The clang of Godric's blade reverberated through the tower, a metallic sound that seemed to freeze time. Volg's eyes widened in abject terror, his reflection staring back at him from the gleaming silver blade, now embedded in the floor mere inches from his head. His breath hitched, his body trembling, utterly powerless beneath the Lion's shadow.
Godric stood motionless, his crimson eyes wide and unblinking as Raine's arms wrapped tightly around him. She clung to him, her body shaking as she buried her tear-streaked face into his back. The warmth of her touch and the quiet desperation in her sobs broke through the haze of fury that had clouded his mind.
"Godric, please," she whispered. "That's enough. Stop… this isn't you."
Her words pierced through him like the sharpest blade. His gaze dropped to the sword in his hand, still trembling from his iron grip. Slowly, his eyes shifted to Volg, sprawled helplessly on the ground, his face pale, his chest rising and falling in shallow, frantic breaths.
The weight of the moment crashed over Godric. The fire that had fueled him moments ago flickered and died. His grip faltered, and the blade slipped from his fingers, falling to the stone floor with a resounding clang. He sank to his knees, the strength that had carried him this far finally leaving his body.
Behind him, Raine tightened her embrace, her tears soaking into his torn and bloodied robes. "You're not a killer, Godric," she whispered. "You're better than this."
Volg's body shuddered, his eyes rolling back as he succumbed to unconsciousness, collapsing limp and still on the shattered ground. The battle was over, and the tower, once filled with chaos, fell into a profound silence.
****
"The duel is over!" Gabriel's voice echoed through the tower as he raised his hand, the finality in his tone silencing the room.
Helena's eyes widened in horror, Gabriel's earlier words ringing in her mind. Raine had interrupted the battle. The rules were clear, and the consequences seemed inescapable. Victory should belong to Volg and the Calishans by default.
"No…" Helena whispered.
"The victor…" Gabriel paused, his gaze sweeping across the room before landing on Godric. His hand gestured toward him. "Gryffindor!" he declared.
Helena's jaw dropped as her expression frozen in disbelief. "Wait… what?" she blurted, turning sharply to the Harbinger for clarification.
Gabriel met her gaze as he cleared his throat. "Ahem, it is evident that Mister Dryfus was already unconscious before Miss Raine intervened," he explained. "As such, the duel had already reached its conclusion. Mister Gryffindor is the rightful victor." He arched an eyebrow. "Do you have any objections, Miss Abbot?"
Helena blinked, her confusion melting into relief. A smile tugged at her lips. "No objections, Mister Greymark. None at all."
She turned her gaze back to the battlefield, where Rowena and Helga were already rushing to Godric's side. They wrapped their arms around him and Raine in a shared embrace, their faces alight with joy and tears of relief. Salazar approached more slowly, a rare, genuine smile softening his features as he joined the group.
In that moment, the tension of the battle melted away, replaced by the warmth of victory and the strength of unbreakable bonds.
****
"Well, you're looking a little worse for wear, Gryffindor," Salazar said, a labored grin pulling at his lips. "Though I must admit, war-torn does suit you."
Godric glanced up at his friend, a faint but pained chuckle escaping him. "Bet you were thinking I wouldn't pull it off."
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't cross my mind," Salazar replied, massaging his neck. "As you know, these refined features wouldn't pair well with a slave collar." He cast a sly glance at Raine, his tone softening slightly. "Not that there's anything inherently wrong with them, of course."
Raine knelt before Godric, her golden eyes shimmering with tears. She reached out, her hand gently caressing his cheek. "You did it, my love," she whispered. "All of this… for me."
Godric leaned into her touch, his own gaze tender. "For us," he said softly before their lips met in a deep, heartfelt kiss.
Helga chuckled, leaning slightly against Rowena, who had crossed her arms with a small, knowing smile. "Looks like our Lion has earned his keep," Helga teased.
Rowena rolled her eyes, though her smile lingered. "Let him have his moment, Helga. He's earned it."
All eyes turned as the rhythmic echo of footsteps grew louder, signaling the approach of Gabriel and Helena. The Harbinger's piercing gaze swept across the group, pausing momentarily on Volg, now sprawled on the ground and being attended to by the Enforcers. His expression betrayed nothing but cold detachment.
"Hmph," Gabriel muttered with a faint shrug. He shifted his focus to Godric and his friends, inhaling deeply as though to punctuate the weight of his next words. "As per the Old Ways and the Old Laws, the conditions of the Bellum Inter Duos have been satisfied, Mister Gryffindor," he declared.
