the remodeled dining hall enveloped us as we took our seats at a circular wooden table, surrounded by friends. The high arched ceiling and elegant chandeliers created a majestic atmosphere that was only enhanced by the smell of freshly cooked food drifting through the air. The academy outdid itself with the renovations of the dining hall.
I looked down at my plate, piled with roasted chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and a mix of colorful vegetables. Beside me, Nathaniel dug into his own meal, consisting of seared salmon and wild rice.
“Feels like ages since we had a normal dinner together,” I said, taking a bite of my perfectly seasoned chicken. “I almost forgot how amazing the food is here. So much better than eating in the Assembly Hall.”
Normal might not have been the most accurate word to describe our situation, but it felt good to be back at Empyrean Academy after everything that happened in the Chamber of Elysium. With Abigail’s help, Nathaniel and I managed to explain all the events that unfolded to Professor Braddock, who seemed both exasperated that we put ourselves in such danger but relieved that the nightmare of the evil spirit’s rampage had finally ended.
Not only did we vanquish evil, but we also conquered finals, and everyone would be heading home for winter break that weekend. Nathaniel and I already made plans to visit each other’s families for the holidays and then spend the second week at the academy for some quality alone time together.
Nathaniel’s eyebrows furrowed into a scowl as he swallowed a mouthful of salmon, and the conversation at the table grew increasingly loud and boisterous.
“It would be nice if we could eat in peace!” Nathaniel’s gruff voice cut through the chatter like a whip.
“How come Eva’s cheerfulness hasn’t rubbed off on you yet?” Celine teased him, then promptly continued her conversation with our friends.
Even though he still maintained his brooding demeanor, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I knew there was a softness beneath that hard exterior, and I cherished every moment when it revealed itself.
Dean’s laughter washed over the table as he bantered with Jessica, Sara, and Celine. Alan chuckled, adding fuel to the lighthearted argument that had erupted between them. It was a lovely reprieve from all the chaos that had been plaguing us.
Suddenly, Celine’s laughter pierced through the dining hall, ricocheting off the walls as the ecstatic, unrestrained sound filled the room, drawing smiles from everyone around us, except Nathaniel, of course.
“What the—” Nathaniel looked at her in alarm.
Celine doubled over in her seat, her face contorting with joy. “Say it again, Dean,” she said, her eyes now gleaming with tears of laughter. “Tell them what you just said to Jessica.”
Jessica’s eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed bright red. Her mouth pursed as she avoided eye contact with us, nervous about the attention. Sara tried to hold in her laugh to support her sister, but it wasn’t working.
Dean shot Jessica a mischievous look. “You must be a magician, because every time I look at you, everything else disappears.”
We all erupted into uncontrollable laughter, our heads thrown back and our mouths wide open in delight. Our eyes sparkled with mirth, clapping and wiping tears away from the corners of their eyes. Even my grouchy Nathaniel couldn’t hide his smile as he draped an arm around my shoulder.
“Cut it out!” Jessica pouted, throwing a light punch at Dean’s shoulder. Her eyes sparkled as she tried to stifle her bashful smile.
“Dean, you are the worst.” Nathaniel shook his head.
“Admit it,” Dean protested with that charming twinkle in his eyes. “It’s a good one.”
“Definitely not.” Alan chuckled.
As I watched my friends joking and laughing, an immense thankfulness overwhelmed me. These were the people who had become my family at Empyrean Academy, and I couldn’t imagine my life without them. I was grateful for every late-night study session, every shared meal, every superpowered game, and every moment spent laughing until our sides hurt.
“Everything okay, Eva?” Nathaniel whispered in my ear, sensing my sudden silence.
“More than okay, Nate,” I replied softly, looking up at him with a smile. “I’m just realizing how incredibly lucky I am to have found all of you. To have this place.”
“Me too,” he said. His eyes filled with warmth and love as they met mine. “We may have been brought here by fate or chance, but it’s what we’ve built together that truly matters.”
His arm around my shoulders pulled me closer to him, and he leaned in and gave me a quick, tender kiss on the lips.
As I gazed around the table at my friends—my family—I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. And that was worth more than all the magic in the world.
After saying our goodnights to the others, Nathaniel and I took an evening stroll around the academy grounds. The cool night air softly brushed against my cheeks, making me shiver in delight. We wandered into the courtyard, bathing in the soft moonlight that cast ethereal shadows on the cobblestone pathways.
Nathaniel stopped in front of the fountain in the center of the courtyard, the water gently cascading down its marble tiers.
“Remember this place?” he asked softly.
The night was clear and crisp, the stars shining brightly above. A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the trees and carried the fragrance of the moonflowers that climbed the trellis near the old stone fountain.
“Of course,” I replied, my head tilting up to meet his gaze. “This is where you first kissed me.” My heart fluttered at the sweet memory, a moment that now felt like a lifetime ago.
