Chapter 18: Bonds Beyond Battle
<hr>
The Announcement Looms
The entire academy was on edge.
The Apex Tournament selection was happening tomorrow, and no one could focus on anything else.
Sparring sessions were more intense, students whispered in corners, and for the first time, even the top-ranked fighters looked unsure.
Axel was trying not to think about it.
Which was why he was sitting under a tree in the Academy Garden, watching the sky change color as the sun set.
Tempo sat beside him, absentmindedly flicking pebbles and somehow calculating the trajectory of each one like a tiny scientist.
Axel exhaled. “You’re really enjoying being a genius now, huh?”
Tempo smirked. “It does have its perks.”
Axel rolled his eyes. “Just don’t start wearing glasses and correcting my grammar.”
“I make no promises.”
Axel sighed dramatically. “I want my dumb monkey back.”
Tempo flicked a pebble at his forehead.
<hr>
A Familiar Face
“Skipping training again?”
Axel looked up to see Iris standing nearby, arms crossed, a small smile playing at her lips.
She wasn’t wearing her usual academy uniform jacket, just a light hoodie, her holo-tablet tucked under one arm.
Axel smirked. “Not skipping. Strategically avoiding.”
Iris raised an eyebrow. “Is that what we’re calling it?”
Axel stretched, leaning back against the tree. “Hey, if I’m gonna get picked for this tournament, I might as well enjoy my last few moments of peace.”
Iris hummed, thoughtful. “You really think you’ll be chosen?”
Axel hesitated.
It was a weird thing to say out loud.
“…Yeah.”
Iris studied him. “How do you feel about that?”
Axel exhaled. “Like I’m standing on a ledge. And I don’t know if I’m gonna jump or get pushed.”
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Iris nodded, as if she understood.
Then she sat beside him.
Not saying anything.
Just being there.
For some reason, that made Axel feel a little less like he was about to fall.
<hr>
Iris’s Cipher Beast
A few moments passed before Axel finally glanced at her.
“You’ve never told me,” he said. “What’s your Cipher Beast?”
Iris blinked. “Oh.” She looked a little caught off guard.
Axel raised an eyebrow. “What, you embarrassed? You got a baby slug or something?”
Iris laughed. “No. It’s just… most people don’t ask.”
She lifted her holo-band, tapping a few commands.
A shimmering, soft blue glow formed in the air beside her.
Then—
A sleek, fox-like creature materialized, its fur a deep midnight blue, silver markings trailing along its back like constellations.
Its nine tails swayed behind it, and its eyes—a piercing violet—locked onto Axel immediately.
Tempo tensed beside him.
The fox creature tilted its head, amused.
Axel whistled. “Damn. That’s way cooler than I expected.”
Iris smirked. “This is Nyra.”
Nyra sat elegantly beside her, tails curling around her paws.
Tempo, always one for unnecessary dramatics, stood up straight and gave a formal bow.
Nyra huffed softly, as if entertained by his antics.
Axel nudged Iris. “So what’s her deal? She shoot lasers? Control shadows?”
Iris smiled. “She’s a Lunar Tactician. Specialized in foresight and deception.”
Axel blinked. “Wait. Foresight?”
Iris nodded. “She can predict movement patterns. Anticipate an opponent’s strategy before they even execute it.”
Axel let out a low whistle. “That’s crazy.”
Tempo crossed his arms. “That sounds… inconvenient.”
Nyra smirked.
Axel raised an eyebrow. “Did… she just sass you?”
Tempo huffed. “I do not care for this.”
Iris giggled. “She’s always been a little smug.”
Nyra flicked her tail in agreement.
Axel grinned. “I like her already.”
<hr>
A Small Moment of Understanding
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the tension of the past few days fading just a little.
Iris absentmindedly ran her fingers through Nyra’s fur, lost in thought.
Axel glanced at her. “You’re not trying out for the tournament?”
Iris shook her head. “I’m not a front-line fighter. Nyra and I work better as support.”
Axel nodded. That made sense.
Iris hesitated, then added softly—“But I’ll be watching.”
Axel blinked.
Something about the way she said it—so quiet, so sure—made his chest feel weird again.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Guess that means I can’t suck, huh?”
Iris smiled. “I’d prefer if you didn’t.”
Axel grinned. “No pressure.”
Iris just looked at him, her violet eyes catching the last bit of twilight glow.
And for a moment—just a moment—Axel forgot about the tournament.
Forgot about Blackthorn.
Forgot about everything except the fact that he really, really liked the way she looked at him.
<hr>
The Night Before Everything Changes
As the sky turned dark, they finally stood.
Nyra stretched, then flicked her tails before vanishing into light, returning to her Cipher Band.
Iris glanced at Axel. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Axel smirked. “Yeah. You’re stuck with me.”
Iris smiled. “Good.”
Then, before he could think about it too much, she turned and walked away.
Axel watched her go, Tempo staring at him the whole time.
When Axel finally looked at him, Tempo raised an eyebrow.
Axel scowled. “Not a word.”
Tempo smirked. “Oh, I wasn’t going to say anything.”
Then, after a pause—
“But I am thinking many things.”
Axel groaned. “I hate that you’re smart now.”
Tempo grinned. “You’ll live.”
Axel wasn’t so sure.
Because tomorrow?
Everything was about to change.