Koya sat at a small wooden table, slowly eating the simple meal Immira had prepared. Immira stood a few steps away, watching her with a calm, relieved smile.
Immira pulled up another chair, sat beside her, and gently placed her hand over Koya's on the table.
"Are you okay, my child?" she asked, voice steady and warm.
Koya paused, then nodded quietly.
Immira's smile softened. "I'm glad." She let out a light laugh. "Won't lie… you had me a little scared when you fused with that bed for days."
Koya lowered her head, hair falling like a curtain over her face. "Sorry for making you worry," she whispered.
Immira tapped her head lightly. "No need to apologize, my child." She stood up, eyes bright with sudden excitement. "Well, Ms. Koya, you couldn't have chosen a better day to get out of bed."
Koya looked up, confused.
"Today is the New Dawn Festival," Immira said. "And it's exactly what you need right now."
"New Dawn…? I thought it already happened," Koya replied, voice low.
"The entire Golden Globe needed time to settle after the Golden Guardian's revelation, so it was postponed."
Koya lowered her head again. "So you'll all are going to the capital...have fun."
Immira's brow furrowed. "What? Are you saying you're not coming?"
"Yes," Koya answered quietly. "I can't tag along… and I don't want anyone outside the Flow Star to see me."
A calm breeze stirred in the small room. Immira raised her palm, and a gentle whirlwind of soft green light swirled above it.
"I understand you don't want to be seen," Immira said softly. "But that doesn't mean you should stay here alone on such a cheerful day. Koya… please come with us. Put on a disguise. Don't spend a day like this by yourself."
Koya stared at her for a long moment. She didn't want to go… but the guilt of making Immira worry so much weighed heavier than her fear. She lowered her head slightly.
"Okay, Immira… I'll come with you."
A huge smile lit up Immira's face, her eyes sparkling like a child's. "That's wonderful, Koya! Finish your meal and go find something to wear."
High in the Golden Tower, the Golden Guardian stood at the wide window, looking down at the bustling capital as preparations for the festival reached their peak.
A quiet relief settled in her chest. The people's trust had held strong despite the revelation.
A memory from a few days earlier flickered through her mind.
Anna had walked into her office, Cal standing nervously a few steps behind.
"Umm… sorry for disturbing you, Golden Guardian," Anna had said, voice tight. "But I needed to know… is what you said about working with Koya true? Is she really with you?"
The Golden Guardian smiled gently beneath her mask.
"So glad she has friends who care about her this much," she whispered to herself.
A golden scout entered and bowed deeply. "Forgive the intrusion, Golden Guardian. The Elders request your presence — matters concerning the New Dawn."
The Golden Guardian turned, still smiling. "Of course."
At the Flow Star, Immira stood alone in a quiet side room, staring at an old painting on the wall. It depicted a lush forest of elegant trees beneath a pitch-black sky. Birds flew through the darkness, but a single bright golden star shone in the center, as if fighting to keep the light alive.
While she gazed at it, a fleeting memory surfaced — the same woman in white robes she had dreamed of before, standing beside her, fingers gently tracing the golden star. The woman had spoken… but the words remained just out of reach.
Koya's voice pulled her back.
"Immira… are you okay?"
Immira blinked and turned. Koya stood there, fully dressed and ready, a simple scarf wrapped around her head and shoulders as a disguise.
Immira hesitated for a split second, then smiled warmly. "Yeah… I'm totally fine. Just… forget it. It's not important."
She took Koya's hand. "The others left a little while ago. Let's go catch up with them."
...
The Golden Globe Capital had transformed into a living celebration.
Thousands of people filled the wide streets, laughing and dancing under strings of glowing lanterns in every color. Vendors lined the sidewalks with stalls overflowing with spiced meats, sweet honey cakes, and glowing fruit drinks. Children ran between legs, chasing floating light orbs. Flow users performed dazzling tricks — spinning water ribbons, blooming instant flower arches, and sending fireworks of colored flames into the sky. Music pulsed from every corner, drums and flutes blending into joyful rhythms that made even the most reserved nobles sway.
