The hall was huge, and music filled the air. The aroma of food was a candy to his senses. He quickly spotted familiar figures.
Silvia was elegant and charming, adorning the similar golden-red robe. Despite everyone wearing the same color, he could see a striking difference in each. She smiled as she greeted him. "How's your wound?" Amarok asked. "Thank you, I am full of energy."
"You look amazing," he complimented sincerely. Silvia smiled. "Not more than her," she said with a sigh. She didn't doubt her attractiveness, but that girl was simply too much. She was currently attracting the stares of almost every student in the hall. Silvia couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy. But at the same time, she blew those thoughts away. She didn't like the spotlight.
"Mist, you..." Amarok was dazzled once more. She was simply breathtaking. Her face bright, an embarrassed smile bloomed on her face, causing her to look even more attractive.
"I look ugly in this right? I can't even move properly," she said, feeling the urge to hide. Many gazes fell on her.
"Not at all. You look delicious," he said before catching himself. They all froze for a second. "I mean, you are beautiful like a delicious... fruit," he quickly said.
"Oh, so now I look like a fruit?" Mist was speechless. "So rude," Silvia laughed out. "No... I," Amarok was wordless.
"Beauties behind, in front, everywhere," a youth said excited. Many cast awkward gazes at him, but he didn't care. Most didn't blame him either. The Feast of Pillars was certainly the most anticipated day of the year, especially for the masculine population of Alden. Only on this day could they witness the elegance of the beauties of Alden. They were delighted.
"I will let you be," Neo said, escaping. He couldn't take it anymore. He had no authority here; the only reason he was allowed here was because of Amarok.
He went directly to the buffet. His lonely figure stood out, but no one cared. "I wonder how it will be if it was still like before," he couldn't help but ask himself.
"This youths are too noisy," a voice echoed by the side. Neo lifted his head. A dazzling figure stood not far.
It was Midrel. She didn't wear her usual attire. Instead, a robe. But unlike others, hers looked more practical, surely in case of emergency. Nonetheless, she radiated the beauty of a mature woman. Physically, the teenagers were more beautiful, but she had that little thing that made her stand out.
"Aetherial Midrel," Neo saluted with respect. "No need; you can call me Midrel right now, but only for tonight," she said.
Neo felt the urge to laugh but only smiled. "Why do I feel like you look familiar? Could you be from Lowe?" she inquired.
He froze for a few seconds. "I think you might be mistaken. I come from the small town of Wandleaf. I have never stepped in the capital of Lower Elysium," he replied after a pause.
"Why do I feel like you're lying?" she said with a smile. Neo almost choked out. She was brutally honest. "Well, there's not much I can do to prove that."
"That's up to me to decide," she continued. Neo couldn't help but laugh. This woman was interesting.
Amarok was speechless, observing from a distance. He had never known his master could smile like that. He had never with him. Women... He shook his head.
....
Outside of Alden City, near the river, a lonely figure sat, throwing stones in the water. It created a flash, ricocheting ten times.
"Why are you not participating in the Feast of Pillars with the others?" Calder's voice sounded from behind.
"There's nothing to feast about," the figure said, not turning back.
"Is that so? It's on this day that Elysium defeated the northern pillars. You know," Calder continued.
"A lot of blood was spilled on that day, on both sides. A lot of people... A lot of good people died," he continued, his voice a little hoarse. "There is no need to celebrate such a massacre," he continued.
"If you don't want to attract the wrong eyes on you, I think you should come tonight," Calder insisted. Kinty stood and turned to face Calder.
"How did you know?" Kinty asked with a serious tone. "The ten ricochets," Calder pointed. "Don't worry; I don't mean you any harm. Otherwise, I wouldn't have saved you from Agris at Wandleaf," Calder continued, his eyes darting towards the ocean at the horizon.
"Why then?" Kinty was shaken. He couldn't understand the old man's action. Was it a strategy to manipulate him, or was he sincere? Kinty's mind was being bombarded with all sorts of thoughts.
"I agree with your view," Calder suddenly said. "A lot of blood has been spilled, but even more will be in the future. If we don't take this false respite to breathe life back into ourselves, when the time comes, even if we survive, we will be dead inside," he finished.
Kinty stared at Calder with amazement. "Thank you, Master," he bowed. Calder's eyes flickered. The little rascal was finally admitting it. Calder smiled and turned to leave, with Kinty following him dressed and straight to the Caleod Dome.
....
"I haven't seen that your friend. Where is he?" Silvia said. "Friend?" Amarok was clueless. "Yes, the one who likes food like that and has two swords," Silvia tried to describe. "Why are you looking for me?" a voice sounded from behind. They all jumped in fright.
"You shouldn't scare people like that," Silvia frowned. "You look good," he said before turning to the tables. Silvia flushed red but frowned again. "What's there to eat here?" he asked. His voice wasn't loud but could still be heard. Many more eyes turned to their group. But no one dared to make any comments; the crazy woman was there.
"Don't bother; there is enough to feed ten of you," Mist answered. "If I knew, I would have come earlier." His last remark left everyone speechless.