The Festival

13 years later…

"AAAAAHHH!" I woke up screaming, gasping for breath in my bed, my heart pounding as if I had just escaped a nightmare. My hand trembled as I touched my chest, trying to calm the agitation.

At that moment, Uncle Jack rushed into my room with a concerned expression.

"Young Master Saito, what happened? Did you have a nightmare?"

"Yes…" I sat up, placing a hand on my head, still feeling a bit dizzy. It was strange and unsettling; although the dream had seemed terrifying, my mind retained only indistinct blurs.

"It must have been terrible for you to wake up like that."

"I can't remember anything, just some vague flashes."

"It's already late. Come on!"

I got up, still somewhat disoriented by the nightmare. Stretching, I changed clothes and felt the softness of the refined fabric against my skin. My father, being an important figure, provided us with a comfortable life, reflected in the quality of my clothing.

Leaving my room, I walked alongside Uncle Jack through the long corridors of my house, trying to shake off the remnants of that disturbing dream.

"Uncle Jack, are we starting training now?"

"No, first I need to speak with your father."

I sighed and lowered my head, a bit disappointed.

Knock, knock!

Uncle Jack knocked on the door.

"Come in!" A deep voice echoed from inside the office.

Uncle Jack and I entered together. My father stood with his back to us, reading some files near a bookshelf. His rigid posture reflected the cold demeanor that defined him. He always wore that black mask that covered half of his face, and I had never asked why.

The office was modest, with walls lined with shelves full of ancient books and maps. The desk, meticulously organized, was covered with papers and writing tools. The lighting was dim, coming from a chandelier in the corner, and a few rays of sunlight filtered through the tall windows, creating a contrast between the soft light and the shadows—perfectly in tune with my father's serious and reserved personality.

"What is it?" my father asked without taking his eyes off the documents.

"Chief, the young master has improved a lot this week in a short amount of time."

"Good. Have you finished all your lessons for today?"

"There are still a few left…"

"Then what are you doing here, wasting time?!" My father finally turned around and stared at me. I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his intense gaze on me, not knowing how to respond.

I lowered my head and clenched my fists, feeling frustration and anger building up inside me. Without saying anything, I ran out of the office, leaving my thoughts and emotions in turmoil.

✧༺⚔༻✧

Jack's Point of View

I stood there watching the young master run off, then turned back to Elion.

"Chief, would it hurt to praise him just once? You should be more considerate of the young master. After all, he is your son!"

Elion averted his gaze for a moment, as if lost in deep thought.

What's wrong with him? Since Kathleen's death, his obsession with hunting those monsters has only grown.

Elion walked to his desk and sat down.

"When I was ten, the same age as him, I was already helping villagers fight off wild wolves. You're being too soft, letting him go to the capital alone!"

"Chief, there are only four of us in this house: you, me, an old housekeeper, and a professor who shows up twice a week. And don't forget that this house is in a private area where no one can enter without permission by order of the king. There's no one his age to play with or do things that children should do. He spends all day training and studying."

Elion fixed his gaze on me, remaining silent for a few moments.

"He needs to grow stronger, faster. You know that's necessary."

Sometimes, this really bothered me. I knew the young master needed to work hard to improve as soon as possible, but this was not how a father should treat his son.

I turned away slightly, feeling irritated, and stood in silence for a few seconds before speaking.

"Don't forget the promise you made to Kathleen."

After that, I left the office, letting Elion reflect on the words he had just heard and the promise he had made to Kathleen.

I hope that one day, he will return to the way he was.

As I walked down the house's hallway, I passed brick walls adorned with ancient tapestries and dark wooden furniture. The floor creaked softly beneath my steps.

The former owner of this house really had good taste. The furniture is of high quality—expected, since he was a lord. It seems he bought some land in Lunaris and moved there, leaving the house practically abandoned. Since he was an old friend of Gregory's, he offered it to Elion.

As I descended the stairs of the main hall, I saw the young master sitting alone on the steps outside through the open door. The stairs were worn by time and covered with fallen leaves. He seemed lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the ground.

