"Then, my wish is..." Mavis murmured softly, her voice barely audible as the words slipped into the cool night air. She released the lantern, watching as it floated upward, its soft golden glow blending with the sea of others rising toward the stars. The sight was mesmerizing—fragile, fleeting hopes carried on the gentle currents of the wind.
As she stood there, her mismatched eyes reflecting the lanterns, Mavis felt something stir within her. Though it was such a small, human action, there was an undeniable weight to it—a lightness that brushed against the edges of her heart. For once, she thought, there was no need for spilled blood, no cries of despair or anger. Just simple, quiet wishes shared beneath a sky full of stars.
She allowed herself a faint smile, a rare moment of peace that was quickly interrupted by a voice from her side.
"It's you again," the voice said, warm and familiar.
Mavis turned, her guard instinctively raising before her expression shifted to surprise. Standing beside her, lantern in hand, was none other than Celia Vermillion. Her crimson hair seemed to shimmer in the lantern light, her sharp orange eyes softened by the moment. She released her own lantern into the sky with a quiet elegance, her gaze following it as it joined the others.
"Celia," Mavis said, her lips curving into a smile. "I'm surprised you recognized me in this crowd. I thought I'd done a decent job of keeping to myself."
Celia chuckled, a sound that was light yet carried a hint of curiosity. "I have a pretty good eye for people," she replied, her gaze flickering briefly to Mavis. "But it wasn't just your appearance. Your mana—well, it's quite unique. It stands out."
Mavis raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly. "I see. I suppose having dark magic coursing through my veins does make me... noticeable."
Celia paused for a moment, her expression unreadable as she studied Mavis. "Dark magic, huh?" she said at last. Her tone carried an edge of reminiscence, softened by a small, wistful smile. "You remind me of someone I used to know. She had the same magic affinity as you, though she was... different. Strict, determined, a little rough around the edges."
"Used to know?" Mavis asked, her tone deliberately casual, though there was a flicker of unease within her.
"Yes," Celia said, her voice dropping slightly. Her eyes softened with a mixture of tenderness and sadness. "She passed away three years ago. Her name was Raven Vermillion—my sister. She wasn't my biological sister, though. She was adopted, but that didn't make her any less of family to me."
Mavis's chest tightened imperceptibly at Celia's words. For the first time in a long while, she struggled to find the right response. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said softly, her voice genuine despite the hidden conflict within her. "But... if they never found her body, maybe there's hope. I've heard the Vermillions are incredibly strong. I doubt someone like that would simply vanish without a trace."
Celia's smile widened, though her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Thank you," she said, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "I've always held on to that belief, even when others gave up. One day, I know she'll come back. Somehow, I can feel it."
Mavis nodded, her throat tightening. "I'm sure she will."
Celia sighed, her expression softening further. "She was everything I'd dreamed of in a little sister. I'd always wanted one, you know. When she arrived, I couldn't help myself. I spoiled her a little too much, but I loved her so dearly." Her voice lightened with a laugh, and she glanced at Mavis with an appraising look. "It's strange, though. I barely know you, yet I feel... comfortable with you. Like I can trust you."
Mavis's lips curved into a bittersweet smile. "I suppose some connections are just... instinctive," she said. "Even between strangers."
As Celia turned her gaze back to the lanterns, her face aglow with hope, Mavis allowed herself a fleeting moment of vulnerability. This was the family Raven had once cherished, the sister who still believed in her. And yet, here she was, standing beside her, a stranger wearing a familiar face.
For now, she thought, it was better this way. Better to let the illusion linger than to shatter the fragile peace Celia held so dearly.
"Then let me introduce myself properly," Mavis said, inclining her head slightly as a wry smile curved her lips. "I am Wraith, an adventurer who recently moved into the city." The name rolled off her tongue with practiced ease, her voice calm and confident.
Celia turned her gaze back to her, her orange eyes sparkling with curiosity and warmth. "Wraith, is it? An interesting name," she mused, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Well, I suppose I don't need much of an introduction, but just in case, I am Celia Vermillion, member of the Seven Pillars of Hope." She gestured subtly to the lanterns still floating upward, her crimson hair glowing faintly in the lantern light. "And, apparently, someone who enjoys these kinds of celebrations more than I thought."
Mavis chuckled lightly, keeping her posture relaxed. "It's nice to meet you, Lady Vermillion," she said, though there was a hint of mischief in her tone. "I suppose your position on that stage makes you more than just another face in the crowd tonight."
Celia laughed softly, brushing a strand of her vibrant hair over her shoulder. "Please, just call me Celia. And as for my position… It's less glamorous than it seems." Her gaze softened as she looked back at the sky, the lanterns now mere glimmers of light against the stars. "But tonight, I wanted to set all of that aside and enjoy this festival like everyone else."