"The therianthrope slave known as Raine is hereby released into your custody. All associated terms will be fulfilled. Furthermore, the Calishans are officially disbanded, and their members are marked as Excommunicado."
He glanced around the ruined clock tower. "Our business here is concluded," Gabriel added, casting a courteous bow. "Ladies and gentlemen, good evening."
The towering doors suddenly burst open, slamming against the walls with a deafening crash as a wave of Prefects swarmed into the chamber, wands drawn and eyes scanning the destruction with alarm.
"What in the Old Gods is going on here?!" Lucian's sharp gaze darted around the chaos. His eyes settled on the shattered floor and the faint scent of smoke lingering in the air.
The members of the Congregation began tapping the badges pinned to their robes, each vanishing in flashes of brilliant light, leaving streaks of luminescent trails behind. Gabriel's gaze locked with Lucian's as a sly smirk crept onto his face.
"Gabriel!" Lucian growled, stepping forward, his teeth bared.
The Harbinger's smirk widened as he tapped his badge, disappearing in a flash of light before the Head Prefect could move another step. Helena lingered for a moment, her hesitant gaze flickering between Godric and his friends before she, too, tapped her badge and vanished.
The Prefects surged into the tower, their movements precise and calculated as they began to assess the scene. Meanwhile, Godric held Raine tightly in his arms, both clutching each other as if the rest of the world had faded away. Salazar, Helga, and Rowena exchanged uneasy glances, realizing they were now the only ones left.
"Well," Helga said, glancing nervously at the swarm of Prefects. "I don't think I've got enough pocket confetti to handle this crowd."
****
The Congregation watched with bated breath as the Prefects flooded the clock tower, their authoritative presence rippling through the screen. Worry etched itself onto every face, the collective atmosphere tense and uncertain. Then, without warning, the feed abruptly cut to black, leaving the room in a stunned silence. A few murmurs rose from the crowd, but most sat frozen, their minds racing with unanswered questions.
Workner turned to Serfence, his face pale and drawn. "We need to move," he muttered, already on his feet. Serfence gave him a curt nod, the two of them weaving through the throng as they hurried toward the exit, urgency in their steps.
High above the arena, Genji sat at the illustrious table, the glow of his personal screen flickering off as he rose. He took a slow, measured breath, his hand reaching for the scabbard of his katana, which rested against the edge of the table. As he turned to leave, a low, melodic voice broke the silence.
"It appears you were right about this Gryffindor," the voice mused, smooth yet laced with intrigue. "He is... remarkable. A fine addition to my Clan, perhaps."
Genji paused, his hand resting lightly on the katana's hilt. He chuckled softly, his tone both amused and resolute. "With all due respect, my dear friend, I believe that not even you can tame the Lion of Ignis."
He cast a glance over his shoulder, his sharp eyes meeting the silhouette of the speaker draped in shadow. "None of us can."
The figure did not respond, their form remaining shrouded in mystery. Genji turned back, his steps echoing faintly as he strode toward the exit.
****
The hours following the duel in the clock tower stretched endlessly for Godric and his friends. What should have been a triumphant reprieve felt weighed down by exhaustion and the unknown. They had spent the better part of the day in the Hospital Wing, under the ever-watchful eyes of Doctor Adani. The healer's lectures on their recklessness had been relentless, her words piercing even through their fatigue. Despite her stern demeanor, her care was evident in the precision of her healing spells and the way she fussed over each injury.
As they recovered, whispers of the duel spread like wildfire throughout the school. Every corridor buzzed with hushed conversations. Students speculated on the outcome, teachers tread carefully around the topic, and even the slaves exchanged furtive glances and murmurs about what had transpired. Despite the fervor, details about Volg and the Calishans remained frustratingly scarce. Their fate was shrouded in silence, even within the guarded walls of the Hospital Wing.
Meanwhile, Professor Workner had personally taken Raine into his care. Keeping her out of sight and safe from the prying eyes of curious students and faculty alike was his priority. Although Godric knew many of the professors were on his side, he was grateful for Workner's protective efforts. Raine's well-being now lay outside the reach of those who might seek to undermine their victory.
Godric understood the gravity of the situation. He'd known the consequences would come, and he was ready to face them. Despite everything, he felt a quiet certainty—by the laws of The Congregation, Raine was his. No one would take her away from him again.
Now, the four friends sat outside the headmaster's office. Fresh bandages wrapped tightly around cuts and bruises, some wounds still raw and healing. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation. Salazar leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his expression calm but unreadable. Helga sat beside him, her hands folded neatly in her lap, though her amber eyes betrayed the storm of thoughts swirling within.
