Episode 31 (Filler)
The night air was cool, a faint breeze rustling through the trees as the group rested after their usual training. Lanterns from a nearby village glowed faintly in the distance.
Renzo – Wait a second… do you guys even know what day it is?
Kaelion – Another one of your distractions? We don't have time—
Renzo – grins Nope. It's New Year's Eve.
Elira – Huh? New Year? Already?
Lyraen – Are you serious? With all the fights and chaos, we… completely lost track of time.
Nyra – pauses, looking at the distant glow …He's right. That village must be celebrating.
Renzo – See? For once, I wasn't joking. Why don't we, y'know, go enjoy it? Just tonight.
Kaelion – You're impossible. But… maybe you're right.
The group makes their way toward the village. The closer they get, the livelier it becomes—streets glowing with lanterns, stalls buzzing, laughter echoing. It almost didn't feel like the world was falling apart.
Celestra – softly It's… warm. I almost forgot what nights like this felt like.
Drevyn – glances at her, then quickly looks away …Yeah. It's nice.
Renzo rushes ahead to a food stall, yelling something about skewers. Kaelion sighs and follows. Lyraen's eyes flick between Drevyn and Celestra with a mischievous grin.
Lyraen *whispering to Celestra - Don't look now, but your "knight" hasn't taken his eyes off you since we got here.
Celestra – Wh-what are you even saying? That's nonsense!
Drevyn nearly chokes on the drink he just bought, coughing as he hears them. His ears turn red.
Drevyn – Lyraen, do you ever shut up?
Lyraen – Nope. smirks
The group splits up to explore the festival. Nyra hangs back, her gaze distant, watching Kaelion with an unreadable look. Meanwhile, Celestra stops at a small game stall—ring toss. She tries, missing every single one.
Celestra – sighs This is impossible…
Drevyn – steps forward, determined Move aside. I'll show you how it's done.
He tosses a ring. Miss. Another. Miss again. He grows frustrated, while Celestra hides her smile behind her hand.
Celestra – giggles Wow… truly impressive.
Drevyn – H-hey, the rings are rigged! It's not my fault!
Celestra – laughing more openly Of course, of course.
Finally, Drevyn gets one right by pure luck. The stall owner hands him a small trinket—an ornate charm with a glowing bead inside. He awkwardly extends it to Celestra.
Drevyn – Here. For you.
Celestra blinks, surprised. She hesitates, then takes it gently.
Celestra – …Thanks.
Their eyes meet for a moment, lingering just a little too long, before Lyraen's voice cuts through the air.
Lyraen – Awwww, how romantic~!
Drevyn – glaring Shut. Up.
Hours pass. The festival grows louder, filled with music, food, and chatter. Slowly, the crowd begins to gather near the open square where fireworks are about to start. The group reunites, carrying snacks and drinks, sitting on a grassy hill just outside the village.
Renzo – Finally! Fireworks time! munches happily
Elira – sits beside Kaelion, handing him a cup of coffee she managed to find …Happy New Year.
Kaelion – caught off guard, blushes slightly …Thanks.
Meanwhile, a little apart from the group, Celestra and Drevyn sit side by side. The night grows quieter as everyone looks up. Then—
BOOOMM
The first firework bursts into the sky, scattering red and gold across the stars. The glow reflects in Celestra's eyes as she stares upward, mesmerized.
Celestra – It's beautiful…
Drevyn – softly, more to himself Yeah… it really is.
She glances at him, noticing he's not even looking at the fireworks, but at her. Her cheeks warm as she quickly looks away.
More fireworks explode, filling the sky in cascading colors. The group cheers, Renzo yells something about "best festival ever," and Kaelion and Elira share a soft smile. But Drevyn and Celestra remain in their own little bubble.
Drevyn – quietly, almost hesitating Celestra…
Celestra – Hmm?
Drevyn – I know… things won't always stay like this. Everything's changing too fast. But… even if everything else disappears, I… hope this memory doesn't.
Celestra's eyes widen. For a moment, she can't reply. The fireworks light her face, and finally, she gives a small, genuine smile.
Celestra – …Me too.
The sky bursts in brilliant blues and greens, painting them both in light. Lyraen smirks from a distance, elbowing Renzo to "look at the lovebirds." Nyra's eyes flicker with something unreadable again, but she says nothing.
The night stretches on. Laughter, fireworks, and soft confessions hang in the air. For the first time in a long while, the group isn't fighting, isn't running. They're just… living.
Episode 31 Ends