Spring, year 1000 after the ascension of the lands.
In the country of Helster; as usual, snow was falling slowly. The village of Hacrist was camouflaged among the mountains, near the capital. The winds roared and the flakes danced among the trees that dropped their red petals on the stone sidewalks and the streetcars ran along the tracks quite easily while the heating did its thing in the houses of wood and stone.
In Calai's small house; with barely two rooms and a bathroom, the heating tucked it in from all the cold. The blankets were wrapped around her and she clung tightly to her pillows, the sun did not show itself and the two moons were the ones that still let her see the panorama, although her lover peeked from the distance through the mountains where the Aurora Borealis danced for them.
The alarm clock rang and vibrated from side to side with force, the sound was persistent and annoying making Calai annoyed, since in his dreams he was enjoying himself and did not want to leave those places. She opened her eyes and the dream kept calling her, the blankets became treacherous and whispered for her to stay with them.
She decided to get up, her body was sleepy as was her mind and she staggered until she reached the mirror. He contemplated himself as he awkwardly scratched his eye. It could be perhaps seven o'clock, although because of the moons the sun didn't come up until after eight, maybe nine in the morning.
--I'm a mess.
She was disappointed as she stared at her uncombed white hair and her ermine-colored eyes that carried those huge dark circles under her eyes. Getting out of bed was not one of her virtues, but she still took a bath. As usual, she contemplated her body in the mirror and glanced at her left breast, that symbol that resembled a hooded lotus flower had accompanied Calai practically for as long as she could remember. Previously she had tried to remove it with soap, but it seemed to be eternally attached to her skin and the people who had cared for her had never been able to remove it.
The water slid gently down her body and the soap soaked into her flesh, the steam rose high in the small room and she let out bubbles as she dipped her face into the warm water.
-If only I could remember when I was younger. Why do people forget? What if I forget more things when I grow up? I don't want to be an adult.
Her body started to wrinkle and that was the signal, she took the cloth and got out of the tub so she could dry her body.
She got out of the bathroom and started cleaning her house. He started with the floor, the dust was accumulating quite easily and he didn't like to be coughing every now and then. She looked at the calendar he had on one of the walls as she thought.
--Now that I think about it, the Festival of Loving Spirits is almost here. Maybe I could stop by, after all it's the thousandth and even though I don't like to be among many people, maybe and just maybe, I could have fun. Calai, you could go and dance, besides those crêpes look very tempting," he pondered those thoughts for a moment. Yes, it is decided. I'll need a nice dress to go out in, though. I think I have one in my closet.
After sweeping she had a civil war with her hair, it didn't cooperate with her brush satisfactorily and was quite unruly. Tangling her strands and mistreating her head with each brush stroke. After that struggle she put on the navy blue flower she liked to wear so much and left her house at about eight o'clock in the morning. The snow was falling slowly...
... ...
Meanwhile, Aurora, patrolling the skies in her cloud, playfully swirled her hair that changed to beautiful pastel shades and watched the people of the higher lands go about their daily lives with those sky-blue eyes that bore the stars of the firmament engraved on them. She was bored and that day it seemed that not even her favorite pastime could calm her down. Her cloud flew swiftly to the lands of Eden where Princess Alma was.
--I wonder what they will come up with for this festival?
From Aurora's view, the huge buildings were short and the holographic screens were barely visible, but she was confident she would see a show to live up to its importance and in the evenings she intended to dance, for even her steps were jealous of the moons and the stars were watching her in love.
--I cannot believe that a thousand years have passed since the ascension of these lands. A thousand years since the first massacre.
In the castle, the princess was checking that everything was according to plan, she went down to the main floor and sat on the throne of gold and crystal. Diligitis, her butler, followed her slowly, always positioned at her right side. She noticed that a curtain at the back was in the wrong position and duly placed it, leaving the emblem of the royal family in perfect condition once again.
--No one can go down to the lower floors of the castle," he thought slowly as he covered the story with the curtain.
--Is everything ready?
He turned to the princess.
--Of course, my lady.
Diligitis was tall, elegant and wore a charming but defiant look that, with short unruly black hair, made him look even better. He wore a hat that covered his ears as he did not like them to be seen, he considered it inelegant.
--Did you check the entrance?
--Yes, no fairy will be able to go up, though I don't think they will, they haven't for thirteen hundred years. Also, in the evening, the Aurora Borealis will dance for us and the letters to the other princesses and dukes have already been sent and answered, they will arrive for the day of the festival, although the Lords of each house will not attend, Lord Cid is going to help us with the transmission of all the activities for all the people of the higher lands who cannot attend.
--Perfect, plus the city looks great.
She looked at the gears through which the vanilla-scented rag dolls climbed, the huge crystals reflected their shadows that danced across the walls and floor, the melodies of the music box rang throughout the palace, trickling down the second floor and reaching the dome.
Vanitas arrived soon after, he was the one in charge of helping the princess as far as vanity was concerned and he was proud of his profession. He was robust and had a large mustache, he also had a necklace with a green jewel and liked to wear white gloves, his raccoon tail was shaking with a certain elegance.
