Chapter 283: The day of the festival
15th October, 5031
The already beautiful city of magic, Arcanis, looked even more otherworldly than usual. Decorations of every kind adorned the city, giving it a festive glow, as if the entire place had been dressed for a grand wedding.
Though there was no wedding today, only a festival, the streets and buildings carried a sense of celebration that seemed almost alive.
Red cloths draped from the walls of the houses in elegant semicircles, complemented by handmade flower decorations woven from fabrics. Every piece of decoration seemed deliberately connected to the next, forming an unbroken cascade of color that gave the city a distinctive, harmonious charm.
The streets bustled with people, laughter mixing with the calls of stall owners. Stalls of all shapes and sizes lined the pathways, selling treats, trinkets, and curious artifacts. At the same time, lanterns and magical lights glimmered from every corner, bathing the city in a warm, gentle radiance.
Even the trees, though naturally green, were touched with red dyes that shone softly under the mana-infused lights, giving the entire city a look of magical fire without harming a single leaf.
Empty spaces had been filled with swings and small attractions for children, their delighted shrieks blending with the melody of music that echoed throughout the city. At the center, a massive bonfire rose high, visible from almost every part of Arcanis.
Its flames were unlike any ordinary fire—they radiated warmth without scorching and gently healed the injured who approached, washing over their wounds and leaving them whole.
Those healed would dance around the Eternal Flame, rejoicing in both its magic and its beauty, adding to the rhythm of the festival. Some even started to worship it.
It was evening now, the sun dipping low, casting a golden glow over the city and turning the red and gold decorations into a dreamlike sea of colors. At the quieter end of the city, slightly away from the thickest crowds, two figures walked hand in hand, moving slowly and taking in the spectacle.
"It’s beautiful, even from this close up..."
Elysia whispered, her voice soft, almost breathless. Her eyes sparkled with wonder, reflecting the myriad lights and colors around her. She looked like a child seeing something magical for the first time, every sense absorbed in the moment.
Her dress was a masterpiece of dark elegance, black velvet forming the bodice, embroidered with delicate scarlet lace tracing intricate patterns. From her waist, layers of crimson silk flowed downward in gentle, graceful folds, the edges painted with subtle shadowed designs that caught the eye.
Chains of pearls and tiny gemstones draped across her skirts, twinkling faintly in the evening light, as if constellations had been sewn into the fabric.
Her silver hair fell in soft, weightless waves, luminous against the fading sunlight, framing her figure and enhancing the quiet majesty of her presence. Her eyes, a deep molten crimson, seemed to hold the glow of fire and the richness of fresh blood beneath glass, intense and radiant, yet serene.
Together, gown, hair, and eyes created a vision of breathtaking beauty, impossible to ignore, as if she carried the festival’s magic within herself.
"Yeah, it’s nice, I guess..."
But even more than her, someone else was attracting attention. Next to her, Ash drew the eyes of everyone nearby. He wore a long black coat that reached almost to his boots, lined with deep crimson that shimmered whenever he moved.
A cape hung over his shoulder, draped evenly, with red crystals dangling from its tips like drops of blood, catching the light with each step. Thin chains and metal ornaments ran across his chest, converging at a glowing red gem on his collar that framed his pale, sharp features and gave him a striking presence.
Beneath the coat, a fitted vest and shirt hugged his frame, complemented by slim black trousers tucked neatly into polished boots. Black gloves covered his hands, lending each movement a smooth and deliberate grace.
His white hair fell softly across his face, which was now trimmed a little, falling till his neck, and his icy blue eyes shone like frozen crystal. The contrast of black and red, combined with the calm confidence in his posture, gave him a commanding presence, as if he had stepped directly out of shadow and moonlight.
Together, they looked like a couple who were the most eye-catching and attractive.
"Looks like we should not have dressed this much..." Ash muttered next to Elysia’s ear, pulling her slightly closer.
Elysia gave him an elbow to his ribs, hearing his words.
"Ouch! That hurts..." Ash winced, rubbing his side.
"Shut up! Who goes around without dressing properly? I’ve always wanted to try these types of dresses, just never had the opportunity."
"And don’t make me laugh. Hurt and you," Elysia retorted with a teasing smile.
They whispered to each other as they walked slowly, their voices low and intimate, fully aware that every pair of eyes seemed to follow them.
