Twilight sprawled across the Imperial Town. People were dressed traditionally, to abstain from the contradictions of the Miho festival.
The high collared robe they dress in was called Mihoram. It had a translucent tunic outer fabric, waving like flowing water. Some wore lemon fibres, some belonged to azure, and some were covered in jade. It marked the class of people in descending order of their Elixir status. Mihoram was celebrated after certain restraints of time. Years went off with no revelry and all of a sudden people got to enjoy Miho.
It was a relief…
It was a moment they look forward to…
The Twilight of Miho lasts longer. It's longer than usual and closer to a day.
People assemble from all over the town and participate in galvanising. It musters up unity among distinct races.
Leon with his family was near the Miho market. Today he was simply there as a member of the lovely livelihood. A separate lower class without tunics.
"Leon…" Mrs.Kaelen tapped his shoulder "thank you for being there"
She turned to the rally marching forward
"You confronted the mess we created like those were your own"
Leon turned a little sly and replied "those words of gratitude disappoints me mother"
"I know" she whispered "but they were being held back for a while"
Leon learned the silence and thus rested on Mrs.Kaelen's shoulder. She patted her head to respond to the warmth. The moment blossomed as the parade dance strided along the Miho market. Liora held Leon's hand, while the other was bound to Faf; who in turn held Agasthus forming an ethereal chain of bonds.
Leon got a weird sensation, which he was experiencing for the inaugural time. A sense of tingle with relief and pleasure as he held Liora's tender hands. He could feel her velvet soft fingers engrossing his palm. He held her with a feeling to never let go.
The parade galvanised with goosebumps was finally passing. People were accustomed to strange traditional costumes, while some were in elegant dancing robes. A small skit resembling the great tale of Lion against Saint Paradise was depicted in the tale.
Leon felt the message…
He felt the solace of companions and participants. It really meant a lot to them.
"It's beautiful" Liora claimed, turning to Leon
"Yes" Leon saw the beauty in her eyes "and so are you" it slipped off.
He erupted with scrutinising jealousy,
"No… wait"
He waved in desperation
"I didn't meant it that way"
Agasthus, Faf and Mrs.Kaelen were stunned, and simply slid off the sight.
"I understand" Liora giggled "it felt good"
Leon calmed down… his expression neutralized… and soon the laughter bursted out between them.
Firecrackers roared high as they gave beautiful sparks of glow. Agasthus and the rest joined back. Leon bumped his two brothers hard for how vulnerable they left him. And then the parade went by completely.
But…
The festival had just commenced…
Agasthus bravely opted for the traditional Miho soup. It looked devastating. All green verdant with vegetables. He stared bland at the death wish. He mustered the courage to order it, but couldn't dare drink it. He took the sip, and the very instance the burst came out. Leon laughed hard, followed by Liora who cried cackling. Agasthus couldn't think of taking another sip.
Faf who had delicious noodles at the adjacent stand was lured into the battlefield.
"Hey, Faf" Agasthus shouted "what about this delicious soup. Wanna end your meal with it"
Faf was fibreblasted by pure kindness.
"Oh my sweet brother" he smiled hopping in joy
He didn't flinch nor he looked into the bowl. In a single hunch the complete soup was soaked in.
For a moment he remained silent…
The very next second his face turned pale…
He turned to Agasthus with pure intent of murder. But for now, finding a proper spot for dumping it all was more important. The laughter didn't stop and went on further.
To the eastern side of the market- near the Workship place, Drasha and Silas were resting on the concrete stairs.
"So what's the next move?" Drasha asked
"Thanks to Revenant, we now have better information" Silas explained "but… the man we caught in the Industrial Piece after the negotiation knows nothing"
"So even their own members are unaware about the core events" Drasha claimed.
"Exactly…"
"We can't let Crikes sacrifice those innocent lives" Silas grunted "we have to unearth their hideout"
Drasha smirked at the helplessness "we have been trying for several years. We never found it before"
"We never had Revenant before" Silas answered back
"That trust…" Drasha smiled
"Where's Rutherford between" Silas looked around
Drasha initiated with a giggle and pointed straight to the tragic sight
Rutherford was playing Cauliflower Ring- a game of providence. He was devastated by how terrible his luck was. The game had several evenly drafted cauliflower petals, which are placed in a certain pattern. A little Hamster was released on the table, and the game of luck begins. If the hamster eats the petals selected by Rutherford, he would win any gift set within shop. He had already lost twenty-five games, losing fifteen Ascension Elixirs. And now it was the last chance.
He glared straight at the hamster, no blinking, no fazing off. The little rodent was standing right on the destined petal.
"That's it" Rutherford thought "I won"
But the little mischief ignored it. It went for the adjacent leaf and ate it gladly. Drasha and Silas were stubbed over Rutherford's foolishness. He didn't know that the little man was trained for the game. So the tables were already rigged.
"I doubt sometimes, if he is the older one" Drasha sighed
"That's his way of comforting himself. He might not show that, but even he is tensed and disrupted from inside" Silas charmed in the words
Rutherford went for another round, while Silas and Drasha gladly spectated him. Leon was enjoying with his family and Wimblen was busy in his new alchemy. In the tribe- Vlan and Yamik had their own little festival inaugurated for the people. Everybody was lost in their own crucks of happiness, but fantasy never stays adjunct. How long would this happiness last?