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Scene 15: A Moment in History
As the afternoon waned and twilight edged closer, everyone slowly gathered once more. Akira's group clustered inside the house with Kalisa, while Noren's group sat outside, joined by Grandpa Gryp, who had just awoken from his afternoon nap.
Inside, Kalisa began the conversation.
"How was everyone's afternoon, dears? Did you enjoy yourselves?"
"It was fun!" Yue beamed. "Getting to talk to new friends really lifts your spirits!"
"And catching up with old ones after such a long time is just as nice," Keela added with a smile.
"Learning through sparring with someone experienced," Draco said with a proud nod. "That's a great way to improve."
"I have to admit," Elina chuckled, her voice lifting as if recalling something amusing, "It feels nice getting praised by grown-ups for once."
The others tilted their heads in confusion—why was she laughing?
Mirelle added softly, "But knowing that adults have tender sides too… and burdens so much heavier than ours… it really makes you respect them more."
Osiris chimed in, her voice calm, "Sounds like everyone learned something. I… don't feel like I gained anything in particular, though."
Kalisa smiled gently. "Even a walk or a conversation can bring small growth, Osiris. Learning doesn't always come from books or battles."
Osiris blinked. "So that means… even just watching clouds drift by… or a butterfly fluttering past… could teach us something?"
"That's a lovely perspective," Kalisa nodded. "But even better is taking what you learn… and using it to help others. That's when knowledge becomes truly meaningful."
Osiris stared into space, whispering to herself, "Then I better upgrade my learning protocol… and memory storage while I'm at it."
Kalisa turned to someone who'd been silent for most of the conversation.
"And you, Akira? How was your walk?"
Yue jumped up with mischief in her eyes.
"He's stuck in his thoughts again! Time for a sneak attack!"
She tiptoed close and blew into his ear—fwooo.
"Ah!" Akira jumped and turned around, finding Yue giggling at her successful surprise. The rest of the group stared, waiting for his response.
"Sorry—what were we talking about?" he asked sheepishly. "I got a little lost in thought."
"Mom asked how your walk was," Keela explained.
Akira blinked and nodded. "Ah, right. I… learned something incredible."
"Really?" Kalisa's voice was curious.
"Yeah. I just learned about the twelve dimensional gates. And the history of the previous heroes."
Yue leaned in, blocking everyone else's view. "You didn't know that yet? I thought everyone did!"
Osiris replied, calm and dry, "Yue. He's from another world. You can't expect him to know Arcadia's history."
"Oh! Right… hehe, sorry." Yue scratched her cheek.
As the discussion inside shifted to legendary gates and ancient heroes, Kalisa, Keela, and Mirelle stepped away to begin preparing dinner, leaving Yue, Osiris, and Elina to guide Akira and Draco through a crash course in Arcadian myth.
—
Outside, the adults gathered in their usual way.
"Yawn…" Grandpa Gryp stretched wide. "So, what did everyone get up to this afternoon?"
"I learned a new dessert recipe from Lady Kalisa," Zhuan said, almost proudly.
"Hoho!" Grandpa chuckled. "You got yourself a golden opportunity there."
"I had a talk with Keela," Noren replied simply, smiling. The adults exchanged knowing glances without saying a word.
"I discovered something… unexpected," Felix said, drawing everyone's attention.
"I had a casual sparring match with that boy—Draco—and Elina joined in too. But here's the kicker… do you know who that boy's master is?"
He let the question hang in the air, voice trembling slightly.
"From Draken, right?" Luvian raised a brow. "If it shocked you, it must be Ignis."
Felix shook his head.
"Who else could it be?" Zhuan frowned. "Ignis is a Guardian, a fire dragon for heaven's sake!"
"Hmm…" Grandpa Gryp stroked his chin. "Ignis is too reckless. Can't imagine him training anyone. But if we're talking about someone you'd react to like this… No way… It couldn't be him."
Felix remained silent, frozen stiff. Grandpa Gryp's voice grew serious.
"You're not joking, are you?"
"It's true," Felix finally said. "The boy is a disciple of that Seryn Dragon."
The entire group fell into stunned silence.
"Who's that?" Seraphina tilted her head, confused. "Why's everyone so shaken?"
"Yeah, he's just a dragon teacher, right?" Noren added, equally puzzled.
Luvian whispered, "That name… isn't something you should speak lightly, Miss."
The girls looked even more lost.
Zhuan tried to soften it. "It's hard to explain, but… Lord Seryn is a legend. If anyone's going to tell the story right, it's Grandpa Gryp."
Felix agreed. "They lived in the same era—the era of the Six Primordial Elements."
"Stop calling it that," Grandpa grumbled. "Sounds so over-the-top…"
He turned to the girls with a sigh.