Rowena, however, couldn't mask her anxiety. She tapped her foot incessantly, her breaths shallow as she wrestled with the tension. Godric sat silently, his crimson eyes focused on the door ahead. Whatever awaited them inside, he was ready.
"It's over. It's all over," Rowena clutched at her hair, her sapphire eyes wide with panic. "They're going to expel us. No, I'm going to be expelled. I just know it!"
"Rowena, shush," Helga said gently, trying to calm her. "It's probably not that bad."
"Don't tell me to calm down!" Rowena snapped. "I will not be told to calm down! This was a terrible idea. I knew it in my gut, and now look where we are. I'm going to get thrown out of Excalibur! Never in the history of our house has a Ravenclaw so much has been in detention, let alone expelled!"
She got up and started pacing, wringing her hands. "I've dishonored my family. Tarnished their name. Oh, they'll disown me for sure. I'll be a disgrace. A pariah!"
Salazar leaned toward Helga. "Is she always like this?"
"Pretty much," Helga replied with a weary sigh.
Rowena stopped pacing, fixing them both with an incredulous look. "I heard that!"
"Of course, you did, Row," Helga said, managing a small smile. "But you don't need to worry. You'll see. Everything's going to be fine."
Rowena threw her hands in the air. "Fine? Fine?! We've just upended every rule of the school, and you think everything's going to be fine?"
Salazar smirked. "Honestly, Rowena, for someone so clever, you're being awfully dramatic."
"Dramatic?!" Rowena sputtered, turning to glare at him.
Godric, still seated, finally spoke up. "Enough, Rowena." His crimson eyes met hers, and though his tone was steady, it carried a heavy weight. "I'll tell Headmaster Blaise it was all my doing. If anyone is going to be expelled, it'll be me."
Rowena, Helga, and Salazar turned to him. Their eyes wide with disbelief.
"Godric, no!" Helga protested. "We did this together. We're in this together. You're not taking the fall for us."
"I can't believe I'm saying this," Salazar interjected, his expression uncharacteristically serious, "but Helga's right. We followed you into this willingly. I cannot, in good conscience, allow you to take all the blame."
Rowena took a deep breath, her panic momentarily quelled. She placed a steady hand on his shoulder. "They're right, Godric. We're your friends. We knew the risks going into this, and we accepted them. What matters now is that Raine is safe. You did that. We did that."
Godric hesitated, his gaze flickering between them. "But what about the consequences?"
"What was it you said, Godric?" Helga chimed in with a warm smile. "That we're family?" She gave him a playful nudge in the side. "Well, family sticks together, no matter what. Besides, even if we are expelled, I've still got that foolproof plan to sneak back in as House Elves. The disguises are still ready!"
Salazar groaned, rolling his eyes. "Please, I'd rather be cleaning chamber pots than go along with that ridiculous plan."
Helga grinned. "Suit yourself."
Rowena's expression softened. "Bottom line is, Godric, we're with you. To the very end. Right by your side."
Godric's lips curved into a small, genuine smile, his gaze full of gratitude. "Thank you. All of you."
The heavy doors to the headmaster's office creaked open, the sound echoing ominously through the corridor. The four friends exchanged a tense glance, their expressions a mix of determination and trepidation. The air seemed to grow heavier as they stared into the imposing room beyond.
"Well," Godric muttered, rising to his feet with a sigh. "No point in delaying it."
Helga, Rowena, and Salazar followed suit, each drawing a deep breath. "Here we go," Helga said with a nervous smile, though the tremble in her voice betrayed her unease.
****
As they stepped through the doorway, the towering shelves of books, glowing enchanted instruments, and the headmaster's massive desk came into view. The room was both awe-inspiring and oppressive, its grandeur designed to remind those entering of the weight of authority.
Headmaster Blaise sat behind his grand, ornate desk, the sharp intensity of his gaze slicing through the room from above his steepled fingers. His long, flowing white hair and beard cascaded over his royal blue robes, lending him an air of unyielding authority. Any semblance of warmth in his usual demeanor was notably absent, replaced by a stony, unreadable expression.
The four friends swallowed hard, their nerves tightening as their footsteps echoed loudly in the imposing chamber. Each step seemed heavier than the last as they approached the desk, their collective unease palpable in the still air. Blaise's eyes followed their every move, sharp and unwavering, a silent reminder of the gravity of the moment.