--My lady, today you look spectacular, I told you that sky blue would match your emerald eyes and the lightness of your skin, plus the gray color of your hair matches any color and your ears look elegant---The princess's cat tail was shaking with a certain elegance and hypnotism.
--Thank you Vanitas.
Outside the castle, Aurora lay on the roof of the dome, she looked beyond the blue sky and gazed expectantly at the cosmos because unlike the surviving humans and all other creatures she was the only one who could clearly see the universe, its beautiful colors had amazed her as a child and she always believed that someday, she could unveil all that halo of mysticism that dwelled in it.
--As always you are on the moon Aurora.
She glanced sidelong to her right.
--Venus, don't bother me.
She gave a slight laugh to herself.
--Why are you here? Weren't you busy?
--I am, but Gladio persuaded me to come and get some air, and I happened to see you and decided to follow you.
Aurora sighed and settled back into her cloud.
-A thousand years... it's been a thousand years.
-Yes, it makes me nostalgic. A thousand years ago everything was different.
Venus sat down next to Aurora's cloud.
-Do you remember when we went to the city of the Sun?
-You fell into quicksand and you were crying, even though you could get out.
-Where is Verum? -Venus looked at Aurora, she was biting some of her hair while the clouds played in the sky.
-She's been working, though I don't know what on, I didn't want to invade her privacy. Unlike all those who have been born and will be born she is the only one who can see us.
-What kind of work has she been doing?
-She was with Ferneris for many years, what do you think she has been doing?
Venus' wings were spreading and her feathers were falling through the ceiling.
-I find it curious, though I think it was for the best.
-I just hope she doesn't do anything stupid.
-I don't think she will, the seven princes made her change and learn from the past, I don't think everything will turn back to the way it was a thousand years ago.
Aurora turned and watched the people, the buses were full of workers, boys and girls were going to schools, teenagers to colleges and university students to college.
-I would not tolerate seeing children being sent to war again.
-It's not going to happen-He stood up and looked at the ground. I have to go, I've had the air I needed.
-Take care of yourself, Venus.
--That's what I'll do.
--One day so much work will kill you, you have to relax a little more.
--I'll try, but I see it difficult, the demons are always causing problems.
He let out a lost smile and continued to contemplate the clouds and the skies with a certain infatuation in that lost look while his sister was lost in the crowd.
... ...
People were flocking to the capital of Havila, and she was doing her best to move forward, people were looking at her strangely, although perhaps they had a little compassion and ran so that she could pass through the crowd. Despite her appearance, her youthfulness stood out above all else as she carried no wrinkles or anything like that, her skin was smooth and beautiful. She wore a hood that only exposed her beautiful nose; perfect and small, her soft-lipped mouth and chin as she wore a cream-colored blindfold over her eyes. It also covered what appeared to be a hump, she had a somewhat delicate appearance and was strolling towards Eden. She exuded a dark aura and despite the beauty of her birth, she could not avoid her fate. People watched her with a certain disdain and curiosity. She passed through one of the main streets and then turned into some alleys that would lead her to one of the main train tracks. As she entered that alley she could see an elderly woman of an advanced age who was making an enormous effort to get into her house, the bags she was carrying looked heavy and were full of purchases that she sensed were food. She walked until she was close to her, her steps echoed among the dark alley, and she could not deny her principles, she had been educated like few people on earth and her level of ethics was at the height of kings and queens, even she could say that it was more the level she had, but in those alleys it was useless, but, her heart felt and it was with her.
--Do you need help? --She didn't even think about those words.
The old woman turned and saw the young woman holding out her hand.
--Yes-- Her soul was relieved, those purchases were heavy enough for her arms already worn out by the relentless passage of time.
She took the two bags that were not heavy and rather for her strength were light and compact. She entered the old woman's house and left the bags in the main room.
--Daughter, wait a moment, I am going to reward you.
--Madam, it is not necessary....
--No, no, no, no, no, I insist.
The young woman took a seat, she could not disobey, even less coming from a senior citizen, and waited patiently for the kind lady to arrive. The old lady arrived shortly after with some cookies that were in a glass jar, she took out about five and served them on a plate with some milk.
--Tomorrow is the Festival of the Loving Spirits. Are you going, young lady?
--Of course I'm going, I can't miss it even if I'm dead.
--I don't think I can. I'm too old to go.
The young woman took a cookie and tasted it with a sip of milk.
--I'm going because I have some unfinished business.
--That business has to do with someone or something?
--Let's say yes, I think he will be glad to see me.
The girl walked lightly and noticed that the lady had a thousand books that spoke of fairies. That caught her passionate attention and she turned to the old lady who was placidly sipping milk from her cup. Then she sat down and asked with deliberate politeness.
--I see that you like fairies.
The old woman got up after grimacing and went to get the book.
--I always wanted to see one, but unfortunately they are no longer in these lands, they disappeared long ago. They say there used to be entrances, but they were sealed.
--I would have liked to meet them too.
The young woman looked at her watch and had to say goodbye, she had to continue on her way to get to the festival, she more than anyone knew that this festival would be unforgettable and its importance for the higher lands. She said goodbye to the lady who thanked her once again for helping her and continued on her way.
