Chapter 20: The Lantern Festival
1373 Words
Chapter 20: The Lantern Festival
Pinagmasdan ko ang karagatan na puno ng mga bangka. We went pass several boats as well as we moved towards the middle of the ocean. Marami nang mga tao ang nagpakawala ng mga lampara, at ang mga lampara ay tila mga lobong lumutang at lumipad papunta sa himpapawid. I was mesmerized by the ethereal beauty of the scene and landscape, however, I was also saddened by the fact that this is one big contributor to environmental pollution.
“Alright, bitawan na natin ang mga lampara.” Madame Phoebe stated, and we all followed. I let go of my hold with the lantern, and watched the lantern I held which contained by wishes to float into the night sky. The sky was blue, and the Twin Moons were shining brightly. The stars were there as well, and the lanterns that were far enough already looked like wishing stars.
It was cold, and I felt Leo envelope me into his arms. He was right behind me, and I felt his warm body over mine. It was comfortable and romantic, given that the Lantern Festival was currently happening, and we were in the middle of the night. I smiled and looked at the water of the sea, they glistened as they reflected as well the light that was being emitted by the lanterns.
“Alam mo ba ang dahilan kung bakit may Lantern Festival?” Tanong sa akin ni Leo.
Umiling ako.
“It is not just a legend, or a fictional story or fairy tale.” He started, “it is history—once upon a time, Wynzellia was a small kingdom, and the king and queen had a child, however, the child went missing. They searched everywhere, but to no avail, they could not find the child. And so, an advisor has suggested to the king and queen that they light lanterns into the sky in order for the child to see it, and follow the lanterns, hoping the child will return.” Aniya.
“How can a small kingdom become a city?” I asked.
“That is the part of the story that is always left out, as it is too tragic.” Leo said.
“Tell me.” I whispered.
“Are you sure?” He asked.
“Yes.” I insisted.
“The king and queen did their best and invested their lands and treasure in order to find their child, to the point that they were indebted to many kingdoms as well. After a few years, the king fell ill, and the queen was too depressed, she lost all hope and decided to commit suicide. The king soon died after as well, leaving the kingdom in shambles. However, there were nobles who decided to save a small portion of the kingdom, and they turned it into Wynzellia, the City of Lights—best known for its commerce and transactions at night, the city that never sleeps.”
“What happened to the child?” I asked.
“We don’t know... There are conspiracies and theories, though.” Sagot naman ni Leo sa akin. I felt so inclined to the story and curious as well, which is why I pushed for it.
“Tell me more...”
“Alright,” Leo chuckled. “Some said the child was spirited away... Some said the child was kidnapped by the Dark Lord in order to raise her and make her his wife, as the child was a beautiful woman. Some said the child died and the king and queen just could never accept it, that is why they said their child was missing. Nothing makes sense, actually... Which is why this tale, which is a history, is usually just told as a myth.”
Tumango naman ako. We stayed in the middle of the sea for half an hour, and decided to retreat back to the port after when we finally had enough of the lanterns. Naglakad na kaming lahat pabalik sa inn, at napagdesisyunang magpahinga na dahil maaga kaming bibiyahe at aalis bukas pabalik sa Royal Citadel, Liondale Empire.
~*~
3rd Person Point of View
Bumukas ang isang portal at lumabas mula roon ang isang babae na may pulang buhok.
“Lord Viseris,” ito ang bungad niya sa lalakeng nakaupo sa trono. Sa gilid nito ay ang isa sa mga pinagkakatiwalaan niyang alagad na si Marion.
“What are the updates?” Tanong ni Lord Viseris. Seryoso ang mukha nito at walang bakas ng emosyon, nakatitig lang siya sa babae habang hinihintay ang mga susunod na sasabihin nito.
“There are still no signs of Lark’s magic... They need to be together more, and do intimate things together. It is only a matter of time before we see the magic sealed to leak, and when it does, it is already sure that the Dark Lord will resurrect through his body.”
Bumukas ang pinto ng malaking kuwadra matapos ang ilang sandali at bumungad naman ang isang lalake na may bughaw na buhok. Naglakad ito palapit sa babae at kay Lord Viseris. Samantalang si Marion ay nakatayo lang na tila estatwa sa tabi ng trono.
“Frost.” Ngumiti ang babae sa lalake.
“Akane.” Pagbati naman ni Frost sa babaeng may pulang buhok. “I never thought we’d see each other at Wynzellia City. And are you supposed to be here?”
“It is okay, I have the Teleportation Ring.” Sagot ni Akane at saka niya pinakita ang suot niyang singsing. “It is a gift from Lord Viseris.”
“Not a gift, Akane. It is to make sure we can still communicate so you can inform me about the resurrection of our Dark Lord.” Sagot naman nito. “Speaking of, where is the Hallucination Ring?”
“Ah. Right.” Tinanggal ni Akane ang isang singsing na suot nito at binalik kay Lord Viseris. Ito ang singsing din na ginamit niya upang kunwari ay nanaginip ang emperor na kinausap siya ni Aurum upang hanapin ang may purple na mga mata upang siguraduhing naka-seal lang ang mahika nito. The truth was the other way around and it was the exact opposite of it.
“What were you doing at the city?” Tanong ni Akane naman kay Frost, “and you made contact with Lark too...”
“Not like he or the emperor knows about me.” Frost chuckled, “I was bored... And decided to have some fun by going to a festival.”
“Be honest, Frost. Kilala kita. You don’t do things without a hidden agenda or motivation.” Akane looked at Frost and shook her head in disapproval, “if you are only looking for trouble, please, behave yourself already.”
“I am not.” Frost laughed, “like I said, I was only having fun.”
“Selling ice creams is your definition of fun, huh?” Tumawa nang may pagkasarkastiko si Akane. “You have a weird sense of humor.”
Frost and Akane were total opposites, and it is understandable too as Frost is an ice mage, and Akane was a fire magician. They were the pawns of Luna Axis, and their sole purpose is to make sure that the Dark Lord is finally revived.
“Ah, there is something I have forgotten to report.” Akane said, tumingin siya nang bahagya sa orasan at saka bumuntong-hininga, “I need to be back at the Liondale Palace, so I will make it quick.” She did not want to blow her cover or bring suspicion by being gone for too long.
“What is it?”
“It seems like Lark has an idea of what is truly happening already. He encountered a fortune-teller, and after having his fortune told, tila nagbago ang ihip ng hangin. Pero hindi pa ako sigurado, I have to observe more.”
“Alright, do it then.” Saad naman ni Lord Viseris. “It is only a matter of time before the Dark Lord will finally walk among us again.” He chuckled darkly.
Nagpaalam na si Akane pagkatapos at binuksan niya ang portal pabalik sa palasyo.
- Writer