"Hey, let’s speed up a little, you know. I mean, let’s get to the center a little faster," Ash suggested, irritation creeping in as the crowd’s attention remained fixed on them.
"Okay," Elysia nodded.
Before her words could even finish, they vanished, appearing some distance away from the large bonfire of Eternal Flames at the center.
Even here, the effect was unchanged. People looked at them with amazement, admiration, and even hints of envy.
"You brought us directly to the center, but I wanted to stroll the whole festival," Elysia said with a pitiful expression, her eyes sparkling with playful disappointment.
Cute... Ash thought, a small smile appearing. He was here only for her happiness, so how could he refuse? He had come to the center first to observe the Eternal Flames up close, but her delight always came first.
My curiosity can wait a little longer. There is someone else who takes priority right now...
Within a second, they vanished again, reappearing in the middle of the festival. They continued to stroll from one stall to another, weaving through the crowd with effortless grace.
Both of them looked as if they had stepped out of a dream, the kind that made people pause and smile without knowing why. Their movements were fluid, graceful, and unhurried, flowing through the crowd like a gentle breeze, drawing attention without demanding it.
The festival lights caught the glimmer of her dress and his coat, making the colors dance softly, as if the magic of the festival itself had woven them into its display.
Laughter and chatter swirled around them, yet somehow their presence made the world seem quieter for a moment, as if everything paused to admire their quiet elegance. Even amid the vibrant decorations and joyous crowd, they seemed to shine with effortless charm.
Elysia, however, was too excited to be contained.
"Look at that one! They’re making candy sculptures shaped like dragons," she exclaimed, her voice full of awe and delight.
At another stall, she wrinkled her nose at the sweet aroma, then grinned. "Oh, let’s try the roasted nuts over there, they smell amazing!" She began moving toward the scent, tugging Ash gently behind her.
When she saw a game booth lined with colorful prizes, her eyes lit up with determination and excitement. "I want that plush fox! Come on, let’s see if I can win it," she laughed, pulling him along with an almost magnetic enthusiasm.
Ash followed her with a warm smile, watching her excitement with quiet amusement. Her joy seemed to brighten the space around them, and he let her take the lead, enjoying the simplicity of the moment as much as she did.
***
Meanwhile, at one of the floating islands in the sky, inside one of those manors.
"Bring me some more ice creams, and all the cold stuff we have," Melissia ordered, her voice playful and demanding.
Her maid moved to obey, but a firm hand stopped her. The maid looked up, startled, her face paling slightly at the sight of the one who held her back.
"Miss Melissia, you need to dress up now. The celebration party is about to start," Nyra said firmly, knowing that strictness was the only way to stop Melissia from overindulging in cold sweets.
Melissia looked far from her usual composed and elegant self. Her lips were smeared with ice cream, stains marked her hands and clothes, and she wore a simple sleep outfit with her hair slightly tousled. She looked more like a mischievous child caught in the middle of indulgence, pouting rather than crying at being interrupted.
"But, Sister Nyra..."
"No. Get ready immediately, or we’ll be late. And don’t forget, the party will have plenty of ice cream," Nyra added, her voice firm but patient, softening the command with a hint of encouragement.
Hearing this, Melissia’s pout faded, her face lighting up with a small, eager smile. She hurried off to take a quick bath, excitement and anticipation dancing in her eyes.
Nyra watched her go, a small smile touching her lips, before her expression shifted to one of alertness.
A tingling sensation ran through her senses, drawing her gaze to the empty sky outside the window. She stared into the expanse for a long moment, her eyes sharp and calculating. Finally, she blinked and looked away, shaking off the feeling.
My mind must be playing tricks on me...
She closed the window gently and waited patiently for Melissia to finish.
---
Meanwhile, somewhere in the same space, Nyra had been observing.
"Would you look at that? Her senses are surprisingly sharp for a human," a calm voice echoed, tinged with curiosity.
"Yes, she sensed us. She must be stronger than she appears," another voice replied, the tone admiring yet cautious.
"Of course she is," the first voice responded, almost amused.
"But still, how could she..."
"Don’t worry. Are you forgetting about that person? Even he made a mess, so what would you expect any less?"
"That’s true. Our role here is just to observe, so let’s focus on that," said another voice, steady and deliberate.
"Right," the first voice agreed, a faint echo of amusement lingering as they watched.
***