Lysander had already returned to his normal form.
The process wasn't slow or painful. It was like exhaling after holding your breath for an eternity. His body shrank, his fur lost its supernatural glow, and his eyes returned to those of an elegant cat—though now they shone with a new intensity.
He ran to Celestia.
"I'm sorry!" he said, kneeling beside her. "I didn't mean to hurt you!"
Celestia lay on a broken slab, her right foreleg bent unnaturally, dried blood on her muzzle. She opened one eye.
"You have nothing to apologize for," she said, her voice weak but clear. "You proved yourself better than me. And that… is respected."
She paused. Then smiled.
"I'm proud of you, brother."
Lysander bowed his head, moved.
"Thank you, sister."
At that moment, Selene entered the field with firm steps.
"Elves!" she commanded. "Bring mandrake salve, phoenix-thread bandages, and black moon elixir!"
Three house-elves appeared instantly, floating trays laden with vials, herbs, and bandages glowing with healing magic.
Nathael knelt beside Celestia.
"Can you walk?"
"Not in my dreams," she said. "But I can bear it."
The elves got to work. One applied a cooling salve that dulled the pain instantly. Another wrapped a bandage that adjusted itself to her leg. The third made her drink a silvery liquid that made her blink with renewed vitality.
"Thank you," Celestia said, her voice stronger now.
"You're coming with me," Nathael said, lifting her gently. "You won't be alone."
And so, as the stadium prepared for the official announcement, Nathael left with Celestia in his arms, leaving behind rubble, glory, and defeat.
-----------------
In the Stadium
The eight competitors gathered at the center of the field—though Nathael and Celestia were absent. The others stood wide-eyed:
Karl with Orin.
Ingrid and Calypso.
Elias and Hans, silent, observing.
Lukas and Kael, laughing at something only they understood.
Clara and Solène, embracing.
The crowd fell silent.
Sabine entered the field, followed by the three judges: Eldrin (main branch), Maeve (secondary branch), and Newt Scamander.
"Before announcing the final result," Sabine said, "we will reveal the scores so far."
The magical screens lit up.
First Trial: Intellect and Strategy
• Anneliese and Lysander: 29/30
• Nathael and Celestia: 27/30
• Elisabeth and Nyra: 25/30
• Karl and Orin: 22/30
• Ingrid and Calypso: 21/30
• Elias and Hans: 20/30
• Lukas and Kael: 19/30
• Clara and Solène: 18/30
Second Trial: Bond with the Companion
• Anneliese and Lysander: 29/30
• Nathael and Celestia: 29/30
• Elisabeth and Nyra: 26/30
• Karl and Orin: 24/30
• Ingrid and Calypso: 23/30
• Elias and Hans: 22/30
• Lukas and Kael: 21/30
• Clara and Solène: 20/30
Third Trial: Combat
• Anneliese and Lysander: 30/30
• Nathael and Celestia: 29/30
• Karl and Orin: 26/30 (semifinalists)
• Elisabeth and Nyra: 26/30 (semifinalists)
• Ingrid and Calypso: 22/30 (first round)
• Elias and Hans: 21/30 (first round)
• Lukas and Kael: 20/30 (first round)
• Clara and Solène: 19/30 (first round)
A murmur rippled through the stadium.
"Both eliminated semifinalists scored the same!" Tobias cried.
"But the judges can award extra merit points!" Mira added.
Sabine nodded.
"The judges have deliberated. In addition to technical scores, merit points are granted for brilliance, creativity, control, and respect for the rules."
Eldrin stepped forward.
"Clara and Solène: +1 point—for elegance in blending modern and ancestral magic."
Maeve continued.
"Lukas and Kael: +1 point—for mastery of speed and rapid spells."
"Elias and Hans: +2 points—for stealth and precision."
"Ingrid and Calypso: +2 points—for tactical strategy."
"Elisabeth and Nyra: +3 points—for courage, disciplined use of forbidden magic, and spirit of learning."
"Karl and Orin: +4 points—for experience, tactical wisdom, and respect for fair duel."
