As the sun rose and warmth was brought to this cold land, Caelen awakened.

  Looking at the beauty of the outside through his window, he stopped for a moment.

  He was always a little distracted by things, but this time... this time felt truly calm.

  He looked at his hands, no longer shaking like other days, a smile forming in his face.

  “No nightmares…that’s such a relief”

  This day was going to be great.

  As he went to the bathroom, he grabbed a small bucket and filled a third of it with a boiler’s water, the rest filled up with the ice-cold public water.

  As he washed himself up, he gave a look to his upper left arm. There stood a small wound, surrounded by the many scars he had acquired with time.

  A

  Luck had been playing by his side many times.

  Managing to survive all the accidents he has suffered in itself was a miracle, now coming off with so little wounds? That was great!

  However, it wasn't that what worried him, just below the right side of his chest was a purple looking bruise.

  This place felt extremely painful, touching it made him recoil back.

  He realized it was likely one of his ribs had been broken by the deer, as long as he didn't overexert himself, he probably would be able to manage through it.

  ...

  After showering he brought one of his clothes, many of these with patched holes in them, he picked out the first one he saw and quickly dressed up.

  “Dad! I'll be back soon!”

  He yelled before leaving.

  “Take care!” Robert replied.

  The hinges in need of oiling screeched as he drove the door open.

  Leaving his humble home, he saw the rays of the sun, it was barely morning and the day was looking bright.

  Outside stood again the two small pots, Caelen noticed them, then reluctantly went back inside for a cup of water.

  He watered them hastily then went back to continue on his mission.

  He walked by the street passing by people, many different strangers, some acquaintances and such, a couple of merchants carried crates, a couple of kids were carrying some colorful papers, many more people than he was used to seeing in the street, he didn't pay much attention to them as he was focused on what his mission was.

  Then he stopped, by the plaza where the quest board, Caelen was surprised to find many strange decorations, fire-lights being hung up and a large banner being painted on.

  His eyes spun around, then he took notice of someone he was familiar with, Louis, who was seemingly handing out some sort of hand-written papers.

  He waved his hand to him, Louis took a second to notice him then awkwardly walked around the many people working on decorations.

  “Hi” Caelen said in a painfully dry tone.

  “Hey Cael! You’re coming to help around with the festival?”

  “Festival? What for?”

  “What do you mean what for? because the necromancer is dead! Obviously.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “So, what are you doing exactly, Louis?”

  “Well, I’m handing out pamphlets so people can know when exactly is the festival, and just spread the word in general. If you didn’t know about the festival how come you’re here?”

  “I was going to the quest board to do some errands...”

  “Cael, do you ever take a rest? Working so much is going to take a toll on you!”

  He decided not to answer.

  “Anyways, if you help me out, I could give you half of what the merchants paid me to hand out the pamphlets”

  Louis then held in an arm the papers as he pulled out with his other arm a couple of coins out from his pocket.

  Eight silver coins.

  It was far more than he could have expected to make in more than a couple of days by himself.

  Louis gave it a small shook towards him as if to say “Take it”.

  He nervously grabbed four coins off his hands.

  “Here, take the papers, I’ve barely handed out like twenty so it’s not that big of a deal I started earlier”

  Louis handed him half of the stack he was holding, fairly heavy, Caelen read the pamphlet himself, advertising a couple of specific stalls, mentioning possible competitions, in between many other activities.

  They stood for a couple of hours, handing out the pamphlets, as Caelen was about to hand his last one, he noticed this person wasn’t any usual townsfolk, in fact he was probably one of the most unusual.

  He wasn’t wearing his usual hunting leathers. Instead, a thick black fur-lined coat rested over his shoulders, the material heavy and worn at the cuffs. The fur around the collar was dark and uneven, likely from some old beast he had taken down himself. Beneath it, a plain iron clasp held the coat closed across his chest.

  “What’s this ‘Festival’ about?” He asked, calmly, while holding a pamphlet Caelen himself had given to him without noticing, his eyes moving between the paper and him.

  “It’s a celebration due to The Necromancer’s death” He blurted out.

  “I see, i’ll attend.” Then he promptly left, he walked awfully slow as if he had nothing but time in his hands.

  Caelen watched him go. Even in a crowd, people made space for him without realizing it.

  At this point both of them had run out of pamphlets, however the merchants to also go tell people outside the center about the festival, they reluctantly accepted since they did get paid well.

  They went around multiple neighborhoods, most people took the news well but there were more than a couple of people who either didn’t answer or just shut the door in front of them.

  They quietly stood on the door as they knocked on the door.

  No answer yet.

  Caelen shifted his eyes as they met a small plaque that stood on the side of the door, a rather fancy one, however at this point it was pretty dusty and full of vines.

  The Lostarc house.

  Caelen grabbed Louis by the shoulder “Louis,”

  “Y-Yeah?”

  “This is Asha’s house”

  Silence broke between them as the door opened.

  “Hello...?” said Asha’s voice.

  “Hi, Asha!” Blurted out Louis.

  “Good to see you. Louis” Awkwardly she replied.

  Caelen half-assed a “Hi” to Asha, barely audible.

  “So, what’s the knocking about?” She asked.

  “Well-um, we-,we were inviting people to-to the festival!” Stammered Louis.

  “What for?” Asked Asha.

  “The Necromancer’s death,” said Caelen.

  “Oh. Right” She sighed out, monotonal “I think I’ll pass”

  She was about to close her door as Louis put his foot on her door “Ouch” he slightly groaned, not as tough as he tried to seem.

  “Asha, are you sure? I mean it’s a good change of pace and we don’t get many celebrations around here!” Louis let out.

  Caelen looked back at a Louis confused.

  “You’re right but…”

  “It’s really going to be a large celebration Asha, cooping up yourself on home isn’t the best for you, you know?” butted in Louis, still stammering.

  Caelen could only glance back at each of them as they exchanged words, unable to keep up with the conversation, Asha nervously tried to avoid It again and again but Louis refused to budge.

  Asha let out another sigh “Alright Louis, if you insist, I’ll be going”

  Finally, Louis let loose his foot from the door, Asha spoke one last time “I’ll be seeing you both then.”

  They both waved to her as they left, they walked on the cobblestone streets as Louis let out a sigh,” I really don’t get what’s with her…”

  Caelen kicked Louis leg.

  “The heck’s that for?”

  “Didn’t you basically force her to go?” said Caelen pointing fingers at him.

  “I- Well, I just gave her a little push! You know she’s not been looking…in her best way these past weeks”

  “Still. Not nice of you, this celebration should be something we all do in our way, if she wishes to be alone then so be it”

  They walked silently for a while after that.

  The sun had already begun dipping lower, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. Around them, the town was changing.

  Lanterns were being tied across rooftops. Stalls were dragged into position. Someone tested a drum near the plaza, the dull thump echoing through the evening air.

  The banner that had been half-painted that morning now stretched fully across the square.

  Celebration of Liberation,

  Louis glanced toward the growing crowd forming in the distance.

  “So… tonight.”

  Caelen followed his gaze.

  The town felt different.

  Lighter.

  But something in his chest remained tight.

  “I’ll see you there,” Louis said, already backing away to prepare himself.

  Caelen remained where he was for a moment longer.

  The first lantern was lit.

  The flames flickered.

  Then steadied.