Raymond Pov
"Jason, come out! Let's go. At this rate, we'll be late," I shouted. "I honestly don't know why you're taking this long to dress. You're not a lady."
Then I smirked.
"Don't tell me this is for the ladies!"
I screamed at the top of my lungs, knowing exactly what would drag him out faster. Jason had always been painfully shy.
"Shut up, Raymond! Lower your voice," he snapped, rushing toward me and clamping his hand over my mouth before I could say another word.
I chuckled against his palm. He never changed.
Raising my hands in surrender, I pointed at my lips, silently promising not to repeat myself.
"I'm taking my hand off now. You'd better behave," he warned.
I hummed in agreement, a small smile still dancing on my lips, but I decided to let him be for now.
We chatted about random things as we made our way toward the village square, where the festival was about to begin. Laughter and music already floated through the air.
As we walked, I noticed the stares.
People were watching us—no, watching me.
Why is everyone staring at us? I asked Jason, genuinely confused. Especially the ladies?
Jason sighed. "Not us, Ray. They're staring at you."
Me? I frowned. Why? Is something stuck in my teeth? Am I dressed poorly? Why me and not you?"
He stopped walking and turned to face me.
"Because you look different, Raymond. Your hair has grown longer. Your skin is spotless. And your eyes…" He paused. "Your amber eyes are glowing. The color has deepened. It's compelling."
I lowered my head.
Do I really look that different? I asked quietly.
Being different has always been my greatest torment. Since childhood, I had struggled with the feeling of not belonging. Over time, that difference had grown into fear.
"Raymond, you amuse me," Jason said suddenly.
I looked up at him, confused. How?
"When I say you look different, I mean you look more handsome," he said plainly. "Look around you. Even with all the gossip, the girls are still checking you out."
I blinked.
"Your features—and your… abilities—are what make you stand out. They don't make you less.
They make you more. They wish they were you. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Something warm stirred in my chest. I nodded, feeling lighter, stronger and energized.
By the time we reached the village square, the festival was just about to begin. People poured in from every direction, filling the open space with excitement and color.
We found a spot and sat down as the crowd settled.
Soon, a woman clearly one of the organizers stepped onto the stage. She raised her hand, and the noise slowly died down.
"Welcome to the Festival of Dance!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Today, we tell the ancient tale of our ancestors," she continued. "A story passed down from generation to generation."
She paused dramatically.
"The title of today's story is—What Happened to the Ancient Realm?"
A group of dancers, men and women stepped onto the stage.
"I will interpret the dance as it is performed," the woman said.
From the very first word she spoke, I was hooked. Something about her voice pulled at me, drawing me in.
Do you know her? I whispered to Jason.
"Who?"
I pointed at the stage. His eyes followed my gesture.
"Oh, Lena," he said. "She's the daughter of the village teacher. Her family has organized this festival for generations. It's held once every ten years."
I frowned. How have I never seen her before?"
Jason grinned. "Don't tell me someone's already in love. Love at first sight, huh?"
Shut up, Jason.
His laughter only grew louder, and soon I found myself laughing too.
Three dancers stepped forward, one dressed in red, one in brown, and one in white. They began to move in perfect harmony.
"Long ago," Lena narrated, "three supernatural realms lived in peace and harmony."
Another dancer joined them, dressed in green. Her movements were different, hesitant, uncertain.
"Then came the human realm. At first, all thrived together… until—"
The dancer in green slowly drifted away, dancing alone at the edge of the stage.
"The human realm could not keep up. Their power and politics were far behind those of the supernatural realms."
The dancer in white broke away and returned with more dancers dressed like her.
"The Wolf Realm grew greedy. They desired the other realms for themselves."
The white-clad dancers grew aggressive, their movements sharp and intimidating.
"War for territory began."
The dancers in red and brown staggered, nearly falling from the stage. More dancers joined them, but unlike the wolves, they did not divide. They bonded, moving as one.
"The Dragon Realm and the Witches Realm formed an alliance against a common foe."
Both groups turned toward the lone human dancer.
"They sought to use humans in their war. But the
Wolf Realm wanted the humans for themselves."
The stage descended into chaos, bodies colliding, dancers falling, more rushing in.
"The realms collapsed into endless war."
Suddenly, the dance stopped.
Three women stepped forward, one in white, one in brown, one in red. Their hair moved as though stirred by an unseen wind.
"The goddesses of the three realms descended to the mortal world," Lena said softly. "And they cursed their children."
The three women spoke in unison:
"Cursed be my children, bound forever to their beast forms."
"Cursed be my children, to roam the skies fireless and chained."
"Cursed be my children, severed from their ancestors, never to channel again."
The crowd fell silent.
Then—
"When the earth grows quiet and hatred is forgotten, I shall remember my promise. From the ruler of one realm, a son shall be born. I shall touch him and bless him. He shall be the savior And the breaker of the curse."
The dance ended in thunderous applause. The dancers returned to the stage and bowed as one.
The organizers announced the end of the first phase of the festival. The next would include celebration, dance and gifts exchange..
But I barely heard them.
From the moment the story began until it ended, I hadn't moved. My mouth hung open. My chest felt tight.
It felt like they weren't just telling a story.
It felt like they were speaking to me.
I glanced at Jason. His expression mirrored mine.
"So…" he whispered, almost afraid. "They really do exist."
And deep down, I already knew the answer