Chapter 72. Beach Games Showdown

Celeste’s POV

“Seriously?!” I exclaimed. “We already had a bout just a few days ago, and now we’re doing this again? What exactly do these Stormclaws want from us?”

Eryndor shrugged, planting his feet firmly in the sand as he sheathed the sword he’d just drawn from beneath the beach. “You want to fight right here?” he asked, his tone calm but challenging.

“Hey, watch it, human!” Lumea called out, stepping quickly in front of Lucen, the Stormclaw champion. “This isn’t a real battle—just a best-of-five beach tournament to decide who keeps this spot.”

“And if we lose,” Nora piped up, her brow furrowed in mock concern, “we just go over to the jellyfish side and let them shock us all day?”

“Of course,” Cira sneered at her cousin’s lightning ability. “Isn’t that your whole shtick—getting shocked and stuff?” She lifted one eyebrow, her eyes locking onto Nora’s in that familiar, aggravating way.

“Sure, why not? This might actually be fun!” Nyraa ch