... ...
Calai was happy and jumping, she had come from watching the crystal dolls dance and was pleased with the dress she would be wearing on the feast day. That snowy night she could not fall asleep until twelve o'clock and the joy of dreaming did not last long, because that night she only slept five hours of the eight or nine she was used to, but the emotion got the better of her and did not let her visit the world of dreams in the right way. She knew it was bad for her health not to sleep the recommended hours, but she didn't care, she didn't usually go to these parties far from the continent, and it was hard to convince her tutors to let her go accompanied by some acquaintances.
As she lay among the warm blankets she rubbed her feet and thus, generating friction, she made more warmth for herself, a pleasant warmth. She tried to shut down and fall asleep, something that was a little difficult, but, in the end, she managed to do it.
The next day, Calai woke up with her hair in disarray, but this time with great joy and grace. She ran and took a good bath, perfumed herself and ate in the best way, put on nice underwear and her new dress that was blue shined and danced the fabrics between her body, her little wool slippers were very comfortable, and so she put them on. Furthermore, she adjusted her hair and made a beautiful bow with a slender navy blue flower as the main jewel.
The flakes were dancing that day, painting the streets white, and the morning was perfect, she hurried to the station of the capital. There were many people at the station, waiting for the streetcar, as the whole country was celebrating that day, even in the other three nations. The streetcar made its appearance and the people in an organized line boarded the tram. Calai managed to get one of the seats and a few stops later the people who were to accompany her got on the seats behind her. The streetcar took them through the villages of Gael and Jelister, all of which were submerged beneath the great forests that surrounded the entire country. She watched the flora and fauna peeking through the landscapes. Hummingbirds drank from the flowers, rabbits played among the trees while he watched some squirrels wintering, when they passed through a clearing crystal butterflies were visible and all that could be seen by the incredible landscapes that let the streetcar see that was going to burst as many people were going to stay in the most important country for the biggest festival that had never been seen before. The flowers covered some trees and left the aroma impregnated, the wind plucked petals and played with the buds that swayed along with the pines.
Arriving in the city's capital, Naorist, she hurried quickly to the central station, but not before returning her gaze to the store where she had bought her dress. Calai was the only one not wearing fur like everyone else, she was the last purebred human. As she ran hand in hand with her companions she observed the structures as she always liked to see the concrete buildings that kept the heat in very well.
The whole city had an air of festivities and the screens on the buildings gave festive announcements as all the television channels passed by broadcasting the news throughout the upper lands. People in fluffy tails lined the streets as trains passed through the streets and streetcars did the same.
Although he disliked the hustle and bustle he kept walking through the sea of people and arrived at the central station to wait anxiously and prancing for the train. The structure was huge and a large clock at the entrance welcomed all arrivals. He was impatient and thought that time was working against him as he observed that the clock was moving faster and faster than a snail's snail. The ticket was the least important thing and he did not mind waiting in line to buy it.
After an almost eternal wait, the train arrived and she got on with great excitement along with her caregivers, the engineer with the big mustache stamped her ticket and after the train was full, it left for Eden. The scenery was magnificent, but what Calai liked the most was when the train plunged under the water tunnels that crossed the four unique countries of the upper lands. The huge double-tailed whales swam around the glass tunnel and the locomotive blew its whistle that screamed euphorically. Thousands of trains were leaving for Eden, for it was the epicenter of what would be the greatest party of all that had ever been seen.
The young woman with the hump was in Eden, she had finally arrived in the country, the bus station was as crowded as a sandy beach and from afar she could see that thousands of people were on their way to the capital. Before entering he made a hole in the ground with his finger and created a flame with summoning magic, putting it in that hole and gently covering it with his hands. She noted that the other holes she had plugged were unnoticeable and gave a smile to herself before continuing on her way.
--The last one, it's all done. I hope I'm prepared and that everything goes well.
She was getting closer and closer to the great capital that had once belonged to the giants long before the fairies had even conceived the idea of war. Now they dwelt in the lower lands.
She walked softly while humming a song in Feeric that she had learned as a child, when the maids taught her rhetoric from time to time they sang that melody entitled "The eyes of the moon". She always found it interesting how emotions worked in the human body, or well, when at least the pure race of humans existed. She walked elegantly, taking in all the scenery that girded before her eyes, it was partly understandable. The structures were humble, worthy of a rural village, but they were not in such deplorable conditions as those in the lower lands of Faernes, although to the beings that dwelled in those places, they gave no importance to the situation. After all, what would a spirit care about? They... only care about the day to day with the tranquility that always accompanied them since the day of their death, although according to the words of Venus, the spirits are incomprehensible beings since their memories were a little distorted because they deform reality to their liking, or at least that's what they do in their subconscious. Perhaps they only seek the understanding that in life they did not have.
She took a bus that would take her to one of the central cities to then go to the capital and witness the festival.
As she entered the gates of the rural town she diverted her gaze to one of the brothels where she worked five years ago, she was not very lascivious, but she had managed to advance in her stratagem.
--I look forward to seeing your face princess, since this time... things will go in the opposite direction than they did that time.