✧༺⚔༻✧

Saito's Point of View

I was still upset with my father, the weight of his words lingering over me. My fingers absentmindedly played with a dry leaf beside me until I felt a hand on my head. With a gentle smile, Uncle Jack sat beside me. A comforting warmth spread through my body, and my eyes, once fixed on the ground, slowly lifted. His presence gave me a sense of security I didn't even know I needed.

"It's okay, don't be sad. Even though he seems like a bad person, deep down, he cares about you a lot."

"It doesn't seem like it," I replied, irritated. "He never leaves that office to see my training! He's always traveling, and when he does see me, he gives me that pitying look. He doesn't even let me go into the forest! It's like he never trusts me."

"You know the forest is full of wild animals that could hurt you."

"I'm already strong enough. I can defeat them all!"

Uncle Jack wrapped his left arm around my neck in a warm gesture, pulling me close as he let out a contagious laugh. Instinctively, my gaze drifted to his hand.

"Uncle Jack, tell me the truth: how did you lose those two fingers?"

"Oh, this?" He looked at his left hand, covered by a glove, and gave a half-smile. "I've told you before. To marry my wife, I had to pass a test of courage set by her father: cutting off two fingers."

It was obvious that story was a lie. I didn't understand why he insisted on not telling me the truth.

He stood up and glanced around, as if searching for something.

"Come, I'll show you a sword technique your father taught me."

"I don't want to know anything about that old man anymore!"

"Just come and watch."

Even though I was in denial, curiosity got the better of me, and I ended up following Uncle Jack, who seemed determined to head toward a nearby tree.

He approached it and drew his sword. It was a great oak, its leaves rustling lightly in the fresh breeze. The ground around it was covered with dry leaves, and sunlight filtered through the branches, casting shifting shadows around us.

He took a combat stance I had never seen before, his right leg forward, his right arm holding the sword under his left arm, with the tip pointing backward. The air seemed to hold its breath, as if all of nature around us was waiting to see what would happen next.

His gaze turned serious, his expression filled with deep concentration, as if he were shutting out the world around him. I could see the determination in every muscle of his body, ready to unleash his full power at any moment. Then, Uncle Jack closed his eyes and began to breathe calmly.

I watched him closely, unsure of what was about to happen.

"Uncle Jack, what are you—" Before I could finish my question, a strong breeze blew, scattering several leaves.

At that moment, I realized he was concentrating his strength in his sword arm and legs. Suddenly, he unleashed a flurry of attacks around him, so fast I could barely keep up.

The sword's blade gleamed under the sunlight as Uncle Jack spun it with graceful movements. I was impressed by his skill, but also slightly concerned for my own safety. I took a few steps back, keeping my eyes fixed on him as the storm of attacks continued.

After finishing his demonstration, he turned to me with a breathless smile, his eyes shining with excitement and satisfaction. I stood there, stunned, my eyes wide and heart pounding, completely awestruck by the ability I had just witnessed.

"So, what do you think?"

"It was amazing! I want to learn!"

"You still haven't noticed?" He chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes.

Confused, I looked around, trying to understand what he meant.

"Pay attention to the ground around me."

Observing his feet, I noticed several leaves cut cleanly in half, six in total.

"Uncle Jack, no way! You cut six leaves before they hit the ground!"

"My record is seven."

Still amazed by his skill, I tried to contain my excitement.

"But my record doesn't even come close to your father's, he once cut fourteen leaves. When he showed me this technique for the first time, I was frozen for a few seconds, completely speechless. He moves so fast that he can create a current of air around him."

"Can you teach me during today's training?"

Uncle Jack sheathed his sword and walked toward me with slow, deliberate steps.

"There won't be training today."

My face fell in disappointment. After what I had just seen, I was really looking forward to training.

"Why not?"

"The capital is preparing for the festival, and I need to help with a few things."

Initially disheartened by the news, my expression quickly shifted to surprise when he tossed a small pouch of coins my way.

"What's this money for?"

Uncle Jack scratched his chin and glanced toward the horizon.

"If you finish your studies quickly, you'll have the rest of the afternoon free. So maybe… you can go have some fun?"

As I looked at the pouch of coins, I realized I could use this money to enjoy the festival. A wave of excitement washed over me, and with a bright smile, I looked at him.

"Uncle Jack, I'm going to finish my assignments right now!"