"Alright, listen up. That Seryn fellow was an introvert. Didn't talk much, and when he did, it was always straight to the gut. No one liked chatting with him—too intense."
"That's not fair," Felix objected. "His power was so great, he avoided fighting unless necessary. He could end conflicts with a word. That's the mark of a master."
"Yeah yeah, and he burned off the feathers on my wing once by accident!" Grandpa waved. "He's a walking wildfire. I don't even know how someone like him would take on a disciple."
"But the boy has incredible potential," Felix argued. "And yet Lord Seryn said he wasn't fit for his teachings. Told him to go experience the outside world."
"Bah," Grandpa huffed. "Just an excuse to be lazy. Probably wanted to nap in peace like a sunbaked lizard."
"Sounds like you don't like him much," Seraphina noted innocently.
"I don't," Grandpa admitted. "Back in our era—before the heroes—it was us who traveled across Arcadia and the twelve stars, helping wherever we could. And he? He slept! When he did wake up, he couldn't control his magic. The only thing he was good at was leveling everything in sight."
"But I think that history sounds fascinating!" Noren smiled. "Could you share more with us?"
"Ah, you know how to charm an old man." Grandpa laughed. "You understand the value of storytelling. No wonder your business thrives—you know the heart of your customers."
"Alright, listen up, kids. I'll keep it short—but not too short…"
And so, Grandpa Gryp began to spin his tale, laughter and awe rippling through the garden. All the while, delicious scents wafted from the kitchen, stirring appetites and signaling that the evening feast was just around the corner.
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Scene 16 – The Night of Music
Evening came, and the dinner table looked more splendid than ever—thanks to the top-tier ingredients Noren had brought especially for the occasion, along with Kalisa's generous unveiling of her noble kitchen secrets. With so many skilled hands helping, tonight's feast sparkled with the elegance of a royal banquet.
The aroma drifted through the air, mouthwatering and impossible to ignore. Every step closer to the table made it harder to resist, but etiquette dictated they wait for the elders to begin.
Grandpa Gryp finally emerged from the back, having retrieved his favorite cup he'd forgotten during his afternoon nap.
"Sorry to keep you hungry little wolves waiting!" he chuckled, seeing the gleaming eyes around the table.
"Make it quick, Grandpa," Keela pouted. "Or I'm stealing your favorite dish!"
Startled, Grandpa Gryp chuckled nervously and hurried into formal mode.
"Ahem! Today is a day to celebrate friendship. May all our days be as joyful. Cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses—some with fine wine, others with sparkling fruit juice—and began enjoying the meal. Laughter mingled with the clinking of cutlery. Someone even poked fun when two forks met the same dish. The girls quickly brought out more, ensuring no one had to fight over anything.
Even with only light conversation, the air was warmer than before. Bonds felt tighter—within each group and between the two.
After the meal came the merrymaking. The adults gathered with light drinks—even Kalisa, surprisingly, though she claimed hers was fruit juice.
The youngsters had finished cleaning up and regrouped.
"I can't believe Mom's hanging out with the old guys drinking," Keela mumbled.
"It's normal, really," Noren smiled, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder. "In the world of business, some women can drink even more than men. The trick is knowing your limit… and keeping your wits."
"You sound like you've been in those circles," Keela narrowed her eyes.
"Too many times," Noren chuckled. "Clients love to reveal secrets when drunk. They're easier to persuade too. And no, I don't actually drink. It's just fruit juice in a wine glass—like Aunt Kalisa's."
"Mom! Let me try some!" Keela dashed off.
"My sweet daughter, craving the taste of adulthood already?" Kalisa grinned.
A moment later—
"Pfft! Ew! Mom, how do you drink that?!"
"I don't," Kalisa murmured with a sly smile. "I just sip it to blend in. But oh, Keela… if you learn to wield it right, it becomes a powerful tool for information."
As Keela returned to her friends, she downed a real fruit juice to rinse the bitter aftertaste.
"How can adults drink that stuff?" she grumbled.
"Mine's a special mix," Noren replied. "I tried the real stuff once—instant headache, stomach burn, bloating. Awful."
The kids shook their heads, baffled by adult tastes. Then the attention shifted.
"What are you guys setting up?" Seraphina asked.
"A simple music corner," Elina answered. "Wanna sing with us?"
"Ehh… I'm not much of a singer. I'll just eat snacks and cheer you on!" Seraphina replied, looking at Noren.
"Perfect," Noren smiled. "I'll sit with you. Let's make some signs and cheer like pros."
The two went off to gather supplies. When they returned, only a few stood at the small makeshift stage.
"Aren't you going up?" Seraphina asked.
"We're taking turns," Keela explained. "Breaks between sets."