The New Dawn Festival was more than an event. It was the heart of the Golden Globe — a cherished tradition that reminded every citizen, noble or commoner, that no matter how dark the world outside became, there was always a new beginning waiting.
Even Meriosa had come.
She stood silently at the edge of the main square, arms crossed, watching the crowds from a distance. She didn't dance. She didn't eat. She didn't speak to anyone. But she was there — a lone shadow among the light.
Light Elder's Mirrors had been set up across the entire Golden Globe, broadcasting the festival live for those who couldn't attend in person. The whole city — and everyone watching from afar — was celebrating together.
Koya and Immira walked side by side through the throng. Immira moved freely and happily, like a teenager again, pulling Koya from stall to stall, forcing her to try sweets and laughing at every new sight. Koya moved slowly, head down, scarf pulled tight, but deep inside she felt a quiet warmth seeing Immira this joyful.
Not far away, Cal and Anna were lost in the crowd. Cal danced to every beat with wild energy. Anna tried to keep up, but her mind kept drifting. Cal noticed, grabbed her hands, and grinned.
"Come on, sis! Even if it's just for today, forget your worries and have fun!"
Anna managed a small smile and finally let the music carry her.
The sun drifted past its peak.
Orbs floated high above the capital and expanded into giant Light Elder's Mirrors, visible to every corner of the festival.
Music faded. The crowd settled.
The Golden Guardian appeared in every mirror, clear and warm.
"People of the Golden Globe… I am so happy to see you all enjoying yourselves. After everything we've been through recently, we truly needed this." She laughed softly. "As we all know, the New Dawn isn't just a festival for fun. It is a reminder that there is always light in the darkness — an opportunity to let go of malice, hatred, and old grudges, and step into a new you… a new era… a New Dawn."
She smiled beneath her mask.
"No more taking up your festival time. But before I go, don't forget the annual Wish Lantern ceremony at eight o'clock. Now everyone… enjoy the New Dawn!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. Music swelled even louder, and the celebration continued with renewed energy.
Immira grabbed Koya's hands and pulled her into the dancing crowd. For the first time in days, Koya let herself move — awkward at first, then slowly loosening up as Immira spun her around with bright laughter. In that moment, surrounded by music and joy, Koya allowed herself one small, genuine smile.
Time flew.
Eight o'clock struck.
Every light in the Golden Globe dimmed. People gathered in pairs or small groups — friends, lovers, families — each holding a delicate paper lantern. No one stood alone.
A kind vendor noticed Meriosa standing apart and gently offered her a lantern with a calm smile. She took it without a word.
The Soul Elder sent a signal — a huge ball of shimmering mist exploded high in the sky.
Thousands of lanterns rose at once, flooding the night with warm yellow and orange light. They drifted upward like a river of stars, carrying not just written wishes but dreams, worries, and hopes.
Immira stood beside Koya, both holding their lanterns.
"Have you made your wish?" Immira asked softly.
Koya nodded.
As the lanterns reached their highest point, they began to burn. The flames were silent but bright, carrying the silent voices of the people:
Anna's wish: Let every present and future problem be solved, so tomorrow can be happy.
Cal's wish: Let there be an overload of happiness and peace for everyone I love.
Meriosa's wish: Give me more strength… and the ability to overcome every weakness.
Ra'an's wish: Let me become number one and surpass them all.
Immira's wish: Take away Koya's pain… let it fly away with the wind.
Koya's wish: Please… let my mother wake up… and give me answers to the questions in my head.
Each lantern burned away into glowing embers that drifted on the night breeze. Everyone hoped that the gods hear and answer them.
In that quiet, sacred moment, Koya felt a warm, gentle sensation spread through her entire body.
To be continued…