Without waiting for a response, I sprinted away, waving at him as I left. Uncle Jack smiled and waved back.

After completing all my tedious grammar and math studies, I opened my window and, with a daring leap, climbed down using the bricks, landing gracefully on the ground. I looked around and ran toward the capital, thrilled by the idea of attending the festival and spending the money Uncle Jack had given me.

Our home was a bit away from the capital of Bartton, in a quiet area surrounded by dense forests. Bursting with excitement, I ran enthusiastically and covered the distance in just a few minutes.

Crossing a large stone bridge that stretched over the river flowing into the sea, I finally arrived in the capital. I was stunned by the sheer number of people and the elaborate decorations in celebration of the festival. It was my first time experiencing this event. Smiling faces were everywhere, with children playing and vendors calling out to passersby.

It was impossible not to feel enveloped by the vibrant energy and excitement filling the air. The buildings were tall and made of light-colored stone, with windows adorned with colorful flowers. Banners and ribbons of various colors were draped between houses, and the melodies of street musicians filled the air, blending with the lively chatter of the people.

According to history, this festival was meant to strengthen the bond between the two southern kingdoms. Long ago, the King of Oastein had an agreement with the North, receiving supplies and money in exchange for military support. However, when those supplies were suddenly cut off, Oastein faced a crisis.

Vulnerable and desperate, the King of Oastein, known for his tyranny, turned his attention to the Kingdom of Bartton. Drawn by its abundant wildlife and fertile lands, he decided to conquer it. This led to a series of bloody battles.

To sustain his army and the war effort, the king constantly raised taxes and conscripted all able-bodied men. His oppression became unbearable, pushing the people of Oastein to rebel. After much struggle, they finally overthrew the tyrant.

With a new king in power, they decided to create this festival, held every five years, as a symbol of unity between the two kingdoms. During the event, people from both lands would share traditions, music, and food, fostering peace and strengthening bonds of friendship.

Since the kingdoms were separated by the sea, all boat transportation was free during these days. Because of this, I suspected that a lot of smuggling also took place, taking advantage of the lack of supervision due to the overwhelming number of ships.

I didn't understand why they continued this festival when the kingdoms had been at peace for many years. But then again, I didn't know much about politics.

As I wandered through the bustling festival streets, my eyes sparkled with curiosity, enchanted by the countless novelties around me. I saw street performers juggling fire, their colorful outfits shining under the torchlight. A magician, dressed in a cloak filled with stars, performed incredible card tricks, drawing laughter and amazed expressions from children and adults gathered around him.

Suddenly, my eyes locked onto something that caught my attention—a child was enjoying something large and fluffy on a stick. Curious, I approached to see what it was.

"Hello, what's that called?" I asked the vendor.

"This? It's cotton candy. Want to buy one?"

"Yes!"

I was mesmerized by the magic of cotton candy forming before my eyes as the skilled vendor spun the wheel expertly, turning crystalized sugar into soft, colorful strands.

"Here you go. That'll be one cruzeiro."

Quickly, I grabbed my coin pouch and pulled out one with ease. Smiling, I handed it to the vendor, finally acquiring the much-anticipated treat.

"Thanks! Come again!"

I took a bite and felt it melt in my mouth, revealing a delicious sweetness. Excited, I decided to visit more stalls to try different foods.

As I walked through the festival, holding a skewer of grilled meat, I was fascinated by everything around me. Distracted, I accidentally bumped into someone wearing a green hood. The mysterious figure moved with agility, almost as if floating, and for a brief moment, I sensed something strange, almost threatening, about their presence.

"Hey…" But when I turned to complain, I realized the person had already disappeared into the crowd.

That was weird. I thought I saw a long beard, but since they were my height, they had to be a child. Maybe it was just my imagination.

Ignoring it, I continued exploring the festival.

A short while later, I saw four children playing, kicking a ball around. I approached them.

"Hey, can I play with you?"

The children stopped for a moment, looking at me suspiciously.

"No! Go away. You're bothering us!"

I looked down and saw my coin pouch. Then, I had an idea.

"Wait! If you let me play, I can give you some coins." I extended both arms, holding the open pouch full of money. The children were shocked by the amount and huddled together, whispering.

"Alright, we'll let you play with us."

"How many cruzeiros do you want?"