Newt Scamander was last.
"Nathael and Celestia: +5 points—for mastery of ancestral magic, supernatural synchrony, and adaptability in any battlefield. And for their courage in confronting one of the most dangerous figures in magical history."
Applause erupted.
"And finally," Sabine said, "Anneliese and Lysander: +6 points—for absolute mastery, pedagogical use of magic, control in extreme combat, and for proving that true power lies not in strength… but in understanding."
The screens displayed the final totals:
Anneliese and Lysander: 29 + 29 + 30 + 6 = 94/90
Nathael and Celestia: 27 + 29 + 29 + 5 = 90/90
Elisabeth and Nyra: 25 + 26 + 26 + 3 = 80/90
Karl and Orin: 22 + 24 + 26 + 4 = 76/90
…and so on.
Silence fell.
Then—
The stadium exploded.
Fireworks burst in the sky, forming the Grauheim crest. House-elves scattered magical petals glowing with victory runes. The young shouted; the elders wept.
"After eighty years!" an elder cried. "A new champion!"
"And none other than the heiress!" another said.
"Anneliese Grauheim!"
In his room, Nathael heard the celebration. He looked at Celestia, already drifting to sleep under the elixir's effect.
"She won," he said, smiling. "And she deserves it."
Celestia opened one eye.
"Yes. But you… you won something too."
"What?"
"Respect," she said. "And that… is rarer than victory."
Nathael chuckled softly.
-----------------
The valley transformed into a magical carnival.
The younger cousins organized a mini Quidditch match with brooms and a Bludger that escaped twice. The elders sat in circles, sipping elf wine and recounting tales of past Tournaments. Romilda and her fan club handed out flags to everyone—even those who'd cheered for Anneliese.
"Respect is what matters most!" Romilda declared proudly.
Newt Scamander scribbled in his notebook:
"The Grauheims don't compete for glory. They compete for legacy. And today, two souls proved that legacy is in good hands."
---------------------
In Sabine's Chamber
While the valley celebrated, in the east tower, the door sealed with a silencing charm.
Sabine, Selene, Anneliese, and Lysander stood alone.
"Congratulations," Sabine said, a rare smile on her lips. "You didn't just win the Tournament. You proved yourselves worthy of the Grauheim name."
Anneliese bowed her head.
"Thank you, Mother."
"But now," Sabine said, her voice firm again, "things get serious."
She placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"You are the one chosen to go after Williams and Guillermo."
Anneliese didn't hesitate.
"I know."
"It will be a dangerous journey," Sabine said. "Not just because of traps, guardians, or relics. But because we don't know what you'll face. If you cross into another world… the rules you know no longer apply."
"I understand."
"When you enter that other realm," Sabine continued, "trust no one. Not even if they claim to know Williams. Not even if they offer help. Magic in other planes can be… seductive. It may show you what you wish to see."
Anneliese nodded.
"I know how mirror magic works."
"Good," Sabine said. "And remember: you're free to use any magic you wish. Even dark magic. Even forbidden arts. As long as it saves you… and Lysander."
Lysander purred softly.
"I'll do whatever it takes."
Selene approached her son.
"You've already proven you're more than a timid cat," she said, pride in her voice. "You are White Moon. And that… is a legacy I never thought possible."
Lysander lowered his gaze.
"I only wanted to protect her."
"And you did," Selene said. "But don't forget: that form is not just power. It's responsibility. Because when you transform, you don't just change your body. You change your soul."
Anneliese pulled a parchment from her tunic.
"The coordinates Williams left… are here."
Sabine nodded.
"The location is in the Yunnan mountains. But the true entrance… lies behind a waterfall that flows only during equinox."
"The next equinox is in three days," Anneliese said.
"Then," Sabine said, "prepare."
She turned to the window.
"The whole family will be with you in spirit. But you… must go alone—with Lysander."
Anneliese nodded.
"I will."
"And Anneliese," Sabine added, without looking at her, "bring your father home."
"I will," she repeated.