Arcbound: Tale of The Guardians

Jay stood at the far end of the university courtyard, now dressed in a casual student uniform. His dark hair was ruffled just enough to look stylish without trying, and a pair of headphones rested around his neck. The shimmering mark near his temple remained, barely visible except to the five Guardians.

Carl gawked. "It's still wild seeing you like that, Jay."

Jay gave a small grin. "Helps me blend in. Can't exactly train you in full sage robes without attracting questions."

Henry narrowed his eyes. "Still weird. You went from thunder-summoning, staff-swinging ancient dude to… some guy I'd probably ignore in a hallway."

Kai shrugged. "I like it. Makes him feel like one of us."

Jay clapped his hands. "Speaking of feeling like one of you—training starts today. And we need a safe, enclosed space. Not the amphitheater. Too exposed."

The group exchanged glances.

Carl raised his hand. "Actually... I might have something."

Natasha raised a brow. "You have a hideout we don't know about?"

Carl smirked. "Sort of. I live in the school's private compound—remember that lady at registration? My house is close by, and the backyard's huge. Secluded. No one ever goes there."

Jay nodded. "Perfect. Lead the way."

---

Carl's Backyard – 45 minutes later

The sun hovered lazily above as the group stepped into Carl's backyard—a surprisingly massive space with overgrown grass, an old stone well, and a small shed leaning like it had secrets.

"Okay, wow," Nora said. "This place is... legit."

"Yeah," Natasha added. "Didn't expect Carl to be rich-rustic."

Carl spread his arms. "Welcome to Wind Manor."

Kai rolled his eyes. "We're not calling it that."

Jay stood in the center and raised a hand. Symbols glowed briefly in the air, forming a shimmering dome that flickered once, then vanished.

"There," he said. "Soundproofed. Concealed. No one can hear or see what happens in here. Time to begin."

Jay paced slowly in front of them. "Today, we unlock what's buried beneath the surface. Not borrowed strength. Not fragments. But your true elemental bond."

He snapped his fingers.

A ripple of energy pulsed through the field. The wind stirred. The ground vibrated slightly. Light bent. Water shimmered from the grass. Flame danced along the edges of his palm.

"Each of you will reach for what is yours. You won't just use your powers—you'll feel them."

Carl stepped forward, flexing. "Wind's got this."

Jay raised a brow. "Do you know its name yet?"

Carl blinked. "What?"

Before Jay could answer, a rush of air spiraled around Carl's shoulder, forming into a glowing eagle.

"Zephro," the eagle said. "We've met."

Carl grinned. "Right! Zephro. Still cool."

Natasha snorted. "Show off."

From behind her, a sleek salamander with ember-glowing skin floated into view. It hovered beside her like a smirking flame.

"You already know me," it said. "Solari."

Jay nodded approvingly. "Fire and Wind—both connected. Good."

He turned to Nora. "Water is fluid and memory-bound. Let it come to you."

Nora closed her eyes. She reached out—not with her hands, but her thoughts. A soft chill touched the air. Then—

A shimmering penguin floated beside her, regal and composed.

"Kelko," it said, bowing slightly.

Nora blinked. "You're... floating?"

"All Shigami float," Jay said. "They're spirits, not pets."

Kai folded his arms. "Guess that means mine's just being lazy."

A second later, a turtle shimmered into existence beside him—its body outlined in green and brown energy. Its shell gleamed with runic marks.

"I am Gorun," it said, floating steadily beside him.

Kai blinked. "Oh. You float too. Huh."

Carl whispered, "This just got way cooler."

Henry watched the others, expression tight. Lightning sparked faintly around his fingers—but nothing formed.

Jay watched him. "You're close. But you're thinking of it like a sprint. Lightning isn't just speed—it's direction. Precision."

Henry frowned. "I don't get it."

Jay pointed to his chest. "Then stop thinking. Feel."

Henry took a breath. Let the static rise through his skin.

CRACK—

A flash of silver shot beside him, and a sleek panther materialized, made of living light.

"I am Auris," it said. "You were never alone."

Henry's eyes widened. "You're real."

Auris padded beside him, tail flicking sparks. "As real as thunder."

Jay looked at them all, now standing with their Shigamis, equal in power, presence, and form.

"No more doubts," he said. "Now we train."

---

Training did not go smoothly.

Nora tried to freeze a stream of water, but it exploded into mist.

Carl attempted to shape a whirlwind, only to get flipped upside-down.

Kai crushed a rock too hard and flew backward.

Henry accidentally zapped himself twice.

Even Natasha, usually composed, lit her sleeve on fire.

"I said focus," Jay called. "Not self-destruct!"

"I'm trying!" Carl yelled, still dizzy.

Jay waved a hand, dousing the flame on Natasha's jacket.

"Elemental mastery isn't brute force. It's relationship," Jay said. "You don't control your element. You understand it."

Gorun, floating beside Kai, rumbled, "Try grounding yourself before lifting the earth."

Kai took a breath. Focused. This time, a small boulder rose—not perfectly, but steadily.

Nora froze a string of droplets between her hands—delicate, precise.

Carl twisted the air in a spiral, sending leaves swirling upward.

Henry shot lightning that danced across a branch without burning it.

Natasha raised a flame and split it between both palms, steady.

Zephro chirped. "Now you're cooking."

Solari rolled its eyes. "Don't encourage the bird."

Jay crossed his arms, satisfied. "It begins. Slowly. But it begins."

As dusk crept in, their training wound down. The five stood in a quiet circle, their Shigamis beside them, floating and radiant.

"This is harder than I thought," Nora said.

"But also... kinda amazing," Henry added.

Carl wiped sweat from his brow. "I feel like an anime character."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Natasha muttered, but she was smiling.

Jay nodded. "Tomorrow, we go deeper. Stronger. Sharper."

He stepped back toward the shadows, the setting sun casting golden light across the grass.

"And remember," he said. "You're not just students now. You are Guardians. And the Arc... is only the beginning."