"Let's get this over with," Salazar muttered under his breath, his usual wit subdued by the gravity of the moment.
Godric glanced back at his friends briefly, his eyes filled with resolve. They all stepped forward as one, standing shoulder to shoulder, ready to face whatever awaited them. There was a pause in the air as the old man looked upon them.
"Well," Headmaster Blaise finally broke the silence. "I suppose I don't need to recount the events that led the four of you here today." His piercing gaze swept over them, settling momentarily on each, his disappointment palpable.
The four stood silently, their eyes cast downward, the weight of his words pressing on their shoulders.
"Do you grasp the gravity of what has transpired?" Blaise's tone sharpened, each syllable cutting through the stillness. "The damage you've inflicted upon Excalibur—a structure and symbol that has stood since before any of you were even a thought—cannot be understated. But vandalism?" He waved a dismissive hand. "That, I might overlook."
His voice rose, making them flinch. "Engaging in a No Quarter duel sanctioned by The Congregation, however? Have you so quickly forgotten the fate of Mister Garetty just two years ago?"
His steely eyes bore into Godric. "I would have expected such reckless behavior from you, Mister Gryffindor." He shifted his gaze to Helga. "And you as well, Miss Hufflepuff."
Finally, he turned his disappointment to Salazar and Rowena. "But you two?" His brow furrowed deeply. "Words cannot fully convey the depth of my disappointment in all of you."
"With all due respect, Headmaster Blaise," Godric spoke, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "I had no other choice. Volg was going to send Raine to the Mills." He stepped forward as his hand pressed to his chest. "Do you understand what that means? What that would have done to her?"
His crimson eyes burned as his teeth ground together. "And he could only do that because of Creedy—the Caretaker you hired, you trusted! He was stealing from the school for who knows how long, and yet you did nothing!"
"Godric," Rowena placed a steadying hand on his shoulder.
Godric shrugged her off, his anger boiling over. "I was going to lose her!" His gaze locked on the headmaster. "And where were you while all of this was happening? Off on sabbatical to Gods know where!"
"We needed you! I needed you! And you. Weren't. There." He shouted. "So don't sit there and—"
"Godric!" Salazar's sharp tone cut through the tension, his gaze meeting Godric's with a warning edge. "That's enough."
Blaise sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging as if bearing the weight of years of mistakes. "You're right, Mister Gryffindor... Godric, you're absolutely right." His voice carried a rare tone of humility, drawing surprised glances from all four of them.
"I have failed you," he admitted, his blue eyes meeting Godric's fiery gaze. "I have failed Miss Raine. I have failed this school. The extent of Mister Creedy's crimes—and the negligence that allowed them—rests solely on my shoulders." He paused. His gaze momentarily distant. "For that, I am deeply sorry."
The four students exchanged looks of shock as Blaise continued, his tone heavy with regret. "I gave Mister Creedy multiple chances to right his wrongs," he said, his words slow and deliberate. "A mistake I now regret more than you can imagine. I remember him when he was a student here, not unlike the four of you. He was full of hope, full of life, and eager to prove himself. I clung to the foolish belief that he could return to being that boy—the one I had nurtured and taught so many years ago."
Blaise leaned forward slightly, his piercing gaze softening with a mix of sadness and resolve. "But faith, as I have learned far too late, is sometimes a fool's endeavor." He sighed again. "And that lesson is mine and mine alone."
"I should have been here," the Headmaster said. "The fact that you, mere children, had to shoulder such responsibilities is an irrefutable failure—on my part and on the part of every one of us entrusted with your welfare. This should never have been your burden to bear."
"Professor Blaise…" Godric began.
Blaise drew a steadying breath, his expression hardening slightly. "Nevertheless, what has transpired here extends far beyond the walls of this school, and I'm afraid the consequences do as well." His sharp blue eyes flickered toward the shadows. "Isn't that correct... Adjudicator?"
All heads turned as a figure emerged from behind the headmaster's chair. A young man, his jet-black hair slicked back, stepped forward with a deliberate stride. His square, frameless glasses glinted in the light, reflecting the piercing green eyes behind them. Dressed impeccably in a tailored navy-blue suit, a long overcoat hung over his shoulders, the emblem of The Clock Tower gleaming on the lapel.
He adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping over the group with measured precision. Godric, Helga, and Salazar exchanged confused glances, their brows furrowing in unison. Rowena, however, froze, her sapphire eyes widening, her jaw dropping slightly as she whispered.
"Bran…" she said, her voice trembling. "Brother."