A slow smile curved his lips as he dipped his head, bringing them tantalizingly close to mine. “I seem to recall you kissing me back.”
“Maybe I did,” I teased, my hands sliding up to link behind his neck.
“No ‘maybe’ about it,” he growled.
“I remember you had your hand up my dress already. What would you have done if we hadn’t been interrupted?”
“I would have taken you right on that bench.” His eyes flickered wickedly.
I scoffed with amusement. “No, you wouldn’t have!”
“Don’t think so? I’ll take you right now.” His hand squeezed my bottom.
“Stop it!” I laughed and swatted his chest.
His mouth claimed mine, swift and hard, and I sensed the depth of his love and longing in that kiss. It filled me with warmth and wonder—that I had found my other half in Nathaniel and that, together, we were so much more than either of us alone.
When we finally drew apart, I was breathless, my lips tingling. Nathaniel drew me into his arms, and I relaxed against his chest, soaking in his warmth and the steady beat of his heart.
“We’ve come a long way since then,” he remarked, his breath stirring my hair.
I nodded in disbelief. “Now, we’re Elysium Warriors, destined to protect the world.”
The words carried an unimaginable weight but also infinite possibilities.
“What do you think the future holds for us as Elysium Warriors?” Nathaniel asked, his voice soft and introspective.
I gazed up at the stars. My chest filled with excitement thinking about our life beyond Empyrean Academy.
“Adventure, for sure,” I said, grinning at the thought of exploring new places and fighting evil together. “And maybe… making a difference in the world?”
“Sounds perfect,” Nathaniel replied, his smile mirroring my own.
“Even a normal life?” I asked hesitantly, suddenly aware of the burden of our responsibilities. “You know, with a house and a family someday?”
“Of course,” he reassured me, his voice never wavering. “We’ll find a way to balance it all. I’m not letting go of this, Eva. Not for anything.” His eyes gleamed down at me, soft with affection. “You’re my heart, Evangeline. My everything.”
“I love you, Nate,” I whispered.
“I love you too, Eva,” he murmured, his warm breath tingling against my skin.
There was no doubt that our destiny as Elysium Warriors would be dangerous and challenging, but I knew we could overcome any challenge this crazy world threw at us. Together, we were stronger and braver, our powers amplified by our love for each other.
As we stood there in front of the fountain under the soft glow of the moonlight, the gentle murmur of flowing water provided a soothing soundtrack. Our fingers entwined, and Nathaniel pulled two coins from his pocket.
“Want to make a wish?” he asked with a grin and placed one of the shiny coins in my hand.
“Alright,” I said, closing my eyes and focusing all my thoughts on the one desire that burned brightest in my heart:
I want to protect everyone I love and fulfill my destiny as Elysium Warriors at Nathaniel’s side.
As I opened my eyes, I tossed my coin into the fountain. An unwavering certainty coursed through my veins, grounding me to the earth and filling my life with meaning.
“Did you make your wish?” Nathaniel asked, his usually turbulent eyes glinting with hope for the future.
“More than a wish,” I replied softly, intertwining my fingers with his. “A vow.”
He nodded, purposeful, knowing exactly what I wished for.
“I have something that I want you to have,” Nathaniel said.
His strong hands carefully raised mine together, his right hand skimming over the fingers of my left hand. I felt a warm metal slipping on my ring finger. As his hand moves away, a shiny gold ring glimmered in the light.
A lump formed in my throat as I examined the intricate design etched into the metal, a family crest that featured two crossed swords with a shield in between. I recognized it right away – the gold ring Nathaniel always wore on his pinky finger, still toasty from his touch.
“Nate.” I looked up at him, my voice trembling. “What…why…?”
He smiled softly. “It was my grandfather’s. I want you to have it as my promise to you until I can give you a different kind of ring.”
I never expected Nathaniel to give me something so special. It meant more to me than I could ever express, so I just blinked away the tears that had gathered in my eyes.
He pulled me closer and pressed his forehead against mine. Our hearts beat as one, united by a love that transcended time and space and bound by a shared commitment to our destiny.
“So, you ready to do this?” Nathaniel hesitated for a moment. “Protect the world?”
“Only if you’re by my side.” I gazed into his eyes.
“Of course. We’re in this together.” Nathaniel smiled.
I smiled back at him with immense joy. “Always.”
“Always,” he agreed, sealing our vow with a tender kiss, a kiss that was all at once familiar and new, full of passion and promise.
As we turned our gaze toward the sky, a shooting star streaked across the velvety expanse, leaving behind a trail of bright, shimmering light. The stars shone like a million diamonds ready to guide us on our path as the new Elysium Warriors.
Hand in hand, we stepped forward into the unknown, embracing our destiny with open hearts and unbreakable spirits. And with every step we took, I knew that no matter what the future held, Nathaniel and I would face it together. Our story was just beginning.