"You carry the weight of so many, yet you find time for moments like this," Mavis said, her tone thoughtful. "That's admirable." She took another bite of her tanghulu, the candied fruit crunching under her teeth, the taste sweet and sharp.
Celia shrugged, her expression turning modest. "I wouldn't call it admirable, just necessary. Life can be heavy sometimes. These small moments... they remind me why we fight so hard." Her eyes flicked to Mavis, studying her with a mix of curiosity and understanding. "And what about you, Wraith? What brought you here tonight?"
Mavis paused, the question catching her off guard. For a moment, she considered deflecting it, but something about Celia's earnest gaze made her reconsider. "I suppose I was curious," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "Curious about the people, the traditions... and maybe a little curious about what it's like to live without constantly looking over your shoulder."
Celia's smile softened. "That's a sentiment I can understand. Life as an adventurer must be challenging—always moving, always fighting. It's good to let yourself breathe every now and then."
Mavis tilted her head slightly, a glint of amusement in her mismatched eyes. "Wise words from a pillar of hope. Maybe I'll take them to heart."
Celia laughed again, the sound light and genuine. "You should. And if you ever need a guide to the city—or someone to spar with—you know where to find me."
"I'll keep that in mind," Mavis said, her smile faint but genuine.
The two women stood in companionable silence for a moment, the sounds of the festival fading into the background. The sky above was a tapestry of glowing lanterns and stars, a fleeting moment of peace and beauty that felt almost timeless.
Mavis glanced at Celia once more, a mix of emotions swirling in her chest. For now, she thought again, it was better this way. Better to be Wraith, an adventurer passing through, than to risk breaking the fragile bond Celia still held with her sister's memory.
Even though Wraith—who was also Raven—had irrevocably changed, the person Celia had known was gone, her former self now a faint echo buried deep within. For now, Mavis decided it was best for Raven, still quietly sleeping in the depths of her consciousness, to wait until the time was right. The weight of that decision settled on her, but she refused to let it show.
Celia's voice broke through her thoughts, warm and inviting. "Also, have you thought about it? My offer?"
Mavis raised an eyebrow, though she already knew what Celia was referring to. "About joining the Pillars of Hope?" she asked, her tone neutral yet curious.
Celia nodded, her orange eyes glowing faintly in the soft lantern light. "Yes. You're strong, Wraith, and your mana… it's unlike anything I've encountered before. Someone like you could bring a lot to the team, especially now when we're trying to rebuild trust with the people. I think you'd fit in well with us."
Mavis tilted her head slightly, letting the question hang in the air as she pretended to ponder the idea. In truth, she had no intention of joining. Becoming a member of the Pillars of Hope would only draw unnecessary attention, potentially endangering her carefully constructed facade.
Still, she couldn't ignore the genuine sincerity in Celia's words. It was the same earnestness that Raven remembered, the same unwavering belief in others that had once made Celia her guiding light.
"I appreciate the offer," Mavis said finally, her voice measured. "But I'm not sure I'm the kind of person you're looking for. The Pillars of Hope stand for something greater than themselves—unity, protection, inspiration. I'm just a lone adventurer with a sword and a knack for getting into trouble."
Celia's gaze didn't waver. "You're more than that, Wraith. I can sense it. You've been through things that most people wouldn't survive, and yet, here you are, standing tall. That strength—it's exactly what we need." Her voice softened, carrying a note of familiarity that tugged at Mavis's guarded heart. "I don't expect an answer now, but promise me you'll think about it."
Mavis hesitated, the weight of her unspoken truth pressing against her resolve. She managed a faint smile, one that carried a touch of her usual mischief. "I'll think about it," she said lightly, though both women knew it was far from a commitment.
Celia nodded, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. "That's all I ask. And no matter what you decide, know that you have a friend in me, Wraith."
Mavis inclined her head, her silver hair catching the light as she turned her gaze back to the sky. The lanterns floated higher now, tiny stars scattered across the heavens. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to feel the warmth of Celia's presence, a flicker of the bond they had once shared.
"Thank you, Celia," she said softly, her voice almost lost in the gentle hum of the festival. "That means more than you know."
As the two women stood side by side, the night carried on around them—a fleeting moment of connection in a world that often felt too vast, too fractured. Mavis knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges, but for now, she allowed herself this brief reprieve, a stolen moment of peace before the storm.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Celia," Mavis said finally, her tone light. "Perhaps our paths will cross again."
Celia nodded, her smile unwavering. "I hope they do, Wraith. Something tells me there's more to you than meets the eye."
Mavis chuckled softly, turning to walk away. "Maybe," she called over her shoulder, the night swallowing her figure as she disappeared into the crowd.