beasts closely and stay alert not only to visible signs, but to the whispers of energy. Nothing will escape our senses if we remain in tune.
The Journey Through the Eastern Wing
The group followed corridors that seemed carved by forgotten eras. The walls were covered in vibrant yet decayed inscriptions, some of which told stories of rituals and sacrifices made by the Veil Guardians. The natural light from torches and crystal globes, though dim, cast long shadows that moved in rhythm with the tamers' steps.
In a side room, the group found remnants of an old cafeteria turned into a mystical sanctuary. Trees and plants once cultivated for medicinal purposes now grew wildly, yet still emitted an unusual natural glow. Neyra stopped in front of a worn mural, where symbols blending light and shadow aesthetics told a tale of balance and ruin.
— This mural says, "When darkness divides, light multiplies," — she murmured to herself, noting each detail in her notebook with clinical precision.
Meanwhile, Lira and Kael investigated a small chamber where energy concentrated in scattered points, forming mini-rifts along the wall. Kael used his Spectral Raven to detect fluctuations in the pulsations' intensity, while Lira let her Nebulous Serpent glide across the floor, sensing even the slightest vibrations.
Ethan kept the Forest Ancestral Deer close, feeling that the bond with his beast was a vital link for interpreting signs from the greater rift. Deep within, he recalled the teaching that true power lay not only in strength, but in the ability to read energies and adapt strategies to each new sign.
An Individual Challenge
At the end of a particularly silent corridor, where the echo of their steps faded into the gloom, Ethan felt a shiver down his spine. Something was there, lurking. A small rift in the wall, perhaps the beginning of a new rupture, radiated a pulsing and simultaneously menacing energy.
He approached, cautiously. Upon touching the cold, damp surface, a series of images flooded his mind: fragments of memories — not just his own, but from distant eras — where warriors and tamers fought against seemingly invincible forces. Among these visions, a single word echoed:
"Divide."
The message, as concise as it was enigmatic, left him with a bittersweet feeling. He knew that individual sacrifice was often part of greater collective movements. Yet, he also felt the weight of being responsible for deciphering those souls of light and shadow.
The Commitment of Unity
When the group finally reunited at the end of the expedition, their faces bore the marks of exhaustion and revelation. Each member presented records and notes that, together, formed a disturbing mosaic about the rift's expansion and the imbalance in the academy's energies.
— We've gathered enough clues to confirm that the energy fragments are dispersing throughout the eastern wing, — Kael announced, his voice tinged with urgency and resignation.
Lira nodded, explaining:
— Each rupture point shows that the Void isn't simply attacking; it's infiltrating, testing our ability to resist and reorganize our forces.
With a steady gaze, Neyra added:
— But we also showed that even when separated, our unity is tangible. Every record, every sign we collected reinforces that the light we create together can, if well-directed, seal these rifts.
Ethan looked at the Forest Ancestral Deer and paused. His words weren't a heroic outcry, but a sincere invitation to shared responsibility.
— Our mission reflects who we are: divided, we're vulnerable; united, we're more than the sum of our parts. May we use this knowledge not only to restore the academy's balance, but to keep alive the connection that makes us true tamers.
An Echo of Farewell and Hope
As the group dispersed to return to their respective areas, each carried not only fragments of energy and records, but the sense that that day had been a vital lesson. The rift, with its pulsing rupture, remained a constant reminder that the battle against the shadows was a continuous work, forged in every moment of unity.
In the silence of the corridors, with the dim glow of the globes reflecting off the stone walls, Ethan made himself a promise — that no matter the challenges to come, unity and empathy would remain his guides. The future was uncertain, but the seed of hope planted that day would continue to grow, even among the shadows.