The Festival of No Sound
"When every sound is punished, even silence becomes painful."
---
Today, there was no melody in Silencia's sky.
No birds calling,
no songs in the wind,
no sound of laughter.
It was The Day of Sacred Silence—
the city's greatest festival.
But there was no celebration.
It was a day of promises—
a promise to stay silent.
On every street, written in chalk:
> "One day can settle the debt of a lifetime."
---
Noen and his family stayed in a quiet alley.
They had heard—
that on this day, even the smallest sound…
was punished immediately.
> "Just one day of silence… that's all,"
Lio said with his usual small smile.
"I feel like I'll break apart."
Mira gently ran her hand through his hair.
> "On this day, everyone hides their pain inside."
"But if you were born to be a sound, my son…
what should you do then?"
Noen didn't answer.
He just looked at Sera.
Her eyes asked him silently:
> "What will you do?"
Noen gave no reply.
He simply gripped the cover of his flute… tighter.
---
The city square—the grand temple—
was where the gathering was called.
The people of Silencia,
the guards,
and the Crown Enforcer—
a man with a terrifying face mask—
all waited there.
The Enforcer lifted his head and looked across the crowd.
> "Today… we honor the sacred silence."
His voice was low—
but it felt like a command carved in stone.
"Anyone who speaks—will lose their tongue.
Anyone who plays—will lose their hands."
---
Noen's feet turned cold.
Even the wind seemed dry.
But then… he heard something.
A tiny sound—a girl's trembling note.
It was her.
The girl he'd seen behind the window before.
The ruler's daughter.
She was sitting in her royal seat—
but in her hands… a small violin.
And her fingers—by accident or by fate—
let out a tiny sound…
> Ting…
Everyone heard it.
No one moved.
Time itself froze.
The Enforcer stared at the girl…
but said nothing.
Instead, he turned to Noen.
> "You… you're new here."
"I see rebellion in your eyes."
Noen still said nothing.
The Enforcer stepped forward.
> "You are challenged."
"If you play even one note today…
your entire family will be sent to Silencia's dungeons."
Sera's eyes flared with anger.
> "You rule with fear."
The Enforcer laughed.
> "And you rule with sound!
Let's see which one wins today."
---
All day… Noen stayed silent.
People kept watching him.
Even the children didn't cry.
As if… even pain had become something to fear.
And before night fell,
Noen stood on the stage.
Everyone watched him.
Even the wind stopped to listen.
He lifted his flute—
and then… he paused.
He didn't play.
He simply closed his eyes—
and said:
> "Not today."
> "Today, I will stay silent…
so you can all understand…
that silence…
was once a song, too."
---
The entire city was stunned.
No sound was made.
But something inside everyone… shattered.
And for tomorrow…
a quiet rebellion was waiting to wake up.
---
To be continued...