"Let's do it this way, so we don't waste time. Go fetch the ball that rolled into that hole. Meanwhile, leave your money pouch with us so we can count the coins faster."

"Alright!"

I handed over my pouch and excitedly ran to get the ball that had fallen into the hole. I trusted those kids completely. Deep down, maybe I just wanted to feel part of something, even if it was just a simple game. However, when I returned, they were gone—taking all my money with them.

Still dazed by the festival's excitement and having let my guard down, I realized I had been too naive. Frustrated and angry, I threw the ball on the ground and started looking for them.

I walked hurriedly among the people, my frantic gaze scanning every corner, but without success. I asked several people until one of them told me they had seen some children running while holding something that looked like a pouch. The woman pointed in the direction they had gone, and without hesitation, I ran there, leaving the sound of the festival behind.

After searching for a long time, I finally found the children in the poorest part of the city, in a dark and narrow alley, illuminated only by a few rays of sunlight filtering through the gaps between buildings. The smell of accumulated garbage and humidity filled the air, and the distant sound of the festival in the capital contrasted with the tense silence of the alley.

Crouched down, the children were dividing my money among themselves. I approached, feeling a mix of anger and sadness.

"Hey, that money is mine! Give it back now!"

The tallest boy stood up and took a few steps, getting even closer to me.

"If you want it, come and get it!" He stared at me with a confident grin.

Extremely irritated, I lunged at the tallest one in front of me. When he tried to retaliate with a punch, I dodged skillfully and landed an uppercut to his chin, knocking him to the ground. The other three boys were visibly shocked by my reaction.

The boy holding the money ran clumsily toward me. I reacted quickly, sidestepping and sticking my leg out in front of him. He tripped and fell hard to the ground, dropping the pouch. I crouched down and recovered my money. Then, I opened the pouch and quickly counted the coins.

"It's all here." I stood up, still glaring at the other boys. "Who's next?" I asked with a challenging smile, my eyes locked onto the two boys who remained frozen.

They exchanged glances, hesitating for a moment, their expressions shifting between fear and rage, but neither dared to step forward.

Then I noticed they were smiling strangely at me.

"I'll be next!" said a voice from behind me.

I had no time to react, because as soon as I turned around, I received a kick to the stomach that made me stagger backward and fall.

The first boy I had hit had called his older brother, a man who looked to be over 20 years old.

"We found a bag of money, but he wants to steal it from us," the younger brother said, looking at me with a smirk.

"The money is mine! You were the ones who stole it from me!" I got up, clutching my stomach in pain.

As soon as the older brother saw the pouch full of coins in my hand, he clenched his fists.

"Those clothes… You're from the nobility, aren't you? You already have plenty of money, and you still want to steal ours?"

Just as he was about to punch me in the face, I managed to block it with my arms. However, he was so strong that the impact pushed my arms upward, leaving me vulnerable. He took advantage of the opening and landed a knee strike to my stomach, knocking me to the ground. Lying there, I started vomiting, my eyes welling up with tears. Then he grabbed me by the hair and stared at me intensely.

"You little rich brat, this isn't your place!"

He spat in my face. Without hesitation, he delivered a violent punch that sent me flying into a pile of garbage. The pain was unbearable, and my body refused to respond. Helpless, I watched as they walked away with my money, not even looking back.

✧༺⚔༻✧

Jack's Point of View

I was carrying a crate full of fish to help Selena. During festival days, she took advantage of the opportunity to grill and sell some. Since she was quite skilled at preparing them, she managed to make a good amount of money.

She's a strong woman, that's for sure. After Roderick's death, she had the strength to keep going and take care of their son alone.

If I weren't so busy, I would have brought Claris along too. Nissa had a patient, so she couldn't come. She even scolded me for not giving Claris enough attention, even though I told her I had work...

Why are women so complicated?

I placed the crate on the ground, feeling my back ache, and stretched slowly to ease the accumulated tension.

I promised I'd bring Claris next time, and this time I'll do my best to keep my word. Yes, that's how a father should take care of his daughter.

Scratching the back of my head, I let out a long sigh.

Speaking of which, I wonder if the young master is enjoying the festival.

