The Lantern Sky Festival

The village of Mireva was the kind of place that looked like it had stepped out of a painter's dream and accidentally stayed in the real world. Hills rolled like lazy waves around it, the trees always wore a touch of golden hue, and the cobblestone streets felt warm even at night.

And right now?

It was loud.

Bright.

Festive.

And absolutely not Zen's scene.

"WHAT… is happening," Zen muttered, eyes scanning the streets packed with music, food stalls, dancers, and flying lanterns.

Kael clapped a heavy hand on Zen's shoulder. "Lantern Sky Festival, brat! Once a year, we celebrate peace, life, and good harvest!"

[System: High probability of forced public participation detected. Recommend evasive maneuvers.]

"Can I not participate?" Zen asked.

"Nope," Kael said, already pushing him toward a row of glowing stalls.

Meanwhile…

Diliya twirled in a soft lavender dress, her silver hair catching the lantern light like threads of moonlight. She waved at Zen with a cheeky smile. "Come on, grumpy face! You're part of the family now!"

Zen stared.

Blink. Blink.

"...This is a trap."

[System: Confirmed. Emotional ambush successful.]

• Festival Moments

A kid handed Zen a candied fruit stick. He didn't know what to do, so he stood there holding it awkwardly until Kael stole it and bit it.

Someone challenged Zen to a ring toss. Zen won every round without blinking. Children now fear him.

Diliya entered a lantern-making contest. Zen helped her carve runes into theirs. It floated so perfectly, the crowd clapped. Zen's ears turned slightly red.

A local grandma mistook Zen for Diliya's younger cousin and pinched his cheek. He almost drew his sword.

Later That Night…

They stood atop a hill. Hundreds of lanterns danced into the sky, carrying wishes whispered into wax and paper.

Kael had his arm around Diliya. She leaned into him, smiling softly.

Zen stood a little to the side, arms crossed.

[System: You can make a wish too, you know.]

"I don't do wishes."

[System: Not even secretly?]

"…If I did, I wouldn't tell you."

[System: Rude.]

Zen's lantern floated upward anyway—silent, carrying no written words. But his eyes followed it, steady.

Maybe, just maybe, this moment would stay.

---

After some pestering from the ever-annoying-yet-somehow-helpful System, Zen finally let himself enjoy the simple festival pleasures—trying the honey buns that stuck to his teeth, failing miserably at the wooden dart game (the vendor clearly rigged it), and somehow ending up with a tiny, handmade bracelet crafted by Diliya herself. She'd smiled shyly as she tied it around his wrist.

"For protection," she said. "And luck."

Zen thanked her. Kael just leaned in and muttered, "She doesn't do that for just anyone, brat."

Zen rolled his eyes. "You're getting soft."

"I'm in love. I'm allowed."

That night, the stars were unusually bright. And for once, Zen allowed himself to sleep without checking his sword's edge or scanning for shadows.

But peace was never a place he stayed long.

The next morning, Zen stood by the river at the edge of the village. Mist curled over the surface, cool and clean. He stared at his reflection—just a boy again, with too many battles behind his eyes.

> [system: You're thinking of going back.]

"…Yeah."

> [system: Smart choice. You've grown, but you're not done.]

"I want answers. About my bloodline … and about what I'm becoming."

> [system: And you miss someone.]

Zen exhaled. "That too."

Behind him, footsteps approached—Kael, with a fishing pole and a look that said he already knew.

"You leaving soon?" Kael asked.

Zen nodded. "Academy's probably half empty still, but… I need to return. There's too much I left behind."

Kael tossed a rock into the river. "You've got a long road ahead, Zen. But you're not walking it alone."

Zen turned, eyes steady. "Thanks. For everything."

Diliya arrived with a small parcel—dried food, new gloves, and a note tucked gently inside. Her eyes shimmered as she looked at him, then quickly looked away. "Don't lose this one," she said, nudging the pouch into his hand.

"Thanks," he said softly.

> [system: User officially unlocked 'Emotional Support Buff – Friendship' for 72 hours.]

Zen sighed. "Let's go, nex."

> [system: Onward, emo swordsman.]

And with that, Zen walked toward the rising sun, the bracelet on his wrist catching the morning light.