And so, the show began.
Akira took his usual spot behind his makeshift drum kit. This time, it sounded even better—closer to a real set.
Mirelle gently strummed her harp, setting a soft, ethereal atmosphere. It wasn't complex, but every note tugged at the heart.
Yue began singing—her voice like morning wind through wildflowers, gentle and soothing. Mirelle soon joined in, her voice glimmering like auroras above the silent sky, weaving light across the air.
And then, at the chorus, a new voice entered—Osiris.
Her voice was deep yet soft, powerful yet tender. She wasn't trying to outshine anyone. Instead, she wove her notes around theirs like warm honey binding the harmonies. Her tone carried layers of emotion—an ache that words couldn't capture.
The audience held their breath.
Yue was innocence.
Mirelle was grace.
Osiris was depth.
Three voices, woven as one. It felt otherworldly.
Osiris didn't look at the audience. Her gaze was fixed on the sky—empty, starless, endless. Her song wasn't meant to impress; it was a message carried on the night wind, filled with longing.
And when the song ended, no one clapped immediately. They simply sat there… breathless.
Yue turned to Osiris.
"Your voice… it's like the wind. Gentle… and sad. The kind of sadness you don't want to ask about."
Osiris smiled faintly, her eyes still on the sky.
"I wasn't singing just to be heard," she whispered.
"I was singing to the world's wind… asking it to carry this voice far."
"Maybe… just maybe, someone's still listening."
"And if he is… I want him to know—I'm still here. I'm still thinking of him."
Mirelle heard those words and glanced quietly toward her friend, smiling.
"I know who you meant, Osiris," she thought. "It's Cain… isn't it?"
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As the music continued to flow, it was Draco's turn to take the stage. He stepped up nervously, preparing to sing a song he had only recently learned—taught by Akira himself. The song was "Faith" by Nemo, from the band Bloody Stamp, Akira's all-time favorite rock group.
The moment the beat of the drums kicked in, it demanded attention, anchoring everyone's focus in place.
Draco began singing, his voice trembling slightly from lack of confidence. But even for a first try, he held his own. Akira supported him from behind, guiding the rhythm and humming softly in case Draco lost track of the lyrics—but never overpowering the lead.
Gradually, Draco found his footing. The tempo picked up. He began to pour more energy into his voice. The atmosphere thickened with intensity. The lyrics alone were moving—but paired with Draco's raw, surging power, it became overwhelming. His voice swelled with emotion, overflowing beyond the stage.
When the song finally ended, the audience burst into applause. It was a stunning debut. Draco looked visibly more confident, almost surprised at himself.
Akira nudged him to go for another. The crowd agreed, shouting out requests.
Draco hesitated only a moment, then nodded. He chose another song he'd just begun practicing—"Last Light of Hope."
This one was heavier. Even the drumbeat alone felt like it punched straight through the chest. Draco's voice—strong and fierce—matched the lyrics, which spoke of pushing forward no matter how faint the light at the end of the road may seem. He sang with the determination of someone who'd lived those words.
By the time it ended, everyone rose to their feet, clapping and cheering loudly. Draco beamed with pride, trying to hide his bashfulness. But one person couldn't hide her joy at all—Elina. Even as someone called her name repeatedly, she didn't notice.
"Elina! It's your turn!"
Snapped back to reality, Elina quickly stood, now joined by Keela.
This time, Akira only provided a beat—because the real show was a rap duel between two hip-hop queens. Elina led with her usual cool and biting style. Keela, though less experienced, was fast on her feet, delivering her signature lightning-fast rhymes in response. Their back-and-forth was electric, and their flow kept the crowd on edge.
When the song ended, the entire group nearly shouted in unison:
"Wow! That was amazing!"
From there, the jam session continued. Three different musical styles rotating between performers. But the one who had the hardest time? None other than Akira, who held the rhythm together for nearly every song.
Eventually, exhausted and drained, he stepped aside to rest. Yue stayed close by, sitting beside him. But the buzz outside suddenly grew louder. Something was happening—but Akira was too tired to stand, his leg nearly cramping from overuse.
Moments later, Elina and Keela returned.
"Akira," Elina said, "Looks like we're headed to the palace tomorrow."
"The palace?" Akira raised an eyebrow.
Keela nodded. "Kalan invited us. But don't worry—he's really kind. Still, are you okay coming along?"
Akira gave her a small grin.
"Of course. We're a team now, aren't we, Princess?"
"Wow, the royal palace? That sounds so exciting!" Yue grabbed Keela's hand and bounced with joy. "We'll get to see Arcadia's royal palace! Wooo-hoo! That's amazing!"
But her innocence couldn't foresee what others might have known—
The palace of the Windblood Royal Family… always hides a storm within.
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