Hael and Anthanasia were once again immersed in conversation and the more time Hael spent with Anthanasia, the more his desire to leave the forest could be felt.
The animals watched with each passing day as the two grew closer, and on the third day after the human's arrival, their worst fears were about to come true. Hael—their dear friend and companion had come to the decision of leaving the forest. The animals were sad to hear this despite expecting it.
"Do you really have to leave now?" Ria, the young chimpanzee, asked, her big doe eyes filled with sadness as she gazed up at Hael.
A pang of emotion gripped Hael's heart. He crouched down, gently pulling the young chimp into his arms. Pressing his forehead against hers, he inhaled deeply, taking in the warm scent of her fur—the comforting smell of sunlight and nature. He exhaled slowly, a sense of finality settling over him. He would miss these moments, this connection, but he knew it was time to go. He had to leave.
"I promise I'll come back whenever I can," he assured her softly.
Ria whimpered in response, her small hands clutching at him desperately, unwilling to let him go. She clung to him with all her strength, her body trembling as she tried to prevent his departure.
Ria's mother quickly stepped forward, and pulled the young chimp from Hael's arms. "Ria dear, be a good girl. You know Hael needs to go." She told her.
Tears dripped down her face, and despite not wanting to, she knew she needed to let him go. The animals all watched with wet eyes and heavy hearts as Hael got back up, eyeing them fondly. His eyes then landed on the white cockatoo who looked the saddest of them all.
Loki understood very well that he was a human being. Despite possessing higher blood than his counterparts, a part of him still bled red and would always have the same desires regular mortals had. He gently caressed the bird who nuzzled into his hands. As he bid his final goodbyes and prepared to set off, Loki stopped them.
He couldn't bear the thought of Hael setting off alone, especially with how kindhearted and naïve the man was. He feared the world would tarnish him, stripping away his innocence. The idea of his friend venturing out with the human woman only made him more uneasy. So, with a firm resolve, he decided to join them on their journey.
Hael raised an eyebrow in surprise, clearly not expecting the bird to want to follow. "Loki, are you sure you want to come? We'll be going to a place where there are many humans," he said, his voice tinged with concern. But Loki's decision was resolute.
There was nothing Hael could say to change his mind.
Anthanasia, watching the exchange, glanced at the bird with a worried expression.
"I don't think it's a good idea for Loki to come," she said, her tone cautious as she turned to Hael. "Loki doesn't look like a normal bird, and I can sense faint traces of divine energy from the forest in his wings. People will notice he's from the forest, and that could be dangerous for all of us."
Hael's brow furrowed with worry. He wanted Loki to join him on the journey, but not at the cost of the bird's safety. Just as he was about to agree with Anthanasia's concerns, something unexpected happened.
With a sudden shift, Loki transformed, shrinking down into a smaller, more inconspicuous bird.
The two humans stared, wide-eyed, their jaws hanging slightly. Anthanasia blinked rapidly, her mouth opening and closing as she looked between Hael and Loki in disbelief.
"D-Did you know he could do that?" she stammered, her voice full of surprise.
Hael shook his head, his expression just as stunned. "No, I didn't," he admitted. Loki had spent so much time in the forest that there had never been a reason for him to change his form before. But now, it seemed, he had decided to do so on his own.
"Hmph. Don't look so amazed," the bird said, puffing out his chest and clearly enjoying the attention. "I am no regular bird. This much is nothing."
Hael and Anthanasia blinked, exchanging a glance, before both turned back to the proud little creature. Anthanasia couldn't hold it in any longer. She keeled over in laughter, her chuckles echoing through the air as she clutched her stomach.
Hael couldn't help but smile at the bird's sudden display of confidence, though a small part of him was still in disbelief at what he'd just witnessed.
The contrast between Loki's regal transformation and his current, somewhat pompous attitude was too much to bear for the young huntress.
"I guess you learn something new everyday huh."
*
Back in the Kingdom, the people were bustling with excitement, preparing for the grand festival that came once every three years—the Novas Festival. It had once been an annual tradition, but ever since the current King ascended the throne, the celebration had become more infrequent. The Novas Festival was a week-long celebration marking Trojas' independence, filled with vibrant performances, entertainment, and the much-anticipated Battle Olympia—a combat tournament where the best warriors in the country were ranked. There were food stalls lining every street, and a special tribute was held to honor the previous Kings of Trojas as well as their goddess.
The entire city was awash with colorful decorations, and the citizens donned their finest attire for the occasion. It was a time of joy and unity, a beloved event everyone eagerly awaited—everyone except Ceremus.
For him, the festival held only bad memories. One of the festivals had coincided with the beginning of his spiral into madness, and ever since, he had come to associate the celebrations with the worst times of his life. He never participated in the festivities, preferring to keep to himself, but Anemone always insisted that he attend the Battle Olympia. Despite his reluctance, Ceremus never found a way to avoid it.
According to the advisor, it was important to have the leader of the nation as well as the best warrior present.
Ceremus sighed as he watched the palace buzzing with excitement. Seeing all those joyous expressions on their faces while he was in a vile mood made him flare with anger. Since this was the one time he wasn't allowed to take his anger out of the servants, he sequestered himself to his chambers for the time being before he lost control.
He spent the rest of the day drinking when he was done with his meetings and kingly duties. When he was sick and tired of drinking he would go out in the night district or go hunting. Anemone could only watch as Ceremus drowned himself in misery.
"I really hope I get to see the day when all of this madness comes to an end." He shook his head before going back to his own duties.
Ceremus stumbled outside, his footsteps unsteady as he breathed in the crisp night air. The cool breeze cut through him, but it didn't seem to clear the heaviness in his chest. His gaze turned upward, eyes searching the dark sky, as he frowned. He too wondered when this madness he had brought upon himself would end.
"Maybe it never will." He mumbled to himself before heading west where the night district was located.
By the time Hael, Anthanasia, and Loki finally reached the city, night had already settled in. Even in the dark, Hael could see the city lights glowing from a distance. Blue, white, pink, and yellow hues danced through the streets, casting a vibrant glow that made the city feel alive, even after the sun had set. Hael couldn't help but wonder why the city seemed so full of energy, even in the late hours.
Anthanasia, noticing his curiosity, turned slightly and gave him a light smile. "I completely forgot, but the festival starts tomorrow. We arrived just in time," she said, her tone filled with a hint of excitement before she continued walking ahead.
Hael and Loki stayed behind for a moment as their gaze remained fixed on the bustling town. Not once had they ever encountered such a sight before, and Hael could feel his heart trembling with anticipation as they made their way closer to it.