As I scanned the crowd, looking for him, I noticed a man dressed in a black cloak and hood standing a little too stiffly. His posture seemed somewhat suspicious. I decided to move closer, trying not to draw attention. Shortly after, two other men, dressed identically, approached him, exchanging quick, discreet glances as if they were plotting something.

"Boss, are you sure he's here?" one of them asked.

The leader raised his eyes and carefully examined the surroundings.

"He must have passed through here. Split up and search the crowd."

"Understood," the two responded.

Oh no… I can't believe it's more trouble! And here I thought I'd get some peace. Should I follow them or alert the guards?

Wait, that voice… I think I've heard it somewhere before…

I decided to get a little closer, trying to catch a glimpse of the man they called "boss," but he left before I could see him clearly. That's when, scanning the crowd, I spotted the young master. I decided to go to him first.

"YOUNG MASTER SAITO! HOW'S THE FESTIVAL? ARE YOU HAVING FUN?"

✧༺⚔༻✧

Saito's Point of View

I walked among the festival crowds, my hand on my bruised face, tears streaming silently down my cheeks. Despite all the noise around me, it felt as if I heard nothing, until I felt a hand rest on my shoulder. I turned slightly and saw it was Uncle Jack. He immediately noticed my state.

"What happened? Did someone hit you?"

Without answering, I ran toward the city gates, my chest tight and my eyes blurred with tears. A mix of shame, anger, and sadness consumed me, while memories of what had happened overwhelmed my mind.

The next day, I was at home, still feeling awful about what had happened at the festival. The betrayal from those children caught me off guard in a way I hadn't expected.

Does trusting someone always end like this, leaving you feeling miserable?

During sword training, my mind wandered, and I could barely defend against Uncle Jack's attacks.

"Let's take a break," he said, putting away the wooden swords and sitting beside me.

"What's going on? You're really distracted."

"They tricked me. Even though I trusted them, they stole all my money!"

"Young Master, you're very smart for your age, but our training is just for defending ourselves when necessary. We don't need to go around fighting people. You should have come to talk to me."

"From now on, I won't trust anyone anymore!"

"Oh? You don't trust me?"

"You're different…"

Uncle Jack placed a hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes, radiating confidence.

"Not everyone is the same, my boy. There are bad people who pretend to be kind just to deceive and steal, but there are also very trustworthy and kind-hearted people in this world—just like your mother was."

I felt my shoulders relax as his gaze met mine, a comforting warmth washing over me, easing some of the pain I felt.

Gently, I held my necklace, sliding my fingers over the locket that held a black-and-white picture of my mother.

"Uncle Jack, can you tell me more about Mom?"

He sighed deeply and, after a moment of reflection, looked up at the sky before beginning to speak. His eyes seemed distant, as if he were reliving memories of the past.

"Miss Kathleen was a very kind person. Even while facing many problems, she always had that beautiful smile on her face. Your father met her during a mission. She lived in a small village, helping the villagers."

He looked at me with a soft smile.

"Let's just say it was love at first sight. After that, he started visiting the village frequently, and little by little, they grew close. Eventually, she decided to move in with him. A year later, she had you." Uncle Jack lowered his gaze, his expression slightly melancholic. "Unfortunately, she had a disease that weakened her body and passed away a few days later."

Hearing this story deeply moved me.

"And it was because of me that she died…"

"No, my boy. Your mother truly loved you and was very happy to have you in her life. She had been battling that illness for a long time, it had nothing to do with you."

I still felt sad, but Uncle Jack's words helped me overcome that difficult moment.

I learned that life can be full of challenges, but there are also good and trustworthy people in the world.

"So, let's train to make your mother proud?" He ruffled my hair before stepping back and tossing me a wooden sword.

His words seemed to ignite something inside me. A sense of hope and determination that I hadn't felt in a long time. I smiled, feeling a new energy rising within me.

"Of course, Uncle Jack! Let's do it!"

I grabbed the wooden sword and took my stance for training.

Uncle Jack always had a way of cheering me up and making me feel better.

I started training with full focus, determined to improve. Suddenly, Uncle Jack swiftly dodged and threw me off balance. Before falling, I managed to grab onto his clothes, pulling him down with me. In the end, we both ended up on the ground.

"HAHAHAHA…" We both laughed heartily.